The plaintiff is seeking unspecified monetary damages for how the Astros' scandal affected his bettingGETTY IMAGES
A DraftKings player on Thursday "filed a class action lawsuit" against MLB and two of its teams, accusing them of "creating an unfair gambling platform by turning a blind eye to the recently uncovered sign-stealing scandal." Lead plaintiff KRISTOPHER OLSON in his suit "alleges the defendants engaged in unfair and deceptive practices, violated state consumer protection laws, among other offenses." Massachusetts-native Olson is seeking "unspecified monetary damages." So far, just the Astros have been "penalized for cheating." The Red Sox also are a defendant in the suit (N.Y. POST, 1/24).
SONG OF SOLOMON: In L.A., Jack Harris profiles NHL Kings Exec VP/Hockey Operations & Legal Affairs JEFF SOLOMON, the team's "de facto CBA and salary cap expert." Now in his 14th season with the team, he helped the Kings "construct two Stanley Cup-winning teams" and navigate "several complex contractual situations." Solomon also has been "instrumental in coordinating numerous contract negotiations ... and qualifying offers for restricted free agents." He looks at the Kings' future like an "ever-evolving puzzle, aiming to ensure that, when the organization's next wave of core players arrive, there is room on the roster and in the budget to make them fit" (L.A. TIMES, 1/24).
SUITE SEATS: Maryland Gov. LARRY HOGAN "invited a full roster" of fellow Republican lawmakers, family members, law enforcement officials and execs of his company to "join him in the governor's suite at M&T Bank Stadium" this season. At the Ravens and Orioles venues, there are "no restrictions on who the officials can invite." Hogan and his wife, YUMI, "attended four games this season," including the Titans-Ravens playoff game. He was joined at that game by Tennessee Gov. BILL LEE and his wife, MARIA, along with former House Speaker PAUL RYAN and his two sons. During games Hogan "doesn't attend, he sets the suite aside for guests of various charities he supports" (BALTIMORE SUN, 1/24).
CHARITY STRIPE: MGM Resorts employees, Raiders staff and former Raiders players, including JIM PLUNKETT and DARREN MCFADDEN, on Thursday "volunteered their time to put together over 500 hygiene bags that will be donated" to local U.S. veterans (LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL, 1/24)....Browns WR JARVIS LANDRY is teaming up with USAA and Together We Stand to provide a Super Bowl LIV trip for Vietnam War veteran GEORGE REILLY and a guest as "part of the NFL's Salute to Service program" (Cleveland PLAIN DEALER, 1/23).
NAMES: Cowboys Owner JERRY JONES "quietly founded" a commercial real estate brokerage company in June '19 called Blue Star Commercial Real Estate LLC. The firm is "focused on representing investors in capital markets deals 'across the nation'" (DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 1/24)....Sources said that ALEX RODRIGUEZ is "buying a minority stake in Dominican beer Presidente" through his investment firm A-Rod Corp., and he will serve as chair of the brand (N.Y. POST, 1/23)....Former Univ. of Miami baseball player TOMMY ADAMS donated $1M toward the team's Baseball Facility Enhancement Campaign, which is the "largest gift toward baseball by a former UM player" (MIAMI HERALD, 1/24)....Steelers RB JAMES CONNER announced his autobiography, "FEAR IS A CHOICE: TACKLING LIFE'S CHALLENGES WITH DIGNITY, FAITH, AND DETERMINATION." The book "will be released June 16 via Harper Collins" (TRIBLIVE.com, 1/23)....PRESIDENT CLINTON "sat courtside" last night at Lakers-Nets. After the game, Lakers players and coaches, including LEBRON JAMES, ANTHONY DAVIS, coach FRANK VOGEL and assistant JASON KIDD "walked across the court to say hello" (USA TODAY, 1/24).
