NBA WANTS MORE WOMEN AS LEADERS
ORK» The NBA has told teams
N EWY that it will have several events in the coming months designed to help improve workplace cultures, as well as find more ways to have women in leadership roles around the league.
The NBA’s memo, sent Wednesday and obtained by The Associated Press, revealed plans to hold workshops in Atlanta and Los Angeles in midNovember on diversity and inclusion efforts. An event is also planned in Charlotte, N.C., over the allstar break to expand “the pipeline of female talent in basketball operations roles.”
In a separate memo last week, NBA commissioner Adam Silver told teams that he wants to see more women hired around the league — particularly leadership and supervisory positions. And earlier this week, the league hosted its inaugural Women’s Leadership Forum.
Blue Jackets’ Jones out 46 weeks.
OHIO» Columbus Blue COLUM B US,
Jackets defenseman Seth Jones will be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury.
The team said the 23yearold Jones sprained his knee during the second period of Tuesday night’s preseason game against Buffalo. An MRI on Wednesday revealed the sprain.
It’s a huge blow for the Blue Jackets, with Jones’ defensive line mate Zach Werenski recovering from a shoulder injury and defenseman Ryan Murray also hampered by an injury. Jones had 16 goals and 41 assists last season.
Even Pauley shares naming rights.
NGELES» UCLA’s historic Pauley LOS A
Pavilion will gain a presenting sponsor as part of the school’s $38 million, 10year deal with a credit union.
The deal announced with Wescom Credit Union calls for permanent signage on the basketball arena that will read Edwin W. Pauley Pavilion presented by Wescom.
Wescom says money from the deal will be earmarked for preservation and improvements to the arena, which opened in 1965 and is named for a former regent and chief donor. It underwent a $132 million overhaul in 2012.
The new deal expands an existing partnership between UCLA and Pasadenabased Wescom. The credit union will pay UCLA, the Rose Bowl stadium and IMG $38 million over the life of the contract.
Wescom first attached its name to UCLA football games at the Rose Bowl stadium in 2015.
The deal also calls for an oncampus Wescom branch and five ATMs; improvements to the outdoor patio at the student union; an athlete endowment scholarship fund; and a float in the 2020 Rose Parade.
Tokyo Games seeks volunteers.
TOKYO» Tokyo Olympic organizers began their search for 80,000 unpaid volunteers to staff many of the venues when the Olympics and Paralympics open in just under two years.
The closing date for applications will be in December, although Tokyo 2020 organizers say they have not set a specific date.
Olympics volunteers are unpaid and typically must provide their own lodging, but they are given uniforms and free meals on the days they work.
The volunteer program has been a staple of the Olympics. Many volunteers relish the behindthescenes work, and many return to do it several times. But the program also has detractors. At every Olympics, volunteers sign up, get the uniforms, and then don’t show up for work — or complain about being unpaid even though agreeing to those terms.
The Rio de Janeiro Olympics two years ago had problems finding volunteers, particularly among the poor and working class who could not afford to work for free.
“Volunteers will be an essential part of the games’ success in a variety of roles at competition venues and at the athletes’ village,” Tokyo 2020 spokesman Masa Takaya said in a statement.