SERENA WILLIAMS appears in a new spot called "Invisible Weapon" from the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse campaign that "contrasts the visible signs of physical abuse with the hidden ones of financial abuse." Financial abuse is "when the abuser controls access to money." This is Williams' "second year acting as an ambassador for Purple Purse." Last year, she "designed a limited-edition handbag for the foundation's Purple Purse Challenge." This year, she "created a purple backpack" (USA TODAY, 10/4).
MISSING IN ACTION: YAHOO SPORTS' Dan Wetzel noted NCAA President MARK EMMERT has not been in attendance as the first of the three trials in the college basketball corruption scandal is in “full swing.” His presence “might allow him to see how the NCAA rule book is too far gone to be respected.” It “might allow him to see the concept of amateurism from the perspective of people it doesn’t make rich.” College basketball is “burning, right here for everyone to see and hear,” and Emmert “can’t even be troubled to show up and fiddle in the back of the courthouse” (SPORTS.YAHOO.com, 10/3).
NAMES: Capitals Owner TED LEONSIS "ordered a smaller backup version" of the team's Stanley Cup Championship ring for "everyday use." Leonsis "felt self-conscious about wearing something" so "ostentatious in public" (SI.com, 10/4)....Make-A-Wish recipient HUNTER SHRAUGER, a 17-year-old diagnosed with colitis, "walked the red carpet outside Capital One Arena" with Capitals RW ALEX OVECHKIN as part of yesterday's season-opening festivities (WASHINGTONTIMES.com, 10/3)....WNBA Seattle Storm F BREANNA STEWART yesterday spoke at the espnW: Women + Sports Summit in Newport Beach and received a “crystal trophy as espnW’s 2018 WNBA MVP.” She will then “attend a BEYONCE and JAY-Z concert” at CenturyLink Field today, before going to a Kings-Warriors preseason game Friday at KeyArena. Stewart said that she is currently reading “BREAKFAST WITH THE BUDDHA” (ESPN.com, 10/3).
