In N.Y., Steve Eder profiles N.Y. attorney JEFFREY KESSLER and writes the NCAA has been dealt "serious blows" by the ED O'BANNON case and Northwestern's attempt to unionize, but Kessler may be its "most formidable opponent of all." Kessler in March "filed a lawsuit against the NCAA and the major college athletics conferences that he says will take down the 'cartel' that controls college sports, and do away altogether with rules against paying college athletes." If the NCAA has "shown an inclination to tiptoe toward significant change, Kessler’s case takes a bazooka to the entire model of college athletics." He envisions an "open market that would allow colleges to compete for the services of top athletes by offering enhanced scholarships, better medical care -- or cash" (N.Y. TIMES, 8/27).
WHERE THERE'S SMOKE...: POPE FRANCIS is "backing an inter-religion soccer match" on Sept. 1 at Olympic Stadium in Rome that will "gather greats from around the globe and is aimed at promoting peace and raising money for at-risk kids." Argentina national team coach GERARDO MARTINO and EPL club Arsenal coach ARSENE WENGER will "put together teams featuring Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist players." Players will include LIONEL MESSI, FILIPPO INZAGHI and SAMUEL ETO'O. Pope Francis "isn't expected to attend" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 8/27).
WAITING GAME: Almost eight months after winning the final BCS National Championship game, the Florida State football team "still hasn't met" with PRESIDENT OBAMA, and may become the "first nonrepeat champion since 1990 to not make its ceremonial trip." FSU Senior Associate AD/Internal Operations MONK BONASORTE said that the two sides "communicated over the summer but never finalized a plan." A White House official yesterday said that are "still working on a date" (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 8/27).
NAMES: NCAA President MARK EMMERT has been “deposed in a lawsuit” over the death of Frostburg State Univ. football player DEREK SHEELY, who collapsed during an August ’11 practice and “later died from a head injury.” His family last year filed a lawsuit against the NCAA (LATIMES.com, 8/26)....ARNOLD PALMER is "back in his office this week near his Latrobe, Pennsylvania, home after having successful pacemaker implant surgery Aug. 18 in Pittsburgh.” The procedure “was done to correct an abnormal heartbeat” (ESPN.com, 8/26)....BENNY HOROWITZ, the drummer for rock band THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM, has written an "essay for Rolling Stone, describing his passion for Rutgers football and expressing optimism for the Scarlet Knights’ first Big Ten season" (NJ.com, 8/26)….The new season of CBS’ “SURVIVOR” will feature former MLBer JOHN ROCKER (EW.com, 8/26)….Saints QB DREW BREES and his wife, BRITTANY, “welcomed a new baby girl Monday night.” The couple “declined to share their daughter’s name” (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 8/27).
