Former Centaurus Energy CEO JOHN ARNOLD was named Chair of Houston's "bid committee to land a host spot" for the '26 World Cup. Arnold is also Chair of the Laura and John Arnold Foundation, which is "focused on social, economic and government systems and improving lives of individuals" (HOUSTONCHRONICLE.com, 1/10). Houston is "among 17 American cities vying to become one of 10 host cities selected when the finalists are trimmed" in '21 (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 1/11).
Brenner (front) and his legal team are seeking $11.5M in damages from the Univ. of OregonGETTY IMAGES
ON CAMPUS: Former Oregon football player DOUG BRENNER is "suing" the school, former coach WILLIE TAGGART and the NCAA "for negligence." Brenner and his legal team are seeking $11.5M in "damages," alleging that the school was "negligent for failing to prohibit, regulate or supervise the workouts, which they describe as 'physical punishment regimens'" (OREGONLIVE.com, 1/9)....Oklahoma State football coach MIKE GUNDY's "rolling, five-year contract has been extended" through the '23 season. Gundy's "annual $125,000 raise will take his salary up" to $5.125M in '19 (TULSAWORLD.com, 1/10)....Longtime UConn supporter CHRIS FRASER recently pledged $1M to the school that will be used for “renovations to the football team’s on-campus facilities” (COURANT.com, 1/10).
LUCKY TO BE ALIVE: Two members of the NLL San Diego Seals were "rescued from heavy surf Thursday morning at Sunset Cliffs," Calif. Seals D GARRETT EPPLE and T NICK OSSELLOasked a "bystander to film them jumping off the cliffs and into the Pacific Ocean at a well-known spot called 'The Arch.'" After jumping in, they were "overcome by roiling, 60-degree water at a time when high surf warnings have been issued for much of the county's coastline" (SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.com, 1/10).
NAMES: Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES, NBA Commissioner ADAM SILVER and Turner President DAVID LEVY were in Las Vegas this week for CES. Golden Knights President KERRY BUBOLZ said that NHL Commissioner GARY BETTMAN and Deputy Commissioner BILL DALY were in town as well. Bettman will attend Friday’s Sharks-Golden Knights game at T-Mobile Arena (LVSPORTSBIZ.com, 1/9)....Epic Games, the creator behind video games like “FORNITE,” has been “given an ‘F’ rating from the Better Business Bureau after failing to address hundreds of complaints from concerned customers.” The BBB said that over the past year, it has “received more than 270 complaints” about the Cary, N.C.-based company. Epic Games in a statement said that the company is “not affiliated with the BBB” (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 1/10)....TIM TEBOW on Thursday “announced his engagement” to '17 Miss Universe DEMI-LEIGH NEL-PETERS (AP, 1/11)....Amazon CEO JEFF BEZOS and MACKENZIE, his wife of 25 years, are divorcing, and sources said that Bezos has been “dating” LAUREN SANCHEZ, the wife of Endeavor Exec Chair PATRICK WHITESELL (NYPOST.com, 1/9).
