VOGUE's Rob Haskell profiled SERENA WILLIAMS, who said there is something "really attractive about the idea of moving" to S.F. and just being a mom, but "not yet." Williams: "I absolutely want more Grand Slams. I'm well aware of the record books, unfortunately. It's not a secret that I have my sights on 25." If Williams, who currently sits at 23 Grand Slam victories, reaches 25, she would "surpass the record of 24" held by MARGARET COURT. Meanwhile, Williams' peers have been "broadly supportive" during her absence from the game. STANISLAS WAWRINKA gave Williams' daughter OLYMPIA a "pair of tiny blue Tod's driving loafers," while NOVAK DJOKOVIC "continues to send articles in accordance with his everything-natural philosophy." Fellow players CAROLINE WOZNIACKI, SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA and ANGELIQUE KERBER have "reached out to remind her how much she's been missed this year" (VOGUE, 2/ '18 issue).
BALL DRILL: In Birmingham, Michael Casagrande wrote under the header, "How Alabama's AD Got His Hands On Game-Winning Championship Football." After Alabama WR DEVONTA SMITH scored the winning TD in OT, the game ball was scooped up in the end zone by ADAM LEHE, whose wife, GINA, is CFP Senior Dir of Communications & Brand Management. Adam Lehe then "went looking" for Alabama AD GREG BYRNE. Byrne said he "ended up presenting it" to coach NICK SABAN in the locker room after the game (AL.com, 1/10).
THIS IS EASY: Ford CEO JIM HACKETT was profiled in FAST COMPANY and asked about the heavy spotlight he is in with the role. Hackett said, "I had this interim assignment as the University of Michigan athletic director where I hired JIM HARBAUGH as head football coach, so that spotlight was big" (FAST COMPANY, 2/'18 issue).
NAMES: Injured Steelers LB RYAN SHAZIER yesterday made a "surprise visit" to practice (DKSPORTSPITTSBURH.com, 1/10)....GINA NICHOLS said that her family has “received no apologies nor any offers of help from USA Gymnastics” since her daughter, MAGGIE, “filed a lawsuit” against the NGB, USOC and Michigan State Univ. Gina: “We’ve never even gotten a phone call to ask if Maggie was OK, can we help you, do you need support or counseling. They’ve totally ignored us. ... But it’s even more difficult that (USA Gymnastics) is not taking responsibility” (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/10)....ABC’s “THE BACHELOR WINTER GAMES,” an Olympics-timed spinoff of the dating franchise, debuts Feb. 13. There will be guest appearances from former figure skaters TAI BABILONIA, RANDY GARDNER and NANCY KERRIGAN (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 1/8).
IN MEMORY: Former Western Kentucky men's basketball and football radio announcer WES STRADER died on Tuesday at the age of 79 (COURIER-JOURNAL.com, 1/10).
