Saturday, January 31, 2015

Nobody does the Super Bowl like the Worldwide Leader

ESPN is in Arizona (as is every other sports network) but they do it differently. I was fortunate enough to go to the "Super Bowl Boulevard" when the Super Bowl was held in the Meadowlands Arena in New Jersey and ESPN was allowed to shut down a whole strip of Broadway Avenue in New York City where they had lines and lines of people walking around and taking plenty of pictures and all or most of their football gasbags hosting their shows from Broadway. As air shots of Fashion Square in Arizona (where this year's Super Bowl is being held) where ESPN is located it seems like they have done the same thing in Arizona. It is fun and a good way for Arizona to capitalize even more than they have thanks to fans and tourists that have flocked to Arizona for the "big game".

I'm usually harsh on ESPN about the way they run things, but they do know how to throw a party. Especially when it comes to their favorite sport, football. All the red carpets are out and players that aren't in the game are their to voice their opinions and laying down the groundwork for a potential after playing career of TV work. If media week hasn't taught you anything it's that ESPN is the best way for football to promote it's product even more than even the NFL network can. Marshawn Lynch alone is probably going to make millions with his antics at media week and the way ESPN has helped promote his behavior. If it weren't for ESPN's repeated conversations about "deflategate" and Marshawn Lynch what stories would have come from the Super Bowl? I don't know.  

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

The Spurs of the East are for Sale

The Atlanta Hawks are the best team in the Eastern Conference and the same Atlanta Hawks are for sale. Before the season the general manager of the Hawks was willing to step down from his position with the Hawks over a racially insensitive email that had leaked, but ever since then the Hawks have just shot up to the top of the Eastern Conference with wins over the East and West Conference while winning 16 games in a row. The Hawks have a record of 12-2 against the Western Conference with wins over the Warriors, the Trail Blazers, the Clippers, and other playoff bound teams. The Hawks are the surprise of the NBA, since the teams that are usually favored have one or more super star and the Hawks don't necessarily have a super star.

It's a surprise that the Hawks are for sale. With the team being so successful this season and having gone to the playoffs 7 straight seasons one would think that the owner would like to stay in control. Not only are the Hawks for sale, but the whole ownership group is selling. The two main owners that own 50.1% of the Hawks decided to sell and the rest of the ownership group has followed suit. The biggest issue facing the Hawks is their attendance problem. The Hawks rank 22nd in the NBA in attendance averaging 16,471 fans per game, but with their new TV deal and the upcoming TV deal the NBA is going to sign with Turner/Disney there is definitely a profit to be made in Atlanta. The Hawks are going to make the playoffs and have beaten the Western Conference enough times to make me think of them as a legit contender. Now if I only had a billion dollars.

Monday, January 19, 2015

It's A Tiring Act

Marshawn Lynch known better as "Beast Mode" has an act where he feels like he doesn't have to talk to the media and thinks it's appropriate to grab his crotch when he scores a big touchdown. Personally, I'm over it. If Russell Wilson (his own quarterback), Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, or Aaron Rodgers the elite quarterbacks in the league have to sit down and talk to the media what makes Lynch so special? Lynch's excuse of anxiety when it comes to the media doesn't hold water since he's sat down and has been interviewed by ESPN for the show 30 for 30. Lynch is a great player in the NFL and it's worth a discussion that without him the Seahawks wouldn't be where they are now.

Lynch needs to grow up and instead of getting showered by skittles he should be avoiding fines and talking to the media and not grabbing his crotch. How much in fines is Lynch willing to pay for his antics? With his current contract situation up in the air with the Seahawks Lynch may find himself without a job, even though another team would definitely pick him up if the Seahawks do release him. I support the league fining Lynch for every one of his indiscretions; from their point of view the league can't have more players trying to act to like Marshawn Lynch. The league has corporate sponsors to worry about and if more players start acting out like Lynch then those sponsors wouldn't  be around for long.

Speaking of sponsors with his antics Lynch is missing out on the potential for making more money off the field. Most players have deals with companies that pay them to be in commercials and on ads everywhere, but besides for skittles I don't think a company would want Lynch to promote their product with the way he's behaving. Marshawn Lynch is a special player, if only he behaved like one.