Register Now for the 15th Annual Chicago Half Marathon
Enjoy this Race Along Picturesque Lake Shore Drive, September 11, 2011
Registration is open for the 15th Annual Chicago Half Marathon and 5k on September 11, 2011 where 20,000 runners will hit the scenic Chicago streets, starting and ending just south of the Museum of Science and Industry in Jackson Park.
Runners will enjoy a beautiful half-marathon course along Lake Shore Drive, starting and finishing in Jackson Park, offering scenic views of the iconic Chicago skyline. Runners will experience entertainment along the course and the benefit of water and Gatorade Endurance at 11 water stations throughout the course including the start and finish. Participants will also receive a custom finisher’s medal and a commemorative technical long-sleeve t-shirt. Read more
Michael Jordan Memorabilia to be offered at September 17th Basketball Auction in Chicago
Hunt Auctions, an 18-year veteran of the sports memorabilia auction industry, in conjunction with Upper Deck Authenticated, will offer Michael Jordan’s personal collection of golf clubs, bags, and other related accessories as part of a 300-plus lot basketball auction to be held live on September 17, 2009 at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame in Chicago.
The items in Michael Jordan’s 50+ lot collection represent his substantial time on the golf course. While not every piece of equipment was employed by the basketball legend, some golf clubs and bags show substantial use. Expected to fetch $30,000-$40,000, the group is being sold to benefit the James Jordan Foundation.
“An iconic athlete’s personal ephemera is always a huge draw for bidders,” said David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions. “We’re thrilled to be offering such a unique collection for both Michael Jordan and golf enthusiasts alike.”
Also up for auction is a private collection of Michael Jordan memorabilia that includes several significant pieces, including a selection of items from the famed 1992 USA Olympic Basketball “Dream Team”. Of particular interest is Jordan’s warm up jacket from the 1992 games in Barcelona estimated at $4,000-$5,000. The 125-lot collection is offered for the first time publicly with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the James Jordan Foundation.
Additional items up for bid include a pair of Nike sneakers LeBron James wore and inscribed in tribute to President Barack Obama. The sneakers, which read, “44th President Barack Obama,” across the front, were worn during a game on January 23, 2009.
Highlights of the basketball auction include:
– 1992-93 Michael Jordan Chicago Bulls professional model home jersey (est. $10,000-$15,000)
– Michael Jordan autographed 1992 Nike USA Olympic warm up jacket ($4,000-$5,000)
– 1992 Michael Jordan USA Olympic Basketball Team Identification badge ($3,000-$4,000)
– Michael Jordan autographed personal golf bag ($2,000-$3,000)
– LeBron James game worn basketball sneakers with handwritten tribute inscription to President Obama ($5,000-$7,500)
– Rare Barack Obama autographed basketball. ($2,000-$3,000)
A preview exhibition will run Tuesday, September 15th thru Thursday, September 17th at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame. Complimentary appraisals of sports memorabilia will be available for visitors. Bids are accepted live at the auction, via phone at 610-524-0822, or at www.HuntAuctions.com.
Source: Hunt Auctions
Football legend Mike Ditka takes an equity stake in Lingerie Football League as the League prepares to kickoff Friday night
HALL OF FAME COACH WILL TAKE A SIGNIFICANT STAKE WITHIN LEAGUE
One of television’s biggest commercial properties is set to make its debut in the form of a league alongside a football legend on Friday, September 4, 2009 as the Lingerie Football League (or ‘LFL’) kicks-off its (20) week inaugural season featuring America’s most beautiful and athletic women playing 7-on-7 tackle football at major arenas and stadiums on Friday nights as part of LFL, Friday Night Football.
What started out as a Super Bowl halftime counter-programming special has now turned into a year-round brand complete with a Fantasy Football Draft, Mini-Camps, Training Camps, Regular Season Games, Championship Game, and All-Star Game.
A new era in pro football will kickoff this Friday in Chicago at Sears Centre Arena with the premiere of LFL, Friday Night Football showcasing one game per week in a Game of The Week type format. Opening Night will feature all-day tailgate festivities and a clash amongst pre-season favorite Chicago Bliss hosting the Miami Caliente.
The LFL will be making several major announcements in relation to significant media, personality and ownership partnerships such as Mike Ditka. “Coach Ditka embodies the game of football and will be an invaluable asset to the LFL as we mature into a worldwide sports brand,” said, Mitchell S. Mortaza, Founder & Chairman. Mike Ditka added, “Football has always been a large part of my life and passion, this an opportunity to be part of something truly special in its inception phase.”
LFL, Friday Night Football’s broadcast team will include longtime ESPN NFL Analyst Sean Salisbury, veteran Chicago Bulls play-by-play man Tom Dore and Maxim Hot 100 winner April Rose will serve as sideline reporter.
Fans not lucky enough to land tickets to LFL, Friday Night Football games can catch the games this season streaming LIVE on LFLUS.com, premiering Friday, September 4th. Single game viewing will cost $7.95 and season passes for $125.00. The broadcasts will also be distributed across select regional television stations as well as international television distributors.
Pre-Season Team Power Rankings – http://www.lflus.com/powerrankings/
Pre-Season All-Fantasy Team – http://www.lflus.com/allfantasyteam/
Team Scouting Reports – http://www.lflus.com/scoutingreports/
Ricketts family to acquire 95% stake in Cubs Franchise in $845 million transaction
Ricketts to Take 95% Ownership of Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field and Tribune’s Interest in Comcast SportsNet
The Ricketts family has signed a definitive agreement with Tribune Company to acquire a 95 percent interest in the Chicago Cubs National League Baseball Club, Wrigley Field and Tribune’s approximately 25 percent interest in Comcast SportsNet (CSN) in a transaction valued at $845 million. The Ricketts family will have management control of the joint venture as its 95 percent owner. Tribune will retain a five-percent ownership interest.
“Our family is thrilled to have reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in the Chicago Cubs, one of the most storied franchises in sports,” said Joe Ricketts. “The Cubs have the greatest fans in the world, and we count our family among them. We look forward to closing the transaction so that we can begin leading the Cubs to a World Series title.”
The Ricketts family reached the agreement with Tribune after a thorough bid process that began more than two years ago. Tribune intends to proceed to a final transaction close without soliciting further bids from other parties.
“This joint venture will provide dedicated, local family ownership and management for the team,” commented Tribune Chairman Sam Zell. “The Ricketts family will be a great steward of the franchise. They have a strong respect for the team, for the fans and for what the Cubs mean to the City of Chicago.”
Final closing of the agreement is dependent upon approval by Major League Baseball owners and bankruptcy court approvals. As part of the court’s approval process, the entity holding most of the assets of the Cubs franchise will voluntarily file for Chapter 11 protection so that the franchise can emerge free and clear of Tribune Company’s financial obligations. All obligations specific to the Cubs franchise – player contracts and agreements with sponsors, broadcasters, advertisers, suppliers and ticket holders – are not expected to be impacted by the court approval process, and there should be no interruption of team operations. The court is expected to rule on approval of the transaction early in the fourth quarter of 2009.
Source: Tribune Company
Ronnie Record: Motocross Star Ronnie Renner Breaks Big Air World Record at Red Bull High Rise
Unparalleled insanity met high hopes in the friendly confines of Chicago’s Butler Field at Grant Park as professional motocross athlete Ronnie Renner broke his own Guinness World Record for highest motorcycle jump off a quarterpipe.
Thousands of excited fans from all over the Midwest huddled together in anticipation and watched as Renner fearlessly approached the imposing ramp, which featured Chicago’s world famous skyline as the backdrop. On his third attempt, Renner launched himself an astounding 63 feet 5 inches above the ground, eclipsing the record he set a year ago.
“It’s been crazy. I’m so pumped to have done it,” said Renner after his jumps. “What a killer vibe! All these people coming out to see me and they were psyched. I could hear the crowd cheering.”
Guinness World Records certified Renner’s highest jump, which was officially measured from the top of the 22-foot-tall quarterpipe, as 41 feet 5 inches from the top of the ramp (63 feet 5 inches high, total).
“I was super excited to come but didn’t really know what to expect,” said Lindsey Marlow, a fan. “I’ve seen a lot of motocross events, but Ronnie’s jump was amazing!”
Immediately following Red Bull High Rise, Renner jumped on a yacht to be a part of Chicago’s 52nd Annual Venetian Night as the last boat of the evening. Adding his usual touch, he played air guitar as he sailed down Lake Michigan. During Renner’s time in Chicago, he witnessed both a White Sox and Cubs game, priding himself on being a non-biased fan. Unfortunately, he missed Mark Buehrle’s perfect game by a day.
Ronnie set his initial world record in 2008 on the Santa Monica Pier by jumping 59’2″ above the ground. After that jump, he knew he could go higher, and under an ominous Chicago sky, he did. When asked what he planned to do next, Renner stated, “Between myself and Red Bull, we’re bound to come up with something crazy.”
Renner is a respected freestyle motocross veteran whose credentials include a gold medal in Moto X Step Up at the 2007 Summer X Games, and the Step Up world record. He will participate in the X Games next weekend, competing in the Moto X Step Up and Best Whip events.
Renner’s jump completed yet another amazing chapter of world-firsts, following the record-shattering performances of fellow motocross sensation Robbie Maddison and BMX star Kevin Robinson. Maddison jumped the length of a football field in front of thousands on New Year’s Eve 2007, clearing 322 feet in Las Vegas. Last June, Robinson soared 27 feet above the lip of a huge quarterpipe (54 feet above the ground) in New York’s Central Park to set the BMX big air world record.
For more information about the event, visit www.redbullusa.com.