Gold Medal-winning U.S. gymnast ALY RAISMAN's lawsuit against the USOC also names as defendants former USA Gymnastics President & CEO STEVE PENNY and the NGB's former Chair PAUL PARILLA, both of whom were "forced out of the organization under pressure over their response" to the LARRY NASSAR allegations (WSJ.com, 3/2).
AND THE OSCAR GOES TO: Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER and KOBE BRYANT were at one of the "key events of Oscar weekend, the Night Before party, held on the Fox Studios lot." Also spotted were U.S. figure skater MIRAI NAGASU, who recently "made history with her triple axel" at the Pyeongchang Games, and the ice-dancing team of ALEX and MAIA SHIBUTANI (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 3/4). Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT was in attendance at Vanity Fair's Oscars Party (AXIOS.com, 3/5). ELON MUSK and JEFF BEZOS were the "center of gravity" at Friday's Oscar Party thrown by WME-IMG, which was hosted by ARI EMANUEL and PATRICK WHITESELL. Also in attendance was Pro Football HOFer MICHAEL STRAHAN (NYPOST.com, 3/4).
NAMES: Baseball HOFer CRAIG BIGGIO and Astros President of Business Operations REID RYAN yesterday made an appearance with the Commissioner’s Trophy at Rodeo Houston at NRG Stadium. The duo entered the grounds “on horseback as part of the grand entry” (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 3/5)....Pro Football HOFer JIM KELLY on Saturday received the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation’s award of excellence at the organization’s 28th annual dinner and ball in Milwaukee. Kelly, who last week announced his oral cancer had returned, said, “I live by this motto: Make a difference today for someone who is fighting for their tomorrow” (BUFFALO NEWS, 3/4)....Flyers D SHAYNE GOSTISBEHERE after last night’s game against the Panthers “met with members of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High state championship hockey team” (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/5)....Seahawks QB RUSSELL WILSON, who has been on the Yankees' Spring Training roster, on Friday gave Yankees players an autographed football as a “parting gift to his baseball family” (N.Y. POST, 3/5)....Loyola Marymount Univ. will host the second regional Sport of Humanity conference on June 20-21 (Loyola Marymount)....The Lenny Zakim Fund on Saturday held its annual Casino Night fundraiser at the Four Seasons Boston and raised $200,000 for social justice programs throughout Massachusetts. Patriots WR DANNY AMENDOLA and S PATRICK CHUNG attended the event (BOSTONHERALD.com, 3/5)....Giants WR STERLING SHEPARD on Saturday married model CHANEL IMAN at the Beverly Hills Hotel. In attendance were Giants WR ODELL BECKHAM JR. and Dolphins WR KENNY STILLS (OKLAHOMAN, 3/5).
IN MEMORY: Former Dallas Morning News sports editor WALTER ROBINSON died Tuesday at the age of 91. Hired under Robertson were BUD SHRAKE, GARY CARTWRIGHT, BOB ST. JOHN, JOHN ANDERS, CARLTON STOWERS, DAVID CASSTEVENS and SKIP BAYLESS (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 3/4).
