Jay-Z, Iverson Celebrate A-Rod’s 30th

Last week, New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez celebrated his 30th birthday. The occasion was celebrated with a surprise party at Jay-Z’s 40/40 club, concocted by his wife Cynthia. Jiggaman and his lady Beyoncé hosted the casino-themed soiree as the party goers dug into the banquet. Allen Iverson, DJ Clue, Young Jeezy, DJ Red Alert and Ty Gracie were also on hand. On the baseball side, Jason Giambi and Jorge Posada were in the house as well.

"I think 30 is a cool number," A-Rod told the New York Daily News after saying he was "a little depressed about it" last week. "It's a great number."

Carmelo Anthony and Tiki Barber Sign on With PowerBar

PowerBar announced that it’s signed sponsorship agreements with Denver Nuggets’ Carmelo Anthony and New York Giants’ Tiki Barber, naming PowerBar as their exclusive energy bar for their 2006 seasons. Basically, Melo and Tiki will get free PowerBars all season then get paid to be a part of the company’s marketing campaign, which includes the Triple Threat TV commercials. It’s a sweet and easy gig.

"From winning an NCAA championship as a freshman in college, to playing in the NBA, PowerBar products have always been an important part of my nutritional regimen," Melo said in a statement. "When you work out as much as I do and compete on a professional level, what you eat is crucial. That's why I am very excited to be involved with PowerBar and the new PowerBar Triple Threat television campaign.

"Last off-season, I made a conscientious effort to make myself stronger and follow a more nutritionally balanced sports nutrition regimen," Tiki added. "My strength trainer incorporated PowerBar products into my post-workout diet. With the unique combination of carbohydrates, protein and fiber found in PowerBar products, my energy levels are up and I have never felt better."

Look for the campaign to launch in the next week.

Rodman Gets Two Tickets During Charity Race

Seems like everywhere The Worm goes, he has to make a scene – even when doing charity work. Last week Dennis Rodman was competing in the Bullrun USA Charity Rally, a 3,000-mile road rally from Los Angeles to several western cities, when he was stopped twice by the Colorado state patrol for speeding. Rodman said that he believes he was pulled over because he was rolling in a flashy black and gold Lamborghini and because he’s Dennis Rodman.

To add insult to injury, when Rodman stopped for gas in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, the clerk at the gas station said that Rodman jacked a cowboy hat and $20 of gas. According to the Worm, he said he went in to prepay for his gas at $20, signed a couple of autographs, a woman gave him a hat and then he bounced.

"The lady gave it to me," Rodman told the Associated Press adding that he has the gas receipt. "If they want me to pay for the hat, I'll give them double for it."

Paris Hilton, Hayden Christiansen, Nick Lachey, Samuel L. Jackson, Carmen Electra, and Frankie Muniz were also participating in the race. Look for the coverage to air on Bravo later this year.

Embattled Koren Robinson Enters Rehab

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Koren Robinson is finally getting the point. Alcohol is not good for you. The past eight months have seen Robinson missing team meetings, suspensions for violating the substance abuse policy, DUI charges in May and finally being dropped by the Seahawks in June.

"I've realized I've got a problem," Robinson told ESPN.com. "I know the path I was going down wouldn't enable me to be a successful person in life and a successful football player on the field. I have a great opportunity being an NFL player. A lot of people would give an arm and a leg to be in my position. I get to play football and do something that I love to do. I've been taking it for granted. This has really humbled me.”

Robinson will be in rehab until the end of August and hopes to be picked up by a needy team before the season gets into full swing.

Eagles Player Shot in Robbery

Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Jerome McDougle was shot in the stomach by armed car-jackers last week in Miami. Apparently three teenagers approached McDougle while he was sitting in his silver Mecedes-Benz coupe. They demanded the car, then stole his watch and fired three shots. One shot hit him in the stomach. He was taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital and underwent surgery and is now in good condition. Two arrests were made in connection with shooting but details were not released. McDougle was told that he’d be able to return to normal athletic activities in four weeks.

O.J. Owes DirectTV 25 Large

A federal judge has ordered O.J. Simpson to pay $25,000 in fees and damages to DirectTV for pirating the company’s satellite signals. In 2001, federal agents raided Simpson’s Miami home and found illegal devices known as "bootloaders" that are used to steal television programming from satellite services. Simpson and his attorneys are denying any wrongdoing and are fighting for a trial on the charges.