PETER LUUKKO, who resigned Monday as Comcast-Spectacor President & COO, yesterday indicated that he “doubted that he could ever find the time to explore business opportunities while handling the company’s day-to-day activities,” and after talking to colleagues, he “made a decision.” Luukko: “I had to be, as they say in the hockey business, an unrestricted free agent.” In Philadelphia, John George reports Luukko “reiterated he does not have his next career move lined up, but he does want to stay in the sports or entertainment field.” He added that he “never gave … much thought” to the widely held view that he was the likely successor to Comcast-Spectacor Chair ED SNIDER. Meanwhile, he called speculation he was forced out of his position “ridiculous” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 12/4).
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Carter-Williams' salary goes into a trust fund, while
he lives solely off endorsement money |
MOTHER KNOWS BEST: 76ers G
MICHAEL CARTER-
WILLIAMS' mom,
MANDY CARTER-ZEGAROWSKI, and her best friend,
TRACIE TRACY, are "running his management team." They are "taking a proactive approach to make sure he doesn't spend all his money in a couple of years." His rookie contract guarantees him $4.5M over his first two seasons, and he could make a total of $10M if the Sixers "pick up the final two seasons of his contract." But his salary is "deposited into a trust he can't touch for three years." Carter-Williams is "living off endorsement deals with Nike and Panini trading cards" (
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 12/3).
NAMES: Pro Football HOFer DEION SANDERS has been fired for the second time in less than two months from Prime Prep Academy, the "troubled charter school he co-founded." Sanders in October "was fired after a co-worker accused him of assault," but was then rehired (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/4)....Collegiate Sports Associates Founder TODD TURNER "will assist Virginia Tech in its search" for a successor to retiring AD JIM WEAVER. CSA since its '10 debut has "helped dozens of schools looking for coaches, athletic directors and other administrators" (DAILYPRESS.com, 12/2)....Former NBAer RASHEED WALLACE has "finally paid off" his tax bill after being among Multnomah County's (Ore.) "top 25 delinquent taxpayers." Wallace, who owed the county more than $150,000 in taxes dating back to '10, last Friday "made a final payment of $31,712" (OREGONLIVE.com, 12/3)....Former IndyCar driver DARIO FRANCHITTI on Sunday in London "made his first public appearance since his career-ending accident." Franchitti told the audience at the Autosport Awards show that he "wants to remain with Ganassi Racing in some form" (INDYSTAR.com, 12/2)....MLS Impact Owner & President JOEY SAPUTO promised to dye his beard blue if he was able to reach $25,000 as part of the Procure Challenges to help raise funds for prostate cancer research (Impact)....Speedway Children's Charities of Texas awarded more than $915,000 in grants to Ft. Worth and Dallas organizations that work with children (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 12/4).
