By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Last week’s column on Detroit Pistons owner Tom Gores and the controversy raised by some prison reform advocates over his involvement with Secururs Technologies brought a response from Daniel Whelan, a representative of his investment company Platinum Equity. We’re always glad our columns and articles are widely read, and are giving them space to present their responses in full. First, they wanted our readers to know the NBA has weighed in on the question of whether Gores should divest his interest in the Pistons. Here is their response: “We understand Worth Rises’ passion for…
Author: Ron Wynn
By Ron Wynn Now that they’ve managed to give all their fans heart attacks in the process of winning the AFC South for the first time since 2008, the Tennessee Titans turn their attention to the Baltimore Ravens this weekend as part of the NFL’s two-day, wild card tripleheader. They survived blowing a second half double-digit lead and outlasted the Houston Texans 41-38 Sunday to clinch the title and a home playoff game. It will be a continuation of a tense rivalry that once featured Eddie George going against Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and company. Now the Titans are facing…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — There will be lots of scrutiny focused on the results of the 2021 Grammys for multiple reasons. One will be its new host, comedian and “The Daily Show” host Trevor Noah. He’ll be center stage when the show airs Jan. 31 at 7 p.m. CST on CBS (locally WTVF-5). But more importantly, many are wondering whether it will be another night of snubs for vocalist/actress Beyonce. Her “Black Parade” dominated news when the nominations were announced, as it received nine. But many wondering if 2021 will be a repeat of 2017. That year Beyonce’s…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — BET is one of several new channels that are joining offerings available via the Hulu + Live TV bundle for the first time starting this year. It’s another sign of how much the streaming wars are heating up on the networks. Others joining the live package as part of a deal Hulu has reached with Viacom CBS includes Comedy Central and Paramount Network. It also includes continued carriage of CBS, CBS Sports Network, Pop TV, Smithsonian Channel and The CW. Premium cable channel Showtime also remains available as an add-on for Hulu live TV…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Nashville Predators haven’t had a home game since March and haven’t faced any opponent since their highly disappointing loss to the Arizona Coyotes last season in the NHL playoffs. But they will start preparing for what’s going to be a most unusual season Jan. 3. While the NHL is calling it the 2020-21 season, it’s being played totally from January until May. The season has been reduced from 82 games to 56, and the league has been realigned to get around problems with the Canadian franchises called by COVID-19 travel restrictions between the…
The NBA has long considered itself the most progressive league among American team sports. So when it finds itself in a dilemma over a social justice issue folks tend to take a much tougher, more critical look at what is happening. But in a current case involving Detroit Pistons majority owner Tom Gores, things aren’t quite so simple. It seems he ha taken steps both publicly and privately to signal his support for organizations and causes that fit the league’s profile, most notably Black Lives Matter. However Gores’ public statements are viewed as hollow by prison reform advocates. They instead…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — The Tennessee Titans face a team that once dominated the AFC South, but is now in disarray in the Houston Texans Sunday as the regular season concludes. The Texans season has been a disaster, one that saw them fire Bill O’Brien as head coach/general manager Oct. 5. Romeo Crennel has filled in as interim head coach, but it doesn’t seem he’s going to get a serious shot at the top spot. The Texans recently interviewed former Indianapolis Colts and Detroit Lions head coach Jim Caldwell, and they’ve also interviewed former Cincinnati Bengals head coach…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Jamie Foxx has enjoyed a great amount of notoriety and fame, as well as winning both an Oscar and a Grammy. But he feels his latest role as the principal voice in Disney’s “Soul” is a career highlight. He told Variety last week it was vital for him to be himself in any role, and to be an advocate for positive Black images. “In my career, I’ve never had to apologize for being Black,” Foxx said. “I was on ‘In Living Color’ — I had a Black boss [Keenan Ivory Wayans, who Foxx touts…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — It will be interesting to see the reaction that comes with last week’s release of Lifetime’s first trailer for their upcoming documentary “Whitney Houston & Bobbi Kristina: Didn’t We Almost Have It All.” The documentary is set to air Feb. 6 at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CT. It will be followed by an encore presentation of Lifetime’s original movie “Whitney.” According to preliminary press material, the documentary will take a closer look at the tragedies affecting Houston and her daughter, including their shared struggle with substance abuse. “The two-hour documentary presents an in-depth look at…
By Ron Wynn NASHVILLE, TN — Molly Secours is an acclaimed, nationally recognized writer, author and filmmaker whose work, both in print and on the screen, has long been highly respected throughout her two plus decades on the local scene. But Secours, who’s made social justice and racial equality a prime focus among her interests, has now become a runaway area best seller with her latest volume White Privilege Pop Quiz – Reflecting on Whiteness (Darkhorse Books). With a host of distinguished scholars, activists and academics ranging from Juvenile Court Judge Shelia D. Calloway to journalist Ellis Close, Professor Robin…