In Buffalo, John Vogl profiles Sports Consulting Group agent STEVE BARTLETT, who has "become one of the most respected people" in hockey. Bartlett will "be at the forefront this offseason with three of the biggest free agents" in the NHL: Canadiens LW THOMAS VANEK, Lightning RW RYAN CALLAHAN and Canadiens RW BRIAN GIONTA. Former NHLer ANDREW PETERS said of Bartlett, "He's like a dad to me, and there are a ton of players that feel that way about him." But the "ultimate sign of respect is when Bartlett's opponents go out of their way to compliment him." Devils President, CEO & GM LOU LAMORIELLO said, "For all the years I've been in the business, his integrity, his straightforwardness and his concern for players is unwavering, and I respect that." Bartlett "represents 25 to 30 players in the NHL, another 30 in the minors and Europe, plus prospects" (BUFFALO NEWS, 5/27).
JET SETTER: In N.Y., Zach Schonbrun profiled Priority Sports agent and former NFL Jets GM MIKE TANNENBAUM, who was the "unlikely figure" behind STEVE KERR signing on as coach of the Warriors. It is "believed to be a first" for a former GM to "work for an agency." After years of "fretting about the NFL salary cap and saying no, Tannenbaum was now the aggressor, pushing for more money, more years, more incentives, with the meticulous approach that carried him to the top rung of the Jets’ front office at 36" (N.Y. TIMES, 5/25).
NAMES: Newark's downtown nightlife scene is "about to get a little bit glitzier," as construction on Hotel Indigo is "set to finish this summer because of an influx of cash" from Devils Owner JOSH HARRIS, who is giving Hanini Group a $14M loan (Newark STAR-LEDGER, 5/23)....Outgoing Bucks Owner HERB KOHL sent BMO Harris Bradley Center employees a "letter of appreciation as he leaves the team," and "inside every note of gratitude was a check for $500" (AP, 5/27)....Former MLBer DAVID WELLS has listed his 12,409-square-foot San Diego home for $8M (LATIMES.com, 5/23)....Tennis Channel analyst MARY CARILLO "delivered the commencement address" at Elon Univ. on Saturday (NEWS-RECORD.com, 5/24)....NFL Network and HBO reporter ANDREA KREMER this weekend dined at Legal Crossing in Boston (BOSTON HERALD, 5/25)….Browns QB JOHNNY MANZIEL attended UFC 137 in Las Vegas after “partying at Daylight Beach Club (Mandalay Bay) and dining at Kumi Japanese restaurant.” Meanwhile, UFC President DANA WHITE celebrated at XS (Encore) over the weekend (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 5/26).
IN MEMORY: Longtime sportswriter SHIRLEY WALTON FISCHLER, who in ’71 “became the first woman allowed to report on hockey games" from the MSG press box, died May 13 at the age of 74. Her husband, MSG Network's STAN FISCHLER, said that the cause “was metastatic cancer.” Walton Fischler is “credited as a co-author with her husband on more than 20 books” (N.Y. TIMES, 5/24)….Former Northern Illinois Univ. AD ROBERT BRINGHAM died Sunday. He led the athletic department from ’68-87 (DeKalb DAILY CHRONICLE, 5/27).
