THE UNDEFEATED's Martenzie Johnson profiled The Sports & Entertainment Group (TSEG) Founder & CEO ADISA BAKARI, whose DC-based sports agency "represents some of the top athletes in the NFL and professional boxing." Bakari and TSEG President JEFF WHITNEY currently represent 43 NFLers, including Steelers RB LE'VEON BELL and Bills QB TYROD TAYLOR. The firm has become the "central hub for representation" of HBCU athletes. Of the 32 HBCU players who were on NFL rosters at the beginning of the '16 season, TSEG represented five of them, the "most of any other firm in the country" (THEUNDEFEATED.com, 4/27).
HIS OLD KENTUCKY HOME: U.S. Racing HOFer and horse trainer D. WAYNE LUKAS' personal thoroughbred racing collection from throughout his career will "go to the Kentucky Derby Museum as part of its permanent collection" (BLOODHORSE.com, 4/30)....Former NBAer JUNIOR BRIDGEMAN will "host 'The Trifecta,'" a Kentucky Derby Eve party held at the Louisville Marriott East hotel. Comedian SINBAD will host the invitation-only ceremony (BIZJOURNALS.com, 5/1).
OWNERS IN THE NEWS: USL Tampa Bay Rowdies Owner BILL EDWARDS will "take a 'brief' medical leave of absence to have a pacemaker installed" (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/2)....Lightning Owner JEFF VINIK will "not be able to serve" on the BOD "overseeing the Tampa Electric Co. and TECO Peoples Gas" because of his family investment business being a conflict (TAMPA BAY TIMES, 5/2).
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: Patriots QB TOM BRADY and wife GISELE BUNDCHEN co-hosted the Met Gala in N.Y. last night (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/2). Meanwhile, SERENA WILLIAMS and her “baby bump” made their “first public appearance since announcing her pregnancy” at the Gala (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 5/2).
NAMES: Free agent QB COLIN KAEPERNICK was spotted in N.Y. over the weekend "standing outside a parole office, handing out two boxes of his own custom-made suits to those who could use them for upcoming job interviews." Kaepernick's "good deed is in partnership with 100 Suits, an organization that aims to provide suits and workwear to men and woman preparing for job interviews, as well as tailoring and grooming services" (S.F. CHRONICLE, 5/2)....The Hot Stove Cool Music fundraiser event on Saturday in Boston raised "more than $725,000” for Cubs President of Baseball Operations THEO EPSTEIN and his twin brother PAUL’s Foundation to Be Named Later, Cubs Charities and the Red Sox Foundation (BOSTON GLOBE, 5/2)....Duke football coach DAVID CUTCLIFFE has “received a contract extension” that keeps him with the school through June '21 (HERALDSUN.com, 5/1)....Ravens QB JOE FLACCO was an honorary captain for the AFL Philadelphia Soul's game against the Baltimore Brigade on Saturday. Flacco “palled around” with Soul co-Owners RON JAWORSKI and MARQUES COLSTON pregame (Baltimore SUN, 5/2)....The Univ. of Saskatchewan is “bestowing an honorary degree” on former Canada women's hockey player HAYLEY WICKENHEISER. She will be made a Doctor of Laws on June 8 (CP, 5/1)....Raiders RB MARSHAWN LYNCH on Sunday thanked Seahawks Owner PAUL ALLEN and the Seattle fans in a “full-page ad in a local newspaper” (Portland OREGONIAN, 5/2).
