Sports painter Neiman dies at 91

NEW YORK — LeRoy Neiman, whose distinctive, vibrantly colored paintings of sports figures and athletic events made him as famous as many of the athletes he drew, died Wednesday at age 91. Neiman, a showman known for his handlebar mustache, sometimes painted live on television during major events such as the Olympics and the Super Bowl, helping make him one of the world’s most commercially successful contemporary artists. Among his subjects were boxing’s Muhammad Ali, former NY Jets football star Joe Namath and baseball greats Mickey Mantle and Joe DiMaggio. He had just published his memoirs, “All Told,” days before his 91st birthday on June 8. — AP