Filmmaker ZACK SNYDER has been "appointed as an ambassador for USA Badminton in a move that officials believe will raise the sport's profile and create new commercial and fundraising avenues." The move comes at a "critical time" for the Anaheim-based NGB. The USOPC began "proceedings last month to decertify USA Badminton." Snyder, a "long-time badminton enthusiast," has directed nine films that have earned nearly $3.2B at the box office ( ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 12/7 ).
WELCOME HOME : Former MLBer DAVID ORTIZ yesterday made his "first public appearance in the Dominican Republic" nearly six months after he was "shot in what authorities called a case of mistaken identity." The Dominican native was "greeted by a standing ovation and raucous cheers" when he entered the Quisqueya Stadium Juan Marichal for the Game of Legends, a "charity exhibition and home run derby featuring Dominican major league players and retired stars" ( AP, 12/8).
NAMES : During the MAC Championship game on Saturday, which saw Miami (Ohio) defeat CMU, a seat in Ford Field's press row "sat empty" for late CMU football and men's basketball radio voice DON CHIODO , who died in a two-vehicle crash last Wednesday. Chiodo had spent 10 years with the Chippewa Sports Network as the play-by-play broadcaster. He leaves behind his wife and two adult children ( DETROIT FREE PRESS, 12/8 )....The Mavericks' practice facility was "transformed into a Christmas wonderland for 50 at-risk kids" on Friday evening. The "entire Mavericks roster turned out," with all of the players "wearing blue Santa hats" ( DALLAS MORNING NEWS, 12/7 )....CBS during the third quarter of the Chiefs' 23-16 win over the Patriots showed ViacomCBS Chair SHARI REDSTONE sitting next to Patriots Owner ROBERT KRAFT in his box at Gillette Stadium ( THE DAILY )....Grizzlies F ANDRE IGUODALA made a cameo appearance in the series finale of " SILICON VALLEY " on HBO last night ( THE DAILY ).
