About the Author
Author/Journalist Chuck Walley
Imagine Commissioner David Stern’s response if someone were to suggest that improprieties could exist within the hallowed halls of the NBA. What if the question were being posed by a little-known journalist from Old Forge, New York?“Probably something like ‘Who?’, followed by, ‘From where?’, coupled with a dismissive look of amusement,” suggests Chuck Walley, author of Incidental Contact.
With a wealth of experience belying the backwoods facade, however, he’s not to be underestimated. Professional endeavors have included relationships with elite health care companies such as Starkey Labs along with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the NFL Players Association.
He’s also enjoyed the company of Jim Boeheim, Stan Musial, Gene Upshaw, Tom Landry, Emmitt Smith, Earnie Shavers, Conrad Dobler, Gerry Cooney, Erin Hamlin, Evander Holyfield, Gerry McNamara, Ken Norton, Tony Dorsett, Jay Novacek, George Chuvalo, Michael Cooper, Bill Walton, and Chick Hearn, to name a few.
Undoubtedly, though, the creation of Muhammad Ali’s Fists of Greatness, and the opportunity to work with The Champ ranks as a lifelong highlight. “Muhammad and Lonnie have been the most gracious, giving people you would ever want to meet,” Chuck recalls. “And talk about a personality - Muhammad had us rolling in the aisles during the Life-Casting. I feel extremely privileged to have had that time with them.”
As for the “small-market journalist” tag, he offers no apologies. “Make no mistake – purity in sport exists only at the amateur level. The rest of it is big business. I’m very comfortable with, and confident in, my perspective.”
Combining rich, real-world savoir faire with the type of no-holds-barred approach only possible from an independent writer, he sheds light on his subject in a way very few can.
AuthorHouse Senior Marketing Consultant Ron Bowles calls him “The Tom Clancy of the sports world,” adding that, “he ventures where the mainstream media either can’t, or won’t”.
So sit back and enjoy. As the author himself says, “It’s a work of fiction, to be sure, but written from an insider’s, or ‘fraternal’, point of view. Fraternal fiction, so to speak. Maybe they should call it ‘friction’ ”.
Perhaps, as Incidental Contact is likely to cause a great deal of hand-wringing among the powers that be in pro sports. Still wearing that amused look, Big Brother?
