Source: WENN

Michael Strahan is stay-at-home wives/mothers and morning people’s favorite new obsession as the co-host of “LIVE with Kelly and Michael” much to many people’s surprise. The former NFL player was known as a sports commentator but few expected him to land a spot on ABC’s favorite morning show for a number of reasons, not the least of which are his skin color and nasty rumors that have followed the athlete over the years.

In a revealing interview for Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, Michael talked about what he thinks sealed the deal for landing his new gig.

“I’m big and she’s small…” he said. “I’m a black man and here’s this cute white lady, hmmm. I’m an athlete but I’m not known to pop culture. I think all of those things made them think, hmmm this is something different.”

Different is right considering Michael’s nasty divorce from his ex-wife Jean Muggli and the damage she tried to do to his rep. According to News One:

When Strahan and Muggli parted ways back in 2006 after seven years of marriage, their separation became fodder for the press.  Rumors that were put out by Muggli raised suspicions about the former NFL player.  The ex-Mrs. Strahan accused her then husband of assault, videotaping her sister, neglecting their twin daughters, adultery and even alluded to him being gay.

The 6’5″ father of four confronted Muggli, who was his second wife, when he found out she withdrew $3.3 million from their bank accounts. It was then that he decided to divorce her.

In 2007, Strahan and Muggli stood before a judge and she tried to prove that her husband had physically abused her. Despite those claims being dismissed, the judge awarded the embittered ex a whopping $15 million settlement and $18,000 in child support every month.

Though in our social media age those incidents would have likely spelled death for any other public figure’s reputation, the case has been quite the opposite for Michael.

“I think early on when you’re reading all these things in the paper that aren’t true,” he trailed off to Brant. “I’m not an adulterer. I’m not gay. I mean, I didn’t beat anybody.”

When Bryant said it’s surprising Michael’s public image didn’t take a huge hit, he replied.

“People don’t care. Everybody has their own problems … I just kept going, being myself and it worked.”

Two ex-wives and a bitter divorce behind him, Michael is currently engaged to Eddie Murphy’s ex-wife Nicole, but recently rumors began swirling that they were yet another Hollywood couple that had bitten the dust. In true Strahan fashion he laughed off tales that he was inappropriately involved with R&B singer London simply because he appeared in her video “No Panties,” and Nicole tweeted: “Wow! Thats insane! Lol!” Looks like both of them know how to keep it moving.

Check out a snippet of Michael Strahan’s video here. Are you a fan of him on “LIVE”?

Source: Getty Images

It only took four seasons, and probably an even longer time than we know, for Sheree Whitfield to finally go after her ex-husband, former NFL star Bob Whitfield, for child support money owed to her. Now, the former “Real Housewives of Atlanta” reality star is finally getting what’s due to her children because according to TMZ, Bob has just 21 days to pay her the $75,000 owed in overdue child support.

According to legal docs obtained by TMZ … Bob admits he failed to make 38 monthly child support payments of $2,142 to the “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star … more than $81k.

Bob claimed he simply didn’t have the money — and had asked the court to lower his obligation … but that was denied.

Now, the two sides have struck a deal in which Bob has agreed to hand over $75k before Nov. 11 … or face the consequences in court.

In addition to the $75k, Bob has also agreed to pay $1,000 per month for the next 12 months — before reverting back to the original $2,142.

In TMZ’s snarky fashion, they added a little “fun fact” at the end of their report noting that back in 2000, Bob signed a six-year, approximately $30 million contract with the Atlanta Falcons. Read between the lines: there’s no reason he should be anywhere near broke as he claims 12 years later. Ah well, at least Sheree’s children will finally get the money they’re due and hopefully he’ll keep up with future payments. It also sounds like she made a good move, passing on Phaedra’s legal counsel and getting a new lawyer.

Image via Belk’s publicity

Most athletes start sneaker lines, but Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers quarterback, has decided to start his own fashion business. The NFL star has inked a partnership to launch a fashion line with Belk Stores.

It seems the player always had fashion designer dreams. His signature line — MADE Cam Newton — of what he’s calling “fashion forward” professional apparel for men will hit Belk department stores by fall 2013.

It’s a wise business move on Cam’s part. Men’s clothing sales are on the rise. “Sales of men’s apparel are forecast to increase 8.26 percent in the first quarter,” according to IBM Global Business Services. “Men spent an estimated $8.4 billion on clothing last year,” reports Reuters. “That would be up 8.21 percent from 2010 and the largest increase in 20 years.”

But will the 2010 Heisman Trophy winner really be designing the clothes?  Belk isn’t telling. “He’s not a designer but he has a very strong sense of style,” Kathryn Bufano, Belk’s president and chief merchandising officer, told WWD. “He wants to set an example for young people that looking sharp gives you more confidence.”

Whoever is designing the actual line, the clothes (at least from the photos released) are smart looking enough. The best part, the outfits are affordable– from $28 t-shirts to $200 suits.

“I have a range of styles, but nothing flamboyant,” Cam told WWD. “I’m not into bow ties or suspenders, or pinks or purples. I’m more into sweater vests, clean slacks and blazers. I like preppie style sweaters. You’ll see me in a suit and tie, things on the traditional side.”

Cam isn’t necessarily blazing any fashion trails. Other athletes that have chosen suits over sneakers are New York Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire and Boston Celtics’ Jermaine O’Neal.

Boy do I miss looking at Devin Thomas and his fine behind in a football uniform. Specifically the tight pants. The delicious piece of eye candy who had a penchant for showing up shirtless and in music videos was part of the Super Bowl winning New York Giants team of 2011-2012 that included other hotties like Victor Cruz. After getting a ring, he went to the Chicago Bears and then decided in the summer that he was done with the NFL. Why? Well, he felt that he’d accomplished all he wanted to in the league and didn’t want to have to withstand brain injuries and more damage to his body. But the part I like is when he proclaimed that post-football, he wanted to help kids in his hometown get far in football and focus on marrying his fiancé, Porshia, who he has a son with. Awwwwwww! So yes, he’s taken, but that doesn’t mean we can’t still ogle. Enjoy!

Source: WENN

There’s no shortage of pro-ball players gone broke stories; however most of those tales are reduced to extravagant spending on homes these men couldn’t really afford, child support payments, and basic tricking — even though they got it. Vince Young definitely spent extravagantly, however he spent that money on ratchet everyday ish you and I could buy like half-off margaritas as Fridays.

Here are the vitals: Vince Young, 29, was signed to the Tennessee Titans six years ago with a $58 million contract, $26 million of which was guaranteed. Now, in cliche fashion, he says he’s completely broke. So where did his money go?

$5,000/week Cheesecake Factory excursions where he picked up the tab for his teammates. Cheesecake factory, just let that sink in.

$6,000 spent at T.G.I.Fridays in Nashville, once again treating him and his players to a hearty (cheap) meal, complete with his “special” drink of choice — mellon drops.

Southwest Flights. Once, Vince bought 120 seats out on a Southwest Airline flight because he wanted to travel alone. The 10 additional seats on the 130-seat flight were already purchased so he still had to travel with a few commoners who now probably have a larger net worth than he does.

Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots, Shots! After each of the Titan’s home games, Vince would head down to Morton’s Steak House for $600 shots of Louis XIII. Two of those and a stack is blown.

If I had a magic lamp I would seriously wish that this man’s mind matured along with his money. It’s a shame to blow that much money on anything, but when you go broke and you didn’t even live it up, frequenting these childish venues, I struggle finding any amount of sympathy for you.

Now that Vince is in the poor house, he alleges that his management blew about $7 million of his fortune. He’s filed a lawsuit against his former agent, Major Adams, and a North Carolina financial planner, Ronnie Peoples, claiming they misappropriated at least $5.5 million of his money, and he also says these same individuals took out a $1.9 million loan in his name at an interest rate of 20 percent during the NFL lockout without his knowledge. If that’s true, it still doesn’t explain why the other $18 million of his contract money was spent so frivolously – and why he’s just now realizing they were playing with his cash flow. At this point, all I can do is agree with the former pro-baller’s attorney who simply told the Associated Press:

“I would just say that Vince needs a job.”

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Source: zimbio

The Buffalo Bills safety that is George Wilson might not be as well known as a Reggie Bush or your Michael Vick when it comes to hotties in the NFL, but he should be! With his light eyes, slick bald head and delicious lips (don’t forget about that beard), he could be a model. Maybe that’s why he’s been showing up in so many fashion editorials and music videos (“Hood Love” with Mary J Blige, “Late Nights & Early Mornings” with Marsha Ambrosius). So what exactly is this hunk of a man working with? Let’s take a look why don’t we?

bossip.com

Hey loves! I must say, this weekend has burned me out a little with so much sad news in the world since Friday but as I am still standing, it is my duty to give you all the celebrity news I can come up with. No worries, they definitely left us a little but to “chew” on.

Read the rest of this entry »

Source: fashionzdaughter.com

Dang! Anybody else ready for the NFL season to get started? If you say you’re not geeked up, you probably haven’t seen the fine specimen that is Atlanta Falcon defensive end, Ray Edwards. The 27-year-old ’6″5 piece of man is not only a successful defensive end, but he’s also trying his hand at boxing (1-0 so far!) and wants to do a bit of modeling on the side. Despite all the tattoos, with a body like his, I don’t see why he wouldn’t kill as a male model. If you’d like to see further proof of the great-ness of what he’s working with, take a look through his Eye Candy gallery. You won’t be sowwy.

Source: NY Daily News

Last week we all felt for Brian Banks after we heard that he had lost 10 years of his life, his chance of attending USC on a football scholarship, and what he thought was his opportunity for a career in the NFL when he was falsely accused of rape as a 16-year-old high school student. Brian was exonerated of the rape and kidnap charges last Thursday after his accuser admitted to lying, but the good news for the 26-year-old doesn’t end there.

On June 7, Brian will have his chance at an NFL career with a scheduled tryout with the Seattle Seahawks. What’s ironic is Brian will be trying out for Pete Carroll, the same man who offered him a full ride to USC 10 years ago when he was the head coach at the university. Now he’s giving Brian another shot as the coach of the Seahawks.

If by some chance Brian doesn’t match up to Seattle’s expectations, he still has other options. The aspiring athlete has also gotten calls from the Washington Redskins, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Miami Dolphins. And even if those opportunities don’t work, he can always accept a position he was offered to work in the front office for Major League Baseball team, the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“I about fell out of my seat when I read that one,” Brian said during an appearance on the Today show, speaking on his change of luck.

Somebody better sign this man.

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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Source: Grind365.com

At any given time, looking at the sea of pro athletes on the basketball court or football field is almost reminiscent of an NAACP convention. Black faces are everywhere and there’s just a sprinkling of other races as if these were the select few who got a pass to attend the event. African Americans’ dominance in the world of sports cannot be denied, which is why it’s surprising that when Forbes made its list of the 10 most influential athletes, none of them were black. Not a single one.

I’m no sports fanatic or expert. I’m barely even a spectator, so I’m sure many of you can school me on the merits of the men who actually did make the list, which encompasses all pro sports. There’s Jimmie Johnson and Dale Earnheart Jr. (Nascar), Manny Pacquiao (Boxing), Jeremy Lin (Linsanity), and then a bunch of NFL players: Drew Brees, Tim Tebow (Tebowing), Peyton and Eli Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers. Athletic ignorance aside, I know that basketball and football are two of the biggest sports in America. I know that black men dominate both of those sports. And I know that if we’re talking about pop culture influence—as this list seems to be—then there surely had to be a place for some negroes. But thinking about the areas where black athletes tend to have influence, I have to wonder, is something wrong with the list or is something wrong with us?

Forbes worked with Nielsen and E-poll to create this list and says over 1,100 adults were surveyed about dozens of well-known athletes to “measure their likeability and whether they’re considered ‘influential,’ an important quality for marketers.” Something as subjective as influence is pretty difficult to define and there’s no mention of who the dozen athletes they used for the survey actually were. On The Grio, Stefen Lovelace argues that pretty much no matter who was surveyed there are three black names that should have shown up on this list: Kobe, Lebron (who did make the list last year), and Tiger Woods. I know Tiger’s in the midst of a comeback, but it may be too soon to start reissuing any sort of influence to him, but the other two players, I couldn’t agree more. Lake show and three kings anybody?

Truthfully, there should be more than three other names being tossed in this discussion of worthy black influencers anyway. This situation makes me think of all the other industries where we talk about needing to have more of us, and in a place where there are plenty of us, we’re still not considered highly marketable or influential by a sampling of the American public? Perhaps some of us are spending too much time focusing on distractors that black pro athletes have become stereotypically known for rather than building our brands. We need to do more than be seen in the game we need to have some influence over it and over the audiences whose attention we’re captivating. I never say it’s an athlete’s job to be a role model but it is important that we’re doing more than entertaining, we need to be influencing.

At the end of the day, a random Forbes list doesn’t hold much weight in the grand scheme of things, especially when no women are on the list, despite this not being a male poll, nor any baseball players—isn’t that still America’s favorite past time? But what this list does possibly provide is a little insight on how strength in numbers doesn’t mean you’re influencing anything. This list could also show Americans’ reluctance to recognize that influence or even downplay it in favor of their own needle in a haystack selection of white pros who dominate in these sports. Lord knows white men have been mad they can’t jump long before Ron Shelton told them they couldn’t. But at the end of the day, those are the men determining the plays while we run them. It’s definitely time to flip the script.

What do you think about this list of influential athletes? Did Forbes miss the mark or did we?

Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.

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