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STERN WARNING: NBA COMMISSIONER DESTROYING
HIS LEGACY December 9, 2011 (New York) Is this a question of "David
being David" or "Stern being Stern"? Any way you slice it, NBA Commissioner, David Stern, is soiling his once
pristine reputation. Whether its ego, his subserviance to the team owners, a combination of both, or something else,
David Stern has had a bad six months.
First we had a lockout. Sloppy. Inexcusable. Stupid.
Baseball took care of its business beforehand. No need for it to ever come down to the eleventh hour. You're
going to play, so you can make the deal and miss games or make the deal and not miss games. This isn't nuclear physics.
There is no contract stipulation in the new CBA that could not have been reached before July 1, 2011. Stern has to take
the hit for that; he needed to convince both sides (players and owners) that cancelled games is bad for business.
Nobody wins. He failed. Stern doesn't work for the players. Stern doesn't work for the owners.
Stern works for the league--at least that's the way it is supposed to be. So now we have an abbreviated season because
he doesn't realize where is real allegiance should be.
Stern, arguably, was the best commissioner in the history
of the four major sports. Only the NFL's Pete Rozelle may have been better. Stern took a sport that was largely
unpopular and adroitly changed how people viewed the sport. He marketed players over teams, and while that was a temporary
fix, it revived the sport. Last season was one of the best in NBA history. Super teams work in basketball.
You don't need every market to be strong. Share the wealth so the small market teams can survive, but you need seven
to ten strong teams in particular cities (i.e., New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Washington
D.C., and Philadelphia). Add to this mix places where the fans tend to be fanatical (i.e., Oklahoma, Utah, Cleveland,
San Antonio, Indiana, etc.), and the NBA's popularity will continue to climb. Fans are going to flock to see
visiting teams like the Miami Heat, New York Knicks, Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, etc.
Now we have a trade.
A trade that will make the "Showtime Lakers" even more of a show. Chris Paul (CP3) being teamed with
Kobe Bryant (Black Mamba). That's must-watch basketball, even with a past-his-prime Kobe.
Stern delivered
a punch to the "Sternum" when he vetoed the trade. It is believed that some of the small market owners balked.
Their balking shows why they are small minded, excuse me, small market teams to begin with. The formula is simple for
small market teams who have a superstar in the last year of his contract who wants to leave. Trade him. And not
in his walk year. Maximize the trade value by trading him when your (owner's) leverage is greater, not lesser.
Denver Nuggets should have traded Carmelo Anthony before he was in the last year of his contract. The Orlando Magic should
have traded Dwight Howard last season--but it is understandable that he was not traded since Orlando had a decent shot at
winning a title.
If the trade went through, the New Orleans Hornets would have gotten three starters and a first-round
pick. How are they (Hornets) not better off? If Chris Paul finishes his year in New Orleans, he walks and the
team gets nothing.
Stern is no dummy. But this a a dumb move. There has to be something else behind
it. Mike Lupica, on his weekly sports radio show, called for the commissioner to step down. Other journalists
have been equally critical.
Heed this warning Commissioner Stern. You have enough money.
You have enough power. Don't damage your legacy. You've made two bad moves in a row. Two strikes.
Don't get a third.
 PUT THE BOOGIE IN YOUR BODY "Nobody Beats Sports Biz" ISRAEL DUFFUS GOT KNOCKED THE $%#^ OUT BY OMAR "K.O." ARTIS October 2, 2011 (Atlantic City) Pastor Ralph--from up high--told him to break him with
body shots. Pastor's son, Ray Farrait, looked him in the eye and grabbed his head between rounds two and three.
Pastor's other son, Mark Farrait, who was at another fight, used telepathy. Israel Rodriguez screamed from the corner.
And the manager cursed. All of this "conspired to inspire" Omar "K.O." Artis to come out hard in
round three after a lackluster first two rounds and knock Panamanian superstar Israel Duffus down three times. Referee
Steve Smoger put a merciful end to the bout at 2:03 in the third round.
It was the HBO card on October 1, 2011,
at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, where the "Real-life Rocky"--Bronx-born, Bronx-bred & Bronx
Built--Omar "K.O." Artis, (a.k.a. The Black Russian) shook off ring rust and jitters to stun the boxing world
by destroying, up-and-coming middleweight hopeful Israel Duffus. This was supposed to be an easy fight. Artis
was 2-2-1 (robbed twice). Duffus was working under the tutelage of number three ranked pound-for-pound best boxer on
the planet, Sergio Martinez.
This was the first fight of the evening. So it was the undercard of the undercard. Lou
DiBella, promoter extraordinaire, and his right-hand man, Joe Quiambo, had an inkling there might be fireworks early--and
they were right.
But so was Artis' late great trainer/mentor/savior, Pastor Ralph Farrait. "Pastor
said knock you out!" And that's what his favorite pupil did. He knocked Duffus out. But Pastor
was there via his son--soon to be part of the greatest training tandem duo ever--Ray and Mark Farrait. Legends in the
making. Mark couldn't be there because he was in the corner with Artis' stablemate, "The Domincan Dynamo"
Giovanni Lorenzo. So, the very able Israel Rodriguez, replaced him.
Ray Farrait implored Artis to
jab, be the boss, commit to the body, and walk him down. Ray Farrait had forewarned Artis that if he (Artis) didn't
come out strong, he'd stop the fight.
Round One: Artis is lackluster. He is showing Duffus too much respect.
Round Two: More of the same thing.
Between Rounds Two & Three: Artis lost the first two
rounds of a four-round fight. Ray Farrait is fuming. He feels Artis is not asserting himself. It doesn't
look good. Ray Farrait looks him in the eyes. One of Ray's eyes is of God--the other eye is of (you fill in
the blank). Ray whispers something. Ray grabs Artis by both sides of his head. Message sent. Message
received. Artis gets up off the stool. The Black Russian from the Boogie Down is in the building. Breathing
fire. The Bronx beatdown is about to go down!
He remembers what Renny told him, "Hit 'em with
Cross Bronx" (an hommage to the famous Cross Bronx Expressway). He remembers what his supervisor from the New York
Botantical Gardens, Frank A., told him, "Bring it back for the Botanical." He remembers what Alex (of World
Wide Boxing) told him, "Bring back a win for the gym." He remembers what Mark Farrait told him, "Body,
Body, Body. Put the Boogie in his Body," (hommage to the Treacherous Three). He remembers what Barney told
him, "Can't be no more than five dings." He remembers what his boxing protege, Stephen Arroyo, told him,
"You (Artis) inspire me (Arroyo)." He remembers what his other boxing protege, Mr. Trent, told him, "I
(Trent)inspire you (Artis)." He remembers what Kyle told him, "They made you sleep on the floor so you make
him sleep on the canvas." He remembers what his manger told him, "Keep him hurt." He remembers
what his brother Damon told him, "Artis All Day." He remembers what his lovely wife, Clover, told him
the day before, "Keep stacking W's (wins)!" He remembers what his lovely four-year old daughter, Aubrey-Ann,
told him, "I love you, Daddy!" He remembers what Pastor told him, "..." And he remembers what
Clarence told him, "..."
Round Three: Losing is no longer an option. Artis quickly comes out jabbing--no
doubt from Ray Farrait's Jedi Mind Trick. Duffus is shocked. He seems to be saying, "Who is this guy?
This is not who I was fighting in the first two rounds."
Artis continues to fire a few hard jabs and starts
backing Duffus up. Artis then hits him with a combination left hook, right cross. Duffus staggers.
Some Bronx
Bombs, Duffus Down.
When Duffus rises, he is wobbly. Artis is overly excited and starts swinging wildly.
He connects and Duffus goes down again. Referee Steve Smoger is readying himself to stop the fight on the next
meaningful punch. Artis is chasing a staggering Duffus across the ring. Artis heeds Israel Rodriguez'
pleas to, "Put the Boogie in his (Duffus') body." Duffus slumps to canvas on both knees, Smoger stops
contest.
The Fat Lady Sings and the Fight Bell Rings. Omar looks up. He sees Pastor Ralph.
He sees Clarence. He sees Destiny.
The C.H.A.M.P. is here! Omar "K.O." Artis, the
Black Russian, has landed. The ducks are in the window.
All pictures by Photoguy (one of the best in
the business).
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| Down Goes Frazier, I Mean Duffus! Pictrure by Photoguy. |
ASOMUGHA FLIES TO PHILLY: HOMETOWN PRESSURE CROSSES THE SPORTS DIVIDE
July 29, 2011 (New York) Former Oakland Raider cornerback standout, Nnandi Asomugha, flew to, not from, the
coop--the Philadlephia Eagles' coop. What is most interesting about this move (where the Eagles seemed to steal
Asomugha right from under the noses of the New York Jets and Dallas Cowboys) is the trend of a city's professional teams
across various sports feeling pressure to win from their pro team peers in their respective city.
Boston
has been the "blessed" or "best" sports town this millenium. The Patriots, Redsox, Celtics, and
Bruins have all won championships this century making Bean-town, Title-Town (sorry Greenbay). When the Patriots won
their first Super Bowl in 2002 and then repeated in 2004 & 2005, it put pressure on the other sports franchises to win
titles. After a nearly century-long drought, the Redsox won two World Series (2004 & 2007). Boston's winningest
franchise, the Celtics, had not won since 1986, but with the formation of the "Big Three" Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce,
and Ray Allen, they beat their staunchest rival, the Lakers, in 2008. That left one team--The Boston Bruins who last
won in 1972 "Days of (Bobby) Orr."
You don't think the Bruins were feeling the pressure? So
after almost 40 years, they brought Lord Stanley's cup home. And guess who has had the longest Beantown title drought?
The Pats. So even though Ochocinco and Albert Hayesworth may not be solid citizens based on the New England Patriots'
culture, they (Patriots) want to win even if it means inviting a few knuckleheads. The Patriots' last title
was in 2005, and they haven't won a playoff game since January 2008.
New York had an unprecedented run
in the late 1960s where the Jets, Mets, and Knicks all won titles, and the New York Rangers (hockey) were in the finals in
1972 against--yeah, you guessed it, Boston, but lost 4 games to 2. New York was somewhat devestated by the loss, but
hockey has been the least heralded of the big four sports in New York City.
What does this have to do with the
Eagles signing of Asomugha? For the first time, Philadelphia has a team who has an insatiable desire to win in the Phillies.
This year, after the acquistion of pitching ace Cliff Lee who they signed as a free agent and joined arguably the best pitcher
in both leagues, Roy "Doc" Halladay, the Phillies joined the Yankees and Red Sox as the teams with the "Win
it all or bust" mantra. The Sixers are emerging and have a young, exciting team that is a superstar away from competing
with the NBA powerhouses. The Eagles are a perennial playoff team, but no Super Bowl rings to show for it. With
a reborn Michael Vick, a dynamic receiving corp, and strong defense, the Eagles seem poised to make a strong "run for
the ring." The addition of Asomugha not only prevented their division rival Dallas Cowboys from significantly upgrading
their secondary, the addition stopped the Jets from having the best defense in the league. (Two shut-down corners on
the same team will manufacture a pass rush!)
But this free-agent pick up was as much about keeping pace with the
Phillies as it was the Cowboys and Jets. The expectations for the Eagles are high. The lowest of expectations
have the Eagles in the Conference finals. The more moderate expectations have the Eagles getting to the Super Bowl.
However, there are more than a few who expect the Eagles to add the Vince Lombardi trophy to their case. And that was
before the acquisition of Asomugha.
But there are other teams that have a similar craving; the Packers, Saints,
Bears, and Falcons have Super Bowl aspirations. You can add the Dallas Cowboys to the list because they are feeling
the pressure from the Dallas Mavericks' victory. And if the Phillies win the World Series, then the Eagles must
bring home the hardware. The rabid Philly fan base won't be satisfied with just one title. And the Eagles
know it.
THE TIGER'S TAIL/TALE June 20, 2011 (New
York) No Tiger Woods. To a lesser degree, No Phil Mickleson. Result, poor television ratings. Even
though upstart golfer Rory McIlroy staged a miraculous performance, this year's U.S. Open failed to resonate with
the television audience. Golf could not ride Tiger's tail which makes Tiger's tale all the
more compelling. Is he done? Is golf done?
Yesterday's overnight rating for the fourth and
final round of the U.S. Open was 5.1, down a whopping 26% from last year's 6.9 rating for the same event. This precipitous
drop was probably fueled by McIlroy's huge lead going into the last round and no other golfer seemed ready to mount a
serious challenge to him. However, we can balance this assertion with McIlroy's collapse in the final round of the
Master's this past April. In the mind of some, "Once a choker..."
Tiger, who undoubtably was
watching the Open, had to be a "mixed bag" of emotions. It had to be killing him to spectate. Was he
watching his successor? Does the emergence of McIlroy signal the end of one of the greatest runs in sports--Woods'
run? Woods made $60 million dollars in endorsements over the past year. When his endorsement deals run out, will
advertisers still covet him? Will he be able to regain his winning form? A penny, no a dollar for his thoughts.
What about other advertisers who don't have Tiger as an endorser but who benefit from the eyeballs he brings to
the television sets? What about the networks who pay exorbitant media rights to showcase these events? What about
the PGA who doesn't want the sport to go back to "Pre-Tiger" popularity? What about the manufacturers
of golf apparel and equipment? What about the golf pros who charge, in some cases, ungodly amounts of money for
an hour lesson? What about the country clubs that were able to capitalize on the Tiger craze? Golf rides Tiger's
tail.
But then there is Tiger's tale. His story. His legacy. He's in his mid-thirties
which doesn't make him old in terms of golf, but he is middle-aged. His recent run-ins with injury have been getting
progressively worse. He comes back, probably too soon, from injury. He may not be able to overtake Jack Nicholas
in Major wins. He has lost his intimidating aura like Mike Tyson did after his loss to Buster Douglas. He may
miss his ex-wife. He definitely misses his children.
The young "turks" of golf see him has toothless.
At 22, McIlroy sees 20 maybe even 25 majors in his sights. He's probably figuring he can average winning two majors
a year for the next ten years. He doesn't see yesterday's victory as earth shattering. He knows he can
play better--much better. He believes he will never "choke" away a lead like what happened at the Masters.
He knows that Mickleson's magic is gone--Poof. He knows that he's better than his chronological peers.
He fears no one coming up. He fears no one who is a veteran on the circuit.
There are some who are annointing
McIlroy. "The Tiger is dead. Long live the Tiger." It might be premature. We may be having
another conversation by this time next year. Or, we may be witnessing the changing of the guard--or should I say Tiger?
Can golf ride McIlroy's tail? And the better question is, what will be McIlroy's tale?
OFF THE BALL: BASEBALL PLAYERS LAG IN ENDORSEMENTS June 17, 2011 (New York) Rapper Jim Jones did the song, "Ballin'" (a.k.a. We Fly High)--big hit, (check
it out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L2JfY-nVaqg). Guess who's not Ballin'? Baseball players--at least when it comes to getting endorsements.
When someone says, "You're on the ball" it is a compliment that indicates your astute, sharp, knowledgeable,
or just plain got it going on. So, the question is: What does it mean to be "off the ball?" In terms
of baseball players getting endorsement deals, they are "off the ball." Numbers can be painfully truthful--but they
can also lie. Here are the numbers, so you decide.
Sports Illustrated has an article listing
the 50 highest earning athletes in the U.S.(check out article via the link http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/specials/fortunate50-2011/?sct=hp_t2_a6&eref=sihp). The article breaks down earnings based on salary and endorsements. Fifteen Major League Baseball (MLB) players
made the list--30%. Not bad. The total endorsement earnings for MLB players is just under $27 million ($26,925,000).
If you want perspective, Tiger's endorsement take: $60 million. Phil Mickleson's endorsement take: $57 million.
Lebron's endorsement take: $30 million.
Are you kidding me, baseball?
Let's put the baseball
endorsements in further perspective. Derek Jeter's endorsement take: $10 million. Albert Pujols' endorsement
take: $8 million. Alex Rodriguez's endorsement take: $4 million. Do the math. That's $22 million.
Here's insult to injury: Ryan Howard gets $1.5 million. He's the only other player raking in a million plus
in endorsement money. Throw in his $1.5 million and the four of them total $23.5 million or 87.2% of the endorsement
earnings of the MLB players on the list. (The endorsement earnings for the remaining 11 players is $3,425,000, or less
than 13%.)
Why is baseball "lagging" behind even though it has the enviable position of being "America's
Favorite Pastime?" In an earlier article, we detailed how baseball "lagged" behind in terms of Facebook
followers. When the article was written last month, the NBA had 8.6 million followers, MMA had 5.3 million followers,
the NFL had 3.1 million followers, the NHL had 1.6 million followers, and MLB??? A paltry 400,000.
We also
pointed out in another article that baseball scheduled an interleague series between the Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox at
Fenway park. The last times these two teams played in Fenway was 1918. What was the rush? MLB couldn't
have waited another 7 years and had them meet in 2018? (Provided the two teams didn't face each other in the World Series.)
Great marketing opportunity down the drain. That is why the MLB Commissioner, Bud Selig, is referred to as "Dud"
Selig.
The sport continues to "lag" behind. Baseball does not promote its younger stars effectively.
Baseball fails miserably when it come to encouraging "inner city youth" to partake in the sport. African
American participation in the sport is dwindling. Baseball is the undisputed "King" of Fantasy Leagues.
What a tremendous advantage. Robust Fantasy League participation indicates that fans have a strong familiarity with
the players. You have a league where many of the fans can name most of the players and even tell you how the player
is doing statistically. Baseball is the sport that has more meaningful statistics than any other sport.
If
you lived in New York during the late 1970s, Catfish Hunter had endorsement deals. So did Luis Tiant. And Reggie
Jackson--he had a candy bar named after him; and in the 1980s, Panasonic VCR's (called Omnivision and introduced
in 1980) were nicknamed "ReggieVision." Gone are the days when baseball players were as cool, as colorful,
and as charasmatic as players in other sports.
Baseball is too "buttoned up." Too "square."
Too "lame." Too "corny." Not the players, the league executives and the team owners.
Here's a perfect indication as to how baseball is "lagging" behind in terms of its thought process: the powers
that be "Dud" and the owners, don't want Marc Cuban, owner of the newly crowned N.B.A. champions, Dallas Mavericks.
Do you know the kind of cross-promotional strategies that he would use to invigorate a franchise? Do you know what he
would do for the Dodgers or Mets?
Here's the endorsement income for the other 11 players: Prince Fielder $250,000;
Josh Beckett $400,000; Roy Oswalt $500,000; A.J. Burnett $275,000; Barry Zito $100,000; Roy Halladay $250,000; Carl Crawford
$500,000; Mark Teixer $250,000; Vernon Wells $250,000; Joe Mauer $750,000; and C.C. Sabathia $800,000.
As long
as the sport continues to play "Buddy (Bud Selig) Ball" instead of "Money Ball" the players will "lag"
behind and be "off the ball."
KOBE "BROWNED" OUT
LAKERS DOWN WITH (MIKE) BROWN
May 26, 2011 (New York) Kobe didn't give his blessings, but that didn't stop the Lakers from hiring
ESPN analyst and former Cleveland Cavaliers' coach Mike Brown. Kobe may not be pleased with the coach selection or process.
The Lakers are a better soap opera than the Yankees. Mike Brown is the "Anti-Phil." Brown is
defense, and Phil is offense. Brown is no frills, and Phil is thrills and frills. Brown is a get-by, get-along
type guy, and Phil is a ruffle-your-feathers type guy. Brown has zero rings, and Phil has more rings than fingers (plus,
he has been dating the boss's daughter).
It seems the Lakers were delighted that Phil left "La-La Land." Big contract, more power than
any coach, not-so-good relationship with commissioner (David Stern) and things we'll never know about make Phil a tough "Pill"
for Laker management to swallow.
Long-time Lakers' fan, Kyle Greene, told me he heard rumblings but didn't think the Lakers would actually
do it. Greene said last night that Byron Scott has to be the "Biggest Loser" in all of this. Scott doesn't get
Lebron and doesn't get the Lakers. He is in Cleveland, not Los Angeles, coaching a lottery team. Scott should
have sat out a year and did commentary (like Brown). The Lakers would have probably made him Phil's successor.
The Lakers have a few problem areas, team unity, age, speed, etc. I don't believe Kobe has fallen
off even though his mileage is high, but Fisher's better days have "gone and gone." Artest seems to be very content
with one ring. Bynum's health will always be a concern. Gasol "may be having girl problems, Son." Odom has transitioned
from southern Queens to southern California in more ways than just mere geography.
For the Lakers to not "consult" Kobe had to be a blow to his ego. At this stage in his career and
as a longstanding member of the team, you think they would have asked him about Brown. Maybe they knew he'd have problems
with Brown's hiring. Maybe they didn't care. Either way, they've ticked off their very tempermental superstar.
When asked last night if he spoke to Kobe, Brown said that he tweeted him. That tells you
all you need to know. The relationship between coach and superstar is already strained.
As a coach who won "Coach of the Year" and led his team to the Finals, should we feel for Brown who has
inherited a tough circumstance (disgruntled superstar, space cadet and volatile role-player in Artest, and wanna-be celeb
tv star in Odom)? No, Brown signed on.
Brown wanted to be down with the Lakers, so he's down with the Lakers. But if he can't right the Good
ship La-La, Brown will not only be down, he won't be around.
GO DADDY, I MEAN DANICA
DANICA PATRICK WILL "GO" FOR THE MONEY
May 24, 2011 (New York) Looks like Danica Patrick, the Go-Daddy-Femme Fatale Indy car driver, is
moving to Nascar in 2012 and the Sprint Cup Series in 2013.
Danica has a preference for oval racing though she is partial to the Indy 500--but her star power demands
that she be on the biggest stage possible. And so does the money. Danica's earnings from June 2009 - June 2010
were "only" $12 million which doesn't compare quite favorably to the Jeff Gordons ($26.9 million), Jimmie Johnsons ($23 million),
and Michael Schumachers ($28 million) of the world. In all fairness, they win more than Danica, but she is a marketing
machine.
Racing is racing is racing, but if you're going to race, race for dough, not for show. No doubt, Danica,
who is approaching 30, knows that she has to make moves. She will pick up more sponsors, and Go Daddy.com will follow
her to the ends of the earth. Look for her to "re-work" her deal with Go Daddy since her leverage is substantial.
Who can blame Danica for "Going" for the money. Go Daddy (I mean Danica)--Go!
CHRIS BOSH'S M.O. (Marketing Opportunity)
CHRIS NEEDS TO PUT THE KA-BOSH ON THE BULLS
May 23, 2011 (New York) It's time for Chris Bosh to get even more Bullish. That's because
as the "third fiddle" he can't get endorsements.
Despite the "Hate the Heat Produced" Lebron James has the best-selling jersey in the league, and he has
endorsement deals with Nike, State Farm Insurance, and McDonald's. Not bad. Wade's commercials are popular,
and he's as charitable as ever. That leaves Bosh. Since joining the Heat, Bosh seems to be the one left
out in the cold. Not that advertisers were knocking down his door when he played in another country, (Canada) for another
team (Raptures). His joining Wade and Bron-Bron was as much about marketing opportunities as it was championship opportunities.
Miami was supposed to open up doors and be his portal to Madison Avenue.
Unfortunately, Bosh'ss uninspiring and indecisive play has damaged his public image. Nick names like
"Bosh Spice" and references like "Two and a half Men" have not only conspired to hurt his reputation as a ball player;
it has hurt his endorsement opportunities. However, after three games in the Eastern Conference Finals, Bosh has come
alive on the offensive and defensive ends. He's the Heat's leading scorer against the Bulls, and it seems that if Bosh
plays well, the Bulls' chances of winning are bleak.
Bosh must continue to play well. He has a very, how should we say, "uneven season" to erase.
Fortunately for him, we live in a "what have you done lately" world. If he continues to be the scoring force for this
series, he'll end up as the Conference Finals MVP. Not bad.
If his play continues to be strong during the NBA Finals, and the Heat win, he will sure to get plenty of
endorsement deals. But that's somewhat premature. A 2-1 Heat advantage guarantees nothing. The Heat must
close out the Bulls in spectacular fashion first. Then, they must dispense with the Western Conference Finals winner.
So, Bosh needs a different M.O. An M.O. that's about developing his brand. For Bosh, he needs
to redefine M.O. so it stands for Marketing Opportunity. And if Bosh puts the "Ka-Bosh" on the Bulls, that will put
him on par with Wade and Bron-Bron.
Don't be surprised if you see the trio on a Wheaties Box as well as an ESPN Sports Center ad.
That will take him from "also ran" to "brand."
JUST SAY NO???ANTI SAME-SEX AD ON BULLS-HEAT TNT BROADCAST
May 18, 2011 (New York) That's a whole lotta cheddar. It's not chump change to advertise on TNT during the
Conference Finals. It's on like hot buttered popcorn.
Tonight, there was an ad during the Heat-Bulls game. Interesting ad to say the least. The ad said,
"Say no to Same Sex Marriage."
In sports marketing, there are two major domains. One is the marketing of sports, and the other is marketing
through sports. When you utilize a "sports overlay" (meaning something sports-related) to promote a non-sports product/service
or message, that's marketing through sports. This ad is not for a sports product, but it aired during a very prominent
televised sporting event.
Does this touch off an advertising war between pro-gay marriage and anti-gay marriage forces? Guess
who hopes so? TNT is laughing--all the way to the bank.
There's no business, like sports business.
WWE Looks to put the Smackdown on the NFL
May 17, 2011 (New York) There's at least one multi-millionaire who is mustering his prayer power to keep
the NFL strike going, and his name is Vince McMahon. For those of you who don't know, McMahon heads one of the most
popular and lucrative sports-entertainment franchises: The WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).
A few years back when broadcast network ABC had Monday Night Football, WWE's Monday Night Raw was puttin'
a good ol' fashion hurtin' on the signature football program that transformed how football was covered. Monday Night
Football was stylistic. It was hip. It was unpredictable. The games were watchable. You'd stay up
late to watch a blowout just so you could hear the venerable Dandy Don Meredith sing, "Turn out the Lights." Howard
Cosell did commentary during halftime where the highlights of the previous day were shown. Cosell would say, "The balloons
go up in Minnesota..." in his signature drawl, and you'd get goosebumps. You simply did not go against Monday Night
Football if you wanted to attract males aged 9 to 99.
Monday Night Football started to lose some of its appeal in the mid-eighties, and by the nineties,
it was a different show entirely. Enter WWE. They parked their car right in front of the NFL's driveway.
The sign said, "No Parking" but they couldn't give a ... They said, "Call the police, parking violations,
the U.S. Military, and your grandma, we're here to stay."
The WWE captured a generation of 8 to 18 year olds during that period. Suddenly, ABC had to cut its
losses and Monday Night Football was no longer on free tv. A crime! As the NFL evolved into the "No Fun League" WWE
seized the opportunity to be sophmoric, brash, and controversial. They ended up "jacking" the NFL.
The most exciting score a touchdown, dance and shake your tamborine, get funky with it, get down with your
bad self endzone "performer" was Billy Whiteshoes Johnson. There is nothing in sports more exciting than a Cosell commentary
of a Whiteshoes' touchdown--complete with endzone "foots-ti-cuffs." I'm gonna go ol' school on you now. Not
a New York Nets Dr. J jam-on-it dunk, not an Ali shuffle, not a Flo Jo outfit, not a Sugar Ray Leonard flurry, not a Reggie
Jackson moonshot, not a Jimmy Connor's fist pump, not a Pistol Pete Maravich between the legs dribble, not an Earl the Pearl
the Pro Monroe spin move, not a Walt Clyde Frazier behind-the-back pass, not a Tom Seaver rising fastball to end the
game with the camera shaking (got that from Kyle Greene), not a Dave Parker throw to home plate, not a George Foreman second-round
demolition, not a Brooks Robinson stab at third base, not a Pete Rose head-first dive into home plate (another one from
Kyle Greene), not a Harmon Killebrew swing (rest in peace), not an Elvin Hayes three-dribble turnaround fadeaway off the glass,
not a McCovey stretch, not a Philadelphia 76ers Bobby Jones slam, not a George Gervin finger roll from the foul line (another
one from Kyle Greene), not a (you fill in the blank!)--nothing, and I mean nothing beats a Cosell commentary of a Billy Whiteshoes
Johnson touchdown--complete with endzone "foots-ti-cuffs."
(Sorry for getting carried away, but I got a "hot flash-back.")
Back to the business at hand. An NFL strike is dangerous. More dangerous than the owners and
players realize. Football's popularity is at an all-time high. McMahon is looking for a crack, an opportunity.
Wrestling is nothing more than a fight soap opera. A few Mondays of no football and tell me if those young, energetic
males won't switch to Monday Night Raw and then Friday Night Smackdown.
Be careful Roger Goodell. Be careful NFLPA. What are you going to do when McMahon and the WWE
put the SMACKDOWN on you??? Brother!
TIGER WOODS WITHDRAWS
By Professor Clifford Benton
May 11, 2011 (New York) Tiger Woods withdraws from The Players Championship after playing just nine wholes
in the first round. Woods has not played since the Masters--and probably practiced very little if at all.
He was a "God awful" 6 over and triple bogeyed the seventh hole. Woods' aura of invincibility diminished
rather quickly, and at the present rate, so will his legacy. Like Tyson's.
The ultimate blow will be if sponsors drop him, not due to his image, but because he is not seen as a viable
golfer who can win tournaments.
Our advice--get healthy. And when Woods feels that he's ready to go, wait an additional month before
returning.
It's his choice. He can come back strong or he can come back wrong.
HEAT MUST WIN: JUST NOT TONIGHT!
By Professor Clifford Benton
May 10, 2011 (New York) If your David Stern, NBA Commissioner, you want the Celtics to win tonight.
Not because you have green blood in your veins and a heart shaped like a shamrock. It's because you want this series
to go seven. The second largest media market just happens to be on the West side of town (as in Los Angeles).
And even though Kyle Greene posed the hypothetical question: Can the Lakers come back from an 0-4 deficit?, the "sexiest"
NBA Finals matchup was aborted.
The team with the most cache on the East side of town is My-Am-Me! They boast the Big Two and a Half,
Mr. Slickback (Pat Riley), and no state taxes. Durant and Westbrook are "the next" provided Westbrook doesn't suffer
from acute Stephon-Marbury-itis, but there's a world of difference from being "the next" to being "the now." See Bron-Bron
and Wade. That's a one-one, not one-two, punch.
The ratings for the NBA Finals were tremendous last year--Lakers vs. Celtics (can't miss). Lakers
vs. Heat (even better). With the best two matchups improbable (unless the Lakers can come back from an 0-4 deficit),
it's about the Heat vs. Whoever.
Stern's biggest fear: Hawks (Atlanta) vs. Grizzlies (Memphis)--a ratings nightmare.
The hated Heat must get to the Finals; however, to-night would be to-early.
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