Punt, pass and kick
We all know Barack Obama can hold his own on the hardwood. But he appears set to make a commitment to sports of all kinds — especially here in Washington.
Last Thursday, Jimmy Lynn, a longtime sports marketing executive for AOL; David Sutphen, an incoming partner at the Brunswick Group; and the Greater Washington Sports Alliance set up a meeting between Obama’s incoming Office of Public Liaison and several local sporting luminaries. Those at the table included Georgetown coach John Thompson III; Chris Brown of the Sports Alliance; Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank; NCAA lobbyist Abe Frank; and Steve Goodman of the NFL Players Association.
The incoming administration officials asked those assembled how the president-elect could get more involved in athletics in the region. But it’s Michelle Obama they may have to please. A source close to the meeting said that the aides on hand explained that Mrs. Obama was even more into sports than her husband.
The incoming OPL leadership has also met with representatives of the D.C. luxury lifestyle magazines, such as Capitol File, DC Magazine and Washington Life, further underscoring the widespread prediction that Obama will reach out to the city more than President Bush did.
