Executives from Major League Baseball were in front of the Senate's Commerce Committee today to discuss selling the league's Extra Innings TV package exclusively to DirecTV.
The hearing was called by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), who had this to say:
"Baseball is an integral part of our culture. Sports leagues have tremendous market power. What we need to do is make sure that market power works in the public interest."
My take: People think they have a God-given right to watch their favorite sports teams. Not so. Baseball knows this is not a popular move but has still chosen to go through with the deal. There's nothing wrong with that.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Monday, February 12, 2007
More Obama-Arenas thoughts
Swampland -- a political blog run by Time -- has joined in on the Barack Obama-Gilbert Arenas chatter.
Check it out here.
Check it out here.
The Givers: NFL -- NFC East
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we move to the NFC, starting with the NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones (Owner) -- $5,850 total: $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $3,750 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia)
New York Giants
Steve Tisch (Owner) -- $40,900 total: $26,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $4,200 to Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-New York)
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie (Owner) -- $9,800 total: $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $700 to Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pennsylvania), $2,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York), $2,100 to Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pennsylvania)
Washington Redskins
Daniel Snyder (Owner) -- $63,200 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $5,000 to the Republican Party of Virginia, $4,200 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $4,000 to defeated Senate candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland)
The lesson: Daniel Snyder represents D.C. well and doesn't disappoint. He's the clubhouse leader in the NFC right now.
Today we move to the NFC, starting with the NFC East:
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones (Owner) -- $5,850 total: $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $3,750 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia)
New York Giants
Steve Tisch (Owner) -- $40,900 total: $26,700 to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, $10,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $4,200 to Sen. Hilary Clinton (D-New York)
Philadelphia Eagles
Jeffrey Lurie (Owner) -- $9,800 total: $5,000 to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, $700 to Rep. Joe Sestak (D-Pennsylvania), $2,000 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-New York), $2,100 to Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pennsylvania)
Washington Redskins
Daniel Snyder (Owner) -- $63,200 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $5,000 to the Republican Party of Virginia, $4,200 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $4,000 to defeated Senate candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland)
The lesson: Daniel Snyder represents D.C. well and doesn't disappoint. He's the clubhouse leader in the NFC right now.
Friday, February 9, 2007
Barack Obama could score 85 points on Duke
Dan Shanoff, formerly of ESPN.com's Page 2, had a great post this afternoon comparing Barack Obama to Gilbert Arenas of the Washington Wizards.
A personal favorite of mine is that Arenas actually refers to himself as "The Black President" on his MySpace Page.
Shanoff makes a pretty strong argument actually, noting that both might be the most talented people in their respective fields but are not the frontrunners for the top prize (MVP, the presidency).
The one distinction I would draw, however, is that Arenas comes off as selfish sometimes, taking too many shots. Obama, on the other hand, comes off as overly humble, arguing that he is running for president because of the will of the people, not for his own personal glory.
A personal favorite of mine is that Arenas actually refers to himself as "The Black President" on his MySpace Page.
Shanoff makes a pretty strong argument actually, noting that both might be the most talented people in their respective fields but are not the frontrunners for the top prize (MVP, the presidency).
The one distinction I would draw, however, is that Arenas comes off as selfish sometimes, taking too many shots. Obama, on the other hand, comes off as overly humble, arguing that he is running for president because of the will of the people, not for his own personal glory.
The Givers: NFL -- AFC West
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC West
Denver Broncos
Pat Bowlen (Owner) -- $1,000 total: $1,000 to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado)
Kansas City Chiefs
Clark Hunt (Onwer) -- $5,100 total: $2,100 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $2,000 to the Missouri Republican Party, $1,000 to Volunteer PAC (former Sen. Bill Frist's (R-Tennessee) PAC)
Carl Peterson (GM) -- $29,750 total: $14,700 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, $5,000 to Good Government of America (George Allen's PAC), $5,200 to George Allen, $2,100 to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), $2,000 to the Republican National Committee, $750 to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
Oakland Raiders
Owner Al Davis, GM Michael Lombardi and former coach Art Shell didn't win this season. They also didn't give to political candidates.
San Diego Chargers
Alex Spanos (Owner) -- $92,633 total: $25,000 National Republican Congressional Committee, $25,000 to the Republican National Committee, $7,100 to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada), $4,833 to the Greek-American PAC, $4,200 George Allen, $2,100 to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), $2,100 to Sen. Bob Corker(R-Tennessee), $4,200 to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-California), $2,000 to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), $2,000 to the 21st Century Freedom PAC (former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki's PAC), $4,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), $1,000 to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), $1,000 to former Sen. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland), $1,000 to defeated Senatorial candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland), $500 to Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Illinois), $1,000 to Rep. Dennis Cardonza (D-California)
The lesson: If you run for office, you can get money from Alex Spanos
Today we look at the NFL's AFC West
Denver Broncos
Pat Bowlen (Owner) -- $1,000 total: $1,000 to Sen. Ken Salazar (D-Colorado)
Kansas City Chiefs
Clark Hunt (Onwer) -- $5,100 total: $2,100 to defeated Sen. George Allen (R-Virginia), $2,000 to the Missouri Republican Party, $1,000 to Volunteer PAC (former Sen. Bill Frist's (R-Tennessee) PAC)
Carl Peterson (GM) -- $29,750 total: $14,700 to the National Republican Senatorial Committee, $5,000 to Good Government of America (George Allen's PAC), $5,200 to George Allen, $2,100 to Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Missouri), $2,000 to the Republican National Committee, $750 to Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri)
Oakland Raiders
Owner Al Davis, GM Michael Lombardi and former coach Art Shell didn't win this season. They also didn't give to political candidates.
San Diego Chargers
Alex Spanos (Owner) -- $92,633 total: $25,000 National Republican Congressional Committee, $25,000 to the Republican National Committee, $7,100 to Sen. John Ensign (R-Nevada), $4,833 to the Greek-American PAC, $4,200 George Allen, $2,100 to Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), $2,100 to Sen. Bob Corker(R-Tennessee), $4,200 to Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-California), $2,000 to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R-Illinois), Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-Florida), $2,000 to the 21st Century Freedom PAC (former N.Y. Gov. George Pataki's PAC), $4,000 to Rep. Richard Pombo (R-California), $1,000 to Rep. Darrell Issa (R-California), $1,000 to former Sen. John Sarbanes (D-Maryland), $1,000 to defeated Senatorial candidate Michael Steele (R-Maryland), $500 to Rep. Ray LaHood (R-Illinois), $1,000 to Rep. Dennis Cardonza (D-California)
The lesson: If you run for office, you can get money from Alex Spanos
Thursday, February 8, 2007
David Wright dines with Dubya
The New York Post had a story today about New York Mets all-star David Wright eating dinner with George W. Bush at the White House this past Monday, along with San Diego's Trevor Hoffman, Toronto's Vernon Wells, Cubs manager Lou Piniella, broadcaster Tim McCarver and journalist/baseball nut George Will.
Here's Wright's take on the meal:
"The president was so approachable and knew everything that's going on with the Mets," he said. "The man definitely knows his baseball."
Bush certainly knows his hardball. His past career with the Texas Rangers has been well documented. In fact, I think that Bush's ties to baseball played a role in his election as president in 2000.
In many other situations, this would be a cool experience. It would be endearing to see a president take a break from dining with heads of state to meet with a bunch of baseball players from humble roots. But at this moment in US history, with the nation in two bloody wars, I think this type of meeting hurts the president's image.
Whereas most times a politician associates himself with sports it makes him seem like a man of the people, here it just makes Bush look silly. It seems like he should have bigger things on his plate.
Here's Wright's take on the meal:
"The president was so approachable and knew everything that's going on with the Mets," he said. "The man definitely knows his baseball."
Bush certainly knows his hardball. His past career with the Texas Rangers has been well documented. In fact, I think that Bush's ties to baseball played a role in his election as president in 2000.
In many other situations, this would be a cool experience. It would be endearing to see a president take a break from dining with heads of state to meet with a bunch of baseball players from humble roots. But at this moment in US history, with the nation in two bloody wars, I think this type of meeting hurts the president's image.
Whereas most times a politician associates himself with sports it makes him seem like a man of the people, here it just makes Bush look silly. It seems like he should have bigger things on his plate.
The Givers: NFL -- AFC South
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC South
Houston Texans
Robert McNair (Owner) -- $91,500 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $20,000 to the Texas Republican Congressional Committee, $5,000 to the National Thouroughbred Racing Association, $4,200 to former Rep. Tom Delay (R-Texas), $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $2,100 to former Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R-Texas), $3,100 to defeated Illinois Congressional candidate David McSweeney (R), $1,000 to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), $1,000 to Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina), $1,000 to former Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas), $1,000 to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), $1,000 to the Republican Party of Kentucky
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay (Owner) -- $20,100 total: $16,000 to the Democratic Party of Marion County, Indiana, $2,100 to Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), $2,000 to Rep. Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wayne Weaver (Owner) -- $4,000 total: $2,500 to Volunteer PAC (Bill Frist's PAC), $500 to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), $500 to former Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida), $500 to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Florida)
Tennessee Titans
Bud Adams (Owner) -- $2,000 total: $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee)
The lessons: 1) Bob McNair is a political heavyweight in the Republican Party. How the hell did Jim Clyburn, a Democrat, get money from him? 2) Jim Irsay scored a double victory this year. The lone Democrat in this division not only won a Super Bowl title, but also won control of the House and Senate.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC South
Houston Texans
Robert McNair (Owner) -- $91,500 total: $50,000 to the Republican National Committee, $20,000 to the Texas Republican Congressional Committee, $5,000 to the National Thouroughbred Racing Association, $4,200 to former Rep. Tom Delay (R-Texas), $2,100 to Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), $2,100 to former Rep. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs (R-Texas), $3,100 to defeated Illinois Congressional candidate David McSweeney (R), $1,000 to Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona), $1,000 to Rep. Jim Clyburn (D-South Carolina), $1,000 to former Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-Texas), $1,000 to Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), $1,000 to the Republican Party of Kentucky
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay (Owner) -- $20,100 total: $16,000 to the Democratic Party of Marion County, Indiana, $2,100 to Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Indiana), $2,000 to Rep. Julia Carson (D-Indiana)
Jacksonville Jaguars
Wayne Weaver (Owner) -- $4,000 total: $2,500 to Volunteer PAC (Bill Frist's PAC), $500 to Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Florida), $500 to former Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Florida), $500 to Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Florida)
Tennessee Titans
Bud Adams (Owner) -- $2,000 total: $2,000 to Rep. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee)
The lessons: 1) Bob McNair is a political heavyweight in the Republican Party. How the hell did Jim Clyburn, a Democrat, get money from him? 2) Jim Irsay scored a double victory this year. The lone Democrat in this division not only won a Super Bowl title, but also won control of the House and Senate.
Nothing to do with sports except for the term "hockey stick"
When I saw the headline for This story I was very excited to have found another sports and politics story. It describes "hockey stick moments" in campaigns.
But as I read on, I came to realize that it had nothing to do with sports. Rather, a hockey stick moment is a graphical image -- when a candidate's popularity goes from a flatline to a sharp rise (as in the shape of a hockey stick).
Still, it's an interesting read.
But as I read on, I came to realize that it had nothing to do with sports. Rather, a hockey stick moment is a graphical image -- when a candidate's popularity goes from a flatline to a sharp rise (as in the shape of a hockey stick).
Still, it's an interesting read.
Wednesday, February 7, 2007
The Givers: NFL -- AFC North
It's time for another installment of The Givers -- an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
Today we look at the NFL's AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Steve Bisciotti (Owner) -- $10,000 to the Maryland Republican State Central Committee
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Brown (Owner) -- $4,200 to Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), $2,100 to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), $2,000 to Hamilton County, Ohio Commissioner Pat Dewine (R)
Cleveland Browns
Randy Lerner (Owner) -- $2,100 to Chillicothe, Ohio mayor Joe Sulzer (D)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Rooney (Owner) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee (a PAC run by the Rooney family that gives money to local, state and federal candidates)
Kevin Colbert (GM) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee
The lesson: If you work for Dan Rooney, you must give to his PAC
Today we look at the NFL's AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Steve Bisciotti (Owner) -- $10,000 to the Maryland Republican State Central Committee
Cincinnati Bengals
Mike Brown (Owner) -- $4,200 to Rep. Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), $2,100 to Rep. Jean Schmidt (R-Ohio), $2,000 to Hamilton County, Ohio Commissioner Pat Dewine (R)
Cleveland Browns
Randy Lerner (Owner) -- $2,100 to Chillicothe, Ohio mayor Joe Sulzer (D)
Pittsburgh Steelers
Dan Rooney (Owner) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee (a PAC run by the Rooney family that gives money to local, state and federal candidates)
Kevin Colbert (GM) -- $3,000 to North Side Good Government Committee
The lesson: If you work for Dan Rooney, you must give to his PAC
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
The Givers: NFL -- AFC East
Today begin's a new series at The Sports Politician -- The Givers. It's an examination of how high-ranking sports executives donate their money to political candidates and organizations. All these figures are for the 2006 election cycle, courtesy of OpenSecrets.org.
We start with the NFL's AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson (Owner) -- $2,100 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), $800 to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Miami Dolphins
Wayne Huizenga (Owner) -- $2,100 to defeated Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL), $4,200 to defeated Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), $2,000 to Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), $2,000 to Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
New England Patriots
Robert Kraft (Owner) -- $10,000 to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
New York Jets
Robert Wood Johnson (Owner) -- $10,000 to Solutions America (Rudy Giuliani's PAC), $5,000 to Straight Talk America (John McCain's PAC)
The lesson: Wayne Huizenga can't even spend his money to find a winner in politics
We start with the NFL's AFC East:
Buffalo Bills
Ralph Wilson (Owner) -- $2,100 to Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-NY), $800 to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI)
Miami Dolphins
Wayne Huizenga (Owner) -- $2,100 to defeated Rep. Clay Shaw (R-FL), $4,200 to defeated Sen. Jim Talent (R-MO), $2,000 to Rep. Jim Saxton (R-NJ), $2,000 to Rep. Tom Feeney (R-FL)
New England Patriots
Robert Kraft (Owner) -- $10,000 to Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT)
New York Jets
Robert Wood Johnson (Owner) -- $10,000 to Solutions America (Rudy Giuliani's PAC), $5,000 to Straight Talk America (John McCain's PAC)
The lesson: Wayne Huizenga can't even spend his money to find a winner in politics
Monday, February 5, 2007
Roger Goodell Faces the Nation
In case you missed it on Sunday, CBS took a break from covering the Iraq war and the 2008 presidential election to shamelessly plug the Super Bowl on "Face the Nation."
NFL commissioner/boy wonder Roger Goodell faced off with Bob Schieffer (with sidekick Jim Nance, commentator for CBS Sports) to talk about the state of the league -- from steroids to concussions to African-American coaches. It was actually a pretty good interview, though I think Nance wasn't needed. You could tell that Schieffer knew his stuff.
But the show really took a turn for the worse when Schieffer did a segment with former NFL quarterbacks (and current CBS football analysts) Dan Marino and Phil Simms. Unlike in the Goodell segment, Schieffer simply talked with the two former players about Colts-Bears matchup.
The show would have been a nice take on overarching issues surrounding the Super Bowl had this last segment been omitted, but instead it turned into just another NFL blabfest -- like the one appearing on every other network that morning.
NFL commissioner/boy wonder Roger Goodell faced off with Bob Schieffer (with sidekick Jim Nance, commentator for CBS Sports) to talk about the state of the league -- from steroids to concussions to African-American coaches. It was actually a pretty good interview, though I think Nance wasn't needed. You could tell that Schieffer knew his stuff.
But the show really took a turn for the worse when Schieffer did a segment with former NFL quarterbacks (and current CBS football analysts) Dan Marino and Phil Simms. Unlike in the Goodell segment, Schieffer simply talked with the two former players about Colts-Bears matchup.
The show would have been a nice take on overarching issues surrounding the Super Bowl had this last segment been omitted, but instead it turned into just another NFL blabfest -- like the one appearing on every other network that morning.
Obama again
It seems like we've been flooded with Barack Obama sports news lately. Well, here's yet another tidbit:
Obama's wife, Michelle, is the sister of new Brown men's basketball coach Craig Robinson. So Obama's brother-in-law is a Division I basketball coach (as well as a former standout player at Princeton).
So Obama is both a Chicago and Brown Bears fan.
Obama's wife, Michelle, is the sister of new Brown men's basketball coach Craig Robinson. So Obama's brother-in-law is a Division I basketball coach (as well as a former standout player at Princeton).
So Obama is both a Chicago and Brown Bears fan.
McCain 1, Obama 0
In what might be a predictor for the 2008 presidential election, John McCain has trumped Barack Obama in the Super Bowl prediction contest.
Just hours before kickoff, McCain correctly chose the Indianapolis Colts to win the game when asked by George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week.
Obama, who has been very outspoken in his support for the Chicago Bears all season long, might have been correct in his prediction that going to war in Iraq was unwise, but he was not on the spot with his Super Bowl pick.
Just hours before kickoff, McCain correctly chose the Indianapolis Colts to win the game when asked by George Stephanopoulos on ABC's This Week.
Obama, who has been very outspoken in his support for the Chicago Bears all season long, might have been correct in his prediction that going to war in Iraq was unwise, but he was not on the spot with his Super Bowl pick.
Mmmmm ... Kosher nuts!
It's official, with the Indianapolis Colts defeating the Chicago Bears in the Super Bowl last night, Indiana governor Mitch Daniels will be receiving a delicious meal from Illinois governor Rod Blagojevich.
The native Illinois foods include the following:
-A deep-dish pizza
-Cheesecake
-Kosher nuts
-Candy
A deep-dish pizza is very Chicago, but cheesecake, nuts and candy? Come on Illinois, you can do better than that.
The native Illinois foods include the following:
-A deep-dish pizza
-Cheesecake
-Kosher nuts
-Candy
A deep-dish pizza is very Chicago, but cheesecake, nuts and candy? Come on Illinois, you can do better than that.
Friday, January 26, 2007
Will his running mate be a bloody sock?
Curt Schilling -- the star pitcher for the Boston Red Sox -- already pulled one of the greatest upsets in history, when his team came back against the New York Yankees en route to a World Series title in 2004.
Now, some Bostonians want the 40-year-old righty to set his sights on pulling a political upset -- defeating John Kerry in the 2008 race for the Senate.
It seems as if the idea was first floated on Boston sports talk radio station WRKO-AM (680) and many listeners thought it was a pretty good idea (What do they talk about on Boston sports talk radio? Here in New York, the most intellectual conversation the hosts have is when they try to guess the ratings of the Super Bowl).
One guy who doesn't think it's such a good idea -- Curt Schilling.
“While I am a registered voter, I have too many problems with the political scene, and I don’t think I’d fit into it,” he said.
If he does run, here are some ideas for negative ads that Kerry could run:
- Schilling went to Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, Arizona -- not exactly Yale.
- If Schilling tries to use the fact that he is the only 2-time Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year to his advantage, try this: He wasn't good enough to win a full share of the 2001 Sportsman of the Year, so he had to share the award with Randy Johnson. In 2004, he still wasn't good enough to win the award, so he had to share it with his entire team. What a loser!
- In November, he appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy. How did he do? He finished with zero dollars. He couldn't even identify which brand of food was known as "The San Francisco Treat." Ouch.
Now, some Bostonians want the 40-year-old righty to set his sights on pulling a political upset -- defeating John Kerry in the 2008 race for the Senate.
It seems as if the idea was first floated on Boston sports talk radio station WRKO-AM (680) and many listeners thought it was a pretty good idea (What do they talk about on Boston sports talk radio? Here in New York, the most intellectual conversation the hosts have is when they try to guess the ratings of the Super Bowl).
One guy who doesn't think it's such a good idea -- Curt Schilling.
“While I am a registered voter, I have too many problems with the political scene, and I don’t think I’d fit into it,” he said.
If he does run, here are some ideas for negative ads that Kerry could run:
- Schilling went to Yavapai Junior College in Prescott, Arizona -- not exactly Yale.
- If Schilling tries to use the fact that he is the only 2-time Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year to his advantage, try this: He wasn't good enough to win a full share of the 2001 Sportsman of the Year, so he had to share the award with Randy Johnson. In 2004, he still wasn't good enough to win the award, so he had to share it with his entire team. What a loser!
- In November, he appeared on Celebrity Jeopardy. How did he do? He finished with zero dollars. He couldn't even identify which brand of food was known as "The San Francisco Treat." Ouch.
Thursday, January 25, 2007
Governor Ed Rendell: The only guy in his state who still cares about hockey
Pennsylvania governor Ed Rendell definitely will contend for this year's innaugural Sports Politician of the Year.
He does weekly on-air commentary before Philadelphia Eagles games, he's a fixture at the famed Palestra for Penn men's basketball games (including last night's Penn-Temple matchup) and now he is personally getting involved in trying to keep the NHL's Penguins from moving out of Pittsburgh.
According to the Associated Press, Rendell -- the former mayor of Philadelphia -- is optimistic that a new agreement can be reached to build a new arena for the Pens. Rendell spoke with Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle on the phone Tuesday night and the two expect to speak again next week.
"We want to reach an agreement. We think we're getting closer," Rendell said Wednesday. "We're hopeful."
This is a shrewed political move by Rendell. First, politician sports fans associate themselves with a new sense of populism. They seem like "regular guys," even if -- like Rendell -- they are well-to-do Ivy League graduates.
Secondly, a big knock on Rendell is that he cares too much about Philadelphia and not about his state's other metropolitan center. He'll gain a lot of street cred in the Steel City by trying to save the Penguins.
He does weekly on-air commentary before Philadelphia Eagles games, he's a fixture at the famed Palestra for Penn men's basketball games (including last night's Penn-Temple matchup) and now he is personally getting involved in trying to keep the NHL's Penguins from moving out of Pittsburgh.
According to the Associated Press, Rendell -- the former mayor of Philadelphia -- is optimistic that a new agreement can be reached to build a new arena for the Pens. Rendell spoke with Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle on the phone Tuesday night and the two expect to speak again next week.
"We want to reach an agreement. We think we're getting closer," Rendell said Wednesday. "We're hopeful."
This is a shrewed political move by Rendell. First, politician sports fans associate themselves with a new sense of populism. They seem like "regular guys," even if -- like Rendell -- they are well-to-do Ivy League graduates.
Secondly, a big knock on Rendell is that he cares too much about Philadelphia and not about his state's other metropolitan center. He'll gain a lot of street cred in the Steel City by trying to save the Penguins.
Harold Ford now also loves Jesus
We all remember the hot water Harold Ford found himself in this fall for attending a party sponsored by Playboy at last year's Super Bowl.
But Ford had one of the greatest lines of the 2006 political season when he was asked about the party. He said, "I love girls and I love football."
According to New York Times political blog The Caucus, Ford was asked if we will be going to the Super Bowl this year when he was announced as head of the Democratic Leadership Council.
His response?
He dodged the question, saying only, "I love Jesus, I love girls and I absolutely love football."
Harold, call me!
But Ford had one of the greatest lines of the 2006 political season when he was asked about the party. He said, "I love girls and I love football."
According to New York Times political blog The Caucus, Ford was asked if we will be going to the Super Bowl this year when he was announced as head of the Democratic Leadership Council.
His response?
He dodged the question, saying only, "I love Jesus, I love girls and I absolutely love football."
Harold, call me!
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
Dikembe Mutombo gets a presidential shoutout
Who was that giant of a man sitting next to Laura Bush at the State of the Union tonight? Why, it was none other than NBA player Dikembe Mutombo (yes, he's still playing).
But Mutombo wasn't at the Capitol to throw 'bows, block shots and wag his finger. Rather, the 7-footer was in our nation's capitol to get a shoutout from George W. Bush for building a hospital in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here's the president's exact words:
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine – but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth – or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.” And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.
One question remains, however. At what point did he whisper to Laura, "Who wants to sex Mutombo?"
But Mutombo wasn't at the Capitol to throw 'bows, block shots and wag his finger. Rather, the 7-footer was in our nation's capitol to get a shoutout from George W. Bush for building a hospital in his native Democratic Republic of Congo.
Here's the president's exact words:
Dikembe Mutombo grew up in Africa, amid great poverty and disease. He came to Georgetown University on a scholarship to study medicine – but Coach John Thompson got a look at Dikembe and had a different idea. Dikembe became a star in the NBA, and a citizen of the United States. But he never forgot the land of his birth – or the duty to share his blessings with others. He has built a brand new hospital in his hometown. A friend has said of this good hearted man: “Mutombo believes that God has given him this opportunity to do great things.” And we are proud to call this son of the Congo our fellow American.
One question remains, however. At what point did he whisper to Laura, "Who wants to sex Mutombo?"
Monday, January 22, 2007
Sports Politician Super Bowl trivia
Since the Super Bowl teams have been set, here's an interesting bit of trivia that combines both sports and politics.
Only 4 colleges can boast that they have a former US president and a Super Bowl-winning quarterback as alumni. What schools are they?
Miami (Ohio) -- Benjamin Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger
Michigan -- Gerald Ford and Tom Brady
Navy -- Jimmy Carter and Roger Staubach
Stanford -- Herbert Hoover and Jim Plunkett/John Elway
Now neither Rex Grossman's University of Florida nor Peyton Manning's University of Tennessee boast a former president as an alum, so this list will not grow this year. However, I decided to take a look at the 2008 field to see which candidates (even the biggest longshots), if elected, would grow the list to five schools. Here's what I found:
If John McCain wins, he can join Jimmy Carter and Roger Staubach on the list at Navy.
If Mitt Romney wins, however, he can make BYU the fifth school on this list, as Super Bowl-winning QBs Jim McMahon and Steve Young both played at BYU.
Only 4 colleges can boast that they have a former US president and a Super Bowl-winning quarterback as alumni. What schools are they?
Miami (Ohio) -- Benjamin Harrison and Ben Roethlisberger
Michigan -- Gerald Ford and Tom Brady
Navy -- Jimmy Carter and Roger Staubach
Stanford -- Herbert Hoover and Jim Plunkett/John Elway
Now neither Rex Grossman's University of Florida nor Peyton Manning's University of Tennessee boast a former president as an alum, so this list will not grow this year. However, I decided to take a look at the 2008 field to see which candidates (even the biggest longshots), if elected, would grow the list to five schools. Here's what I found:
If John McCain wins, he can join Jimmy Carter and Roger Staubach on the list at Navy.
If Mitt Romney wins, however, he can make BYU the fifth school on this list, as Super Bowl-winning QBs Jim McMahon and Steve Young both played at BYU.
Thursday, January 18, 2007
From the sports desk to the news desk
In an interesting shakeup, the New York Daily News has decided to let it's top sports columnist, Mike Lupica, start writing about politics.
In yesterday's edition, Lupica weighed in on the failure of prominent Democrats -- particularly presidential front runners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton -- to take a firm stance against the war in Iraq.
It's a well-written column and is just one more example of someone making the jump from covering sports to hard news. Probably the most influential person to jump from one desk to the other was former ABC executive Roone Arledge, who went from creating Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Football to crafting Nightline and 20/20. More recently Keith Olberman went from hosting Sports Center to the fastest growing show on cable news, Countdown with Keith Olberman.
As someone who has worked in a newsroom, I'm not surprised that former sports journalists have so much success in the world of news. Covering sports forces you to find interesting stories in a world that isn't that important. Imagine how much easier it is to cover something that really matters.
Also, covering sports forces you to simplify every situation into winning and losing. How does a trade affect a team's chance of winning? Will that injury make the team better or worse?
People who cover politics like to think it requires a very particular set of skills and knowledge. The constant success of people making the jump from sports to news shows that, in reality, it's no tougher than covering a basketball game or tennis match.
In yesterday's edition, Lupica weighed in on the failure of prominent Democrats -- particularly presidential front runners Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton -- to take a firm stance against the war in Iraq.
It's a well-written column and is just one more example of someone making the jump from covering sports to hard news. Probably the most influential person to jump from one desk to the other was former ABC executive Roone Arledge, who went from creating Wide World of Sports and Monday Night Football to crafting Nightline and 20/20. More recently Keith Olberman went from hosting Sports Center to the fastest growing show on cable news, Countdown with Keith Olberman.
As someone who has worked in a newsroom, I'm not surprised that former sports journalists have so much success in the world of news. Covering sports forces you to find interesting stories in a world that isn't that important. Imagine how much easier it is to cover something that really matters.
Also, covering sports forces you to simplify every situation into winning and losing. How does a trade affect a team's chance of winning? Will that injury make the team better or worse?
People who cover politics like to think it requires a very particular set of skills and knowledge. The constant success of people making the jump from sports to news shows that, in reality, it's no tougher than covering a basketball game or tennis match.
Obama comes out FOR Hurricane Katrina
Illinois Senator and Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama is talking some serious trash. No, it's not about potential rival Hillary Clinton but rather America's team -- the New Orleans Saints.
You see, his hometown Chicago Bears are taking on the Saints in this weekend's NFC Championship Game. And unlike other politicians who would tow the line and say they were happy for both teams, Obama is unafraid to take sides.
"I'm happy for New Orleans, I think it's a wonderful city, but this fairy tale ends when they come to Chicago next week," Obama said.
Oh, snap! Rumor has it that Obama will dance on the Saints' logo if the Bears emerge triumphant this weekend.
In all seriousness, however, I think most voters -- even Saints fans -- appreciate the fact that Obama is willing to take a stand and support his team, even though he know most of the nation is rooting for New Orleans. It reminds me of when Mayor Rudy Giuliani openly rooted for the Yankees in the 2000 World Series, despite the fact that they were playing the Mets.
Sports fans appreciate passion from other sports fans.
You see, his hometown Chicago Bears are taking on the Saints in this weekend's NFC Championship Game. And unlike other politicians who would tow the line and say they were happy for both teams, Obama is unafraid to take sides.
"I'm happy for New Orleans, I think it's a wonderful city, but this fairy tale ends when they come to Chicago next week," Obama said.
Oh, snap! Rumor has it that Obama will dance on the Saints' logo if the Bears emerge triumphant this weekend.
In all seriousness, however, I think most voters -- even Saints fans -- appreciate the fact that Obama is willing to take a stand and support his team, even though he know most of the nation is rooting for New Orleans. It reminds me of when Mayor Rudy Giuliani openly rooted for the Yankees in the 2000 World Series, despite the fact that they were playing the Mets.
Sports fans appreciate passion from other sports fans.
Tough leadership in hard times
The House took a break from passing the recommendations of the 9-11 Commission and raising the minimum wage this week to address something equally as important -- congratulating the Florida Gators for winning the national championship in football.
And while 414 lemmings in Congress voted with the resolution "Commending the University of Florida Gators for their victory in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and for winning the national college football championship," one man was not afraid to take a stand -- Georgia's Jack Kingston.
The representative from Georgia's 1st Congressional district (who is a frequent gust on the Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher) was the lone maverick who had the balls to vote against the resolution. After all, he's a graduate of Florida's rival, the University of Georgia.
Representative Jack Kingston -- not afraid to take an unpopular stance. That's the type of leadership we need in Washington.
And while 414 lemmings in Congress voted with the resolution "Commending the University of Florida Gators for their victory in the 2006 Bowl Championship Series (BCS) and for winning the national college football championship," one man was not afraid to take a stand -- Georgia's Jack Kingston.
The representative from Georgia's 1st Congressional district (who is a frequent gust on the Colbert Report and Real Time with Bill Maher) was the lone maverick who had the balls to vote against the resolution. After all, he's a graduate of Florida's rival, the University of Georgia.
Representative Jack Kingston -- not afraid to take an unpopular stance. That's the type of leadership we need in Washington.
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Welcome
This is the first of what will hopefully many posts on this blog. My goal is to provide readers with news and insight into the intersection of two things I love dearly and follow closely -- sports and politics. As far as I know, there are no sources that deal with this topic, which is why I decided to start this blog. Enjoy!
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