Melnyk is being accused of not covering $900,000 worth of gambling debt in ConnecticutGETTY IMAGES
A lawyer representing Senators Owner EUGENE MELNYK has filed "one or more defences" in the "strange case involving gambling expenses incurred two years ago at the Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority in Connecticut." The casino filed a complaint last July claiming that Melnyk "issued five bank drafts that were to cover $900,000 U.S. worth of debt." The gaming authority said these amounts "were not honoured by the Toronto Dominion Bank and that Melnyk owes it another $179,800 in interest and other fees" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 10/1).
NAMES: MLS has fined Timbers Owner & CEO MERRITT PAULSON $100,000 for "misconduct directed at the match officials on the field" at Providence Park following the team's game against the Revolution last Wednesday (SOCCERAMERICA.com, 10/1)....Mets 1B PETE ALONSO, who "orchestrated the Mets' 9/11 tribute last month," has "donated his 9/11 cleats, as well as a bat, to the 9/11 Memorial & Museum, adding to what he called an 'absolutely breathtaking' collection of artifacts" (NEWSDAY, 10/2)....WAYNE GRETZKY yesterday met with 14 Untuckit contest winners in Edmonton. Gretzky signed their "hockey cards, books, sweaters and shirts," and the winners also went home with a $500 Untuckit gift card. Gretzky signed a deal with Untuckit just days before the apparel brand opened its first Canadian store last year (EDMONTON SUN, 10/2)....SHAQUILLE O'NEAL will headline TCU's "Schollmaier Live" event to kickoff the basketball season on Oct. 25. O'Neal, who had a "short-lived rap career," will perform during the free event (Ft. Worth STAR-TELEGRAM, 10/2)....Under Armour has officially "sued a family business in a trademark dispute over its name Cascade Armory." UA cites "trademark infringement, trademark dilution and brand confusion over name similarities" (AP, 10/1).
