Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES yesterday helped "renovate a house" in West Hill, Ohio, "for the family of a sixth-grader in his Wheels for Education mentoring program." The project is being "spearheaded by his LeBron James Family Foundation" and the TV show, "REHAB ADDICT." James and his sons, LEBRON JR. and BRYCE, "pitched in to help remove the front steps, a retaining wall and some porch railings under the direction of the show’s star, NICOLE CURTIS" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 8/5).
TWO-DEEP COVERAGE: Florida State Univ. QB JAMEIS WINSTON purchased a $10M disability and loss of value insurance policy, and FSU is "footing part of the bill." An FSU spokesperson said that the school is "paying for the reigning Heisman Trophy winner's loss of value policy with the school's Student Assistant Fund." The spokesperson "did not provide a specific number as to how much the university is paying." But the website Tomahawk Nation reported FSU will pay a $55,000-60,000 premium (ESPN.com, 8/4).
SWITCHING SIDES: Former Miami-Dade County Deputy Mayor CHIP IGLESIAS will "chair the local government practice" at lobbying firm Ballard Partners, which represented DAVID BECKHAM's MLS group. Iglesias previously "headed the county's negotiations with Beckham over a potential soccer stadium" in Miami. He will "be banned from lobbying County Hall for two years" (MIAMI HERALD, 8/5).
PAYING RESPECTS: Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT "penned a personal letter" to the family of MAX STEINBERG, an American volunteer in the Israel Defense Forces, who was "killed two weeks ago during a battle in the Gaza Strip." Kraft wrote, "He represents the consummate patriot and I am forever grateful for the sacrifices he made to keep our beloved Israel safe" (BUZZFEED.com, 8/4).
ON THE FAIRWAY: PGA of America Chief Championship Officer KERRY HAIGH is profiled by the PALM BEACH POST's Brian Biggane, who writes Haigh has "arguably been the most important behind-the-scenes figure at The PGA Championship for nearly 25 years." He is "the guy who gets either the most blame or praise from the world’s top golfers for his setup when they tee it up" (PALM BEACH POST, 8/3). Meanwhile, President BILL CLINTON this week will receive the PGA Distinguished Service Award from the PGA of America (Palm Springs DESERT SUN, 8/5).
NAMES: Former Trail Blazers Corporate Ticket Sales Manager JUSTINA SMITH is suing the team, “charging that she was passed over for a promotion because of discrimination, then fired when she complained about it.” Smith is “seeking $500,000 for emotional distress and damage to her reputation, and $350,000 for economic loss” (OREGONLIVE.com, 8/4)....Boxer ANDRE WARD “has sued” promoter DAN GOOSEN for “allegedly violating the Muhammad Ali Boxing Reform Act, which requires promoters to disclose how much they make off fights to their clients.” The federal suit is “seeking damages that could reach into the tens of millions” (N.Y. POST, 8/5)....Nationals LF BRYCE HARPER teamed with Gatorade to give DC’s Anacostia High School a “fully renovated locker room" (WASHINGTON POST, 8/5)....MLB Cardinals broadcaster TIM MCCARVER yesterday was “added to the St. Louis Walk of Fame” (STLTODAY.com, 8/4)....The “controversial $100,000 contribution that Churchill Downs gave to a political committee in January might not be used to support conservative candidates for the Kentucky General Assembly this fall after all.” The bulk of it will “go for candidates” in Kentucky’s ’15 primary election (Louisville COURIER-JOURNAL, 8/5)....Phillies 1B RYAN HOWARD and his wife, KRYSTLE, last night hosted their Stand Up For Literacy fundraiser at the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia (PHILLY.com, 8/4).
