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Supreme Courts Takes on Gay Marriage; Smart Phone Apps Can be Profitable; No Openly Gay Major Sports Athletes; Gun Control Fears Driving Job Creation

Aired March 26, 2013 - 15:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BROOKE BALDWIN, ANCHOR, "CNN NEWSROOM": Here we are. It's an historic day in the life of our nation.

Our highest court is grappling with the notion of men marrying men and women marrying women. We have reached that day.

And, yet, did you know that among our major professional sports leagues not one has had an openly gay athlete. Not a single one.

Yes, several gay athletes have come out post-retirement, but not when they were playing.

But now we have this. Mike Freeman writing, CBSSports.com, quote, "Based on interviews over the past several weeks with current and former players, I'm told a current gay NFL player is strongly considering coming out publicly within the next few months," end quote.

Now, that would reverberate across professional sports beyond professional sports.

I have Mike Freeman with me on the phone who pinned this piece. Also in New York, I have former NFLer Wade Davis, openly gay, gay rights activist. So welcome, guys, to both of you.

Mike Freeman, I have to begin with you because you're the ones making the news with your column.

You don't say who the player is in this piece. Did your sources confirm the story to you independently of one another? How did this come about?

MIKE FREEMAN, CBSSPORTS.COM (via telephone): Well, without getting into too many details as to protect people, basically, it just came about that there is a player in the NFL, right now, who is gay, who is thinking about coming out, and thinks that this is the best time to do it, that there's never has been a better time to do it.

And that's sort of the main point of what I wrote is that, you know, I've been covering the NFL for 20 years, and I've never seen an environment like this.

I would say for most of the time I've covered the NFL, it has been extremely hostile to gay players.

I'm not saying it's paradise for gay players, but I think now there has never been a better time, and the issues in the locker room, I think, are lesser as -- especially as compared to issues outside of the locker room. Outside of the locker room is where you have bigger issues than inside of them.

BALDWIN: Mike, hang on with me.

Wade, I've watching your face. I'm watching you react to this.

You came out after you retired playing professional ball, and I'm just curious, because the headline, as Mike was alluding to, not that -- certainly, there would be some sort of ramification within the locker room, but that this individual player would be hesitant in coming out because of the hostility from the fans.

Can you see that?

WADE DAVIS, FORMER NFL PLAYER: I can definitely see that. I think that there is opportunity for people to be sitting behind their computers, you know, saying all types of homophobic things without having to answer to anyone.

I think the environment of all sports culture is changing. I think that there are organizations doing great work. I think the NFL is taking great steps forward in creating a more inclusive environment.

So I think that the NFL has done its work. I think that there is a society out there that can sit behind their laptops and write whatever.

BALDWIN: Mike, back to this unidentified player, do you think that this player is quietly, you know, sending out sort of -- let's call it a trial balloon, maybe this word, maybe seeking advance support, right, before he may or may not come out publicly? That's possible?

FREEMAN (via telephone): I think that's 100 percent exactly what happened. I think in a way I was sort of the canary in the mine to see what would happen if -- when this story would be talked about and discussed, and I think the player and others are sort of watching the reaction.

And, you know, the reaction to me has been mixed at best. I guess that's a polite way to say it.

BALDWIN: You told me its been hostile. I was asking you in the commercial break. This canary has gotten hostile, right?

FREEMAN (via telephone): It's -- some of it, yeah. Some of the stuff I've gotten on Twitter has been pretty nasty.

BALDWIN: Give me an example. Give me an example.

FREEMAN (via telephone): Oh, just, you know, just the usual homophobic stuff, just lots of it. And I think this is what players are more concerned about, gay players in the locker room, than anything else, just the reaction of fans and not just what they're saying on Twitter or on their -- online, but actions outside of that.

What is a gay player going to face when they go around town, when they walk on the field, when they're around fans? What is it going to be like?

I think that is a bigger concern than anything else. At least that's what it seems like to me.

BALDWIN: And just quickly, Wade, I'm going to get to you, but when you talk about the timing for this player to come out, what is it about this timing?

I mean, we talked about how today is a pretty historic day in terms of the U.S. Supreme Court taking up Prop 8, same-sex marriage.

But I imagine this player, it means much bigger picture, yes?

Mike?

FREEMAN (via telephone): Well, yeah, the timing is really interesting because I think when you -- sports for -- in many instances, like with Jackie Robinson, really sort of pushed the envelope of society.

Jackie Robinson came and integrated baseball at a time when much of society was not integrated.

So now, though, I think society is pushing sports. When you look around society, there is a lot of change going on for the better, and younger people in particular really don't care. They just don't see this as a big issue and really support it.

So I think that's pushing sports and the timing of that is making it -- making players like this person sort of really consider that things are more open than ever before, and maybe I can do this.

BALDWIN: Wade Davis, if this person does come out, do you think it will be the catalyst to others coming out? And I'm not just talking football. I'm talking basketball, talking baseball. Yes or no?

DAVIS: I think it will depend on how this person is received. I think as long as his teammates are great with it, I think as long as the media handles it the right way, I think as long as the rest of the country, you know, wraps their arms around this play, then I think then you will see more players come out.

I think you'll see, potentially, a coalition of players that are gay that kind of can create a community where they all can kind of talk about some of the issues that they're facing and see how many allies that they all have.

BALDWIN: Mike Freeman, if you get the heads up this player is coming out, you're coming back on my show, yes? FREEMAN (via telephone): Absolutely, yes, I will. Yes, I will.

BALDWIN: Mike Freeman, thank you so much, CBSSports.com, and Wade Davis, as always, great to have you back. Appreciate both you guys very much.

DAVIS: Thank you so much.

BALDWIN: Up next, news on everything and everyone, including President Obama showing off I had sports skill at the White House that we have never seen before.

Also, the coach of Florida Gulf Coast University talks basketball and his model wife.

Also, the job boom created by the recent hike in gun and ammo sales.

And you think one shark is scary? How about a shark with two heads? The "Power Block" is next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Sports, business, health, science, we're hitting it all for you with the "Power Block" beginning with the White House, had a bit of a West Coast feel today. Check it out.

President Obama welcomed the L.A. Kings and the L.A. Galaxy to Washington, congratulating both teams on winning the NHL and NLS championships, respectively, from last year.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA: What do we got here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have a ball for you and then we've got a jersey for you.

OBAMA: I hope you guys caught that. That doesn't happen very often.

OK, and what do we got here?

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Jersey here.

OBAMA: That's a good looking jersey. Forty-four, that's a lucky number.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: I knew he had moves on the basketball court, but how about that?

After the ceremony, the teams went to the South Lawn to host an exercise clinic for children as part of Michelle Obama's anti- childhood obesity program.

He is a millionaire, married to a model and, right now, Andy Enfield is leading one of history's most surprising Cinderella teams. I know you know who I'm talking about.

This is Florida Gulf Coast University, just became the very first 15- seed ever to advance to the Sweet 16.

The team's coach, his wife, spoke with CNN's Rachel Nichols.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

ANDY ENFIELD, COACH, FLORIDA GULF COAST UNIVERSITY: It has been overwhelming with the amount of interview requests and television, but we're trying to take it all in stride and prepare for a game.

My wife and three kids have been under scrutiny, so it is challenging for our family, but this isn't about our family. It's about our team and our university.

RACHEL NICHOLS, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Andy, when you Google Amanda's name, the modeling pictures come up. You've got a bunch of hormonal teenagers that you coach. How do you deal with that?

ENFIELD: She was so successful and flew all over the world, and did portfolios, so a lot of her portfolio books at home, I just marvel at the beautiful pictures, but she's done such a wide variety of modeling shoots with blouses and jeans and outfits and ...

AMANDA MARCUM ENFIELD, ANDY ENFIELD'S WIFE: Clothes. More clothes.

ENFIELD: A lot of clothes. But the only thing you see on the Internet are the swimsuit and lingerie and they get sent around.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BALDWIN: And we show you that, of course, but she says she wears clothes. We believe her.

Amanda Enfield gave up her modeling career to raise their family.

An Arizona gun shop will not sell an AR-15 to Mark Kelly. The gun control advocate and husband of Gabrielle Giffords tried to buy the popular semi-automatic gun to show how easy it is to buy one of these high powered weapons.

But the shop owner, Douglas McKinley, had a change of heart and announcing on Facebook he will not sell a gun to anyone for, quote, "reasons other than personal use." McKinley says the refund is in the mail.

Believe it or not, the national gun debate is creating jobs. Weapons- makers aren't just hiring. Some are struggling just to find enough workers.

CNN business correspondent Christine Romans has more.

Christine?

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN BUSINESS CORRESPONDENT: Brooke, there is a run on guns in America, and it is sparking a boom in job creation.

Since the Newtown shooting, fears of stricter regulation have millions of people rushing to buy guns and ammunition.

That means weapons-makers are hiring. And some manufacturers are scrambling to find enough workers.

The firearms industry employs about 240,000 people in the U.S. That's according to an analyst at Morgan Dempsey Capital Management.

And it's not just a couple of workers at your local gun store. The giants of the business are expanding. Rob Uldini (ph), CEO of Wedbush Securities says companies like Sturm, Ruger and Smith & Wesson have raised their production and hiring in the past year.

Those companies are based in parts of New England and upstate New York where manufacturing jobs have vanished, so there is a labor pool that is in need of work there.

Many of these jobs require highly skilled workers, so the competition for these positions is tough.

But engineers with computer-design skills who create parts like ergonomic frames, triggers and sights can easily earn $100,000 a year.

Now, gun repair shops are also seeing a big increase in business and workers there can make around $60,000 a year.

But the interesting irony of this, Brooke, is the national discussion about gun violence has sparked huge demand for guns and ammunition and that's actually sparking demand for more jobs.

Brooke?

BALDWIN: Christine Romans, thank you.

And next, let's talk sharks. One shark for me is scary enough. How about a shark with two heads? Come back to the TV because you have to look at this picture.

This is the first ever two-headed bull shark. It was found off the Florida Keys.

Other species of sharks have been born with two heads before, but this one is special because this is the only bull shark on record.

Researchers from Michigan State University are still trying to figure out what caused this.

And who says the tech bubble has burst? We're going to introduce you it a 17-year-old who sold his company to Yahoo! for a cool $30 million.

Next, a look at the app he created that is getting all kinds of attention.

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BALDWIN: A British teenager looking to condense his studies into easy-to-read snippets here managed to stumble into a serious goldmine.

Nick D'Aloisio reportedly sold his mobile app, Summly, to Yahoo! for $30 million. Not too shabby for someone who has yet to graduate high school here.

But for every big dollar app, countless others struggle just to try to pay the Internet bills.

Samuel Burke, our Internet guru here, is with me. Are what are the biggest apps you can cash in on?

SAMUEL BURKE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, just remember when these companies buy these apps, Brooke, they're not necessarily hacking or getting big revenue stream or big profit. They're often getting the technology and the talent behind the apps and the example we all remember is Instagram.

We heard a billion dollar price tag at the time when Facebook bought it. But when all was said and done, it was actually only worth $736 million, according to "Forbes."

Another big one out there was Yammer. That sold for $1.2 billion according to "Forbes." That's a kind of private social network for companies that allows employees to speak privately to each other.

And then there are the kind of smaller ones, smaller being $37 million for a tweet that, according to "The Guardian." What interested me about that one, it wasn't necessary that they even invented a new technology, it was just a better, cleaner way of looking at your tweets.

BALDWIN: $37 million sounds decent to me.

Just quickly, is this another tech fad, a bubble waiting to burst, or should people get in on the whole app company thing?

BURKE: Well, I'm not going to leave my day job. I just gave you the sexiest examples out there, but don't forget these are very small teams, Brooke, sometimes just a few people creating these apps, or maybe just a dozen people for some of the apps that I just mentioned.

So they're not hiring en masse, and I just checked and the job with the most projected job growth out there is actually a care-giving assistant, so let's stick with our day jobs.

BALDWIN: Done and done, Samuel Burke. Thank you. Appreciate it.

Coming up next, you may think you know, but you have no idea. An exclusive report challenging what happened moments before Osama bin Laden's death.

Jake Tapper has that. We'll get a preview next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: Minutes away from "The Lead." Jake Tapper joining me with a preview.

And, Jake, you have an exclusive report about what happened the night of the Osama bin Laden raid.

JAKE TAPPER, ANCHOR, "THE LEAD WITH JAKE TAPPER": That's right. CNN's own Peter Bergen will be here with his story from talking to a different member of SEAL Team Six who was on that mission to get Osama bin Laden.

There have been a lot of versions out there. His story will surprise you because it does contradict some of the stories we have heard before. Most recently, of course, there was that recent "Esquire" magazine article, but then there's this bestselling book, "No Easy Day." Then there's the official White House account, as well.

Now, a third Navy SEAL coming forward, it's very interesting.

BALDWIN: All right. Jake Tapper, thank you. We'll be looking for you in a couple of minutes.

Meantime, honoring a music legend. You probably don't know this face, but he wrote the Jackson Five's first three hits. We remember Deke Richards, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

BALDWIN: How are your sand skills? Mine are not up to snuff with this. Take a look.

Hollywood-themed sand sculpture, talking Gollum and E.T. and the Hulk and, yes, even the Godfather, works of art built from nothing more than water and sand at the U.K.'s annual Western Sand Sculpture Festival. The festival opens to the public Friday.

You may not know the name, but I know you know this music. Deke Richards, the man behind the Jackson Five's first three hits and so many other mega Motown hits, has died.

Richards was the leader of the corporation Motown songwriting and producing team. He also wrote "Love Child" for The Supremes.

Remembering a legend, Deke Richards was 68-years-old.

And that's it for me. I'm Brooke Baldwin at the CNN World Headquarters in Atlanta. Thank you very much.

And now "THE LEAD WITH JAKE TAPPER" starts now.