Iger's TV background could give execs like Jimmy Pitaro or Peter Rice a leg up to succeed himGETTY IMAGES
Many sports media insiders "see the race to replace" Disney Chair & CEO BOB IGER as a "wide-open competition." However, some "now believe the inside track may belong" to Disney Chair of Direct-To-Consumer & Int'l KEVIN MAYER. Iger, 68, has "changed his mind multiple times about retirement." Iger "comes from the TV side of the business, which some suggest gives" ESPN President JIMMY PITARO or Disney TV Chair PETER RICE a "leg-up." If Pitaro can "right that ship" at ESPN, he "may prove he can run all of Disney" (HOLLYWOODREPORTER.com, 8/21).
HIGHEST HONOR: BOB COUSY "received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country's highest civilian award," during a ceremony on Thursday at the White House. U.S. Sen. JOE MANCHIN (D-W.Va.) "advocated for Cousy to get the award after they met through a mutual friend." Manchin said that he "mentioned the idea" to PRESIDENT TRUMP in December after "noticing he had given the award to several other athletes." Manchin said Trump immediately "called Cousy and told him he would be receiving it" (BOSTON GLOBE, 8/23).
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS: U.S. Circuit Court Judge ROSEMARIE AQUILINA, who handled the LARRY NASSAR sex abuse criminal trial, is "one of more than a dozen female champions and role models invited to participate in the Aurora Games' Conversations with Champions -- a series of free panel discussions designed to give fans an up-close-and-personal look at their heroes or otherwise interested individuals a chance to hear from top sporting professionals worldwide." Others invited to the panels include U.S. slider ERIN HAMLIN, former U.S. swimmer DONNA DE VARONA and former U.S. gymnast SHANNON MILLER. Friday's panel will feature NANCY KERRIGAN and former Romanian gymnast NADIA COMANECI, among others (Albany TIMES UNION, 8/23)....Former NFLer BRIAN WESTBROOK will “headline the largest venture conference in the Northeast next month,” as he will “deliver the lunchtime keynote address” at the Philadelphia Alliance for Capital and Technologies’ Capital Conference Sept. 26 (BIZJOURNALS.com, 8/22).
NAMES: Mets P STEVEN MATZ "met with 32 members of the Nassau County Police Department and their guests" before the team wrapped up its series against the Indians at Citi Field. This was the first time that Matz and his Tru32 charity honored the NCPD (NEWSDAY, 8/23)....Former NFLer DEANGELO WILLIAMS is donating $250,000 to the Univ. of Memphis football program. The money will be "used for updates in the Billy J. Murphy Football Complex and the Tigers' nutritional development program" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 8/23)....Boxer GERVONTA DAVIS will “host a backpack and school supply giveaway at a recreation center in West Baltimore” Friday (BALTIMORE SUN, 8/23)....Ann Arbor-based franchising company Franworth has “picked up” Saints QB DREW BREES as a partner and executive board member (CRAINSDETROIT.com, 8/22).
