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A Case Study of a Potential 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Cape Town
2008-03-10 04:19:00
With International Olympic Committee (IOC) expected to announce the selection of Cape Town , South Africa to host the 2016 Olympic Games , the American broadcast networks must recognize how this decision might impact them. First, the general issues of American network coverage of the event will be stated. Next, the challenges of holding the games in South Africa will be mentioned, as well as its direct effect on the American media. Finally, a strategy for obtaining exclusive television rights and broadcasting the event will be developed. General issues of American network coverage of the Olympic Games Television was first introduced to the Olympics in the Berlin Games 1936, where footage was broadcasted locally throughout the city reaching approximately 162,000 residents, (Toohey, 2007). The Olympics were unique in that respect as major sports leagues were fearful that new technologies would negatively affect attendance. Perhaps the reason this was not an issue was th...
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Steroids in modern sport
2008-03-03 20:08:00
With the release of former Senator George Mitchell’s report on the issue of performance enhancing drugs in baseball it is time for a new perspective on the topic. Major League Baseball (MLB) went from virtually no steroid policy in 2003 when Steve Belcher was found dead during spring training (Pound, 2006), to todays finger pointing and firm denials. Players like Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens are publicly reprimanded for using substances such as Tetrahydrogestrinone (THG) or Human Growth Hormone (HGH), (Fainaru-Wada, 2006) But why are these substances illegal in baseball and those who use them treated as harshly as convicted felons? Shoemaker lists three standard arguments why sports should be cleansed of all steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. First, that these drugs are unnatural ways to achieve performances that should be unobtainable. Secondly, performance-enhancing drugs give those who use them an unfair advantage over those who are clean....
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$39.95 million man?
2007-04-25 04:21:00
That’s almost $10 million for each DL trip for the Yankees’ Carl Pavano, and $8 million per win. If you count the two losses against that’s over $13 million per win. The veteran starter is perhaps the worst free agent signing of all time. In 2004 he pitched the year of his life, winning 18 with the Marlins while posting a 3.00 ERA. Before that he was a forth or fifth starter for both Florida and the Montreal Expos, and even with his 2004 campaign he compares statistically with players such as Art Mahaffey, Joel Pineiro, Vicente Padilla and of course Rodrigo Lopez. He’ll make $8 million this year, which means the win he got April 9th will be about it for the season. The only signing that was as bad as Pavano’s might be when Vince Coleman signed with the Mets in 1991. He did steal 37 bases with an OBP of .347 that year, and had two more like it in 1992 and 1993, but never was the Hall of Fame bound base stealer he was in St. Louis. Coleman may have cost the Mets more ga...
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What's Wrong with A-Rod?
2007-04-25 02:27:00
The 30 year old Yankees third baseman is about to set a record for homers in April. His stats project to easily win the Triple Crown and he hasn’t struggled at the hot corner. At this rate he’ll hit .400 with 126 home runs and 309 RBIs. So what’s wrong? He’s not the Golden Boy. As Barry Bonds inches closer to Hank Aaron’s record everyone in baseball should be cheering on A-Rod… well, except for Boston. He’s the only player that has the ability to challenge both Barry’s single season record (although that’s very unlikely) and Aaron’s career mark. He’s only 30, plays for baseball’s most publicized team, and has never been accused of taking anything remotely considered a performance-enhancing substance. Despite that he maybe the best all-around player since Willie last patrolled centerfield. Remember he won two Gold Gloves over Jeter when he was in Texas? His assault on baseball’s haloed records would remove (or at least disguise) any asterisks from the...
More About: Wrong

NFL Draft
2007-04-16 21:50:00
The most important player in this years draft was picked in 2002. A third round pick by the Cardinals, Josh McCown has been a backup and spot-starter for Arizona and Detroit for the past 5 seasons and it has been rumored for about a month that he will be traded from the Lions to the Oakland Raiders who hold the number one pick this year. The transfer would probably cost Oakland a 3rd round pick and would have been done already if Detroit didn't hold the number two pick. Having a veteran QB on their roster would allow the Raiders to pass over both JaMarcus Russell and Brady Quinn and select Georgia Tech WR Calvin Johnson, the best receiver prospect to come out of college this millennium. Oakland would then choose between Stanford QB Trent Edwards and Michigan State's Drew Stanton with their second pick, number 33 overall. At last month's NFL Combine scout drooled as college players went throughout workouts. I never like it when a player who struggled in college, but runs a grea...
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Hey Cleveland: Got Snow?
2007-04-11 03:24:00
Yankee fans are so ridiculous. Alex Rodriguez is not Jeter, blah blah blah. Anybody actually see the at-bat when he hit the Grand Slam? Baltimore closer Chris Ray thew the same pitch 3 times. The first two he hit his spot, low and outside, and A-Rod swung and missed both times. 0-2 count and Ray throws it again, but got to much plate and it ended up beyond the rightfield wall. If that pitch is an inch lower or outside its a strikeout and A-Rods the goat again. Check it out on YouTube... oh wait, you can't because MLB wants to protect its copyrighted content that is shown on ESPN 150 times a day. Ask a Yankee fan what happened and he'll say that Alex did his job this time, but he'll still choke come October.Speaking of the Bronx Zoo, Brian Cashman better hope it was the cold thwarted his starting pitching. Not one quality start against the Orioles? Lets see what happens when they play a team that can hit. I know its too soon to panic, when you have to recall a 27 year old career m...
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Imus in the Morning
2007-04-11 02:49:00
I love how ridiculous people are.If you haven't heard (who am I kidding?) Don Imus made his 235th bad racist joke last week. ESPN is covering it 24/7 because it was targeted at their feel-good story of the week, the Rutgers women's basketball team. Outside the Line's Bob Levy questioned why New York papers where slow to react to the comment. They are too smart to take a guy who argues with Howard Stern for ratings seriously. Well, the national coverage awakened Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson who have called for Imus's removal. CBS radio broke down and gave Imus two weeks off, then he'll come back and have higher ratings and everything will calm down.L.A. Times Columnist Bill Plaschke was outraged on ESPN's Around the Horn, questioning how people allow "hate to further in this country." Hey, guess what? We've always hated people and always will, you better get used to it. A better question is how people allow hate to further in the media, because thats all people care about. If...
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Chasing Aaron
2007-04-05 21:09:00
Is every home run Barry Bonds hits this year going to be like this one? If I remember correctly number 735 doesn't get you anything. I know he's the only reason to watch the Giants this year but this is ridiculous. Talk about Craig Biggio's run for 3,000 hits or the Devil Rays talent-loaded outfield. There are much bigger and better things happening this season, which might be the most competitive and exciting season in years. When is the last time someone admired Tampa's lineup? Alex Gordon is the hottest prospect to come into the league since A-Rod and the Milwaukee Brewers may have the best team in their division. This is what I want to hear about. Tell me about Bonds when he hits 750, not 736 or 737. Who cares if Bug Selig will attend a game that may happen months from now? I want to hear someone critiquing Alfonso Soriano in centerfield or even the mayor of Cincinnati doing his best Rick Ankiel impression. That must have been staged. How can someone not be able to throw a b...
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The World Champions
2007-04-04 02:37:00
The 2007 season has begun and its back to reality for the St. Louis Cardinals. The magical postseason performances of Jeff Suppan and Jeff Weaver are long gone and the team that remains is simple not that good. David Eckstein has somehow become one of the best at his position, and remember his subpar season that last year was partially due to injury. There 3-4-5 hitters rival any AL team when healthy, but Jim Edmonds was on and off the DL most of last season and is 37 this year. His 1.000 OPS years are long gone. Albert Pujols is constantly one of the top 5 hitters in baseball and Scott Rolen is well on his way to Cooperstown, but after them there lineup is weak. They have about 5 platoon players between left and rightfield and they are average at second and behind the plate. Outside of Cy Young contender Chris Carpenter, their rotation is a disaster waiting to happen. Kip Wells is your average 3rd or 4th starter and Anthony Reyes is decent, but Braden Looper is a middle reliever wh...
More About: World , Champions , The World , Champion , Cham

MLB Postseason Predictions
2007-04-02 22:51:00
Since I'm too lazy to breakdown every division, I'll just reveal my playoff predictions.ALEastBostonNY YankeesTorontoTampa BayBaltimoreCentralChicagoCleveland*Detro itMinnesotaKansas CityWestTexasOaklandLA AngelsSeattleNLEastNY MetsAtlantaPhiladelphiaFloridaWashingtonC entralMilwaukeeSt. LouisChicagoHoustonPittsburghCincinnatiWe stSan DiegoArizona*LA DodgersColoradoSan Francisco* Wild CardALDSChicago over TexasBoston over ClevelandNLDSNY Mets over ArizonaSan Diego over MilwaukeeALCSBoston over ChicagoNLCSNY Mets over San DiegoWorld SeriesBoston over NY MetsYes, I know I originally picked Detroit to win the AL Wild Card, but I changed my mind.
More About: Predictions , Postseason , Seas , Predict

AL Central Preview
2007-03-31 23:18:00
5. Kansas City Royals 40 year old GM prodigy Dayton Moore was supposed to stay in Atlanta and become heir apparent to the legend that is John Schuerholz. A middle-market club with a strong fan base and great history, the Braves would have been a solid job with wiggle room. Then the Boston offered Moore their GM job during the Theo Esptein hiatus. The Sox are major-market team with an even better history and arguably the best fan base in baseball. Moore withdrew himself as a candidate, and later was hired the General Manager of the Kansas City Royals, one of the worst teams in baseball. Why did he turn down two great jobs for the Royals? Two reasons: 1. He’s a homer Moore grew up in Kansas City and vividly remembers the team’s heyday in the 80’s. 2. He has a plan He convinced stingy ownership to raise the payroll from $47 million to $60 million this year and has a plan outlined to draw 2 million fans yearly and support a payroll of $80 million, roughly the p...
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AL East Preview
2007-03-29 18:41:00
5. Baltimore Orioles Many placed blame for the Orioles bad pitching last year on the World Baseball Classic, as their team ERA got substantially better after the break. But going from a 6.77 to a 4.76 is still not acceptable against the best offensive division in baseball. In the offseason management spent millions upgrading the Bullpen and there starters do have some talent, Erik Bedard is a legitimate ace. They do have the best pitching in the division after the Red Sox, there problems lie on offense. They have high hopes for free agent Aubrey Huff, but he’s just a .270 hitter who is best valued as a left-handed sub off the bench. Baltimore wants him to protect Miguel Tejada, who will be on another team by August. Best case scenario: Huff remembers 2004 and Tejada becomes an MVP candidate. Leo Mazzone works wonders with their new bullpen and Daniel Cabrera finally meets his potential giving them two aces. Boston or New York falls apart and gives them a shot at the ...
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No More Theismann
2007-03-26 23:20:00
ESPN is changing the booth for Monday Night Football, finally ridding themselves of Joe Theism ann. The former Redskins QB was unfortunately the worst color commentator I've ever heard in football. I didn't like Dennis Miller in the booth, but Tony Kornheiser was a great addition last year despite not having a great football background. Despite this he soon proved more knowledgeable than Theismann although he never took control from his counterpart, always differing in disagreements. Theismann will be replaced by ESPN analyst Ron Jaworski, also a Super Bowl quarterback with the Eagles. "Jaws" is respected comentator and has done a great job breaking down game tape for Sportscenter and NFL Live.
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2007 Baseball Season
2007-03-25 23:14:00
I hate making predictions. This is mostly because when I get things wrong, well I get them really wrong. (Example: Michigan State in the Final Four) Makes me feel like an idiot Bad for the self-esteem But today Google gave me some special insight, supposively I’m feeling lucky. So here’s my prediction: This upcoming baseball season will be the most exciting and surprising since that down-to-the-wire 1887 finale. Why? Because the players will smell better According to MLB.com New Era has changed the baseball cap from the 50 year old wool model to a new breathable polyester material. The cap has already received rave reviews throughout spring training and that wonderful dugout smell will soon be long gone. Here’s a bunch more stuff to look for when opening day rolls around: He’s overshadowed by NL MVP Ryan Howard, but Chase Utley is quietly becoming one of the best hitting second baseman, ever. The knock on him use to be that he ...
More About: Baseball , Season , Ball , Seas , Base

Why Kobe is the MVP
2007-03-23 21:41:00
In an NBA season highlighted by two teams utterly dominating in the regular season the MVP race has become a two man race, but now Kobe Bryant is putting up stats that can't be ignored. Dirk Nowitzki is the leader of the NBA's best team, the Dallas Mavericks. The 28 year old German is a freak of nature and is the number one reason the Mavs 56-11 record. Nowitzki is 7ft tall, and yet has the quickness to play all three forward positions and is probably shoots better than any other big man in NBA history.He averages 37.0 minutes, 25.2 points, 9.6 rebounds, and 3.5 assists. Fan favorite Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash is the reigning MVP for the second straight year. He leads the most exciting offensive attack in the league and the Suns are the only team anywheres near Dallas with a 52-16 record.Nash averages 35.4 minutes, 19.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 11.6 assists. All this hype is great for the NBA and it will be a shock to see anyone other then the Mavs and the Suns in the We...

No Al Wilson to the Giants
2007-03-23 06:17:00
The trade is still just a rumor and New York isn't the only one trying for the Linebacker as it is rumored the Detroit and Philadelphia are also interested
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The Schaub Trade
2007-03-23 01:31:00
What are the Texans thinking?Today they traded two 2nd round picks and swapped 1st rounders for the Falcons backup QB Matt Schaub. Schaub, the 3rd year veteran out of Virginia is highly regarded around the league and is brought up whenever Mike Vick throws three picks. The problem is that the Texans already have millions invested in franchise QB David Carr, the team's first draft pick five years ago. Carr has been criticized for the Texan's losing seasons, but perennially leads the league in a quarterback's least favorite stat... getting sacked. For 4 out of the last 5 years Houston has had the worst Offensive Line in the NFL, and would have made it 5 straight if it wasn't for the Cardinal's effort last year. Between that and a poor defense the Texans wouldn't have won 9 games with Montana AND Marino. David Carr can be a very good quarterback as he lead the league in completion percentage for most of last season and posted a passer rating better than All-Pros Eli Manning, Matt...
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Al Wilson to the Giants?
2007-03-23 01:07:00
Adam Schefter of NFL.com is reporting rumors that Pro Bowl Linebacker Al Wilson may be traded from the Denver Broncos to the New York Giants . (http://www.nfl.com/nflnetwork/story/1008 0863) This is one of the more interesting developments in the NFL offseason, as the Giants are in desperate need of 'backers after cutting starters LaVar Arrington and Carlos Emmons. New York does have a Pro Bowl Middle Linebacker in Antonio Pierce and one would have to move to the outside in the Giants' 4-3 defense. The Broncos are looking to move the younger and cheaper D.J. Williams inside, which will force them to play Nate Webster and look for a promising backup in the mid-to-late rounds of the NFL draft next month. It will probably take more than a second round pick to pry Wilson from Denver, my guess is a 2nd rounder and either a 6th or 7th rounder. Both Wilson and Pierce are the leaders of their respective defenses and it will be interesting to see how they get along.
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Goodbye Air and Space
2007-03-23 01:00:00
“There are two kinds of people: those who are comfortable being naked in front of strangers and those who feel self-conscious in their own shower.” (1) These immortal words came from Steve Rushin, former columnist for Sports Illustrated and one of my favorite sportswriters. When I opened my crisp new SI today I stopped and pondered over a Hyundai ad for a minute or two. I stared at the red SUV not because I was enamored that it has 4 cup holders and 6 airbags, but because it was taking the space of one of my weekly pastimes, “Steve Rushin’s Air and Space .” It all began on a summer evening years back in the Adirondacks of New York. My parents had recently decided to upgrade me from SI for Kids and opened the magazine by the fire after a long drive. I don’t remember the subject of that first column and (thankfully) I happen to be separated from my 5 ton SI archive, so I can’t tell you what hooked me, but I can tell you that Air and Space was a main reason I checked th...
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New New Years
2007-03-22 02:03:00
You know that holiday when the whole world stays up past midnight to see a ball "drop" from a building in Times Square? That day when everyone makes promises that they keep for the maximum of one month. Ring a bell? But why is New Year s in January? Well, as March winds down I propose a change to the calendar we've been using for... well awhile. Right now New Years poses a problem for the sporting world, as many Pro and College Sports have seasons that are disrupted by the random placement of New Years. Former NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and 'That Dude Who Runs The BCS' have recently cited this issue as a problem when their leagues paid their annual taxes. (1) So what do we do?Well, February and March are obviously the worst months of the year because there is no Professional baseball OR football. As everyone knows this period drags on forever...........This period is marred by crappy weather and melting snow which makes the entire world muddy. For these and other reasons I...
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