The Portland OREGONIAN released its '17 list of the "Top 25 Most Influential People In Oregon Sports," with Nike co-Founder & Chair Emeritus PHIL KNIGHT coming in at No. 1. Knight "gets what he wants and isn't just influential in the state of Oregon." He might be the "most influential person in the world when it comes to sports." He was the "easy pick for No. 1 this year." Timbers and NWSL Thorns Owner MERRITT PAULSON came in at No. 2, while Trail Blazers Owner PAUL ALLEN was ranked No. 3 (Portland OREGONIAN, 8/24).
NAMES: A crowd of 2,000 at the Canadian Tire Centre on Thursday attended a celebration of life for late Senators Senior Advisor BRYAN MURRAY. Tributes to Murray's "personal skills and teaching abilities" came in. Among those in attendance were NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN, Senators GM PIERRE DORION and former NHLer CHRIS PHILLIPS (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 8/25)....Red Sox RF MOOKIE BETTS' Big League Bowl raised more than $150,000 to benefit two charities: Pitching In For Kids and One Mission. The inaugural fundraiser included a group of Red Sox players in attendance (PBA)....Golfer ADAM SCOTT and his wife MARIE KOJZAR welcomed their second child, a boy named BYRON (GOLFWEEK.com, 8/24).
