CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

Donald Trump has rounded up an interesting group of celebrities to take part in ‘Celebrity Apprentice’, where the cast will compete in an effort to raise money for their favorite charities-with the winner earning an extra $250,00 for their charity. Celebrity Apprentice debuts January 3, with cast members to include former heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis (above), UFC fighter Tito Ortiz, Vincent “Big Pussy” Pastore, Stephen Baldwin (“I thought it would be fun to play the game”), and Gene Simmons among others. In total, 14 celebrities will compete in business-oriented tasks around New York City to raise money for their favorite charities. For more info and a complete list of participants ABCNews.Go.com.

SWEET MELON’S NEW KICKS
“Immediately following last basketball season [Jordan Brand] footwear designer D’Wayne Edwards approached me with questions about my basketball goals for the 2007-2008 season and how I thought my next signature shoe could play a role in accomplishing all of them,” said Carmelo Anthony. “I knew I needed a shoe that would help me become quicker and more agile; that was lighter and had better traction. I wanted the shoe to be aggressive yet stylish at the same time.”

Jordan Brand has announced the launch of Carmelo Anthony’s Jordan Melo M4, and the best part of any ‘new’ release is the marketing campaign. First of all, the press release reads like a page out of my diary…Dear Diary: How can I elevate Sweet Melons world-class performance to an even higher level by helping to improve his quickness and agility? Is there anything available to improve his performance that might include increased ankle support and a unique compression sock to act as another layer of support? What about a shoe designed after a Jaguar to represent power and strength much like the feline with its stealth-like precision…the bottom of the outsole would work similar to that of the jungle cat’s powerful paws as it tip-toes across my abdomen, with a soft inside lining top cloth to provide comfort, and a deep exposed midsole flex groove for superior flexibility and handling and finally a sculpted shank (oh!) to provide an adaptive fit for improved support while playing. Dear god kill me now….

The Jordan Melo M4 has several other cool details that pay homage to the beast. There’s an ‘M’ representing Melo, the number four (4) representing his 4th shoe within the Jordan Brand and the number of times I would test out the shoe, his four tattoos to represent loyalty, dedication, respect and determination, the words “Uno” and “Cinco” on the left and right shoe respectively paying homage to his Puerto Rican heritage while referring to the numbers “one” and “five” from his Denver Nuggets uniform…The good peeps at Jordan brand also filmed a new 60-second TV sporn-ad starring Sweet Melon, set to launch on Thanksgiving Day. The spot itled “Engine” showcases Anthony in-training, juxtaposed to on-the-court, moving from slow-motion to real time as sounds of a single engine train warms-up to full speed. Melo: “I know I can.” The sixty-second piece of heaven will air on CBS, ESPN, FOX and TNT. More details can be found at Jumpman23.com like a provocative and inspiring online campaign to coincide with the national ad launch allowing us to drool over exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of Carmelo telling his story in his own words, along with the making of the Jordan Melo M4. And mark your calendars, on November 28 Melo will celebrate the launch at a Hollywood black-carpet premiere of the Jordan Melo M4 at Hornburg Jaguar in Los Angeles.

BUG OFF

It was October 5th when the bugs attacked the Yankees during the game two of the ALDS and now you can own a piece of that history. The cans of bug spray used in the dugout will be part of a 15-day game-used/autographed items auction on MLB staring this Friday through December 7. More than 50 items are up for grabs, including a signed Jason Varitek jersey and a Manny Ramirez signed base and ball. (MLB)

ENOUGH WITH YOURSELF

“It was a little tricky situation. I’d been playing well and Pete’s been retired for five years,” Federer said. “I expected myself to win tonight. I am very happy with my performance but I think Pete’s still playing very, very well.” And you all think I’m too hard on the Swiss-Mister? (Sports yahoo)

GOLD DIGGERS ALERT
Just in case you were wondering what are hotties are getting paid in the NBA, here’s a list of the top 25. Oddly enough, my Melo isnt listed…all dollar amounts are in the millions.

1) Kevin Garnett $23.75; Michael Finley $20.46; Shaq $20.4; Jermaine O’Neal $19.72; Jason Kidd $19.72; Kobe $19.49; Tim Duncan, Allen Iverson and Stephon Marbury $19.01; Tracy McGrady $18.25; Chris Webber (free agent) $18.01; Baron Davis, Shaun Marion $16.44; Dirk Nowitzki, Paul Pierce, Antawn Jamison $16.36; Ray Allen $16; Steve Francis $15.73; Ben Wallace $15.5; Elton Brand $15.34; Rasheed Lewis $14.88; Michael Redd $14.52; Amare Stoudemire, Yao Ming $13.76; Andrie Kirilenko and Pau Gasol $13.73.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.