Univ. of Oregon Warsaw Sports Marketing Center Managing Dir PAUL SWANGARD on Wednesday stepped down to "enter a self-chosen transition career phase." He will spend the next academic year at the school "as a part-time instructor while continuing to develop the program's global partnerships in China, Singapore, Europe and the Middle East." He will also "pursue track and field announcing gigs throughout North America, as well as hosting webcast programs for USA Track & Field." Track & field announcing for TV "also is possible" (Portland OREGONIAN, 7/1)
HARD ROC: Roc Nation and Roc Nation Sports on Tuesday asked for a suit filed by Official Brands over merchandise involving Cowboys WR DEZ BRYANT "be moved to federal court in Dallas -- and tossed out altogether." Official Brands claims it "had a two-year agreement" with Bryant "that allowed them to use his name and likeness and signature 'Throw Up the X' touchdown move to sell things, including Bryant himself." The company is "seeking between $200,000 and $1 million in damages." Bryant "cut ties with his agent" EUGENE PARKER last fall, and "officially signed on as a Roc Nation Sports client" on Oct. 30. Shortly after that, he "began severing business ties with longtime associates -- Original Brands among them" (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/1).
A SWISS MISS: FIFA President SEPP BLATTER's decision not to attend the U.S.-Japan Women's World Cup Final in Vancouver on Sunday drew feigned surprise from several critics. CNBC’s Wilfred Frost said, "I wonder what he’s doing instead. Do you think he’s going on a family holiday to New York -- go and visit the DOJ, that kind of stuff? ... More likely, he’s not going to leave Switzerland whatsoever” (“Worldwide Exchange,” CNBC, 7/2). ESPN’s Julie Foudy said, “He doesn’t want to get close to (U.S. Attorney General) LORETTA LYNCH. He’s like, ‘Canada is right above the United States. I am not going there’” (“ESPN FC,” ESPN2, 7/1).
NAMES: Rangers 3B ADRIAN BELTRE's home "was burglarized last Thursday morning shortly after he left" for a home game. Nobody was home at the time, but the police report cites the "theft of precious metals and jewelry," including his '11 AL Championship ring (DALLASNEWS.com, 7/1)....The ECHL named Toledo Walleye President & CEO JOE NAPOLI Exec of the Year for the '14-15 season (ECHL)....Spirits brand Diageo "sold Gleneagles, Scotland's luxury hotel and golf resort, after 31 years of ownership, to boutique hotel operator, Ennismore." The Ryder Cup "was held at Gleneagles last year and the hotel has in the past played host to a G8 leader summit." The price was not disclosed, but analysts said that it was "likely to have been" in the $234-$280M range (FINANCIAL TIMES, 7/1)....A construction worker was “being treated for a severe head injury Wednesday after metal scaffolding fell on him” at the site of the new Falcons stadium (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 7/2).
