Concussion expert DR. CHARLES TATOR "wants to examine" late NHLer TODD EWEN's brain following his death Saturday "from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head." Tator said that he "hopes Ewen's family will consider donating his brain to Toronto's Krembil Neuroscience Centre, where he and his medical team have already examined the brains of 18 former professional athletes." Tator said that he "sent a letter Sunday night to the Ewen family, asking that they consider a brain donation" (TSN.ca, 9/21).
POCKET PROTECTION: FS1's MATT LEINART's eponymous flag football league, a for-profit corporation, since February '13 has "improperly received nearly $160,000 in reduced field rental fees as well as other benefits by claiming to be a non-profit organization." During that same period, Leinart's for-profit league "generated nearly" $1M in revenues. The league "has avoided paying $158,451 in field rental fees" around Orange County in the past 2.5 years (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 9/22).
VIRTUAL INSANITY: Disney and two other investors yesterday led a $65M investment into virtual reality startup Jaunt, which is "trying to bring live-action shows, movies and sports to the emerging medium." With the support of Disney, Evolution Media Capital, China Media Capital, Axel Springer and MSG Co., Jaunt "plans to improve its cameras, further develop software and increase production" (LATIMES.com, 9/21).
CHARITY STRIPE: Red Sox interim manager TOREY LOVULLO, DH DAVID ORTIZ, CF JACKIE BRADLEY JR. and LINDA PIZZUTI HENRY, the wife of Red Sox Owner JOHN HENRY, attended last night's 14th annual Red Sox Wives & Red Sox Foundation's From Fenway to the Runway fundraiser. Money raised from the event will "benefit the Red Sox Foundation’s five cornerstone programs: the Red Sox Scholars Program; the Foundation’s RBI and Rookie League youth baseball and softball programs; the Home Base Program for military veterans; The Dimock Center; and The Jimmy Fund" (BOSTON HERALD, 9/22).
NAMES: Actress BRIE LARSON "is in talks to play" Tennis HOFer BILLIE JEAN KING in the Fox Searchlight film "BATTLE OF THE SEXES." EMMA STONE was "previously attached to the role but had to exit due to a scheduling conflict." STEVE CARELL "will play" BOBBY RIGGS in the drama (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 9/18)....Turner MLB analyst DUSTY BAKER "has written a book" JIMI HENDRIX and "being influenced" by him at the '67 Monterrey Pop Festival. The book is titled, "KISS THE SKY: MY WEEKEND IN MONTERREY FOR THE GREATEST ROCK CONCERT EVER" (SI.com, 9/21)....The Univ. at Buffalo has received a $1.5M "bequest from BURT RUBIN, an alumnus." It is the "largest planned gift in the history" of the athletic department (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/21)....Univ. of Houston football coach TOM HERMAN "threw out the first pitch" at last night's Angels-Astros game at Minute Maid Park (CHRON.com, 9/21)....Singer ED SHEERAN "was at Nationals Park" before yesterday's postponed Orioles-Nationals game. He is in DC to "play a concert" at Verizon Center (BALTIMORESUN.com, 9/21)....Mavericks Owner MARK CUBAN revealed on Friday's episode of HBO's "REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER" that he "talked with AHMED MOHAMED," the Texas teen who was "detained for bringing a clock to his high school that was mistaken for a bomb" (DALLASNEWS.com, 9/21).
