Recent hires in the NFL have brought the number of black coaches to a record five. St. Louis Rams defensive coordinator Lovie Smith was hired by the Chicago Bears, and the Arizona Cardinals tapped ex-Minnesota Vikings coach Dennis Green. They join Tony Dungy of the Indianapolis Colts, Herman Edwards of the New York Jets, and Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals.
oSerena Williams aces Nike deal worth approximately $40 million. The five-year endorsement deal makes the tennis star one of the highest-paid female athletes in the world. Incentives and promotions, as well as a contract extension, could push her earnings over $50 million. Williams, who has won 23 singles championships and 11 doubles titles worldwide, will work closely with Nike’s team of experts to design and create a tennis shoe and apparel.
oThree-time Grand Slam tennis champion and Wimbledon finalist Zina Garrison was appointed Captain of the Fed Cup, the first African American to hold that title in the organization’s 40-year history. The Fed Cup is the premier women’s international tennis competition, with 16 countries competing for the elite World Group in 2003.