Pro Football HOFer EMMITT SMITH is "planning a nationwide expansion for his Dallas-based property-services firm, which isn’t even a year old." Smith and top execs from his company, E Smith Realty Partners, spent several days in N.Y. last month "meeting with potential local clients and developing a 'draft board' of prospects to head up an office in the city to serve New York, New Jersey and Connecticut" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 7/10).
DOWN IN THE VALLEY: USA TODAY's Yu & Saucier report sports team owners and execs are "fairly conspicuous" at the annual Allen & Co. retreat in Sun Valley, underscoring the "crucial leverage that live games lend to broadcast and cable networks in negotiations with pay-TV providers and retaining customers who might otherwise cut the cord." The commissioners of the four major pro sports leagues -- GARY BETTMAN (NHL), ROGER GOODELL (NFL), BUD SELIG (MLB) and ADAM SILVER, (NBA) -- are "on the list." Jessica Lessin from tech news site tweeted, "#SunValley observation 1: Heavy on sports owners (Mets, Knicks, 49ers and other NBA owners)." Business Insider's Jay Yarrow tweeted a picture of Knicks President of Basketball Operations PHIL JACKSON "at the event" (USA TODAY, 7/10). Jackson yesterday was interviewed by Basketball HOFer and former Knicks teammate BILL BRADLEY in Sun Valley (VARIETY.com, 7/9).
BREAKING DOWN BARRIERS ON ICE: DC-based amateur hockey player DEVAN ABERCROMBIE, a recipient of the NHL/Thurgood Marshall College Fund scholarship through the league’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative, "represents the league’s aim to foster diversity." The four-year, $25,000 scholarship "enables Abercrombie to go to his preferred college, Saint Joseph’s in Philadelphia, where he will major in sports marketing." The Capitals "donated an additional $10,000 to the scholarship" (WASHINGTON POST, 7/10).
DIGGIN' IT: WNBA Shock G SKYLAR DIGGINS discusses her beauty regimen in the N.Y. TIMES' Fashion & Style section. Diggins said of her skin care, "I like Tone scented shower gel. I love the Mango Splash with cocoa butter and the blue one, which is Ocean Therapy. After, I’ll use Palmer’s cocoa butter lotion all over. I switch up my facial wash." She said of her diet and fitness, "If I’m not on the court, I do high-intensity training, intervals, functional movement, strength and core. And I have to eat clean: a lot of greens, fish and chicken" (N.Y. TIMES, 7/10).
LABOR MOVES: WME has signed undefeated MMA fighter CHRIS WEIDMAN in all areas outside of the Octagon, focusing particularly on film, TV, books, commercial endorsements and philanthropic endeavors. WME talent agents BRAD SLATER and BRANDT JOEL will represent him. Meanwhile, Relativity Sports has signed 49ers LB ALDON SMITH for representation. NFL agents DOUG HENDRICKSON and C.J. LABOY will represent him. Smith was formerly represented by CAA Sports. Elsewhere, Dolphins DE OLIVIER VERNON has left Rosenhaus Sports. Vernon has not yet signed with another agent (Liz Mullen, Staff Writer).
NAMES: Rams DE MICHAEL SAM will appear on the August cover of Out magazine (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 7/9)….NBA free agent G JIMMER FREDETTE yesterday held a short Q&A session with nearly 300 young basketball players competing in the Jimmerosity Jam three-on-three tournament. The tournament supports anti-bullying campaigns in his hometown of Glens Falls, N.Y. (DESERET NEWS, 7/10)….Houston-based KPRC-NBC sportscaster and former NFLer CHESTER PITTS on Tuesday held his Strike Out for the Arts bowling campaign to support the Chester Pitts Charitable Foundation (CHRON.com, 7/9).
