Ben Maller's odd notes and stuff
by FOXSports.com
Knicks Stephon Marbury still buying a $40 mil private jet
Stephon Marbury, the unwanted Knicks guard, is going ahead with buying a $40 million private jet, as Page Six first reported back in August. Although Marbury has yet to play this season, and the Knicks brass can't find any other team willing to take on his $21 million salary, the untradeable Coney Island native is awaiting delivery of the aircraft, according to the buzz at SoHo's Salt restaurant. "He already paid a large deposit in the multimillions and has no plans to try to cancel the order," said one source. Since the top NBA teams have their own jets, and the less-flush teams travel by charter, it's a mystery why Marbury would buy his own plane - unless he expects his future teammates to dislike him as much as the Knick players do and he feels the need to travel solo. -- NY Post
NBA star helps friend stay safe during recent terrorist attacks
A phone call from Celtics guard Ray Allen helped an American friend stay safe during the recent terrorist attack in Mumbai, India. Allen's longtime friend Daryl Jones was in the Oberoi Trident Hotel when it was attacked with grenades and assault rifles in a rampage beginning Nov. 26. The Northwest Airlines flight attendant had gone to the front desk to get a new room key when he heard shooting in the lobby. Allen said Jones immediately headed to the 21st floor, where another hotel guest allowed him to hide in his room for two days. Allen learned of the attack during a phone call from his wife, Shannon, after a win over Golden State that night. Upon arriving home, Allen gave a whispering Jones an updated television news report for about 20 minutes. Worried that Jones could be targeted because he was an American, Allen also told his friend that if a terrorist asked for his passport to say he didn't have it and that he was Jamaican. "When I called him, I was telling him everything I heard on TV," Allen said yesterday. "[Jones learned] about the hotel being on fire and I told him that there was police outside. I told him, 'This is what is happening. From what they are saying, there are still terrorists running around shooting people and throwing grenades. You need to hide and don't open the door if someone knocks on it.' "We talked for about 20 minutes and I told him, 'We'll be [by the phone] if you need to call back. If you call back, we'll be up waiting, and if you [don't call], just leave us a message letting us know you're all right.' " Allen said Jones was able to make it back safely to the United States after stopovers in Germany and the Netherlands for interviews by officials. -- Boston Globe
Vegas cocktail server: I had no idea who Michael Phelps was
Carolynn "Caz" Pal, the cocktail server whose risque photos threatened to tarnish the golden image of Olympic swim star Michael Phelps, says she's a victim of sensationalism. She's "never shot topless photos, ever. No topless, no stripping," Pal, 26, said in her first interview since the furor erupted since spending Thanksgiving with Phelps and his mother in Baltimore. Pal agreed to the interview under one condition: that she would not discuss Phelps, who won a record eight gold medals in the Beijing Olympics for an unprecedented 14 in Olympic competition. All that she revealed about him was that she didn't know who he was when they met at the Palms pool while she was having lunch with a girlfriend. Someone delivered a "message," she said. That was as far as she would go. -- Las Vegas Review-Journal
Ryan Leaf hybrid documentary packs house
That goofy guy would be Ryan Leaf, the most notorious bust in the history of a proud San Diego franchise. The quarterback who, in the span of eight years, went from Heisman Trophy candidate and perceived NFL savior, to national joke, to coach of a West Texas college golf team. Sitting in the darkened auditorium on the third floor of the downtown San Diego Library last night, dressed in a vintage Kellen Winslow jersey, Jonathan Verdugo didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "It was so sad!" Verdugo would say later with a broad smile. "I felt like crying! When you compare those two guys . . . Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf. Wow." "Leaf," a low-budget hybrid documentary that was written and directed by Tim Carr, who also stars as Leaf, drew a packed house of about 160 to the library for the free viewing of the West Coast premiere, some sitting on the hard tile floor when all the seats were gone. Businessmen in ties were there, along with fans in their jerseys and a few disoriented folks who seemingly wandered in from the ranks of the homeless. For 82 minutes they sat, laughing in the right spots, groaning in others, as Carr laid out the sad NFL career of Leaf, drafted No. 2 overall by the Chargers in 1998 after the Colts took Manning at No. 1. The movie mixes the undisputed facts of Leaf's downfall with speculative thoughts and theories by actors playing sportswriters, agents and fans. -- San Diego Union-Tribune
Knicks' owner Dolan Isn't Talking, but He Is Singing
James L. Dolan has not given an interview in 631 days, but the man has the blues. We know this because Ticketmaster sent an e-mail message Wednesday announcing that Dolan's blues band, J.D. and the Straight Shot, just released a new album, "Right on Time." There are no direct lyrical references to the Knicks, Dolan's woebegone franchise, though one imagines they inspired such tracks as "Slow Motion in Reverse" and "What Do We Do Now?" Dolan also croons at length about drinking, smoking and heartache, which seems like more than a coincidence. -- NY Times
Danica Patrick stars in commercial being shot for Super Bowl
The IndyCar Series has one of the longest off-seasons in motor racing, which gives Danica Patrick plenty of time to burnish the popular driver's brand image. Such was the case Wednesday, as Patrick starred in a commercial being shot in a Sylmar soundstage for one of her sponsors, GoDaddy.com, scheduled to appear during this season's Super Bowl telecast. Patrick, 26, became a marketing sensation after nearly winning the Indianapolis 500 as a rookie driver in 2005. She then remained winless for nearly three years until earning her first IndyCar Series victory last April, in Motegi, Japan, thanks to a fuel-mileage gamble. But Patrick struggled during the rest of the year in the No. 7 car she drives for Andretti Green Racing, whose other drivers include Tony Kanaan and Marco Andretti. -- LA Times
Amanda Beard Claims Tanning Co. Burned Her
Amanda Beard is furious over the intimation she was bedded by a tanning salon -- for free! In a lawsuit filed yesterday in L.A. County Superior Court, the multiple Olympic medalist claims a tanning salon company in Florida used her likeness without permission, posting her picture on their website "to create the impression that Beard endorses ProSun products." Beard is asking for unspecified damages. -- TMZ
NASCAR top spectator sport
According to NASCAR, stock car racing is the nation's top spectator sports with an estimated fan base of 70 million fans and an average of more than 100,000 at each Sprint Cup race. Add that to television ratings that trail only the National Football League, and the Big Three needs racing as much as racing needs the Big Three. "NASCAR in general is at risk with broad bankruptcy in the industry, and I think (not bailing them out) would just frankly take out NASCAR," Dr. David Cole, chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, told Fox News. "NASCAR has a very significant stake in these talks to develop some form of a bridge loan." Chevrolet already has stopped being the official car at two NASCAR tracks. More than 500 racing employees have lost their jobs as teams try to adjust to the recession. Dale Earnhardt Inc. and Chip Ganassi Racing have merged to share the financial burden; several teams have taken on investment partners; and several teams are on the brink of going out of business as Corporate America tries to reorganize. "Is any sport or anything recession-proof? I don't think so," said four-time champion Jeff Gordon. "We still have an incredible fan base. Through times like this, all of us suffer. We're very dependent on our corporate sponsorships, not only as teams, but also NASCAR and the TV coverage and the fans and how they are customers to those sponsors. All of it ties together. There is no doubt that it affects each and every one of us." -- Savannah Morning News
Bucs Noah Herron owns a gun
Bucs RB Noah Herron had never seen himself as a gun owner. But his outlook changed in May, the instant a would-be burglar climbed through a first-floor window in his house while Herron was upstairs in his bedroom. Herron, 5 feet 11 and 218 pounds, thwarted the burglary by disabling one of two suspects, beating him with an unscrewed bedpost. The suspect was hospitalized. In the event there's a next time, Herron, 26, figures he'll be more prepared. Now he owns a gun. -- St. Petersburg Times
Jordan Brand Hopes Campaign Will 'Become Legendary'
Jordan Brand will launch new TV ads this weekend continuing its "Become Legendary" rallying cry. Eyeing the success its parent company Nike has had with "Just do it," Jordan Brand has pledged to make a long-term commitment to the marketing message which debuted last year. The first of three new national ads, called "Simple Math" breaks on Dec. 7. It focuses on what it takes to be a successful college football team, namely hard work and relentless training. -- Brand Week
Nielsen Says 'Anomaly' Led to Overstated Ratings on Simulcast NFL Games
Nielsen Wednesday conceded that due to a "crediting anomaly" it has overstated ratings for simulcast football games on NFL Network and ESPN, and understated numbers for the local stations that also aired the sporting events. The finding came after Nielsen offered the results of its probe relating to a Nov. 13 simulcast of a New York Jets-New England Patriots game, which aired on NFL Network, WPIX in New York, and WCVB and WMUR in Boston. The ratings company had notified its clients Nov. 25 that it might have overstated NFL Network's ratings. "We have determined that there were instances when, rather than overwriting The NFL Network's Final Distributor code, the local station's code existed along-side it," Nielsen said Wednesday. "In these instances, The NFL Network received credit for some minutes that were actually viewed to the station. Due to the nature of issue, we are not readily able to recreate production quality estimates for these games." -- Multichannel News
Michael Phelps hasn't changed sport of swimming
Michael Phelps might account for a surge in swim club memberships for youngsters, but it's hard to see how he changed the sport. He helped attract national and international attention on his glorious, unprecedented bid, but elevate swimming to some new level, so that now we are going to watch the U.S. swimming championships on prime time TV every year? Or we are going to see the Swimming Channel (or maybe Splash!) coming to a television near us any time soon? Or witness swimming in the United States become what swimming is in Australia? Nah. Swimming will break wide every four years when the Olympics roll around, just like our interest in track and field. There is nothing wrong with that. Not every sport is destined to become a national pastime. Not every sport needs to be widely popular. -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
SDSU hoops standout admits to role in burglary
San Diego State basketball standout Lorrenzo Wade told a San Diego Police detective in September that he helped unplug the television that was taken from a woman's apartment by a friend in an alleged burglary, according to court testimony yesterday. Detective Daniel Caropreso said in San Diego Superior Court that Wade admitted this after previously telling him in coach Steve Fisher's office that he didn't enter the woman's apartment. Caropreso said Wade changed his story after the detective told him they were doing a fingerprint analysis on the television. "He eventually told me that he did remove a plug from the rear of the TV prior to Mr. Ware taking it," Caropreso said. The fingerprint analysis turned out to be inconclusive. Wade still contended to the detective that he and co-defendant Brian Ware were just joking around. But his admission could spell the end of his college basketball career, depending on how hard and long prosecutors push the case that Wade assisted in the burglary. -- San Diego Union-Tribune
Utley and Hamels hang in Philly
Rehabbing Phillies slugger Chase Utley and World Series MVP Cole Hamels hung out a few nights ago at Rouge (205 S. 18th) with a handful of friends. -- Philadelphia Daily News
Jose Canseco to talk trash for fight
Jose Canseco and Danny Bonaduce will talk trash to each other at an open-to-the-public press conference at 1 p.m. Dec. 12, promoting their upcoming fight. The media event is at Anthony's Ristorante (4990 State) in Drexel Hill. The fight is Jan. 17 at the Ice Works (3100 W. Dutton Mill) in Aston. For additional info, visit CelebrityBoxing.TV. -- Philadelphia Daily News
MNF Kicks Up November Ratings Win For ESPN
ESPN closed out November as the top-rated cable channel, averaging 3.14 million total viewers and sweeping the three major demos. According to Nielsen ratings data for the month, the sports net delivered an average 1.54 million adults 25-54, an increase of 4 percent versus November 2007. ESPN also beat all comers among the 18-49 set, averaging 1.53 million, while taking the 18-34 crown with 731,000 viewers. Delivery of the younger demo was off by 10 percent versus the year-ago period, while the 18-49 number was down slightly (-2 percent). -- Media Week
Bucs Buchanon is armed
Bucs cornerback Phillip Buchanon survived a home invasion in 2006. At least six men in ski masks burst into his suburban Atlanta house and held him and friends at gunpoint for more than an hour. The men took valuables -- electronics, jewelry, clothing -- and Buchanon's luxury SUV. He also was pistol-whipped. "I look at everything differently after that incident," Buchanon, 28, said. Without getting specific about his position on gun ownership, Buchanon dropped a hint that he, too, has armed himself. "I'm protecting myself," he said. "Believe that. I'm not going to tell the world, but trust me. I protect myself." -- St. Petersburg Times
Falcons Shockley loses bet, dons Georgia Tech gear
Falcons backup quarterback D.J. Shockley came up on the short end of his bet with linebacker Keith Brooking. Because Georgia Tech beat Georgia last Saturday, Shockley, the former Bulldog, had to appear in the locker room wearing a black and gold Georgia Tech Santa hat and a gold T-shirt that said "Beat the Dawgs" in black script. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Former Mrs. A-Rod flying solo
With her ex-husband Alex Rodriguez carousing in Mexico with Madonna, Cynthia Rodriguez arrives solo at Art Basel in Miami Tuesday night. The Yankees slugger and the former model, whose home-base is SoFla, were divorced earlier this year after reports of A-Rod's philandering surfaced. -- Palm Beach Post
ESPN vs. Cablevision's Dolan At the FCC
The Walt Disney Co. went on the offensive Wednesday to halt Cablevision System Corp.'s effort to push the Federal Communications Commission into restricting Disney's ESPN from demanding access to the vast majority of cable subscribers. The Disney-Cablevision fight comes just weeks before FCC chairman Kevin Martin is expected to step down, ending a four-year period in which Martin attacked cable operators and programmers for not allowing subscribers to buy channels on an individual or a la carte basis. Cablevision's lawyers have been working with Martin and his staff to get the five-member agency to start a rulemaking that would greatly restrict Disney's bargaining leverage not just for its cable networks but also for its 10 ABC TV stations. The rule would give cable operators the option to keep ESPN in package or sell it a la carte. ESPN is the most expensive basic cable network, costing cable operators about $4.00 per month in 2009. -- Multichannel News
Cavaliers' Ben Wallace is a shoe free agent
Ben Wallace is now a free agent, at least when it comes to shoes. Last year when he was a member of the Chicago Bulls, Wallace launched a partnership for a signature shoe and clothing line with Steve & Barry's. Like Stephon Marbury, Wallace joined up with the discount sporting goods retailer to offer low-priced shoes and apparel. One of 11 children, Wallace grew up in a family where money was tight and was pleased he could be part of an effort to offer low-cost shoes. Like with Marbury, though, the good intentions did not work out for the Cavs big man. "Things didn't happen the way they said they would," Wallace said. "They didn't produce all the pieces they said they would." Last week, Steve & Barry's announced it was liquidating its 173 remaining stores nationwide five months after it initially declared bankruptcy. Wallace became frustrated with the company earlier this year but has continued to wear his signature shoes, called the Big Ben, which had retailed for $14.98. Earlier this year, Marbury sued Steve & Barry's for $2 million in unpaid royalties. Wallace hasn't taken such actions, but he is looking for a new company to endorse. "I like the shoes, and I still have quite a few new pairs, so I'll wear them for a while," Wallace said. "But I've been a free agent." -- Cleveland Plain Dealer
Judge sets new court date for Chiefs RB Larry Johnson's simple-assault case
A Kansas City municipal judge set a new court date Wednesday for Chiefs running back Larry Johnson in one of his simple-assault cases. After a brief hearing, Presiding Judge Elena M. Franco agreed to a request from Johnson's lawyer, Kevin E.J. Regan, to postpone further action on the case until Jan. 21. Authorities charged Johnson with the municipal ordinance violation in October after a woman alleged that he had pushed her in a nightclub in February. Regan said he also would ask for a delay in Johnson's second assault case, which is scheduled to be heard today. -- KC Star
ESPN Taps In Multiyear Deal for Women's British Open
ESPN Wednesday announced it has acquired the rights to all four rounds of the Ricoh Women's British Open golf tournament, including 12 live hours of coverage, beginning in 2010. This will mark the first time that all four rounds of the major tournament will be aired live in the U.S., network officials said. The deal also secures expanded television and digital media rights for ESPN International and comprehensive rights for a variety of digital platforms. -- Multichannel News
Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at FoxSports.com/Radio. Say hi to Ben at myspace.com/benmaller. Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on Ben Maller's forum Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at BigBen@Foxsports.com or Ben@BenMaller.com.
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