UFC co-Owners FRANK and LORENZO FERTITTA are "set to sell their Fertitta Entertainment management company to Red Rock Resorts," which the family also owns, for $460M. The Fertitta brothers will get $113M apiece "once the management firm is sold to their casino business" -- while their kids will get $159M (N.Y. POST, 1/15).
ROGUE AGENTS: The NHLPA and Exec Dir DONALD FEHR have "been drawn into an ongoing legal battle between two high-profile former associates in a player agency." Former NHLer CLAUDE LEMIEUX and agent RITCH WINTER are "embroiled in a dispute over the rights to negotiate on behalf of the NHL clients of the North American division of Switzerland-based 4Sports Group, where Winter once served as a consultant." Lemieux, represented by former NHLPA Exec Dir PAUL KELLY, filed a response in L.A. Superior Court on Wednesday "to a suit filed by Winter against Lemieux and 4Sports alleging fraud and breach of contract" (TSN.ca, 1/14).
THE SMALL SCREEN: Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES and his agent, LRMR Management's MAVERICK CARTER, have "partnered with CNBC for a new show" called "CLEVELAND HUSTLES", which will "begin airing this summer." The premise of the show is James and Carter will "help four local entrepreneurs get a jump on building their businesses and work to revitalize an unnamed Cleveland neighborhood." The show will be produced by James and Carter's SpringHill Entertainment and Magical Elves. James and Carter will "make cameos on the show but will not appear regularly -- their primary role is as co-executive producers" (CLEVELAND.com, 1/14)....Fox has "handed out a pilot order" to hourlong drama "PITCH", a baseball drama from producer DAN FOGELMAN that "centers on a young female pitcher who defies the odds when she becomes the first woman to play in the major leagues." KYLIE BUNBURY has "been cast to star." It is "unclear" if MLB will "have any role in the Fox drama" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/14).
GET YOUR RINGS HERE: Former NFLer JERRY KRAMER is "putting his Super Bowl I ring up for auction," one of 60 of his items that will "be made available by Heritage Auctions." The collection also "includes his game-used jersey" from Super Bowl I and his Packers HOF ring. Kramer "plans on using the money to set up a college fund for his five grandchildren" (USATODAY.com, 1/14)....Former NFLer MARK RYPIEN's ring from Super Bowl XXII is "one of more than 1,400 items up for bid this month at Goldin Auctions." Rypien "didn't throw a pass" during the '87 season, which culminated in the Redskins' win over the Broncos in January '88 (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/14)....Former NFLer LAQUAN WILLIAMS “is the latest Raven to put his Super Bowl XLVII ring up for auction.” The ring “is up for bid through Goldin Auctions” (BALTIMORESUN.com, 1/14).
NAMES: Angels CF MIKE TROUT will "become an ambassador for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Orange County and the Inland Empire, marking the first time he has officially lent his name to a charitable organization.” Trout will “use his social media presence to help promote the organization, which matches children in need of guidance with adults who can support them one-on-one” (OCREGISTER.com, 1/14)....A New Jersey Superior Court judge on Wednesday ruled that a lawsuit that accuses Giants QB ELI MANNING of “passing off unused helmets to be marketed and sold as game-used can proceed” (NEWSDAY.com, 1/14)....Baseball HOFer HANK AARON “received one of the highest honors the government of Japan can bestow on a private citizen.” Aaron was presented with the Order of the Rising Sun at the home of Japan's consul general in Atlanta (AP, 1/14)....TBS’ CONAN O’BRIEN will take the stage as host of NFL Honors on Feb. 6 at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in S.F. The show will air nationally at 9:00pm ET on CBS (NFL).
