Karatz is just one of two female XFL team presidents, along with the Guardians' Janet DuchHEATHER BROOKS KARATZ
In L.A., Helene Elliott profiled XFL L.A. Wildcats President HEATHER BROOKS KARATZ, who is "setting an aspirational example as one of the few women holding a high-ranking executive position with a professional sports team." The XFL has "two female team presidents," including Karatz and N.Y. Guardians' JANET DUCH. Karatz said, "Janet Duch and myself, we work really closely together, but we're also very strong voices across the league where we both contribute immensely to what's happening at our team level and the league level." Leading up to the team's inaugural season, Karatz "worked long hours that kept her away from her 4-year-old twins, daughter JOELLE and son ABE" (L.A. TIMES, 2/22).
THE GOOD STUFF: Spurs G PATTY MILLS and his wife, ALYSSA, during his All-Star break "made the nearly 9,500-mile trip to wildfire-ravaged Australia on a mission of mercy to help ease the suffering of humans and wildlife." The couple "didn't hesitate to get their hands dirty" while "assisting relief workers in South Australia and New South Wales" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/23)....Singer GARTH BROOKS joined Lions coach MATT PATRICIA last Friday to “speak with more than 100 student-athletes” at the Univ. of Detroit Mercy. Michigan college athletic departments are “increasingly implementing mental health programs amid growing awareness” (DETROIT FREE PRESS, 2/22)....Seahawks TE GREG OLSEN and his wife, KARA, hosted a Friday event at Charlotte's Hilliard Studio Method “benefiting their ‘HEARTest Yard’ charitable partnership with the Levine Children’s Hospital in Charlotte, supporting families affected by congenital heart disease, just like the Olsens” (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 2/23).
HONORS & AWARDS: Former Titans coach JEFF FISHER was named to the '20 class of the Tennessee Sports HOF. Other inductees include former Univ. of Tennessee-Martin AD/Women’s Athletics BETTYE GILES and longtime Tennessee Golf Association and Tennessee Section PGA Exec Dir DICK HORTON (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/22)....Hawks G TRAE YOUNG was awarded the NBA Cares Community Assist Award, which "each month recognizes an NBA player for their efforts to give back to their communities, in recognition of his charity work in both Georgia and his home state of Oklahoma" (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 2/22)....Buccaneers owners the GLAZER family “showed their gratitude” to former coach MONTE KIFFIN by “informing him he will be the 14th inductee into the Bucs Ring of Honor” (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 2/22).
NAMES: A photo posted on Rancho Rio Arena's Facebook page in December revealed D-backs P MADISON BUMGARNER has been "competing in team-roping events" under the alias MASON SAUNDERS for "some time." Bumgarner has been "deep in the rodeo community for years" (THEATHLETIC.com, 2/23)....Rockets Owner TILMAN FERTITTA "plans to acquire The Palm steakhouse chain out of bankruptcy" in a deal worth at least $50M, "further expanding his business empire." The deal, "expected to close in mid-March," would include the steakhouse's 21 nationwide locations (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 2/22)....The Earthquakes have “filed a permit request with the city of San Jose to change the name of the side street near their stadium” to “Wondo Way,” in a nod to longtime F CHRIS WONDOLOWSKI. Wondolowski said that he is “playing in his final season” this year (San Jose MERCURY NEWS, 2/22)....The Alliance for Women in Media and its Foundation added ESPN VP/Communications KATINA ARNOLD to its BOD (CABLEFAX DAILY, 2/24).
