"I'm a great fan of Rory's, but I don't think that was the right thing to do" – Golfer Ernie Els, on Rory McIlroy's withdrawal during the second round of the PGA Tour Honda Classic on Friday (WALL STREET JOURNAL, 3/2).
"I didn't like the guy. In fact, the first time I ever did anything with him, I said, 'This guy will be a problem for a lot of people here.' I felt that way when he was alive, and I felt that way when he was dead" – Basketball HOFer Bob Knight, on late Indiana Univ. President and NCAA President Myles Brand, who fired Knight (N.Y. TIMES MAGAZINE, 3/3 issue).
"Come in, like Michael Jordan used to do, own Saturday and then turn around and own Sunday too. It would benefit him, shoe deal, contracts, also more people will love him” – Basketball HOFer Magic Johnson, elaborating on his comment earlier in the weekend that he would offer $1M to the winner of the NBA Slam Dunk Contest if Heat F LeBron James would enter the event (“NBA Countdown,” ABC, 3/3).
“They ought to be fined for testing positive for being boneheaded, insensitive, bigoted slobs, and thinking this was their business” – N.Y. Daily News’ Mike Lupica, on potential penalties for NFL execs directly questioning players’ sexuality (“Sports Reporters,” ESPN, 3/3).
"We are confident that the federal court of appeals will conclude that New Jersey should be treated equally with other states" – New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, on a federal ruling blocking the state from offering sports betting (REUTERS, 3/1).
"You’ve got to have another question than the (Cascadia Cup trademark). It’s not that important! It really isn’t. ... We just announced a 10-year plan to be one of the top leagues in the world, and all you guys want to talk about is the Cascadia Cup!” – MLS Commissioner Don Garber, to the media at last night's Impact-Sounders match (SEATTLETIMES.com, 3/3).
"If I bought an NBA team, the first day I’d trade for LeBron. Then, the second day I’d trade for Kobe. And the third day, I’d do one of those Harlem Shuffle videos" – ESPN President John Skipper (ESPN.com, 3/2).
