Money Hungry

How can you not settle on 9 billion dollars? That's the amount of money that the NFL has to split between the owners and the players. On March 15 and 17 we talked about sport and economics. Sport organizations generate billions of dollars because of things like TV contracts, media rights, and apparel rights. The big problem is when their agreements are up and they receive more money how do they manage to get themselves in a jam. it seems as if both sides are getting greedy and are making it very hard to split up 9 billion dollars. The players and owners have been in a heavy dispute since the labor contract expired back in FFebruary. it has gotten to a point where the NFLPA is even trying to stop rookies from partaking in the NFL Draft. While some rookies won t go to the draft many others say they will because it's a dream come true to be there. Why is it so difficult for a organization that generates so much money to split up that money? Because they can not split up the money the league will face a lockout. The greed for money is costing the fans. While the players and the owners argue about their money they forget about the fans who pay to see them play on SSundays. Economic problem in sports destroys the game for the fans.



http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=6205936

Uncle Toms are the Thorn in Rose's Side

On April 5 and 7 we got the chance to talk about race and ethnicity. Since the release of Michigan Fab Five story in the ESPN 30 for 30 series, Jalen Roses comments about Duke and Coach K only recruiting "Uncle Toms" have been the topic of discussion in the media. The Fab five were the media big money maker back in the early 90's because the did exactly what no one wanted them to do. Rose and his Michigan freshman teammates were all from poor neighborhoods and Duke had black players like Grant Hill that were from well off families. Rose felt like Coach Kdidnt have interest in having players like himself. Roses comments were said to be racist and unnecessary. However, he has said numerous times that he does not feel that way currently, but that was just how he felt back when he was in school. Grant Hill and Coach K have both spoke out on his comments and defended their university and program. Roses comments were just a hint of racism in sport even though it may have been not intended to offend anyone but it is how he saw Duke at the time. The video above show Roses comments.

http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=6224395

http://msn.foxsports.com/collegebasketball/story/jalen-rose-clarifies-uncle-tom-comments-made-in-fab-five-documentary-031711

Too Hot 4 TV

On March 22 and 24 during class we focused on sport and the mass media. On the 24th we actually dug deep into sexism in the mass media relating to sport. the main question was why must women in sports present themselves in a sexy manner. The answer was simple... sex sells. because women are not as athletic and fun to watch as men the must appeal to the audience in a way that makes them interesting. That has even been the case with the worlds best female tennis player, Serena Williams. Williams has been the topic of discussion recently because of raunchy Topspin 4 trailer. The trailer has been banned and has caused quite a stir. Is sexism in sport however optimizing the way the mass media views all  women?  The fact that we must see women flaunt around in sexy outfits in order to become interested in the player they are is ridiculous but where would these women be without ads like the Topspin trailer. the video above highlights the controversy.

http://urswurve.com/2011/03/25/banned-serena-williams-top-spin-4-video-game-ad/

Technical Kyptonite

Its not a bird or a plane that you hear, that sound is the whistle of the referee giving Superman, Dwight Howard, another technical foul. This post again focuses on deviancein sport. Techinical fouls in the NBA are probably the worst penalty you can recieve. You have to outrageously violate the rules the obtain a technical and Superman has found his kryptonite. Dwight howard has rang up an astounding 18 techs this season. According to NBA rules you must serve a one game suspension once you hit 16 techs and you will receive a one game suspension for each one you receive after that. howard is hurting his teams chnances at success by receiving somany technical fouls. For some reason Superman must run his super mouth whenever he feels something isnt fair and it isnt working to his advangtage. The main question that arises is "what more can the NBA do to stop this problem?". The technical foul has become Howards kryptonite and he better change his ways soon or else he will kill his team during the upcoming NBA playoffs.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/627266-detroit-tigers-stevo-poulin-dwight-howard-and-saturdays-top-sports-buzz/entry/50833-dwight-howard-technical-fouls-are-supermans-only-weakness

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=6332282

Manny Being Manny?

During class on March 29 and 31 we focused on deviance in sport. Deviance in sport may come in various categories including Performance enhancing drug use to breaking direct rules of the game that the athlete may play. The biggest problem in modern day pro baseball is the use of P.E.D.'s. Many MLB players have been under the radar in recent years. The most successful players are normally the ones who are under the radar because of their jumps in statistical areas. Recently it has been reported that Manny Ramirez has retired because of his problem with P.E.D. use. Manny, who arguably has the biggest personality in baseball,   announced his retirement shortly after a positive test. P.E.D. use us the biggest act of deviance in pro sports. After a certain number of violations you can receive a lifetime ban. This was Manny's second time being caught and  he faced a 100 game suspension and the next violation would have been is lifetime ban. many people believed that he is taking the easy way out by avoiding his suspension but just being the old Manny that he is, he doesn't care what anyone of thinks of him and felt he did whats best for him. That's just Manny being Manny.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=6310125