Marshall was hired in February in the wake of reported sexual harassment in the organizationNBAE/getty images
Mavericks CEO CYNTHIA MARSHALL has been nominated as the "Texan of the Year" by the DALLAS MORNING NEWS' Cheryl Hall, who wrote it is "one thing to identify a systemic problem like #MeToo," but it is "quite another to do something about it." Marshall has worked to change the culture inside the Mavericks' building after years of sexual harassment, and Mavs Owner MARK CUBAN said Marshall is "amazing." He added that she has "done an incredible job with the Mavs and has become a leader and mentor for all of us." Cuban: "I wish I could have hired her 20 years ago" (DALLASNEWS.com, 12/26).
COMPENSATORY MATTERS: Outback Bowl President & CEO JIM MCVAY is profiled after having run the bowl for the "past 30 years," and the WASHINGTON POST's Will Hobson noted McVay was the "highest-paid bowl executive in the country" in '17 with a compensation of $1,045,000. While several bowl execs "manage other games or major events, McVay's core duties remain as focused as they were when he took the job" in '88 -- "negotiate contracts and sell sponsorships and tickets for one football game each year." Outback Bowl BOD member STEVE SCHEMBER cited McVay's "negotiating prowess" in defending his "soaring pay." While other bowls "hire consultants to hammer out major contracts, McVay handles all negotiations with ESPN, Outback, the Big Ten and SEC himself, saving the bowl hundreds of thousands of dollars in fees" (WASHINGTON POST, 12/27).
NAMES: Colts Owner JIM IRSAY is sending former Purdue student TYLER TRENT to watch the team play Auburn in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl. Trent will be "taking Irsay's plane" to Nashville, where he will "fulfill his duties as the bowl game's honorary captain." Trent will "join the teams on the field for the coin toss" (USATODAY.com, 12/26)....SERENA WILLIAMS was named the AP Female Athlete of the Year for the "fifth time." She was followed by Gold Medal-winning gymnast SIMONE BILES, Notre Dame G ARIKE OGUNBOWALE, Gold Medal-winning snowboarder CHLOE KIM and Gold Medal-winning swimmer KATIE LEDECKY, the '17 winner, (AP, 12/26)....Cowboys LB JAYLON SMITH's Clear Eye View glasses, which "launched earlier this month, are detailed with geometrically squared bridges that create profiles strong enough for both men and women" (DALLASNEWS.com, 12/26)....The RV that Browns QB BAKER MAYFIELD rented for the team's QBs to use during training camp, which was "made famous" during HBO's "HARD KNOCKS," is "up for sale." Neff Brothers RV is "taking offers on the vehicle" through Jan. 18. The RV has an "MSRP of $195,000 without Mayfield's signature." The new owner of the vehicle will also "receive the original RV contract, signed by Mayfield" (CLEVELAND.com, 12/26).
