Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT today testified that former NFLer AARON HERNANDEZ "insisted on his innocence when he spoke to him two days after the murder" of ODIN LLOYD. Kraft "was called to the stand as a prosecution witness" and was followed by Patriots Dir of Security MARK BRIGGS (BOSTONGLOBE.com, 3/31). Kraft was "on the stand for under an hour, giving testimony that was at odds with his reputation for being a media-savvy, hands-on owner." Kraft "revealed little, could not recall some things and was, at least initially, amusing." When asked where he worked, Kraft said, "I work at One Patriot Place.” When asked what he does, he said, "Umm, whatever they ask me to do” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/31).
DAY DREAM: Eleven-year-old Saskatchewan resident GARRETT GAMBLE last week "signed a special one-day NHL contract" with the Maple Leafs, which allowed him to "spend the whole day" with his favorite team. Garrett "uses a wheelchair as the result of a condition known as Morquio Syndrome," and his contract included an "invitation to drop the puck" prior to the Senators-Leafs game Saturday (TORONTO STAR, 3/28). Meanwhile, the Wizards on Friday in partnership with Make-A-Wish signed 13-year-old NITIN RAMACHANDRAN "to a one-day contract." He ate breakfast with Wizards G JOHN WALL and shared the postgame podium with coach RANDY WITTMAN (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 3/28).
NAMES: Showtime President of Entertainment DAVID NEVINS and ESPN Exec VP/Affiliate Sales & Marketing DAVID PRESCHLACK are featured in Broadcasting & Cable's "Focus on Dealmakers/General Counsel-Business Affairs" (BROADCASTING & CABLE, 3/30 issue)....The Atlanta Sports Council last week presented its Lifetime Achievement Award to Baseball HOFer TOM GLAVINE (ATLANTA BUSINESS CHRONICLE, 3/27 issue)....MLB players, coaches and managers from all 30 teams have collectively pledged a record donation of $2,643,195 to the Baseball Assistance Team during the league’s 13th annual Spring Training Fundraising Tour (BAT)....The NBA Kings took Saturday off from practice to visit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis (SACBEE.com, 3/28).....Bose provided a pair of headphones to every player on the MLB Rangers on behalf of Seahawks QB RUSSELL WILSON, who is a spokesperson for the brand (DALLASNEWS.com, 3/30).
