Celtics President of Basketball Operations DANNY AINGE and his wife have "contributed $250,000 to a political action committee supporting their son, TANNER," in his candidacy for one of Utah's seats in Congress. However, Danny Ainge said that he has "nothing to do with how the money's being spent." Ainge: "The money is theirs to do what they want to do with it. We're at their mercy." Ainge said that he "hasn't even seen the mailers and commercials produced by the Conservative Utah PAC that have been criticized as negative campaigning" (DESERET NEWS, 8/9). Meanwhile, DANNY TARKANIAN, the son of late Basketball HOFer JERRY TARKANIAN, said that he will "challenge fellow Republican DEAN HELLER" for one of Nevada's Senate seats in '18 (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 8/9).
HELP FOR THE BOSS: BIZJOURNALS.com's Holden Wilen noted Under Armour is "looking for someone to fill a new position to help" Founder, Chair & CEO KEVIN PLANK "better craft his message during TV and other interviews." The new role, VP/Corporate Communications, will "specifically focus on 'CEO positioning' and 'contribute to the organizational strategic planning process.'" Among the duties, the position will "direct Plank's business-related press, public appearances and internal communications." A UA spokesperson said that the company has been "looking to fill the position since last spring" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/9).
GET OUT OF HERE: U.S. District Judge NEAL BIGGERS JR. has granted Ole Miss a "motion to dismiss in its lawsuit" against former football coach HOUSTON NUTT. Nutt "filed a lawsuit -- citing breach of contract and breach of good faith and fair dealing -- on July 12." In their motion to dismiss, the university and the IHL BOT "argued they weren't citizens, but 'arms of the state' which made them immune to suit in federal court." Nutt's representatives "sent a settlement proposal to the university last week, which was rejected" (Jackson CLARION-LEDGER, 8/10).
GOOD DEED: NFL Cardinals President MICHAEL BIDWILL "will be honored at this year's Musial Awards in St. Louis" on Nov. 18. The St. Louis Tom Lombardo chapter of the National Football Foundation "reached out to Bidwill for help earlier this year." The foundation "needed money to help with part of its annual banquet honoring local scholar-athletes in high school football." Bidwill "forwarded the group a check for $10,000 -- no questions asked" (ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, 8/9).
NAMES: The U.S. Treasury Department yesterday sanctioned Mexican national team captain RAFAEL MARQUEZ for "allegedly acting as a frontman for a drug trafficker." It is the "first time a top Mexican athlete has been designated by U.S. authorities as having links with drug traffickers" (WSJ.com, 8/9)....Rockets G JAMES HARDEN will “host a charity basketball tournament as part of what he’s calling the inaugural JH-Town Weekend.” The tournament will have teams “comprised of NBA and international professional players with celebrity coaches and special guest appearances” (CHRON.com, 8/9)....SMG HR Manager at Intrust Bank Arena KIM HILLARD is one of 24 Wichita-area HR professionals being recognized by the Wichita Business Journal in the ’17 HR Professionals awards (Intrust Bank)....Patriots WR JULIAN EDELMAN announced on Twitter yesterday that his memoir, “RELENTLESS,” written with CSN New England's TOM CURRAN, will “hit shelves on Oct. 24” (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/10).
