In the "frantic days leading up to Relativity Media’s much-anticipated bankruptcy," the makers of a biopic of late U.S. Olympian JESSE OWENS starring ANTHONY MACKIE "reportedly succeeded at the 11th hour in pulling their film from the troubled mini-studio." Production is set to begin "in the fall" (VARIETY.com, 7/29).
COACH SPEAK: A payroll report released this week of last year's "top paid positions" in the Univ. of California system showed that UCLA football coach JIM MORA JR. earned $3.5M, followed by basketball coach STEVE ALFORD at $2.7M. The "fifth spot went to" Cal football coach SONNY DYKES at $1.8M (L.A. TIMES, 7/30).
YOU'LL FLIP: Highly decorated American gymnast SIMONE BILES is turning pro and has signed a representation deal with Octagon, the agency said in a release late Monday. Biles, 18, has won consecutive U.S. National and World all-around titles. “She has the potential to transcend the sport of gymnastics and captivate a much larger audience,” said Octagon VP/Olympics JANEY MILLER (Ben Fischer, Staff Writer).
NAMES: MLS last night made Premier Partnerships Founder & Chair ALAN ROTHENBERG the inaugural recipient of an honor that bears his name. The Alan I. Rothenberg Legacy Award will be presented annually to an individual who has made contributions that have left a legacy on MLS. Rothenberg in the early and mid-'90s drove the launch of MLS, including securing PHIL ANSCHUTZ, the KRAFTS and the HUNTS as owners (MLS)....FS1 analyst MATT LEINART's for-profit flag football league in Irvine, Calif., yesterday agreed to pay the city $63,640 "it should have paid" in "reduced sports field rental fees at Irvine parks and the Great Park over a four-year period" (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 7/30)....The Titans Foundation "has partnered with Pinnacle Financial Partners and CapitalMark Bank & Trust in making a donation to the Chattanooga Heroes Fund." The fund will "provide financial support to help the families" of the July 16 shootings in Chattanooga (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 7/30)....Former U.S. Olympic hockey player JIM CRAIG is asking $5.7M for his “treasure trove of Miracle On Ice memorabilia” (CSNBAYAREA.com, 7/29)....Former NFLer WILLIAM PERRY “is selling his Super Bowl XX ring” through the National Sports Collectors Convention in Rosemont, Ill. Bidding "starts at $16,000" (CHICAGOTRIBUNE.com, 7/29).
