Frank Huckabone began with Fenway Sports Management as Vice President in 2007 and was promoted to Senior Vice President in 2009.

Now, he has been given the role of Executive Vice President in Sales, in which he will direct FSM’s integrated sponsorship sales across the company’s entire sports and entertainment portfolio.

“Since the day he started, Huck has proven to be an indispensable part of the team and works 24/7 to drive revenue for our clients,” said Co-Managing Director Billy Hogan. “He repeatedly demonstrates his ability to develop winning strategies for our partners and is the best closer in the game.”

Huckabone will handle sales for the Boston Red Sox, Boston College Athletics, Liverpool FC, LeBron James, Major League Baseball Advanced Media, NESN, the Deutsche Bank Championship and Roush Fenway Racing.

“We’re looking forward to an extremely bright future as we continue to drive revenue for Fenway Sports Group,” said Huckabone. “In fact, if you’re reading this and want to discuss a partnership, call me directly at 617-226-6635.”

Charice Pempengco, a star on FOX's hit show Glee, will give her rendition prior to the May 7 bout.

According to STATS.com, the singer "tweeted Tuesday that she feels 'really blessed' for the opportunity." The native Filipino is a recording artist and actress known by her first name and was first discovered on YouTube by Oprah Winfrey.

Shaq is giving fans the opportunity to play him in a pick-up basketball game which is the ideal part of the package.

Proceeds from the auction go to the Jenesse Center, a nonprofit organization helping victims of domestic abuse.

The winners will receive airfare to Los Angeles, and they will be staying at a trendy L.A. hotel for two nights before getting the chance to play the towering 7-foot-1 center on the court. Winners will also receive an autographed basketball from Shaq.

The auction will end on May 4. Charitybuzz is valuing the experience at $10,000 and is already looking at bids of up to $4,550.

In less than one year, Red Sox fans can enjoy Fenway Park's 100-year anniversary.

The first MLB game played at Fenway Park was April 20, 1912. To celebrate the 100th anniversary, the ballclub is preparing a presentation of shared stories from fans and any other significant item they would like to contribute to the day, like Boston memorabilia.

Over the past 10 years, mayor Thomas M. Menino, along with the Boston community, has worked to preserve "America's Most Beloved Ballpark."

On Wednesday, the club invited fans to join in the planning of the 2012 celebration.

"The celebration will highlight Red Sox history over the past hundred years and will also commemorate the wide range of other sports, music, civic, philanthropic, and community events that Fenway Park has hosted during its first century," the team said in a release.

"Fenway Park's 100th Anniversary will be an unprecedented and historic celebration," Red Sox principal owner John Henry said. "From Day 1, the preservation of this ballpark has been an issue of paramount importance to our ownership group. But the character of this ballpark has always been a reflection of the fans who call it home."

The Fenway Park 2012 logo was also unveiled on Wednesday while the team prepared for its afternoon contest with A's in Oakland. The keystone from the original facade that sits above Gate A acts as the backplate and serves as a metaphor to speak to the relationship between Fenway Park and the Red Sox. The event officials have also created a website to provide a center for fans to explore the history and share what they remember at fenwaypark100.com.

"Fenway Park's scope of sports and civic history is virtually unparalleled," Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino said. "Through jubilation and heartbreak, victories and near-misses, this jewel of a ballpark has not only endured but thrived. Now, after more than $285 million in total investment over the last decade, we stand on the eve of a momentous occasion and celebration."

NFL.com reported that "NFL spokesman Greg Aiello denied a report alleging that league employees are attempting to sabotage the NFL Players Association's planned draft event in New York."

"The bottom line is that the league is not trying to discourage players from attending NFLPA events," Aiello said in response to the accusation. "If someone has specific information to the contrary, we would be interested in knowing about it."

The league was responding to a report from CBSSports.com's Mike Freeman who reported that agents were telling him that officials from across the league were advising draft prospects to boycott an NFLPA-sanctioned event preceding the draft. According to Freeman, assistant coaches, scouts and other team personnel were among those discouraging draftees from attending NFLPA events. One of those events is a dinner held by the NFLPA prior to the draft on April 28.

Freeman also hinted that the agents he spoke with were particularly upset with the actions of Gil Brandt, who works for the league and helps invite rookies to the draft. According to the CBS report, Brandt spoke to several players and told them that if they attended the NFLPA events, they would not be allowed to attend the draft.

Aiello said that Brandt denied ever having those types of conversations with players.

Before the power forward joined the Bulls during the 2010 offseason, Boozer had an interesting run-in with the Bulls' senior director of game operations, Jeff Wohlschlaeger on the very same night he was to meet with Miami Heat president Pat Riley, ESPN.com reports.

Carrying a titanium briefcase, Wohlschlaeger presented the free agent with an iPad displaying Boozer in a Bulls jersey as if he were already a member of the team. The presentation did not stop there, as the iPad also displayed several highlight reels of potential teammates, as well as a montage of the Bulls' past success. Needless to say, Boozer was intrigued.

"It was good because I was planning on meeting them the next day, the second day, to come here to Chicago," Boozer said of the meeting with Wohlschlaeger. "And they wanted to make an impression the first day. It was cool."

The Chicago-based specialized apps company, Silver Chalice, worked with the Bulls to develop the impressive delivery with a focus on "building a digital strategy from scratch and bringing top-tier execution capabilities into the mix," to attract Boozer and other free agents they were targeting over the summer. 

Boozer wasn't the only free agent that received an individualized iPad app from the Bulls. Chicago had Silver Chalice also create personalized apps for LeBron James, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade and Joe Johnson during last summer's free-agent dealings. 

"It was the latest and the greatest in terms of technology and sizzle and cool," executive vice president of business operations for the Bulls, Steve Schanwald said of the project.

The app clearly worked for Boozer, as the power forward signed just one week after the surprise meeting with the Bulls.

"It was the kickoff to free agency, so it was pretty dope," he said. "I enjoyed watching it. I watched every aspect of it."

Derek Jeter spent much of the spring batting in the No. 2 position in the Yankees lineup, and he's going to start the regular season there as well.

Yankees manager Joe Girardi announced the lineup on Tuesday, placing left fielder Brett Gardner as the leadoff man for the March 31 matchup against Detroit. Jeter's initial move from the leadoff spot was met with some surprise, but Girardi insisted it was "different look" to get Gardner more at bats in the lineup.

The move is likely less about Jeter and more about Gardner, considering the left fielder compiled a .383 on base percentage last season with 47 steals, NBC Sports reports. The move to leadoff is a promotion for the outfielder, who spent much of last season batting ninth, though he did see 25 games in the leadoff spot.

Girardi also reiterated that the move is obviously not set in stone, and the Yankees could present completely different lineups based on the opposing pitcher.

"You could see two different lineups," Girardi said before a spring training game against Baltimore last week. "One for right-handers, one for left-handers."

Reminiscent of the old Nintendo game, Mike Tyson’s Punch Out!, the new iOS game titled Mike Tyson’s Main Event definitely draws a few similarities with the NES original.

The free game made its debut in the iTunes app store on Tuesday, mashable.com reports, and was developed by RockLive, the same company that developed an iPhone/iPad game that featured Chad Ochocinco. 

Main Event features several different levels, each starring a new ring and a new opponent more difficult than the last. The goal, obviously, is to reach the final level where the gamer will get to battle with Tyson himself.

As the game goes on and the gamer advances, there are opportunities to buy punches and moves with the in-game currency called RockCash. Though the game is free, the in-app purchases aid the gamer in advancing through the game quicker to the final round against Tyson.

Check out the RockLive advertisement for the game in the video below.

Gonzalez and Eastern Bank are teaming up to collaboratively donate $1,000 toward Habitat for Humanity with each home run the slugger hits this season, according to an Eastern Bank press release. As part of his agreement with Eastern Bank, Gonzalez will also participate in personal appearances for the bank and will be featured in charitable promotions and advertisements.

Gonzalez and his wife, Betsy, have been involved in helping several charitable organizations during the slugger's career in San Diego. The couple were committed to giving back to the San Diego community in many different ways, and they look forward to bringing that dedication to Boston.

"Betsy and I very much look forward to being part of Red Sox Nation," Gonzalez said. "That means not only helping the Sox win. It also means partnering with great organizations such as Eastern Bank and giving back to the community in a way that is meaningful and lasting."

Though they moved across the country for Gonzalez to start his career in Boston, Betsy and Adrian will continue working with their favorite charities in San Diego. The couple donated significant time and effort to the Big Brothers Big Sisters of San Diego County, the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Pasqual Academy foster home during Adrian's five years with the Padres.

"In San Diego and now in Boston, Adrian and Betsy Gonzalez have demonstrated a remarkable commitment to raising money for nonprofits, volunteering, and giving back to the community," said Richard E. Holbrook, Eastern Bank's chairman and CEO. "Those actions mesh perfectly with Eastern Bank, where giving back to the communities we serve is a responsibility that we take very seriously."

According to the press release, "Eastern Bank donates 10 percent of its net income to its charitable foundation, which in turn donated $2.5 million to almost 900 nonprofits in 2010."

Once Gonzalez's home run money is raised, it will be divided equally amongst the following affiliates: Buzzards Bay Area Habitat for Humanity, Habitat for Humanity Greater Boston
Habitat for Humanity of Cape Cod, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Lowell, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Plymouth, North Shore Habitat for Humanity and South Shore Habitat for Humanity.

With the season almost here, Red Sox Nation watches along with Eastern Bank, looking forward to see Gonzalez send a few bombs over the Green Monster.

According to the recent poll compiled by Brand Keys Inc., the Philadelphia Phillies are the top-ranked MLB team when it comes to fan loyalty. The Phillies surpassed the Yankees and the Red Sox for the coveted No. 1 spot.

What’s likely even more infuriating for Red Sox fans is the fact that the Yankees come in at No. 2 in the rankings. The Red Sox had been at the top of the list for the past two seasons.

Even though the Red Sox’ stock has dropped a bit in fan loyalty, the Patriots are still riding high in the NFL. New England ranks first among the 32 NFL teams, even after the team’s frustrating finish to the 2010 season.

Brand Keys Inc. surveyed 250 fans in each team’s market and assessed the data based on factors such as on-field success, fan bonding with players, and franchise history and tradition in each team’s market to determine the most fan loyal teams. Teamwork and club effort also had an effect on the poll results. The New York-based company surveyed fans from all four professional leagues one week after Super Bowl XLV.

Despite dropping in the MLB rankings, Boston teams should have no complaints, since all four teams made the top five rankings in each professional league. The Celtics came in at No. 4 on the list of NBA teams, ranking behind the Spurs, Lakers and Mavericks. The Bruins finished fifth among the 30 teams in the NHL, a list led by the Red Wings and the Flyers.

New England teams, however, were the only ones to appear in the top five for all four professional leagues. Check out all the Sports Loyalty Index results below.

Major League Baseball
1. Philadelphia Phillies
2. New York Yankees
3. Boston Red Sox
4. San Francisco Giants
5. Los Angeles Dodgers

National Football League
1. New England Patriots
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Green Bay Packers
5. New York Jets

National Basketball Association
1. San Antonio Spurs
2. Los Angeles Lakers
3. Dallas Mavericks
4. Boston Celtics
5. Phoenix Suns

National Hockey League
1. Detroit Red Wings
2. Philadelphia Flyers
3. San Jose Sharks
4. Vancouver Canucks
5. Boston Bruins

Just the other week, in Dallas, SportsGrid reported David Feherty took a golf ball to the groin by a student at J. Erik Jonsson Community School. The CBS golf analyst visited the school on Feb. 24 to give some form of a motivational speech to the children.

Ending up in a padded suit with bull's-eyes, the former professional golfer stood in their gymnasium and allowed a student to take some shots at him with golf balls.

"Well, at least I still have my dignity," said Fehrety when interviewed before the incident.

Speaking too soon, Feherty then took one right in the groin. Falling to the floor, the children and other participants were roaring with laughter.

Watch the video below.

The Magic center spoke about becoming a free agent next season on Monday’s Dan Patrick Show and said he wants to finish his career in Orlando, the Orlando Sentinel reports.

“I love Orlando,” Howard said on national radio broadcast. “The city has been very good to me, and I would love to finish my career. I want to win a championship, and I want to win it in Orlando. That’s all I’ve been thinking about”

Comparing his situation to LeBron James, the 25-year-old Howard joked that he doesn’t have plans to host a television broadcast when it comes time for the decision.

The Atlanta native averted a question about whether he would stay or go if the Magic won an NBA title.

Howard discussed his recent one-game suspension for his NBA-leading 16th technical foul of the season. The 6-foot-11 center missed Monday’s game after picking up a tech in Friday’s game with the Bulls. Howard joked that he should have bought a ticket and disguised himself for Monday’s game with Portland.

Exceeding the number of technical fouls alloted to each player, Howard must now sit out one game for every two technicals he receives, and he’ll now receieve a $5,000 fine for every technical he is assessed for the remainder of the season.

The New York Times has reported that Brown was waived last Thursday to clear out a few roster spots to complete trades with Oklahoma City and Portland. Appearing in 41 games this season, the 23-year-old averaged 3.7 points and 2.1 rebounds.

The Knicks traded Jeffries to the Houston Rockets midway through the 2009-10 season, after starting 37 games in New York. Knicks head coach Mike D'Antoni indicated that Jeffries could resume his starting duties once he readjusts to the team's system.

"We just think that he’ll pick back up right where he left off," D'Antoni told the Times. "He knows the system, and to put him in with the group will take two seconds."

Brown and hopefully Jeffries will join new teammates Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups on Wednesday against the New Orleans Hornets after the Knicks play in Orlando tonight.

NESN will televise 13 of the club’s 37 exhibition games, including seven games at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Fla.

(SS): Split Squad     
TV: Games telecast by NESN, ESPN, ESPN2
Radio: Games broadcast by WEEI 850 AM, WRKO 680 AM

Click here for to see all of NESN’s TV schedule>>

Hank Steinbrenner

According to The New York Times, George Steinbrenner‘s son made offhanded comments about the Yankee captain’s new home, his focus and the team’s effort in 2010.

“I think, maybe, they celebrated too much last year,” Steinbrenner said. “Some of the players, too busy building mansions and doing other things and not concentrating on winning. I have no problem saying that.”

While down in Tampa, Fla., Jeter responded to Steinbrenner, pointing out to the media that the word “mansion” was plural and that Steinbrenner never used Jeter’s name.

“Do I think it’s funny?” asked Jeter when reporters mentioned the comments, according to the Times. “I think it’s a first.”

Jeter recently moved into his new 30,875 square-foot mansion in Tampa, Fla. on Davis Islands and was able to laugh about the situation in his 11-minute interview at his locker. With the locals calling it St. Jetersburg, there will be more talk of the $7.7 million purchase and $1.75 million construction process.

During the interview, Jeter added that owners can say what they want. Who isn’t going to show some anger when their team doesn’t win the World Series?

“I think every time it seems like you don’t win, people say that you don’t have the hunger,” Jeter said. “We got beat by a team that was better than us in that series. That was the bottom line. I wouldn’t say there was a lack of hunger. I just think we didn’t play as well.”

Click here to see photos of Jeter’s new Florida pad >>

Armstrong told The Associated Press on Tuesday that he is calling this one "Retirement 2.0." He wants to spend time with his five children and dedicate his efforts to his Livestrong Organization.

"Never say never," Armstrong joked with the AP when asked about a possible comeback. "Just kidding."

Competing in the Tour Down Under race in Adelaide, South Australia, about a month ago, Armstrong finished in 65th place. Unable to produce an eighth Tour de France win last summer, his comeback was dwindling alongside his allegations of drug use.

After being diagnosed in 1996 with testicular cancer, Armstrong made his first comeback beginning in 1998. A year later, he began his stretch of seven straight Tour de France win.

"I can't say I have any regrets. It's been an excellent ride. I really thought I was going to win another tour," said Armstrong of his 2009 comeback. "Then I lined up like everybody else and wound up third [in the '09 Tour de France]."

After his former teammate, Floyd Landis, made accusations last year that Armstrong was using drugs and teaching other cyclists how to beat the testing, a federal investigation was opened. Landis ended his career in January 2010 when unable to find a new team.

For Armstrong, retirement means getting off the bike but not out of the limelight. He has plans to travel with his oldest son, Luke, to the upcoming 98th Tour de France in July. Having accomplished a $3 billion constitutional amendment for cancer research over a 10-year span, this summer he has goals to do the same in California.

According to The New York Times, Trump contacted Mets principal owner Fred Wilpon to set up a face-to-face meeting to discuss the possibility of buying a majority stake in the club. No meeting has taken place yet.

Last month, Wilpon announced that he was putting 25 percent of the club on the market after news broke that the team could be in financial trouble. The team’s owners — Wilpon, COO/son Jeff Wilpon and team president Saul Katz – are being sued for their financial dealings with Ponzi felon Bernard Madoff and could owe as much as $300 million.

“The Wilpons are friends of mine, and I really hope it works out great for them,” Trump told The New York Times. “But if anything doesn’t work out for them, I’d be interested in the team.”

Whether Trump is a sole investor or part of a group, Major League Baseball would need to approve any deal. MLB rules prevent owners or officers of a club from owning or operating a casino, so the Times reports that Trump would have to sell his stake in Trump Entertainment Resorts, which has a minority interest in three Atlantic City casinos.

Other potential buyers for the Mets include Mike Repole, co-founder of Glaceau (makers of Vitaminwater and Smartwater and sold to Coca-Cola for $4.1 billion in May 2007), as well as unnamed bankers and hedge fund managers.

The Mets were valued at $858 million in 2010, and the team has brought in Steve Greenburg, Allen & Company’s managing director, to handle any possible sale.

"Manchester United's manager, Alex Ferguson, made a statement today that Ji-sung would be out for four weeks due to the injury.

"We were really looking forward to having him back after being away for a month at the Asian Cup," said Ferguson, according to The New York Times. "He'll be out for up to a month, which is a blow to us."

Apart of the South Korean team playing in the Asian Cup, Ji-sung was looking forward to traveling to Chelsea, Liverpool, and Wigan Athletics, however, Friday was the last day he kicked the ball in training.

Not many basketball players have been able to say that to the Heat's star, but on Tuesday night, teammate LeBron James did just that as  James dunked in his teammate's face. Literally. 

Wade never saw it coming and took the ball right to the face, as seen in the footage below.

According to skysports.com, Torres' representatives claimed to have presented the deal of £50 million ($80 million) to the Barcelona club to acquire the Spanish striker. However, the club could not fathom spending that much money for a bid.

Torres, 26, made the switch from Liverpool to Chelsea on the winter transfer deadline, Jan. 31. Though they could have had a chance at the skilled attacker, Barcelona passed on the hefty price tag.

One of Catalan's club directors, Raul Sanllehi, explained that signing Torres was not even an option, and was surprised at money spent by Chelsea.

"Yes it was overpriced," he said. "I know Barcelona would not do that signing. We would not even consider it."

According to the report, Barcelona had some initial interest in Torres, who scored 65 goals in 102 Premier League appearances with Liverpool.

Chelsea's spending went beyond the Torres deal, as they also purchased David Luiz from Benfica for approximately £25 million ($40 million). Liverpool was no stranger to dishing out high-priced contracts as well, as they purchased Andy Carroll for £35 million ($56 million) and Luis Suarez for £22.8 million ($36.1 million).

"I was shocked by the amount spent, especially in the winter time," Sanllehi said of the Premier League spending. "I felt the amount was very high."