Gimelstob is a frequent contributor to Tennis Channel and an elected official of the ATPGETTY IMAGES
Tennis Channel's JUSTIN GIMELSTOB has "pleaded not guilty to a charge of felony battery" in L.A. His case will be "followed closely by the tennis community as Gimelstob's post-playing career is in doubt after he was arrested on Nov. 21 in connection with an altercation on Halloween night." Gimelstob is "in jeopardy of losing one or more of his prominent roles in tennis." He is one of "three coaches" for JOHN ISNER, as well as a "frequent contributor to Tennis Channel and an elected official of the ATP." Isner, Tennis Channel and the ATP have "publicly adopted a wait-and-see approach" (N.Y. TIMES, 12/13).
EARNED HIS KEEP: Longtime Kansas State football coach BILL SNYDER retired earlier this month, but the school "plans to pay" his $3M contract buyout "as if he was terminated from the job without cause." K-State AD GENE TAYLOR said, "The buyout is just something I wanted to do. I think he deserved it for everything he has done." Taylor added, "He deserves every penny for what he has done for this program. I am happy to do it." Snyder will "take on a new role with the university as a special ambassador with an annual salary of $250,000 for as long as he is 'physically and mentally able'" (KANSASCITY.com, 12/12).
WELCOME TO THE HALL: Former NHLer and ref PAUL STEWART was inducted into the Hockey HOF last night. Stewart joined Predators GM & President of Hockey Operations DAVID POILE, former U.S. women's national team captain NATALIE DARWITZ, former Michigan mens' hockey coach RED BERENSON and late former NHLer LELAND HARRINGTON in being inducted. NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN also presented the Lester Patrick Award to late USA Hockey GM JIM JOHANNSON (AP, 12/13). Poile said of his induction, "My contributions pale compared to what U.S. Hockey has given me in return" (TENNESSEAN.com, 12/12).
NET INVESTMENTS: Former NBAer DEREK FISHER has joined Luxury Asset Capital’s newly-formed Sports & Entertainment Group (Luxury Asset Capital)....Warriors F DRAYMOND GREEN, former NFLer VICTOR CRUZ, Pro Football HOFer MICHAEL STRAHAN and Baseball HOFer FRANK THOMAS are among the founding members of the newly-formed investment group 100K Ventures (THE DAILY).
NAMES: The estate of late Seahawks and Trail Blazers Owner PAUL ALLEN is "making its first major philanthropic gift after his death," giving $125M to "establish a research division focused on immune system and related diseases" (BLOOMBERG NEWS, 12/12)....NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER and Basketball HOFer GRANT HILL on Friday were featured speakers at the Cities of Tomorrow conference in New Orleans (NYTIMES.com, 12/13)....Fanatics CEO DOUG MACK and Nike CEO MARK PARKER were listed in a Comparably survey of the best CEO’s among “large companies” (USATODAY.com, 12/11)....The Ringer’s BRYAN CURTIS has written “THE GREAT NFL HEIST: HOW FOX PAID FOR AND CHANGED FOOTBALL FOREVER.” The oral history was posted on the site today (BYERS MARKET, 12/13)....Former U.S. gymnast RACHAEL DENHOLLANDER, who “launched a #MeToo movement in the Olympic sport,” on Monday was presented with SI’s “inspiration of the Year” award in L.A. Denhollander was presented by CHRISTINE BLASEY FORD (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 12/12)....Season 2 of the DisneyXD cartoon “MILO MURPHY'S LAW” will feature NASCAR drivers JOEY LOGANO, TY DILLON, RICKY STENHOUSE JR., ERIK JONES and WILLIAM BYRON, as well as former driver RUSTY WALLACE and Fox’ MIKE JOY (LATIMES.com, 12/12).
