In N.Y., Ben Austen profiled Cavaliers Owner and Quicken Loans Founder DAN GILBERT, writing he is "affable and reflective -- sensible, even, in his unequivocal fervor for Detroit." He was born in the city, and "although his family moved to the suburbs when he was still a toddler, his father continued to operate a bar in Detroit and his grandfather ran a couple of carwashes." Detroit is "his mission; he has gone all-in." Gilbert has "brought 12,500 employees with him to downtown, and along with other private investors is funding the construction of a light-rail system that will connect the central business district with the neighboring Midtown district." He formed a "start-up incubator called Bizdom and a venture-capital firm, with some of the funded companies already expanding into other Gilbert-owned office space." Gilbert said, "Anything can be created in Detroit." Austen wrote Gilbert "could enrich a city and himself at the same time" (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 7/13 issue).
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Brady (c) and Kutcher spoke during the Germany-
Argentina World Cup final |
FUTBOL FEVER: Many celebrities "rubbed shoulders" at yesterday's FIFA World Cup final, including SHAKIRA and CARLOS SANTANA, who performed during the closing ceremony. Russia President VLADIMIR PUTIN "chatted with ANGELA MERKEL, and DAVID BECKHAM hugged PELE." Patriots QB TOM BRADY "looked on from the VIP seats" and MICK JAGGER and LEBRON JAMES were also in attendance. IOC President THOMAS BACH "was perched attentively forward to see his native Germany play" (AP, 7/13). Also in attendance were actors ASHTON KUTCHER and DANIEL CRAIG, and singers PLACIDO DOMINGO and WYCLEF JEAN (L.A. TIMES, 7/14).
AWARDS & HONORS: MLB Rangers radio broadcaster ERIC NADEL on Saturday received the Ford C. Frick Award before delivering the first pitch at Globe Life Park. The award is presented annually for excellence in broadcasting by the Baseball HOF. Nadel began working for the Rangers in '79 (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 7/13)....Former tennis player LINDSAY DAVENPORT on Saturday was inducted into the Int'l Tennis HOF (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 7/13)....Former NHLer GINO ODJICK's hometown of Maniwaki, Quebec, "is naming an arena" after him. The rink will be called the Gino Ordick Sports Centre "in honor of the 43-year-old Odjick, who has been diagnosed with a rare heart condition." Doctors said that he "might have only weeks to live" (AP, 7/11).
COMING TO A THEATER NEAR YOU: Atmosphere Entertainment and Mandalay Sports Media on Friday announced that they have optioned "THE KID: THE IMMORTAL LIFE OF TED WILLIAMS," the bio by former Boston Globe writer BEN BRADLEE JR. Producers said that they "won't dwell on the bizarre decision by members of Williams' family to keep his remains at a cryogenic facility" (BOSTON GLOBE, 7/11).
CHARITY STRIPE: The LeBron James Family Foundation is "teaming with the 'REHAB ADDICT' TV show on the DIY and HGTV networks to make over the house and yard of a middle-school student and her family in early August" (MIAMI.CBSLOCAL.com, 7/11)....Colts Owner JIM IRSAY made a "major contribution to a program for at-risk children Friday night." Irsay donated a $100,000 check to the HIM by HER Foundation (WTHR.com, 7/11)....NFL Giants LB MARK HERZLICH hosted his ’14 Liberty Mutual Golf Outing on July 7 to “raise money to support Ewing’s Sarcoma research.” The event raised more than $20,000 (NJ.com, 7/13).
NAMES: Steelers WR ANTONIO BROWN "has left Roc Nation" and "plans to re-hire Rosenhaus Sports for representation" (TWITTER.com, 7/11)....Orthopedic surgeon DR. JAMES ANDREWS is "now pictured on Topps trading cards." His card is "one of 350 included in Topps' Allen & Ginter collection" (NEWSDAY, 7/12)....The GLOBE & MAIL's Simon Houpt profiled Rogers Media President KEITH PELLEY under the header, "Hockey, Family And Takin' Care Of Business" (GLOBE & MAIL, 7/12)....JAY Z and BEYONCE performed at MetLife Stadium on Friday and Saturday, and stopped by the Giants’ locker room to take a picture (NJ.com, 7/13)...New Nets coach LIONEL HOLLINS last Monday “was welcomed with open arms” while at dinner at Fresco by Scotto in N.Y. with his wife, ANGELA (N.Y. POST, 7/13)....Raiders DE JUSTIN TUCK is selling his WILL CASTRO-customized ’10 Ford F-350 on eBay with a starting bid of $46,500 (N.Y. POST, 7/13)....Bengals QB A.J. MCCARRON and model KATHERINE WEBB were married Saturday at in Orange Beach, Ala. (NYDAILYNEWS.com, 7/13)....Lions RB REGGIE BUSH and fiancée LILIT AVAGYAN were married Saturday (FREEP.com, 7/13)....Bucks coach JASON KIDD was seen at 75 Main in N.Y. last week (N.Y. POST, 7/13).
