Well it's been a while, but what better to bring me out of my summer hibernation than the topic of the very first post on this blog... welcome to the summer of money in football.
I've often talked about how much I hate European football clubs going out and spending ridiculous amounts of money on world superstars in an effort to basically buy trophies. If I didn't grow up playing the game and developing a genuine love for it, I would hate the sport right now.
Since the club seasons ended in May, the entire footballing landscape has been thrown into a melee of cash that the sport may never recover from.
It all started with Gareth Barry, a player who up until a week ago, I truly admired and respected. Gareth decided to leave England's club on the rise (Aston Villa) for the very club I denounced in my premiere entry: Manchester City.
City finished tenth to Villa's sixth... with a bankroll at least three times larger. And Villa is showing much more promise to push forward in the league (not to mention they qualified to play in the European Cup next season). So Gareth can't even consider saying his decision to move wasn't about the money (and to think I wanted my beloved Arsenal to sign him!)
A few days later it was Kaka...
Another subject of my first entry, the World Footballer of the Year from 2007 rejected a big money move to Manchester City to stay with AC Milan, a club rich in history and tradition. I gave Kaka much respect for denying Man City and still do.
Now he's been transferred to Real Madrid for a cool $95 million. While this is absurd, my beef is with Madrid, not Kaka... this was actually a good move for him. He left a club with tradition for a club with tradition which has better chances of winning the European title, and I'm completely okay with that.
Madrid on the other hand, no player on this Earth is worth $95 million (remember, this is a transfer fee payed to the player's current club. Personal terms between Kaka and Madrid are yet to be negotiated).
But Madrid wasn't done yet. Today they signed 2008 World Footballer of the Year Cristiano Ronaldo for a world record fee of $131 million (now Madrid owns the four highest transfers in world football history). After one trophyless season, Madrid is prepared to throw every dollar they have (and then some) towards buying new superstars.
Rumor has it, Madrid is now preparing a $65 million bid for Valencia striker David Villa. Some recession we're in huh? They'll be in debt by the end of the year and they couldn't care less. The business of this game is starting to make me sick.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The NFL (idiot) draft
With the NFL draft wrapped up I wanted to take a minute to discuss those two geniuses Percy Harvin and Brandon Tate.
The highly touted wide receivers both tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine some weeks back and the news broke just in time for the draft. When a player tests positive for drugs at the combine, it tells me two pretty big things about that player.
#1. He is an IDIOT.
These guys know ahead of time exactly where, what day, what time they'll be tested. So to not be able to get yourself clean for what is the biggest job interview of your life just shouts that you're a moron.
#2. He doesn't CARE.
Teams want guys who care about the game and are committed to making themselves and their team better. Clearly Percy and Brandon don't care enough to take a simple drug test seriously. By failing, they've shown each NFL coach and general manager that they aren't fully committed to being a professional football player.
Harvin's draft position didn't suffer too much as he was selected 22nd (projected mid to late first round -- luckily for him, his athleticism was simply too enticing to pass up). Where this little mishap will hurt him is his wallet. The Vikings are less likely to splash the cash on this screw up, so he has to start from scratch with them. He must now begin to rebuild the trust between him and the organization.
Tate, on the other hand, fell dramatically. Before the failed drug test, he had an outside shot at being picked late first round. Instead, he slipped all the way out of the first day and into the mid third round. The pay difference between late first round and mid third is more than significant. Therefore, dumbdumb just screwed himself out of at least a million dollars. That's one expensive joint.
At the end of the day, I don't care if you smoke weed. It's a personal choice and completely up to the user. But come on guys, at least show some restraint and get clean prior to the drug test you KNOW you're taking.
The highly touted wide receivers both tested positive for marijuana at the NFL combine some weeks back and the news broke just in time for the draft. When a player tests positive for drugs at the combine, it tells me two pretty big things about that player.
#1. He is an IDIOT.
These guys know ahead of time exactly where, what day, what time they'll be tested. So to not be able to get yourself clean for what is the biggest job interview of your life just shouts that you're a moron.
#2. He doesn't CARE.
Teams want guys who care about the game and are committed to making themselves and their team better. Clearly Percy and Brandon don't care enough to take a simple drug test seriously. By failing, they've shown each NFL coach and general manager that they aren't fully committed to being a professional football player.
Harvin's draft position didn't suffer too much as he was selected 22nd (projected mid to late first round -- luckily for him, his athleticism was simply too enticing to pass up). Where this little mishap will hurt him is his wallet. The Vikings are less likely to splash the cash on this screw up, so he has to start from scratch with them. He must now begin to rebuild the trust between him and the organization.
Tate, on the other hand, fell dramatically. Before the failed drug test, he had an outside shot at being picked late first round. Instead, he slipped all the way out of the first day and into the mid third round. The pay difference between late first round and mid third is more than significant. Therefore, dumbdumb just screwed himself out of at least a million dollars. That's one expensive joint.
At the end of the day, I don't care if you smoke weed. It's a personal choice and completely up to the user. But come on guys, at least show some restraint and get clean prior to the drug test you KNOW you're taking.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Predictions...
It's been a while so I never got to point out the fact that I correctly predicted the NCAA tournament participants and outcome before the tournament started (two posts below). Of the 64 teams, I bulls-eyed the final two standing. Not too many people in the sports world took Michigan State all the way to the championship game, so I think I'll pat myself on the back. Good Job Ian!
As for my dark horse at the Masters, Bubba made the cut but fell off over the last two rounds. He finished 42nd, 13 shots behind the eventual winner as he wasn't able to put a good weekend round together. However, he did eagle #13 and #15 (just like I said he was capable of) on Friday to help him make the cut. So the ability is there, now he needs the consistency. Maybe next time big boy!
As for my dark horse at the Masters, Bubba made the cut but fell off over the last two rounds. He finished 42nd, 13 shots behind the eventual winner as he wasn't able to put a good weekend round together. However, he did eagle #13 and #15 (just like I said he was capable of) on Friday to help him make the cut. So the ability is there, now he needs the consistency. Maybe next time big boy!
Friday, March 27, 2009
March Madness and the Carolina strangle-hold
As I sit here watching the UNC-Gonzaga game, I've come to realize that Ty Lawson is a pretty good ball player. And by good, I mean the best I've seen at the college level in a few years. When that kid is in the line-up, I can't see anyone beating the Tar Heels.
Regardless of how good they are, the fact is Carolina is leading by 22 right now, yet CBS is opting to show this game rather than Michigan State-Kansas, a two-point game with under 20 seconds left. I can't stand the regional strangle-hold that teams like Carolina and Duke have on this state.
What's the big deal with showing the last 20 seconds of a great game before showing the last five minutes of a blow-out. After all, that's what March Madness is all about. Great basketball. Sure, there will be some lop-sided games. But once they reach that point, let's be content with checking in every now and then so we can watch some competitive basketball.
As good as Ty Lawson is, I don't care about him scoring his 30th point in a 20-point win as much as I do seeing a game-winning shot in a less regionally important game.
So get it together CBS. Show us the truly important moments of the big dance.
*In an additional note, my dark horse for The Masters, Bubba Watson, failed to make the cut this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (shot a poor +7... internal "uh oh"). Let's hope he can get his game together in the next two weeks.
Regardless of how good they are, the fact is Carolina is leading by 22 right now, yet CBS is opting to show this game rather than Michigan State-Kansas, a two-point game with under 20 seconds left. I can't stand the regional strangle-hold that teams like Carolina and Duke have on this state.
What's the big deal with showing the last 20 seconds of a great game before showing the last five minutes of a blow-out. After all, that's what March Madness is all about. Great basketball. Sure, there will be some lop-sided games. But once they reach that point, let's be content with checking in every now and then so we can watch some competitive basketball.
As good as Ty Lawson is, I don't care about him scoring his 30th point in a 20-point win as much as I do seeing a game-winning shot in a less regionally important game.
So get it together CBS. Show us the truly important moments of the big dance.
*In an additional note, my dark horse for The Masters, Bubba Watson, failed to make the cut this week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (shot a poor +7... internal "uh oh"). Let's hope he can get his game together in the next two weeks.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
It's the most wonderful time of the year...
It has begun.
This stretch of days from mid-March to mid-April serves as my favorite time of the sports year. In the next month, we will experience all the drama that makes the sporting world so great. Underdogs will rise, miracles will come to fruition, and champions will be crowned.
It all started half an hour ago with the tip-off of Butler and LSU to signal the start of the big dance. The NCAA basketball tourney is without question one of the most dramatic events in all of sports. Anybody can beat anybody and the little minnows are given a chance to take their shots at the whales of college basketball. Forget the NBA, those overpaid babies don't know what it's all about. This is basketball at its best. The passion displayed by these 64 teams over the next 3 weeks will be enough to last the pros for the next 10 years. Of course, like the rest of the world, I've filled out my bracket and North Carolina is my national champion. I don't really care for the Heels too much, but as long as Ty Lawson doesn't miss more than the first weekend, it's their tournament to lose.
But hey who knows? Nobody. Who called little George Mason going to the Final Four 3 years ago? Provide me that bracket and I'll eat my words.
*My dark horse for the tournament: Michigan State. Tom Izzo has the Spartans playing some good ball right now. But they're not getting much love. I've got them in the championship, falling to Carolina.
In perfect form, the end of the NCAA tournament leads right into my favorite yearly sporting event: The Masters. I say yearly because I must confess the World Cup is my undisputed favorite, but I have to wait 4 years for that one. But there's nothing that beats The Masters. Golf at its highest form. Everyone knows the course, the holes. I can tell you the ins and outs of every single fairway and green at Augusta National. It's the most dramatic golf tournament in the world and it seems to always come down to the back 9 on Sunday. If I could, I would plop myself on the couch and watch The Masters from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and honestly not feel like I'd wasted a second of my day. For me, there's nothing better. Plus, Tiger's back and Phil Mickelson is playing out of his skull right now. The stage is set.
*My dark horse for The Masters: Bubba Watson, the big hitting lefty (and my favorite player... I'm also a south paw) has started 2009 well and performed well last year in his first Masters. If it comes down to the back nine on Sunday, Bubba's got the power to drop two eagles. I'd love to see him in the top 10. If he wins, I'm a prophet and the golf channel needs to get me on the air!
This stretch of days from mid-March to mid-April serves as my favorite time of the sports year. In the next month, we will experience all the drama that makes the sporting world so great. Underdogs will rise, miracles will come to fruition, and champions will be crowned.
It all started half an hour ago with the tip-off of Butler and LSU to signal the start of the big dance. The NCAA basketball tourney is without question one of the most dramatic events in all of sports. Anybody can beat anybody and the little minnows are given a chance to take their shots at the whales of college basketball. Forget the NBA, those overpaid babies don't know what it's all about. This is basketball at its best. The passion displayed by these 64 teams over the next 3 weeks will be enough to last the pros for the next 10 years. Of course, like the rest of the world, I've filled out my bracket and North Carolina is my national champion. I don't really care for the Heels too much, but as long as Ty Lawson doesn't miss more than the first weekend, it's their tournament to lose.
But hey who knows? Nobody. Who called little George Mason going to the Final Four 3 years ago? Provide me that bracket and I'll eat my words.
*My dark horse for the tournament: Michigan State. Tom Izzo has the Spartans playing some good ball right now. But they're not getting much love. I've got them in the championship, falling to Carolina.
In perfect form, the end of the NCAA tournament leads right into my favorite yearly sporting event: The Masters. I say yearly because I must confess the World Cup is my undisputed favorite, but I have to wait 4 years for that one. But there's nothing that beats The Masters. Golf at its highest form. Everyone knows the course, the holes. I can tell you the ins and outs of every single fairway and green at Augusta National. It's the most dramatic golf tournament in the world and it seems to always come down to the back 9 on Sunday. If I could, I would plop myself on the couch and watch The Masters from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Sunday and honestly not feel like I'd wasted a second of my day. For me, there's nothing better. Plus, Tiger's back and Phil Mickelson is playing out of his skull right now. The stage is set.
*My dark horse for The Masters: Bubba Watson, the big hitting lefty (and my favorite player... I'm also a south paw) has started 2009 well and performed well last year in his first Masters. If it comes down to the back nine on Sunday, Bubba's got the power to drop two eagles. I'd love to see him in the top 10. If he wins, I'm a prophet and the golf channel needs to get me on the air!
Thursday, March 5, 2009
No Mo T.O.!
When I woke up this morning and flicked on the early Sportscenter, I heard the best news I've heard in a while: the Cowboys released Terrell Owens! I've long been an anti-T.O. guy so the notion that Dallas finally grew a pair and told him to get the hell out just tickles me.
I'll be the first to admit the guy's a hell of a ball player. He's definitely one of the most talented wide receivers I've seen in my lifetime. But that doesn't even come close to making up for his childlike attitude and selfishness. The man is a cancer. He has somehow managed to successfully ruin every franchise he's ever been a part of. Let's examine...
49ers- T.O. bursts onto the scene with a game winning catch as time expired to beat the Packers in the playoffs. He's the golden boy of San Fran. But wait, he doesn't like his quarterback, so he whines and mopes until he's dished out to another team.
Eagles- Arrives in Philly to catch balls from superstar QB Donovan McNabb, seems perfect. But after a short honeymoon period, T.O. doesn't like his quarterback anymore. Imagine that. So he demands an exit, acts like a brat and tries to tear down the organization. Philly is still paying for the locker room drama that baby caused.
Cowboys- Of course Jerry Jones would take a chance on T.O. regardless of his track record. It even seemed like he finally found a QB in Tony Romo that he could go the distance with. He almost had me convinced when he sat in front of the press bawling big crocodile tears defending Romo, who was getting ripped in the media. But of course, it was another one of his acts. The next season comes around, surprise surprise, T.O. doesn't like his quarterback.
T.O.'s main reason for whining in Dallas was that he doesn't get thrown to enough when in fact he gets thrown to more than most players in the league. The guy sincerely thinks the ball should be thrown to him on every single play. Some ego. Sorry T.O., the only way you're getting a catch every play is if you clone yourself to play quarterback and throw to you. Hell, he'd be the only person on the planet who loves you as much as you do.
So Props to the Cowboys for bucking up and taking a stand against this child of a football player. I can only hope that he'll fall into relative obscurity and waste the rest of his life doing nothing with Barry Bonds. But it's pretty unlikely. There are plenty of stupid owners out there who would gladly risk the health of their team for the chance to pay this idiot millions of dollars.
I'll be the first to admit the guy's a hell of a ball player. He's definitely one of the most talented wide receivers I've seen in my lifetime. But that doesn't even come close to making up for his childlike attitude and selfishness. The man is a cancer. He has somehow managed to successfully ruin every franchise he's ever been a part of. Let's examine...
49ers- T.O. bursts onto the scene with a game winning catch as time expired to beat the Packers in the playoffs. He's the golden boy of San Fran. But wait, he doesn't like his quarterback, so he whines and mopes until he's dished out to another team.
Eagles- Arrives in Philly to catch balls from superstar QB Donovan McNabb, seems perfect. But after a short honeymoon period, T.O. doesn't like his quarterback anymore. Imagine that. So he demands an exit, acts like a brat and tries to tear down the organization. Philly is still paying for the locker room drama that baby caused.
Cowboys- Of course Jerry Jones would take a chance on T.O. regardless of his track record. It even seemed like he finally found a QB in Tony Romo that he could go the distance with. He almost had me convinced when he sat in front of the press bawling big crocodile tears defending Romo, who was getting ripped in the media. But of course, it was another one of his acts. The next season comes around, surprise surprise, T.O. doesn't like his quarterback.
T.O.'s main reason for whining in Dallas was that he doesn't get thrown to enough when in fact he gets thrown to more than most players in the league. The guy sincerely thinks the ball should be thrown to him on every single play. Some ego. Sorry T.O., the only way you're getting a catch every play is if you clone yourself to play quarterback and throw to you. Hell, he'd be the only person on the planet who loves you as much as you do.
So Props to the Cowboys for bucking up and taking a stand against this child of a football player. I can only hope that he'll fall into relative obscurity and waste the rest of his life doing nothing with Barry Bonds. But it's pretty unlikely. There are plenty of stupid owners out there who would gladly risk the health of their team for the chance to pay this idiot millions of dollars.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
He's baaaaaaaack!
After seven months twiddling his thumbs on the sidelines, Tiger Woods, the man responsible for the survival of golf in America finally announced his return this past week at the World Golf Championships Match-Play event. This was without question the highlight of my sports week as I wanted to know what would be different about the 65-time PGA Tour event winner.
Coming out of his extended layoff due to torn knee tendons and fractured leg bones, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who was betting on Tiger actually winning this week. But at the same time, it'd be even harder to find someone betting that he wouldn't win it.
The guy walks around a golf course with this vibe that if he has a club and a ball, he always has a chance. If he was forced to play an entire week with just his 7-iron, I would still find him lifting the trophy on Sunday plausible. I've seen him do nearly everything, so who's to say he won't take one more step towards impossible.
So standing on the first tee Wednesday, I gave Tiger a chance for a win in his first event back. Imagine how good I felt when he birdied the first and went 1-up right out of the gate. Imagine how elated I was when he birdied the second to go 2-up. A few holes later, all I could do was shake my head as he eagled and went 3-up on the front nine. "Here we go again!"
Tiger ended up winning that first match handily but was topped the next day by a dangerous #8 seed in Tim Clark. The rustiness ended up biting Tiger, but in those two days, he showed the world why he's the best.
Ever since the golf season started in January I've been listening to people say that Tiger won't win a major this year. After watching his first few holes back, I'm saying he won't not win a major.
Coming out of his extended layoff due to torn knee tendons and fractured leg bones, you'd be hard-pressed to find someone who was betting on Tiger actually winning this week. But at the same time, it'd be even harder to find someone betting that he wouldn't win it.
The guy walks around a golf course with this vibe that if he has a club and a ball, he always has a chance. If he was forced to play an entire week with just his 7-iron, I would still find him lifting the trophy on Sunday plausible. I've seen him do nearly everything, so who's to say he won't take one more step towards impossible.
So standing on the first tee Wednesday, I gave Tiger a chance for a win in his first event back. Imagine how good I felt when he birdied the first and went 1-up right out of the gate. Imagine how elated I was when he birdied the second to go 2-up. A few holes later, all I could do was shake my head as he eagled and went 3-up on the front nine. "Here we go again!"
Tiger ended up winning that first match handily but was topped the next day by a dangerous #8 seed in Tim Clark. The rustiness ended up biting Tiger, but in those two days, he showed the world why he's the best.
Ever since the golf season started in January I've been listening to people say that Tiger won't win a major this year. After watching his first few holes back, I'm saying he won't not win a major.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Bow to Devin Harris
As I sat in bed last night absorbing my nightly hour of Sportscenter I saw something that made me sit up and just go "he did what?!" Luckily, through the magic of tivo I was able to watch over and over again. Yet, some 30 views later, I still don't believe it.
Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets without question made the play of the year against the Philadelphia 76ers to steal a win at the buzzer. To set the stage: 1.8 seconds left, Nets down by 1 and must go the entire length of the court. Then Harris pulls out this convenient little gem...
Somethin' else huh?
It's not the fact that he hit a half court shot. We see guys do that all the time. It's not even that it was to come from behind and win the game. That happens too.
What impressed me the most was Harris' awesome awareness and absolute determination to get a shot off even after the ball got knocked away from him (and the fact that he still got the shot away before the buzzer was pretty ridiculous too). How many guys in the NBA could we honestly expect to keep playing and not whine when something like that happens. All I can imagine is guys like Ron Artest or "Starbury" immediately screaming "OH he fouled me!" and giving up on the play.
But not Devin Harris. So I stand up and applaud a guy who shows heart in a league that has precious little left. Oh yea, I guess I should probably applaud his skill too, I figure not all of us could've done that.
Devin Harris of the New Jersey Nets without question made the play of the year against the Philadelphia 76ers to steal a win at the buzzer. To set the stage: 1.8 seconds left, Nets down by 1 and must go the entire length of the court. Then Harris pulls out this convenient little gem...
Somethin' else huh?
It's not the fact that he hit a half court shot. We see guys do that all the time. It's not even that it was to come from behind and win the game. That happens too.
What impressed me the most was Harris' awesome awareness and absolute determination to get a shot off even after the ball got knocked away from him (and the fact that he still got the shot away before the buzzer was pretty ridiculous too). How many guys in the NBA could we honestly expect to keep playing and not whine when something like that happens. All I can imagine is guys like Ron Artest or "Starbury" immediately screaming "OH he fouled me!" and giving up on the play.
But not Devin Harris. So I stand up and applaud a guy who shows heart in a league that has precious little left. Oh yea, I guess I should probably applaud his skill too, I figure not all of us could've done that.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Respect to Kaka
Over the past decade or so I’ve noticed a scary trend in which the world of sports is becoming less about the actual sport and more about business and money. These days, athletes hold out and won’t play until they get the extra $5 million signing bonus or incentives package that seems so important to them.
I miss the good 'ole days when athletes played simply for the love of the game, not for money. I miss the time when sports were a genuine form of entertainment, not a mega-billion dollar industry.
No sport over the past few years has become more money grubbing than European football (the real football- get used to me saying that). It seems like every year, foreign billionaires are taking over clubs rich in history and tradition so they can pump in billions of dollars in an effort to buy championships.
This year, that club is Manchester City. The club is a quite mediocre English Premier League team; however, its new billionaire owners are convinced they can use their money to turn the club around. They’ve already spent several hundred million dollars on new players, yet still find themselves sitting 12th in a 20 team league.
But there is hope, and it comes through Brazilian footballer (soccer if you haven't figured it out) superstar Kaka.
In a final effort to launch Manchester City to the top, the owners posted an absurd $145 million dollar bid for Kaka, who is often considered the best player in the world. The $145 million wouldn’t even cover Kaka’s salary, that’s just the fee City would pay to his current club AC Milan to obtain him. City were willing to pay Kaka close to $1 million per week. Per week?
Unlike so many athletes before him, Kaka chose the sport before himself. He rejected the offer to continue playing for a winning club and focus on earning trophies (take notes Stephon Marbury, T.O. etc.). That's worth something in my book. Granted Kaka already makes probably around $100,000 week (boo hoo for him right?), no amount of money is worth him playing for a bad team trying to buy greatness.
So respect to Kaka, may he begin the revolution of athletes valuing titles more than their money. But don't hold your breath.
I miss the good 'ole days when athletes played simply for the love of the game, not for money. I miss the time when sports were a genuine form of entertainment, not a mega-billion dollar industry.
No sport over the past few years has become more money grubbing than European football (the real football- get used to me saying that). It seems like every year, foreign billionaires are taking over clubs rich in history and tradition so they can pump in billions of dollars in an effort to buy championships.
This year, that club is Manchester City. The club is a quite mediocre English Premier League team; however, its new billionaire owners are convinced they can use their money to turn the club around. They’ve already spent several hundred million dollars on new players, yet still find themselves sitting 12th in a 20 team league.
But there is hope, and it comes through Brazilian footballer (soccer if you haven't figured it out) superstar Kaka.
In a final effort to launch Manchester City to the top, the owners posted an absurd $145 million dollar bid for Kaka, who is often considered the best player in the world. The $145 million wouldn’t even cover Kaka’s salary, that’s just the fee City would pay to his current club AC Milan to obtain him. City were willing to pay Kaka close to $1 million per week. Per week?
Unlike so many athletes before him, Kaka chose the sport before himself. He rejected the offer to continue playing for a winning club and focus on earning trophies (take notes Stephon Marbury, T.O. etc.). That's worth something in my book. Granted Kaka already makes probably around $100,000 week (boo hoo for him right?), no amount of money is worth him playing for a bad team trying to buy greatness.
So respect to Kaka, may he begin the revolution of athletes valuing titles more than their money. But don't hold your breath.
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