Watch this and then tell me you wouldn't me more likely to watch more hockey if this were a regular occurrence...
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Yahoo and the NHL
So...I had a long boring, unintelligent and self-serving post comparing the plights of the NHL and Yahoo. Some similar problems and somewhat similar suggestions for each. Then I saw this guy....no way I can say it better (although probably in better voice).
Long story short Jerry Yang should listen to my buddy Mike
Gary Bettman, listen to this guy:
Long story short Jerry Yang should listen to my buddy Mike
Gary Bettman, listen to this guy:
Not So Free Agency
Yesterday I was able to spend some time with a friend of a friend, whose father (in-law?) is the president of a MLB team. We spoke about recent trades, global scouting for talent and free agency successes and lack of it. Given that his father’s team isn’t considered a big market franchise, where as my beloved Red Sox have more money to burn than anyone outside of the 212 area code, it really got me thinking about the inequity in the sport.
Unlike any other sport, baseball has the most extensive prospect development system. In contrast the NFL uses the NCAA and the NBA just recently created the D League. Not only do baseball franchises need to support 5-10 minor league teams, but constantly be scouring the globe (Japan, Korea, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, ect, ect) for young talent. Teams with deeper pockets have even gone to the extent of developing their own Baseball Academies in some of these areas. Billed as a support system for underprivileged athletes, these are merely a massive scouting tool and PR campaign rolled into one.
Bud Selig has done some great things for baseball, and I think sometimes he gets a bad rap. With that said, and his tenure just recently given a 3 year extension, it is time for the commissioner to develop a system of checks and balances to bring more equity to the game. The cost of signing free agents from oversees is prohibitive for those teams who don’t benefit from big money TV deals and massive fan bases. Bud should know this better than anyone else having owned the Milwaukee Brewers and still residing as their president.
He’s a busy man though, so I will lend a helping hand…..
1. Prohibit MLB teams from opening baseball academies. Rather increase the luxury tax percentage and lower the threshold. This will create a larger pool of money for MLB to fund neutral academies, which should be tied into the World Baseball Classic program. It will also promote a “soft” salary cap and more league equity.
2. More drafts. The amount of drafts the MLB has is insane already, 1-2 more won’t hurt at this point. I’ll fully admit this is not nearly as easy to implement as it sounds. We’ll call it the Non-US Amateur Draft consisting of 15-20 rounds. I’d be in favor of limiting the number of rounds to 10 in an effort to curb the signing of younger players, much in the same way there’s a size limit on some game fishing.
3. Modify the rules to allow drafted players to remain in their home countries for 2-3 years, much in the same way this privilege is afforded to high school seniors or NBA oversees draftees.
Currently MLB is the “Wild West” when it comes to oversees operations and without change we’ll continue to see the likes of the Red Sox and Yankees in the playoffs every year, but hey, at least Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will be happy!
Unlike any other sport, baseball has the most extensive prospect development system. In contrast the NFL uses the NCAA and the NBA just recently created the D League. Not only do baseball franchises need to support 5-10 minor league teams, but constantly be scouring the globe (Japan, Korea, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, ect, ect) for young talent. Teams with deeper pockets have even gone to the extent of developing their own Baseball Academies in some of these areas. Billed as a support system for underprivileged athletes, these are merely a massive scouting tool and PR campaign rolled into one.
Bud Selig has done some great things for baseball, and I think sometimes he gets a bad rap. With that said, and his tenure just recently given a 3 year extension, it is time for the commissioner to develop a system of checks and balances to bring more equity to the game. The cost of signing free agents from oversees is prohibitive for those teams who don’t benefit from big money TV deals and massive fan bases. Bud should know this better than anyone else having owned the Milwaukee Brewers and still residing as their president.
He’s a busy man though, so I will lend a helping hand…..
1. Prohibit MLB teams from opening baseball academies. Rather increase the luxury tax percentage and lower the threshold. This will create a larger pool of money for MLB to fund neutral academies, which should be tied into the World Baseball Classic program. It will also promote a “soft” salary cap and more league equity.
2. More drafts. The amount of drafts the MLB has is insane already, 1-2 more won’t hurt at this point. I’ll fully admit this is not nearly as easy to implement as it sounds. We’ll call it the Non-US Amateur Draft consisting of 15-20 rounds. I’d be in favor of limiting the number of rounds to 10 in an effort to curb the signing of younger players, much in the same way there’s a size limit on some game fishing.
3. Modify the rules to allow drafted players to remain in their home countries for 2-3 years, much in the same way this privilege is afforded to high school seniors or NBA oversees draftees.
Currently MLB is the “Wild West” when it comes to oversees operations and without change we’ll continue to see the likes of the Red Sox and Yankees in the playoffs every year, but hey, at least Joe Buck and Tim McCarver will be happy!
Friday, February 22, 2008
Oh Monsieur!!!
If you are having a bad day, tell this guy, I'm sure he cares.....
(turn the sound up if you can)
(turn the sound up if you can)
Monday, February 18, 2008
Opportunity Cost.....
Saturday night I had the pleasure of watching what is hopefully the return of the NBA Dunk Contest to its old form. Much of this can be credited to the NBA’s new man-child Dwight Howard and his Superman Dunk, definitely one of the Top 5 dunks of all time along with those of Dr. J, His Airness, The Human Highlight Film and Vincanity. But watch again and pay close attention to minutes 2:14 – 2:21 (update 3/29/08, the NBA restricted the original link, perhaps because of the mass hysteria this blog caused over it, so you'll have to take my word on this, I've replaced the link so you can still enjoy the dunk itself). With a New Orleans crowd going insane, TNT announces and judges alike beside themselves and Dwight’s agent already counting the endorsement money, NBA officials couldn’t make Howard put his Orlando jersey back on fast enough. These are the same NBA officials who wouldn’t let Howard dunk on a 12 foot hoop, why? Who knows?
With the league in the shadow of The Brawl at the Palace, the Tim Donaghy cheating scandal, legal issues with the likes of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson and countless players with children with countless women (see Shawn Kemp), I can understand why David Stern has instituted some of the measures he has. Corporate sponsors drive the leagues behavior whether we like it or not; from the hesitation to incorporate the ever-present “hip-hop culture” to its new motto “Where Amazing Happens” from “It's Faaaannnntastic” to expanding the NBA oversees, it's all about the NBA, its image, and dollars.
With this said, this is still a game, it is still entertainment and All-Star weekend is still an exhibition. Whoever is advising David Stern against promoting the wearing of a Superman Cape, playing the Superman theme song during the dunk, or even allowing the hoop to be raised to 12’ is playing scared. As important as it is to know when to do something, it’s equally as important to know when not to do something. In this instance the NBA should have sat back and allowed one of their blossoming stars to shine as bright as possible. Opportunity lost…..
With the league in the shadow of The Brawl at the Palace, the Tim Donaghy cheating scandal, legal issues with the likes of Ron Artest and Stephen Jackson and countless players with children with countless women (see Shawn Kemp), I can understand why David Stern has instituted some of the measures he has. Corporate sponsors drive the leagues behavior whether we like it or not; from the hesitation to incorporate the ever-present “hip-hop culture” to its new motto “Where Amazing Happens” from “It's Faaaannnntastic” to expanding the NBA oversees, it's all about the NBA, its image, and dollars.
With this said, this is still a game, it is still entertainment and All-Star weekend is still an exhibition. Whoever is advising David Stern against promoting the wearing of a Superman Cape, playing the Superman theme song during the dunk, or even allowing the hoop to be raised to 12’ is playing scared. As important as it is to know when to do something, it’s equally as important to know when not to do something. In this instance the NBA should have sat back and allowed one of their blossoming stars to shine as bright as possible. Opportunity lost…..
Maiden Voyage
Welcome to my two cents, my periodical random thoughts and updates on events in my quite inconsequential life. Appropriately named the Village Idiot, the subsequent posts will be a variety of the successes, failures (more of these) and embarrassing moments (several more of these) of my life. Littered in will be my thoughts on various subjects ranging from the state of the sporting world, my elementary knowledge of the technology industry and overall philosophy on life.
A disclaimer to all those expecting something more than a sophomoric view of the world, stop reading now.
I’ll be sure to try and keep the laughs coming (clearly with pirated material) and hopefully provoke a few comments from what will surely be a very limited readership. All comments appropriate for my sister 12 years my junior will be approved regardless of how embarrassing they are to me. Thank you for visiting, come again soon as post #2 is not far behind.
A disclaimer to all those expecting something more than a sophomoric view of the world, stop reading now.
I’ll be sure to try and keep the laughs coming (clearly with pirated material) and hopefully provoke a few comments from what will surely be a very limited readership. All comments appropriate for my sister 12 years my junior will be approved regardless of how embarrassing they are to me. Thank you for visiting, come again soon as post #2 is not far behind.
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