Well, we finally have our answer - THIS is what it takes for Gary Bettman to look good as Commissioner of the NHL:
- the NBA Gambling Scandal which has called into question the integrity of the entire operation; the dress code doesn't seem like such a big deal right now, does it?
- Michael Vick's despicable (allegedly) actions related to dogfighting; the NFL hasn't had any recent legal problems amongst its players, right?
- Bud Selig's refusal (until Tuesday night) to be in attendance for Barry Bonds allegedly tainted homerun record chase
Yep, as long as a firestorm hits every other pro sport in the US, Bettman comes up smelling like roses. Well, sort of... Gary is facing some allegations himself (which he has denied, not surprisingly). Jim Balsillie, the guy who put up $238 million to buy the Predators, and his lawyer aren't real happy with the way things went down in Nashville. In fact, Balsillie's lawyer has accused Bettman of emailing Preds' owner Craig Leipold and telling him not to continue dealing with Balsillie.
Is that really something that Bettman should be doing? Just because he wants to keep that franchise buried in Nashville or at least somewhere south of the 49th, should he actually be influencing the decision of the owner of a private franchise? Kind of makes you wonder what Bettman has promised Leipold since Balsillie's bid was worth $50 MILLION MORE than the highest competing offer.
I'm not exactly Warren Buffett, but if someone wants to buy my car for $500 more than the other guy who's interested, I'm already trying to figure out just how loud I'll be able to crank up my new surround sound system. Something stinks here, and it's not Bettman's breath. Especially when you consider that Bettman could easily find a way to block the sale in the end. We've already seen how much power he wields among the NHL Board of Governors when the voting came down on the current unbalanced schedule.
But all of this is flying under the radar right now because Sidney Crosby isn't into dogfighting, Bill McCreary isn't fixing playoff games, and Martin Brodeur isn't accused of being on the juice as he looks to rewrite every goaltending record in the book.
Yep, all Bettman needs is a year full of soap operas in the NFL, NBA and MLB and he'll probably be in line for a contract extension.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
I Can See Clearly Now?
In the last 21 months, Dave Dickenson has had his bell rung so often you'd think Quasimodo was lining up against him on a nightly basis. And after this latest concussion in Saskatchewan, the question must be asked: Should Dickenson retire?
This isn't a Buck Pierce campaign. In fact, the question is posed out of respect for Dickenson, as he is far more than a quarterback, a football player or a professional athlete. He is an extremely cerebral individual who could take on a variety of careers upon retirement. He is a husband. He is a father.
But only Dickenson knows just how foggy his CFL future is. Sure there are tests that will be performed to evaluate just how long the road to recovery will be, but only DD can truly gauge how efficiently his mind is functioning. And after talking to Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan, who was forced to retire after countless concussions, the only thing that is clear about head injuries is that honesty has to be the best policy. There is simply too much at stake to play the tough-guy role in trying to get back on the field at all costs. In fact, Dunigan finally told his doctor in Hamilton to treat him the way he would treat his own son when it came to advising the strong-willed pivot about getting back under centre. And though he did hang 'em up at that point, he still suffers the effects of a career filled with head-shots.
But after talking with Dickenson on Monday, I don't believe he should call it quits just yet. He is one of the smartest players I've ever met on and off the field, and he understands what is at stake if he puts on that jersey again. That said, I believe Dickenson should talk to his family and decide when enough is enough. If he suffers another noggin-knocker this season, he should call it quits. Life is way to short to forget about while you're still living.
This isn't a Buck Pierce campaign. In fact, the question is posed out of respect for Dickenson, as he is far more than a quarterback, a football player or a professional athlete. He is an extremely cerebral individual who could take on a variety of careers upon retirement. He is a husband. He is a father.
But only Dickenson knows just how foggy his CFL future is. Sure there are tests that will be performed to evaluate just how long the road to recovery will be, but only DD can truly gauge how efficiently his mind is functioning. And after talking to Hall of Famer Matt Dunigan, who was forced to retire after countless concussions, the only thing that is clear about head injuries is that honesty has to be the best policy. There is simply too much at stake to play the tough-guy role in trying to get back on the field at all costs. In fact, Dunigan finally told his doctor in Hamilton to treat him the way he would treat his own son when it came to advising the strong-willed pivot about getting back under centre. And though he did hang 'em up at that point, he still suffers the effects of a career filled with head-shots.
But after talking with Dickenson on Monday, I don't believe he should call it quits just yet. He is one of the smartest players I've ever met on and off the field, and he understands what is at stake if he puts on that jersey again. That said, I believe Dickenson should talk to his family and decide when enough is enough. If he suffers another noggin-knocker this season, he should call it quits. Life is way to short to forget about while you're still living.
Sunday, July 08, 2007
I Spy With My little Eye...
As I try to settle back into the North American lifestyle after 3 weeks in Europe, here's some random observations from my first week back on the job:
- Good on Dave Nonis for NOT signing Bill Guerin. Could he have improved the Canucks offence? Yep. Could he have been a good triggerman for the Sedins? Yessiree. But there is NO WAY that he fits either the Canucks' salary structure nor their future plans at $4.5 million per season. Yeah, Canucks' fans, I know that you want to see Nonis do something bigger than signing Byron Ritchie and Brad Isbister. But mark my words, he will do something and my gut says that you'll see a trade before the end of the summer in an effort to upgrade the offense.
- Over the past 20 games or so, the BC Lions have had the most dominating defense that I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE CFL. I'm an offensive guy and love nothing more than seeing points go up on the board, but I am blown away by the BC D. This defense gave up 30+ points only ONCE last year (32, week 2 vs Sask) and have allowed 20 points or less in 7 of their last 8 games at home dating back to last season. And here's the scary thing: I think they're even better this year than they were in '06.
- Barry Bonds continues to amaze me with his utter lack of respect for the people who fork out their hard-earned cash to pay his salary. The ONLY people in North America who don't boo the guy every time he wakes up in the morning are San Francisco Giants fans. Yet Bonds won't even attempt to repay them by taking part in tomorrow's Homerun Derby IN SAN FRANCISCO. Any other ballpark and I give him a pass. But turning down the derby at Pac Bell Park is the equivalent of dropping his pants at home plate and mooning the crowd, especially after San Fran fans stuffed ballot boxes to make sure he was in the Mid Season Classic.
- Maybe Canada should have played its FIFA U-20 World Cup matches at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby instead of in Edmonton. Everyone who's been to a match agrees that Swangard has never looked better and that the event has been first-class all the way in Burnaby. Hopefully that leads to more internationals at Swangard while we wait for Greg Kerfoot and company to cut through the ridiculous red tape that city officials throw at them as they attempt to build a new waterfront stadium in downtown Vancouver. Safe injection sites, no problem. Brand new stadium on someone else's dime, not so fast there, buddy. Kind of makes you wonder.
- Tony Parker and Eva Longoria got married in Paris earlier this weekend. She is by far the most interesting person to put on a Spurs uniform since Dennis Rodman. If Parker can keep both her and Greg Popovich happy, I say send him in to make peace in the Middle East.
- Good on Dave Nonis for NOT signing Bill Guerin. Could he have improved the Canucks offence? Yep. Could he have been a good triggerman for the Sedins? Yessiree. But there is NO WAY that he fits either the Canucks' salary structure nor their future plans at $4.5 million per season. Yeah, Canucks' fans, I know that you want to see Nonis do something bigger than signing Byron Ritchie and Brad Isbister. But mark my words, he will do something and my gut says that you'll see a trade before the end of the summer in an effort to upgrade the offense.
- Over the past 20 games or so, the BC Lions have had the most dominating defense that I'VE EVER SEEN IN THE CFL. I'm an offensive guy and love nothing more than seeing points go up on the board, but I am blown away by the BC D. This defense gave up 30+ points only ONCE last year (32, week 2 vs Sask) and have allowed 20 points or less in 7 of their last 8 games at home dating back to last season. And here's the scary thing: I think they're even better this year than they were in '06.
- Barry Bonds continues to amaze me with his utter lack of respect for the people who fork out their hard-earned cash to pay his salary. The ONLY people in North America who don't boo the guy every time he wakes up in the morning are San Francisco Giants fans. Yet Bonds won't even attempt to repay them by taking part in tomorrow's Homerun Derby IN SAN FRANCISCO. Any other ballpark and I give him a pass. But turning down the derby at Pac Bell Park is the equivalent of dropping his pants at home plate and mooning the crowd, especially after San Fran fans stuffed ballot boxes to make sure he was in the Mid Season Classic.
- Maybe Canada should have played its FIFA U-20 World Cup matches at Swangard Stadium in Burnaby instead of in Edmonton. Everyone who's been to a match agrees that Swangard has never looked better and that the event has been first-class all the way in Burnaby. Hopefully that leads to more internationals at Swangard while we wait for Greg Kerfoot and company to cut through the ridiculous red tape that city officials throw at them as they attempt to build a new waterfront stadium in downtown Vancouver. Safe injection sites, no problem. Brand new stadium on someone else's dime, not so fast there, buddy. Kind of makes you wonder.
- Tony Parker and Eva Longoria got married in Paris earlier this weekend. She is by far the most interesting person to put on a Spurs uniform since Dennis Rodman. If Parker can keep both her and Greg Popovich happy, I say send him in to make peace in the Middle East.
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