Montana has not been charged by federal prosecutors over any involvement with Singer's companyGETTY IMAGES
JOE MONTANA issued a statement Thursday saying that his family "received consulting" from WILLIAM RICK SINGER's company -- which has been embroiled in the college admissions scandal -- "but that was it." Montana has "not been charged by federal prosecutors," as other "well-known clients of Singer have started to come forward," including PHIL MICKELSON (SFCHRONICLE.com, 3/14). Mickelson took to Twitter to "explain his family's connection" to Singer and "deny any wrongdoing." Mickelson said, "We, along with thousands of other families, hired [Singer] and his company to help us guide through the college application process. We're probably more shocked than anyone." Mickelson's oldest daughter, AMANDA, is currently in her sophomore year at Brown, while his "younger two children are a junior and sophomore in high school." Mickelson: "We're not a part of this ... I'm learning about it just as you are, from what I read" (GOLF.com, 3/14).
EPIC LOOT: Twitch streamer TYLER BLEVINS, also known as NINJA, was "one of a few select professionals with huge followings pulled in" by video game developer EA to "play and promote its latest title, 'Apex Legends,' in the first hours" of the game's launch last month. Blevins "tweeted about the free-to-play game early on Feb. 5 and streamed the action to his more than 13 million followers" on Twitch. A source said that Blevins was paid about $1M for this (REUTERS.com, 3/13).
NAMES: The newly merged Learfield IMG College hosted a reception Wednesday night in Charlotte during the ACC Tournament. Among those there were senior execs: CORY MOSS, MIKE HAMILTON, RICK BARAKAT, TRACY WHITE, PAT FAGAN, TIM UTRUP and JOE BALDINI, in addition to several school administrators. The event was held on the 22nd floor of the AC Hotel in the trendy new Nuvole rooftop bar (Michael Smith, THE DAILY)....Former MLBer MITCH WILLIAMS won a $1.57M judgement after filing a lawsuit against MLB Network over his firing from the net in ’14. A New Jersey appeals court ruled that Williams “can keep the cash.” The court’s decision “denied MLB Network’s attempts to overturn the award made by a jury” and also “rejected Williams’ attempt to appeal for more money he claimed he was owed in the contract” (NJ.com, 3/14)....ESPN's HANNAH STORM “will be the featured speaker” at this year’s They’re Off Luncheon on April 12 ahead of the Kentucky Derby in May (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/14)....Former NFLer HERSCHEL WALKER and former NBAer GHEORGHE MURESAN on Wednesday “had lunch” with Senate Majority Whip JOHN THUNE (R-S.D.) (POLITICO.com, 3/14).
