In Buffalo, Dan Herbeck profiles former defense attorney CHERYL MEYERS BUTH, who this week began a "new venture as an agent" for basketball players. She launched her company, R1 Sports Mgnt., with help from former NBAer ERNIE DIGREGORIO, who is "working for the new firm as a consultant." She said that her "love of basketball inspired her to become a sports agent." The agency's first client -- TRAHSON BURRELL -- "just completed his career" playing for the Univ. of Memphis (BUFFALO NEWS, 4/6).
LONE STAR: In Dallas, Mark Curriden profiled MLB Rangers Associate Counsel KATE CASSIDY, who is the "lone corporate lawyer" for the club. During the past few weeks, she has "handled contracts for beer vendors, fireworks technicians and companies leasing the suites" at American Airlines Center. She "negotiated regional television and radio broadcast rights, reviewed deals involving promotional activities and sponsorships," worked on $200M real estate transactions and "led efforts to protect the Rangers’ intellectual property" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 4/5).
INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES' new business venture, Blue Star Sports, is a "youth sports software and payments company he co-founded" along with ROB WECHLER. The company "offers advanced technologies [that] can enhance youth sports organizations’ operations and elevate the experience for both the athlete and their parents" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/6)....Blaze Fast Fire’s Pizza, which currently operates 120 restaurants in 27 states and Canada and has “drawn backing" by investors including Cavaliers F LEBRON JAMES and Red Sox co-Owner TOM WERNER, will “make its Charlotte debut" tomorrow. This will be the “third Blaze Pizza location in North Carolina” (BIZJOURNALS.com, 4/4).
CHARITY STRIPE: Nike Chair PHIL KNIGHT and his wife PENNY said that they will give $10M "over the next decade" to a nonprofit -- the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund. The organization was founded by late Univ. of Oregon President DAVE FROHNMAYER and his wife LYNN to "study the rare inherited disease" that claimed the lives of two of their children at an early age (Portland OREGONIAN, 4/6).
COURT REPORT: Vikings DT TOM JOHNSON has "filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court against two Minneapolis police officers he accused of using excessive force in connection" with his October '14 arrest. Johnson "accused the two off-duty officers ... of unreasonable seizure, false arrest and use of excessive force." He is "seeking $75,000 in damages" (ESPN.com, 4/5)....Former NFLer VINCE YOUNG is being sued by a woman who claims that Young "assaulted and pulled her hair during a car ride" after a '14 NCAA Tournament game (TMZ.com, 4/4).
NAMES: Miami-Dade Mayor CARLOS GIMENEZ has now gone "five seasons without attending a home Marlins game." Gimenez took office five years ago in part thanks to "backlash over the 2009 deal that sent" $370M to build Marlins Park. His "avoidance of Marlins Park has served as a barometer" for the ballpark deal's "political toxicity" (MIAMI HERALD 4/6)....Former NFLer PATRICK KERNEY on Monday helped host a four-day NFL Personal Finance Camp "for 28 current and former players and an additional 15 spouses; who’ll learn everything from tax sheltering to inflationary impact to choosing the right advisor" (SEATTLE TIMES, 4/4)....Former NBAers JIMMY KING and JALEN ROSE, along with their Univ. of Michigan teammate RAY JACKSON, will "highlight a roundtable discussion this fall on the impact, culturally and athletically," of their "Fab Five" basketball team. The roundtable "will take place Oct. 8 at a campus site" and will be "ticketed, but open to the public and free" (DETROIT NEWS, 4/5)....RLJ Entertainment has "acquired all U.S. rights to the baseball drama 'THE PHENOM,' starring ETHAN HAWKE." The film will "have its world premiere on April 17 at the Tribeca Film Festival" (VARIETY.com, 4/5)....“BIG FAN,” a new half-hour game show produced by JIMMY KIMMEL and featuring ANDY RICHTER as host, is “now casting super fans to go head-to-head to see who knows the most about a celebrity who will be featured on each episode.” The casting site for the program lists Packers QB AARON RODGERS among its “celeb participants” (USATODAY.com, 4/5)....76ers GM & President of Basketball Operations SAM HINKIE revealed that he “lost 20 pounds this season due” to the team’s struggles (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 4/6).
