The AP's Aaron Beard reported Georgia-based agent TERRY WATSON has been "charged with violating the state's sports agent laws by providing gifts" to three former Univ. of North Carolina football players. Unsealed documents show that a grand jury indicted Watson "with 13 counts of providing cash or travel accommodations to MARVIN AUSTIN, GREG LITTLE and ROBERT QUINN valued at nearly $24,000 in an effort to sign them." Watson also faces "one count of obstruction for not providing records sought by authorities." Watson was arrested yesterday morning, "released on a $50,000 secured bond and made his first court appearance in the afternoon" (AP, 10/9). Orange County, N.C., District Attorney JIM WOODALL "did not count out the possibility that the investigation into agents connected to the UNC scandal might lead to inquiries at other schools inside and outside of North Carolina." Woodall said, "It would be nice if some other states got involved and do some investigations" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 10/10).
REACHING A SETTLEMENT: In Charlotte, Ames Alexander reported NASCAR Chair & CEO BRIAN FRANCE and his ex-wife, MEGAN, have “reached a confidential settlement in a big-dollar court fight.” Lawyers for the two said that they “agreed to end their court dispute” last month. Much of the legal fight for years “was hidden from the public because a judge sealed the France file” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 10/9).
STILL A VOLUNTEER: Former Univ. of Tennessee AD MIKE HAMILTON is part of the non-profit Blood:Water Mission to help sub-Saharan Africa tackle "two crises: not enough clean water, and too much AIDS." Hamilton spent "11 days in Africa last month, pushing his total to 50 or 60 days there overall" (CBSSPORTS.com, 10/9).
TEACHER'S PETS: Syracuse Univ. is accepting enrollment in a free, non-credit online course taught by former USOC CMO RICK BURTON that begins Monday. The six-session course, titled "The Subject Is Sports," explores issues in sport through a historical context, including the development of leagues, the evolution of venues and the role of media, among other topics. Sessions will run about 20 minutes each and will include quizzes and discussion points (Bill King, Staff Writer)....In Raleigh, Andrew Carter noted the UNC football team yesterday hosted "invite a professor to practice day," and a crowd of "about 20 professors showed up." Coach LARRY FEDORA said that one of his goals is "to work more closely with the academic side of the university" (NEWSOBSERVER.com, 10/9).
CHARITY STRIPE: Octagon today announced the firm will donate $250,000 over five years to USTA Serves, the governing body's national charitable foundation (USTA)....Canadian moguls skier JENN HEIL promised at the ’10 Vancouver Games to raise $1M for Plan Canada’s “Because I Am A Girl” campaign. Heil, who has reached her campaign target, today will be in Ottawa to “promote an interactive art installation supporting girls’ education globally” (CP, 10/9).
NAMES: Boxer JUAN DIAZ on Oct. 19 will compete in his "first bout under a new promotional deal he signed this week with Top Rank." Diaz said that he signed an "18-month, six-figure deal with Top Rank, mainly because of his close relationship" with company VP/Boxing Operations CARL MORETTI (ESPN.com, 10/9)....Ravens RB RAY RICE on Tuesday “made a special appearance” at Bel Air High School in Maryland to talk about his experiences with bullying (BALTIMORESUN.com, 10/9)....Celtics G COURTNEY LEE joined students at Ellis Elementary School in Boston to “paint a mural this week” (BOSTON GLOBE, 10/10)….Former MLBer JIM EDMONDS’ new restaurant with business partner MARK WINFIELD, called The Precinct, will open Monday in St. Louis (STLTODAY.com, 10/9)….Nets F KEVIN GARNETT has put his 11,000-square-foot Boston-area home on the market for $4.85M (BOSTON HERALD, 10/10)….Packers WR JAMES JONES serves as Milwaukee Magazine’s October ’13 cover model (AGLAMSLAM.com, 10/9)….NWSL Flash F ABBY WAMBACH got married last Saturday in a ceremony in Hawaii to her longtime partner and Flash MF SARAH HUFFMAN (ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE, 10/10)….Actress HAYDEN PANETTIERE yesterday confirmed her engagement to boxer WLADIMIR KLITSCHKO (AP, 10/9).
