WME-IMG is "beefing up its representation of fashion-related artisans with the acquisition of management-consulting shingle Wall Group." The company "represents a broad roster of fashion stylists, hairstylists, makeup artists and production designers" based in N.Y., Paris, London and L.A. (VARIETY.com, 7/15). Meanwhile, the N.Y. Observer released its annual L.A. Power 25 list, and making the cut were WME-IMG co-CEOs PATRICK WHITESELL and ARI EMANUEL, Wasserman Media Group Chair & CEO CASEY WASSERMAN, Basketball HOFer MAGIC JOHNSON and Live Nation President & CEO MICHAEL RAPINO (N.Y. OBSERVER, 7/13 issue).
STRIKE TWO FOR ALS: The Steve Gleason Act yesterday "passed a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives" after previously passing through the Senate. The bill, which now needs only PRESIDENT OBAMA's signature to become a law, "will make critical technology available to patients with ALS and other neurological disorders through Medicare and Medicaid." That includes "innovative speech-generating devices" like the one former NFLer STEVE GLEASON uses to "type words through eye movements" (ESPN.com, 7/15).
BIG RED LIGHT ON THE HIGHWAY: The state of Arizona has "scrapped a move to temporarily rebrand a freeway" recognizing Baseball HOF-elect RANDY JOHNSON, "keeping in place the existing name that honors a soldier who died in the Iraq War." The decision "drew praise from family members of Pfc. LORI PIESTEWA." Her family said that they were "surprised to hear about the rebranding." State officials "had planned a celebration" for tomorrow to "temporarily post signs on State Route 51 to honor Johnson -- who wore the number '51' while playing" for the D-backs. Johnson, Arizona Gov. DOUG DUCEY and team officials "were among those who had planned to attend." The team "announced the cancellation in a news release late Tuesday, saying the Piestewa family's concerns were understandable" (AP, 7/15).
NAMES: Montreal-based analytics company Sportlogiq closed a seed round financing of $1.7M that includes an investment from Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN (Sportlogiq)....California Gov. JERRY BROWN "approved legislation" recognizing the state's professional cheerleaders "as employees who are entitled to minimum wage and overtime." The bill requires that teams "employ cheerleaders as workers instead of contractors." The law is "believed to be the first of its kind in the nation" (AP, 7/15)....Guests at Calvin Klein's spring '16 presentation Tuesday during the first men's N.Y. Fashion Week included Giants WR VICTOR CRUZ, Lakers G NICK YOUNG, Warriors F ANDRE IGUODALA and F1 driver LEWIS HAMILTON (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 7/15)....Fox Sports analyst JIMMY JOHNSON has hosted several NFL execs at his restaurant The Big Chill in Key Largo. Visitors have included Dolphins VP/Football Operations MIKE TANNENBAUM, who "took notes for two and a half hours" during his meeting with Johnson. The eight NFL owners who have visited -- from the Texans' BOB MCNAIR to the Saints' TOM BENSON -- "typically want to talk about coaches." The dozen team presidents -- from the Chargers' DEAN SPANOS to former Rams President JOHN SHAW -- typically "talk about organizational structure" (South Florida SUN-SENTINEL, 7/16).
IN MEMORY: Former Univ. of Alabama color analyst and pregame host DOUG LAYTON, who "had battled cancer for the past two and a half years," died last night at the age of 81. Layton "for nearly 30 years was in the broadcast booth" for some of the school's "classic football victories." He worked on the school's radio broadcasts from '69-'01 (AL.com, 7/15).
