The N.Y. TIMES recently interviewed "more than a dozen friends, top aides and advisers inside and outside the White House" to find 20 of PRESIDENT TRUMP’s "outside touchstones." Included under the "Clubgoers" section is Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT, who has been a consistent "Mar-a-Lago presence" since Trump took office (N.Y. TIMES, 4/23). Many have struggled to "make sense of the relationship" between Kraft and Trump, as the President is the "antithesis" of much of what Kraft stands for. Kraft's son, JOSH, noted Trump's support when the Patriots Owner's late wife, MYRA, passed away in '11. Josh Kraft: "The worst time in my dad’s life, [Trump] was there for him. ... You might not agree with what your friend believes, but why let that ruin a friendship?” (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/23).
HITCH IN HIS SWING: The final cost of golfer RORY MCILROY and ERICA STOLL's wedding, which "took place in Ashford Castle" in Ireland over the weekend, "could be as much" as US$1.09M. Guests at the wedding included musicians ED SHEERAN, CHRIS MARTIN and NIALL HORAN, as well as actor JAMIE DORNAN. STEVIE WONDER and a "16-piece band provided the entertainment and the couple are said to be preparing to fly to Barbados for a 10-day honeymoon" (IRISH TIMES, 4/23).
STAY AWHILE: South Carolina AD RAY TANNER has "received a 3-year contract extension" that will see him lead the athletic department into '22. Tanner is "scheduled to receive a salary increase to $900,000, from $737,187." On July 1, 2019, the salary will "increase by $100,000." Tanner became AD in July '12 (SECCOUNTRY.com, 4/23).
NAMES: ALEX RODRIGUEZ, who "purchased his first UFC gym" in the Miami area in March, is "looking to expand the franchise." Rodriguez last week was seen "checking out Miami spaces" (NYPOST.com, 4/22)....Former Michigan G DERRICK WALTON JR. has signed with Chicago-based Priority Sports ahead of the NBA Draft. Priority Sports Founder MARK BARTELSTEIN, "whose son JOSH played" for UM under JOHN BEILEIN, has a "strong relationship with recent U-M NBA players" (FREEP.com, 4/20)....Colts coach CHUCK PAGANO hosted his fifth annual Chuckstrong Tailgate Gala fundraiser on Friday at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Since the first event in ‘13, the effort has raised $3.6M for the IU Simon Cancer Center (INDYSTAR.com, 4/21)....San Diego-based AleSmith Brewing, in partnership with former MLBer TONY GWYNN JR., has debuted San Diego Pale Ale .394, which is a tribute to late Baseball HOFer TONY GWYNN. The beer, named after Gwynn’s highest batting average in a season, has “been a home run in San Diego” (AP, 4/23)....Giants RF HUNTER PENCE serves as a special guest on BILL NYE’s new Netflix series, “BILL NYE SAVES THE WORLD” (MLB.com, 4/24)....Vancouver Sun sportswriter MIKE BEAMISH on Friday announced his retirement (Vancouver PROVINCE, 4/22).
IN MEMORY: Northeastern Univ. Associate AD Emeritus JACK GRINOLD passed away at the age of 81. Grinold “spent some 50 years directing sports information" at the school. He was "known for his generosity," as well as his "tenure and expertise." Grinold was “known informally” as the dean of SIDs in New England (BOSTON GLOBE, 4/22)....Rucker Park Entertainers Basketball Classic Founder GREG MARIUS has passed away at the age of 59 from cancer (THE DAILY).
