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SPORTS BITS: LeBron invests in housing development; Strahan denies he’s gay; Venus receives Wimbledon seed; Big Ten channel in 2007.
*Cleveland Cavaliers star LeBron James has invested in a $4.7 million housing development in one of the city's roughest neighborhoods. The NBA star and three of his high school friends, under the name LRMR Development LLC, are putting money into the 18-unit project that will feature two- and three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot townhouses expected to sell for $265,000 to $325,000 each. "We're very excited about refurbishing and bringing great things to what we call the 'hood. Everybody else may call it the city but we call it the 'hood," said the 21-year-old athlete at a symbolic groundbreaking for the project. "That's where we grew up at and we never ever had an opportunity like this." The homes will overlook Rockefeller Park near the Glenville neighborhood east of downtown.
*In the latest blitz to hit New York Giants star Michael Strahan during his divorce battle, his estranged wife Jean suggested he was bisexual, stating he and his “friend,” Dr. Ian Smith of “Celebrity Fit Club” fame, pursued an "alternative lifestyle" after moving in together when the Strahans broke up last year. Jean backtracked, however, during an interview with the New York Daily News. "I didn't just blurt out Michael is gay with Ian," said the 41-year-old. "I really meant that it was a lifestyle change. ... Alternative to being with me was hanging out with this guy, chasing anything that moves." Meanwhile, Strahan is flat out denying allegations that he is gay. Strahan and Smith, the best-selling author of "The Fat Smash Diet," have been friends for years, and the football star was a groomsman at the doctor's wedding last year. "I have no qualms whatsoever on my husband's sexuality," said Smith’s wife Triste Lieteau, a Chicago lawyer. “It's so ridiculous. What can you say?"
*Defending Wimbledon champion Venus Williams has been announced as the seventh seed for this year’s tournament, which gets underway Monday in England. Australian Open champion Amelie Mauresmo, U.S. Open winner Kim Clijsters and French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne are seeded 1-2-3, followed by Maria Sharapova as the fourth seed. Missing from the women's draw will be 2002-03 champion Serena Williams (knee injury), 1999 winner Lindsay Davenport (back injury) and Mary Pierce (foot tendinitis). On the men’s side, James Blake is seeded eighth behind Federer at No. 1, French Open champ Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian, Ivan Ljubicic, Lleyton Hewitt and Mario Ancic.
*The Big Ten conference is getting its own television channel in Aug. 2007. The Big Ten Channel, developed with the help of Fox Cable Networks, has already secured DirecTV as a major distributor. The satellite provider will offer the channel on its Total Choice package. The Big Ten also announced a new 10-year agreement that will expand its relationship with ABC and ESPN in football as well as men's and women's basketball. However, games aired on the Big Ten Channel will be independent of the telecasts aired on ABC and ESPN's networks. The Big Ten includes Michigan, Michigan State, Minnesota, Purdue, Wisconsin, Indiana, Penn State, Ohio State, Iowa and Northwestern.
