Shelly Saltman
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Sheldon Arthur "Shelly" Saltman (August 17, 1931, in
Saltman created, wrote, and produced shows for television such as Pro-Fan, Challenge of the NFL Cheerleaders (an early "reality" show), and the film Ring of Passion about the fights between American boxer Joe Louis and German champion Max Schmeling in the years leading up to World War II. He was also the author of various books including Evel Knievel on Tour, with Maury Green, and FEAR NO EVEL: An Insider's Look At Hollywood with Thomas Lyons.
Early years
Shelly Saltman grew up during the
Sports
Saltman's father and an uncle, Louie, both played football for the Boston Braves (today, the
Saltman became a professional sportscaster and play-by-play announcer under the name of "Art Sheldon" with a career that included stints as a basketball coach, a baseball umpire, and a boxing ring announcer. He was among the founders of several professional and amateur sports organizations including the
Saltman handled the worldwide promotion of the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier boxing championships, was co-creator of the 1970s "Challenge of the Sexes" TV shows, a key promoter and business partner in the failed Snake River Canyon rocket-cycle jump by motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel, and for a time managed the careers of such sports stars as Canadian NHL hockey player Wayne Gretzky and American boxing champion Thomas Hearns.[citation needed]
Entertainment
After serving in Japan as a sports announcer and radio broadcaster for the
From Cleveland he moved on to a position as a Vice President for
Evel Knievel attack
In the mid-1970s, Saltman was one of the principals in a company called Invest West Sports. His company was contacted by boxing and sports promoter Bob Arum to invest the money necessary to fund and promote the Snake River Canyon rocket-cycle jump by motorcycle stuntman Evel Knievel. Invest West agreed with the condition that Saltman would head up the media promotion.[1]
Saltman carried a tape recorder with him to capture elements of the promotion for an upcoming book. Knievel, Arum, and many others involved in the promotion were featured daily on the recordings, all of which they had previously approved.
In 1977, Dell Publishing released Saltman's book, Evel Knievel on Tour, which included information that an outraged Knievel claimed misled the public and damaged his reputation.
A few weeks after publication, Knievel went onto the lot of
When the news of Knievel's assault on Saltman was broadcast on national television, Saltman's elderly mother had a heart attack. She died three months later. Knievel received a sentence of six months in work furlough for his assault on Saltman. In the civil lawsuit that followed, the judge called Knievel's acts "cowardly" and awarded Saltman $12.75 million in damages. Knievel declared bankruptcy and none of the civil award was paid.[1]
In 2007, Saltman released a second book, Fear No Evel: An Insider's Look at Hollywood, in which he told his side of the Knievel attack and chronicled his involvement in American sports and media.[citation needed]
After Knievel's death in late 2007, Saltman announced he would be suing the estate for the unpaid award from the civil suit, which he said amounted to over $100 million with interest. The award would remain uncollected.[1]
Family
Saltman was married for almost 51 years to Mollie Heifetz, who died on July 1, 2007, after suffering from cancer and kidney disease.[citation needed] The couple were survived by their 2 children - Steven and Lisa, their respective spouses - Betsy Cohen Saltman and Dan Medford - along with 4 grandchildren - Samuel Ross Saltman, Hannah Jewel Saltman, Sarah Arielle Medford and Jilian Elana Medford.[2]
Death
Saltman was living with Sue Nober when he died on February 16, 2019, at the age of 87.[3]
References
- ^ a b c d "Knievel attack victim wants cash". BBC News. December 4, 2007. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ "Shelly Saltman, Promoter of Sports Events Featuring Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel and Billie Jean King, Dies at 87". hollywoodreporter.com. February 19, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Barnes, Mike. "Shelly Saltman, Promoter of Sports Events Featuring Muhammad Ali, Evel Knievel and Billie Jean King, Dies at 87". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 19, 2019.