In L.A., Michael Hiltzik noted talk show host DR. MEHMET OZ appears in a 30-second, "Together We Make Football" ad, and the NFL as compensation "contributed $20,000 to an Oz charity and gave him two tickets to next year's Super Bowl." Hiltzik: "Can he really claim that his appearance in a TV commercial for the NFL doesn't constitute an endorsement?" Oz said that he "thinks there's been 'some piling on' the NFL over its responsibility for its players' concussion injuries." That "tells you what a $20,000 contribution and two tickets to the Super Bowl can buy" (LATIMES.com, 10/31).
BANK HEIST: ESPN NFL analyst RAY LEWIS is "among a group of 16 current and former NFL players who are suing BB&T Bank" for nearly $60M in "alleged investment losses." The players accuse the bank of "allowing disgraced financial advisor JEFF RUBIN and his former firm, Pro Sports Financial, to open accounts in their names and place tens of millions of dollars in unauthorized investments" (Baltimore SUN, 11/1).
LOVE IT OR LIST IT: Vikings QB CHRISTIAN PONDER has listed his 5,540-square-foot home in a gated neighborhood on Lake Minnetonka that he “bought 16 months ago.” The home listed for $1.095M (STARTRIBUNE.com, 10/31)….Tennis HOFer PETE SAMPRAS and his wife, BRIDGETTE WILSON-SAMPRAS, have “quietly sold their Lake Sherwood-area compound” near Thousand Oaks, Calif., “in an off-market deal.” Purchase price was not disclosed (LATIMES.com, 10/31)….Cardinals RF CARLOS BELTRAN has “just slashed the price on his seven-bedroom mansion on Long Island’s North Shore” by more than $1M. The two-acre Sands Point compound is “now priced to move” at $4.73M, down from the $5.8M asking price last February (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 11/1).
NAMES: Inner Circle Sports Managing Partner ROB TILLISS said of Chiefs Chair & CEO CLARK HUNT, "He's not a splashy guy and not an 'aw, shucks' guy either, but he knows how to negotiate a business deal" (N.Y. TIMES, 11/1)....White House Press Secretary JAY CARNEY on Thursday celebrated the Red Sox' World Series title "by wearing the team's hat to the briefing room podium" (POLITICO.com, 10/31)....Racquet Sports Industry in its Nov./Dec. issue named Head USA Communications & Customer Service Manager ALLISON BARNETT and Babolat Global Social Media Manager DANIEL BECKER to its "30 Under 30" list (Racquet Sports)....Former NFLer JOHN OFFERDAHL on Thursday night "became just the third linebacker in team history to be named to the Dolphin Honor Roll" (PALMBEACHPOST.com, 10/31)....Snowboarder SHAUN WHITE is "part of a recently released THIRTY SECONDS TO MARS short film for the song 'City of Angels.'" The video also includes Lakers G STEVE NASH (NBCSPORTS.com, 10/31)....Former NFLer BUBBA PARIS "has pleaded guilty to failing to file federal income taxes" (AP, 10/31)....Spurs G TONY PARKER and his fiancée, French journalist AXELLE FRANCINE, are “expecting a baby boy” (MYSANANTONIO.com, 10/31).
IN MEMORY: Atlanta Motor Speedway PR Dir MARCY SCOTT on Friday "lost her long battle with cancer" (TWITTER.com, 11/1). NASCAR VP & Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes tweeted, "God bless Marcy Scott. She was a bright light, a picture of grace and will be missed by all." FS1's Tom Bowles: "Tragic loss today. Ask anyone in and they'll give you a glowing review of her both professionally and as a person." ESPN's Marty Smith tweeted, "Really sad to learn of Marcy Scott's passing. She beat that damn cancer once w tremendous resolve. Always happy. Always a light. RIP sweetie." Driver Austin Dillon wrote, "Sorry to hear about Marcy Scott. Prayers are with her and her family. She was always fun to work with & talk to." NASCAR.com's David Caraviello tweeted, "If anyone deserves to be in a better place, it's Marcy Scott. Lord, how that woman fought."
