TEAMING UP

The fallout from Melo’s punch continues. After an aptly placed 15 game suspension, it seems as if Melo’s got a difficult time ahead of him. After the league-induced punishment, Northwest Airlines is now pouring salt on Melo’s wounds. The airline has “pulled hundreds of thousands of issues of its World Traveler magazine out of its planes worldwide” after his role in the Nuggets-Knicks fight. (Detroit News). The December issue of World Traveler featured Anthony on the cover and “included a glowing story about his success on the court and as a youth volunteer.” Northwest Media Relations Manager said the company “does not want to appear to condone in any way the behavior of some of the players during Saturday’s game, including Mr. Anthony, by continuing to offer the current edition of World Traveler.” Yeah- because we all read those airline magazines…what I do read is Sole Collector magazine, which also features Carmelt on the December cover. The issue explores the launch of Melo’s M3 shoes and gives a little insight into who and what Melo is all about. And really, he’s not such a bad guy. It’s just too bad this drama comes prior to the NBA All Star game, perhaps quashing any Melo parties I envisioned. Guess we should have seen it coming after the ‘dance floor cat fight’ during the M3 launch party…

More salt added to Melos predicament comes in the form of smoking hot Allen Iverson. The Nuggets have acquired one of my favorite ballers and no doubt, things will get interesting. Melo has been the main Nugget for years. With Iverson coming in, while Melo is benched, it’s too early to tell how the mega-personalities are going to mesh. Predictions aren’t good, but I suspect Melo’s gonna be an angel and take it like a man. The Iverson trade is a perfect distraction from the Melodrama, and the Nuggets hope to have new, powder blue Iverson jerseys on sale at the Pepsi Center by Friday’s game.

I’M SO PROUD

The ’06 FIFA World Cup final was TV’s most-watched sports event in 2006. It drew more than twice as many viewers as any other program, with an average of 260 million viewers watching the final, and over 600 million watching some of the games. Viva Italia!

REGGIE BUSH REBUILDING

New Orleans Saint, Reggie Bush, has teamed up with Rebuilding Together to restore homes that were hit by Katrina. The program works on homes for low-income seniors and disabled. What a man, what a man…no wonder his number 25 replica jersey leads all NFL player jerseys in sales. In fact, Bush’s was tops across all sports in terms of units sold.

BUCK ME PA-LEEZE

Hotties Andrew Bogut, Ersan Ilyasova, and Damir Markota and Michael Redd, along with other edible Milwaukee Bucks, visited the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin yesterday to brighten up the lives of sick kids. And is it me, or is there a subliminal message on Redd’s hat?

SINGLE MOMS GET LUCKY

Paul Pierce hosted his annual holiday dinner for 50 single mothers and their families last night at the Marriott Hotel in Boston. I’ll say it again- nothing is hotter than our boys spreading the holiday love. Props to Pierce.

TEAMMATES

Rockets Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady taped an appearance for ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that will air on Friday. Proving that T-Mac really is a class act, he was originally approached to do the show, but only agreed, “if Yao would join him.”

NIKE RULES THE WORLD

Earlier this month, Bahrain sprinter Ruqaya Al Ghasara wore a traditional Muslim hijab (headscarf) featuring a Nike logo when she won the 200-meter event at the Asian Games. Nike provides footwear and apparel to Bahraini athletes but does not include the hijab. Nike spokesperson Brian Tacchini said, “I’m not sure if it’s something that she requested to have made, or if we offered it, but she chose to wear it.” BOF General Secretary Abdulrahman Askar said in a statement, “Al Ghasara added the Nike logo as a sign of respect for the corporate sponsors of the Federation. … As Nike does not make the hijab, Al Ghasara took it upon herself to have her hijab embroidered with the Nike logo. There was no political or religious motivation.” You go girl!

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda
delinda@athlebrities.com