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.
Showing posts with label Senate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senate. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
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 18, 2007
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.
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