You Like to Read? Read These

It’s been a while since Scribe delved into business matters. So while being a bit tied down at the moment, here are three stories for you to chomp on.

Tebow's NFL moment: If you didn't catch it from the New York Times, Advertising Age delves into details of one of the ads that will appear in the upcoming Super Bowl. I want to hear your thoughts on this one in light of controversies in past years.

Remember how NBC's REALLY Bad Day Began?: It was news that the network stood to lose about $200 million on the upcoming Winter Games. The always-on-point Richard Sandomir discusses many of the issues the Peacock ran into as the economy decided to nose dive. So while the late night talk fiasco made NBC a punching bag, this is arguably of greater concern (especially since Comcast wants to use its soon-to-be property as a huge leveraging platform when bidding for sporting events in the future).

There are some things that... well...: I'll leave you to this one as well. As soon as I wrap my head around it, I'll say something more.

Later this afternoon on The Perpetual Post, Chris Pummer and I discuss the legacy of newly-retired Curtis Joseph. I know puckheads are waiting to rip my head off on that one. Leave happy, lavender-laced comments, please.

Spot

Since this is getaway day (or night) for many of you, here's a quick question: what is your favorite sports-related spot/ad/commercial so far this year?

I ask this because I was reading about the NFL's new campaign to take over our minds, bodies and souls. Here in the New York Times, representatives of both the league and Grey New York (the agency of record for the league) explain the thinking behind these new commercials.

As mentioned earlier this year in a post called Fluid, I was fascinated by a Jumpman ad that starred Richard Hamilton, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul and Joe Johnson. There are others of course, but none that have stuck out of the crowd as 'Field Generals'.



Well, except for this... well, I'll be fair and say that both Johan Santana and CC Sabathia did their best.



Say What?!?!: Still feeling my way through Twitter, I haven't picked up on Follow Friday just yet. However, I recommend that you all check out the Norman Einsteins, an online monthly magazine from Cian O'Day. It takes a unique look into sports with various writers and photographers. I am looking forward to doing some work for the site in the future, but here is this month's edition. Enjoy yourselves.

Dubious

These have been dubious days in Bristol, for sure.

Whether it’s the leaked (and since removed) video of a nude Erin Andrews, the “Do Not Report” controversy of the Ben Roethlisberger sexual assault allegations, slight backlash over launching hyperlocal websites in several markets or the usually-criticized coverage of a handful of sports entities, ESPN has been taking a few punches to the jaw in the last two-plus weeks.

Now, it’s fairly common for non-ESPN media personalities and bloggers to throw a few jabs of their own in order to further the point that the Disney-owned sports behemoth has a few issues of journalistic integrity. In fact, there are some folks who make a pretty decent living off of assailing The Worldwide Leader among others in the sports media business. Yet, instead of piling on and adding fuel to the fire, I want to shed light on a point that so many of us seem to overlook; too many of us allow a single outlet dominate our media consumption.

Yes, ESPN is an omnipotent presence in the sports world; one that is imprinting its cachet across the globe after cornering national coverage here in the United States (along with a 20% ownership stake in Canada’s TSN). This doesn’t come from thin air, but from having the highest subscription fees in the cable industry at around $3.65. That dollar amount seems nominal, almost trivial, until you realize that this is per month per household ($3.65 X twelve months X over 98 million subscribing households = over $4.3 billion). Add the dollars from advertising partners – most notably beer makers such as MillerCoors and Budweiser – and there’s a financial strength that allows the network to do as it pleases.

Yes, the ‘E’ in the acronym stands for ‘Entertainment’ and many will have you believe that this is the very purpose of the network. Its critics lampoon the idea that the network provides sports programming with a twist; whether it’s by on-air debates; highly-hyped interviews or youth-oriented fare such as Madden Nation or its groundbreaking X Games. Its anchors and writers sprinkle in humor – snarky, silly or straight from the Pop Culture Reference Handbook – with their copies and articles as a point of differentiation from other established media outlets.

And yes, ESPN has used television’s most successful formulas. A) People of varying levels of attractiveness - lest we forget that Andrews is attractive to some, but not all – have helped carry television shows for years. B) People screaming to be heard are what make CNN, FOX News and CNBC tick. C) Details, schmetails; just use the major headline and talk about that forever and ever.

The true reason, though, why ESPN has such a presence, such a hold on us is that they are the leading national broadcaster of the actual games themselves. Their mammoth deals with organizations like the NFL, NBA, NASCAR and Major League Baseball are not for the permission to talk about what happened the night before or to strictly show thirty-second highlight clips. Linking up with UEFA (soccer/football), tennis and golf organizations of both genders and even the Professional Bowlers Association isn’t about having something to casually mention on ESPNews. Do you truly think that being in nearly every household in the United States is strictly because of SportsCenter? Hardly.

Sure, it’s hard to think of ESPN as just a broadcaster of the action as it’s equally difficult to think of the network as the lone provider of rumors, news and speculation. Yet, with fewer providers of games than providers of chatter, it might save us from more headaches if we understand that the games are why we avoid the stale, scripted fare every night.

Yet, if you enjoy hearing about the controversies coming out of Bristol, don’t let me stop you.

Depression

Catching this article while watching the Denver Nuggets host the Dallas Mavericks for Game 5 of their Western Semis series, it’s hard to not say something.

In an article from Jeré Longman of the New York Times, Philadelphia Eagles offensive lineman Shawn Andrews delves into an ongoing personal battle with depression. When you hear about NFL players suffering from this affliction these days, there are two cabinets where those stories are typically filed. Either the player may be suffering the effects of almost a lifetime of blows to the head from tackles and hits or the player may be depressed from life after the adulation and media attention.

As you read Andrews’ account, you’d find that his depression is as complex as Rubik’s cube, yet some of the roots are very easy to trace.

This is fascinating for two reasons. For starters, to even get ready to play a game takes a ton of work, let alone for someone whose emotions can dip so drastically. It’s beyond preparing for the physical toll that the body will take, but the mental focus that is necessary to perform at least adequately enough to stay on the field. When Andrews mentioned his lack of interest in watching games that he’s not playing in, it made me wonder what it has to take for him to sit through game film in his career, even if it’s a major part of his job. Also, if there’s no aggression to channel into brute force – something that seems like a requirement for anyone that plays along the offensive or defensive lines – then what does Andrews do to make up for it?

Secondly, considering how serious depression is, I wonder how prevalent this may be in locker rooms around the league. Longman made a comment saying that the football culture is unforgiving towards something that can be perceived as a weakness, such as battling some emotional problems. Yet, American society is far more open discussing clinical issues than one would think. Awareness of depression, ADHD and social anxiety disorder (as discussed recently by Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals) increased thanks in part to countless media reports, medical studies and a few people brave enough to publicly disclose their conditions. I doubt that Andrews’ reveal will start a wave of mass confessions, but at least it can allow for players in any sport to not feel any stigma or fear backlash for opening up.

Almost (I)

Just over a decade ago, Brandy had a song (covered by country artist Mark Wills later in 2000) that reminded us that Almost Doesn't Count. Well, here on Scribe, consider this video an exception.

(Yeah, I know what you're thinking: He just referred to Ray J's sister.)

Yesterday, along with Stephon Johnson, we took a trip to the new home of the New York Mets (Citi Field) while paying a slight homage to its former and suddenly, more-revered home (Shea Stadium).

Now, for those of you who have been parusing the internet for reflections of Shea and glimpses of Citi, you've certainly seen better looks. Yet, you're looking here because... well, at least someone's having fun with it.




Season-ticket tours

Ticket sales for only April and May as of this post.

While Ken Belson and Richard Sandomir of the New York Times heap the positives...

John Koblin of the New York Observer is not so fond of Citi. Thoughts?

Citi's Wiki.
Oh, and a note about the Home Run Apple: you saw it sitting in the centerfield/bullpen gate. Apparently, that will be the permanent home of the original as there will be a new Apple erected in the new outfield bleachers.

The latest from the new Yankee Stadium coming next.

Stereotypes (II)

In today's edition of the New York Times, Harvey Araton discussed the turnaround of perceptions of New York Knicks' stars Nate Robinson and David Lee. Being that the Stephon Marbury era officially ended last night with the buyout of the final months of his contract, it seems that the Knicks' press corp wanted to throw a party as the most infamous signing of the Isiah Thomas era has officialy departed. Yet, with all the moves made in the NBA over the past week, Araton chose to reflect on the moves not made (and wisely not made considering their individual skills).

A few paragraphs about Lee, the fourth-year forward out of Florida, were interesting to read:

When (head coach Mike) D’Antoni was hired, it was often said Lee would not be around long because he wasn’t a classic D’Antoni player, a seven-seconds-or-less-style jump shooter. He has debunked that theory, in small part by improving his jumper but in large part by demonstrating that he is an excellent transition player, ambidextrous and dangerous.

“The first thing I realized about him that I didn’t know was that he’s got great talent with both hands around the basket,” (team president Donnie) Walsh said. “He goes in against shot-blockers, gets around them because they don’t know which hand he’s going to use. Plus his rebounding ability, his instincts — now, those are all talents I don’t think the guy gets credit for a lot.”

That’s because adroit hands and good court instincts have typically been underplayed as natural assets in a sport too often obsessed with hang time. Moreover, it has been too convenient for mythmakers throughout the decades to extol white players for their hard work, while the inverse has been the case for blacks, celebrated mainly for natural ability.

Normally as anything racial or seemingly racial in sports media is littered with trolls, extreme reactions and tasteless references to someone well-known in the public eye (here's looking at you, President Obama). And so there's a concerted effort to not dip too much in that well unless I personally feel it's warranted.

However, Araton's last paragraph brings up the most persistent stereotype in sports. It's more common in contact sports such as (American) football and basketball, though this can certainly rear its ugly head in other games. It's what made Jack Johnson one of the least-recognized technicians in boxing history, what made Jimmy the Greek and Paul Hornung synonymous with "foot in mouth" disease and Brett Favre somehow tougher than Steve McNair for so many years. It's an ideal that finds itself popping up online, on the air (more often than we care to admit) and at some obnoxiously loud bar on a Friday night.

Yet, I ask you all: considering how much more aware we are of the perceptions of athletes over the years, even before in the 'good ol' days' before our lives began, do you think that this stereotype will ever go away?

Recommended

A few recommended articles to check out (if you haven't done so already):

• Yankees fans beware... but Red Sox, Angels, Mets, Dodgers and Cubs fans, don't show that grin too much. Your financial comeuppances are near.
  
  
• Continuing with the business side of sports, here's BusinessWeek's annual 100 Most Influential People in the Business of Sports.
  
  
• With the NHL season about to begin this weekend in Europe (Eastern Conference champion Pittsburgh plays Ottawa in Stockholm, Sweden while the New York Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning tango in Prague), they hope to build off of the creeping marketing momentum of the past three post-lockout seasons.
  
  
• A slight diatribe before the next referenced article: Something that has always stuck out to me in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina was the immediate response from athletes. Whether it was the Manning brothers or Kevin Garnett or the charity game organized by former NBA guard and TNT analyst Kenny Smith, I found myself marveled by their sense of urgency and their understanding of their stature (fair or not) as public beacons for entertainment and social causes. Yet, I was simultaneously screaming at the television about the "Johnny-come-lately" actions of the many levels of government and (dare I say) other entertainers who essentially sat by and waited to be told what to do. However, the continued efforts of one former athlete should be lauded and exemplify how someone used his former standing to try to make a dent in the mess in New Orleans. Respect due to the so-called bust, Jonathan Bender.
  Because while folks are talking about change these days, the basketball player who was forced to give up his physical gifts changed his own life by giving to others.
  
  
• Something that I wanted to expound an argument on earlier this week is still on the radar, but at least for the moment, ask yourself this question: is this the best sports year ever?
  Usually, I hate these best-ever questions, mostly because of how VH1 and others have driven that phrase to the ground. However, it's an intriguing thought.

Afterthought

Tonight gives us the closing of a venerable piece of American history as Yankee Stadium hosts its final baseball series between New York’s pinstriped bunch and the Baltimore Orioles. Before the finale, there have been (and will be) a lot of tears and tantrums, some waxing poetic and sardonic, some reflection and a few suggestions such as “raze the damn thing already!” Yet, there are very few thoughts coming from the neighborhood itself.

Then again, that’s always been the case, it seems.

David Gonzalez hoped to have provided at least a more honest native voice in his article in Saturday’s New York Times. He spoke of having grown up in the area, more so about attending Cardinal Hayes High School with the Stadium’s imposing presence nearby. He touched upon several incidences where the executives showed a blatant disrespect for the immediate world outside of the Stadium’s walls. To this day, many of the fans that descend onto 161st Street and River Avenue have either heard about, read about or at worst, perpetrated the stigma about the neighborhood it surrounds.

Even as Harlem – where out-of-town fans would speed through en route to the Stadium because of similar fears – continues to gentrify across the Macombs Dam Bridge, you’ll hear a few of the newest residents ask if the borough of “Fort Apache, The Bronx” lore remains.

As someone who has spent his life on both sides of the Bridge, I have never heard anyone who I grew up with say “hey, let’s go to a Yankee game this weekend”. Outside of talking about the players and how they will fare in the postseason, people around the way didn’t take to the Stadium experience the way that the outside world may have assumed. The reasons stem from any combination of the price to attend and enjoy the game, the racial history of the team (integrated fifteen years after Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby) and the beating taken from Howard Cosell’s alleged “the Bronx is burning” quip (amongst others in media). The organization doesn’t embark on a ton of publicized community efforts anywhere in the metropolitan area, but New Yorkers are more likely to see the Knicks (the most active), Mets or either NFL team out and about.

So the closing of one Stadium for another may further cool a frosty-but-accepted existence between franchise and borough, especially as the economic downturn compels the Yankees to reach for the affluent fans from the outside. Yet, with this new attractant into the City should come changing perceptions about the people and the place that is the Bronx.

As said, it should… but it won’t.

Bullets

Too caught up in paying bills at the current moment, but in the meantime:

• For educational purposes (and because the fulltime gig has taken priority at the moment), take a look at how Beijing will try to build a post-Olympics legacy with their stadiums and how four New York area teams are hoping to use newer digs to further enhance their on-field exploits. One city hopes to avoid a tragedy that still overwhelms Athens while another is coming to realize that for all of the individualism it claims, it's playing the same game as other cities around the world. Interesting reads, indeed.

• In the meantime, if you're a Giants fan in the NYC area, pick up the New York Beacon on Thursday (where you can find it, 75 cents) for my preview of the Super Bowl champs. Contrary to popular belief, Big Blue's going to be fine.

• Also, later on this evening, look for a video blog about a pretty impressive display of young high school talent last Friday night at the world-famous Rucker Park. A pretty good recap from SLAM Online's Tony Williams about the Boost Mobile Elite 24, which was broadcasted on ESPNU last weekend. Still, it's hard to believe that I've been in the area most of my life (first fifteen in the Bronx, eleven in Harlem but gone to church there as a kid), yet it was the first time I attended any game at the Rucker. Crazy.

Layover

With the return to NYC later today, here are some pieces worth pondering en route back to the Boroughs. As for the rest of the videos from Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, you'll see them tomorrow. Again, many thanks to D-cubed for taking part in the adventure.

• First, some honesty about Yankee Stadium. Since it's the soup-du-jour to wax poetic on the 85-year old stadium, it's good to hear from the folks who have had to make yearly (and seemingly at times, monthly) treks to the building in the Bronx. Maybe I'm being a dissenter from the rest of the media (yes, freelancers can call themselves a part of the clique), but it's about time that the Stadium bids farewell. Should we pay for it? That's another debate for another day.
• Sticking with the Old Gray Lady, an interesting piece from John Tierney, Science writer for the Times. He discusses how Title IX - the still-controversial legislation mostly known for its impact on collegiate athletics - is making waves in a different arena; gender discrimination at universities receiving federal grants for the sciences.
• Two from the Dallas Morning News: Tim Cowlishaw thinks that the Yankees are wrong in changing venues. Jean-Jacques Taylor sheds some light on Milton Bradley (one of the four Texas Rangers' All-Stars).
• It's interesting to see baseball stories coming out of Memphis (where today's layover spectacular takes place). Why? Because they don't have a Major League-level team. Yet, they have two All-Stars with some ties to the city as George Sherrill (Baltimore Orioles) and Dan Uggla (Florida Marlins) take in the festivities.

P! (Addendum)

Many folks have asked about the trek to PNC Park last weekend and hopefully have checked out the videos and slideshow earlier this week. If you are considering checking out the park, don't forget that people live in the city of Pittsburgh as well.

While from the brief experience it was a fine city, there wasn't enough time to truly discover the true essence of the Western Pennsylvania depot. This article from the New York Times may help those who may head to the Steel City. Whether you may believe this reflects the true soul of the city or not is up to you, but one should never go to another city without a bit of background information.

Pluggin'

Articles and blogs of note while working on several things at once. All are sports-related and a couple tie back to an earlier Scribe post.

Yeah, I know... always something with this guy.

• Apolitical: The New York Times has a blog strictly about the upcoming Beijing Olympics called Rings. It's centered mostly around the sports issues, but because of the controversies and recent tragedies in China, don't be surprised to see discussions that have a business or political focus.
  
• Also Olympics-related, this comes from an Advertising Age blog (from the industry that pays the bills for this sportswriter). Charlie Moran discusses how NBC and the BBC hope to use a vast musical score to tell the stories of the athletes and the competitions.
  
• Sunset: Just to think that if he had called it a career four or five years ago, Sammy Sosa would have garnered more than a shrug. This would have been major news not only in sports, but at least the Chicago news broadcasts.
  
• Us small outlets got to stick together, right, Mark? I think you'd agree.
  
• Speaking of small outlets, I was at the Mariners-Yankees game on Sunday for the New York Beacon. I know that it rains all of the time in Seattle, but these days, it seems that there are two more reasons to be depressed in the Emerald City. Between those very Ms, the inevitable breakup between the Supersonics and the city, they must be begging for the Seahawks to hit training camp.
  
• And staying in the State of Washington, my goodness, you have to feel bad for these guys in Spokane. Doesn't matter what sport it is, this just hurts.

Escape

So here's the deal.

The original Scribe is out of town for the weekend and back where it all began... sort of began, really.

A weekend in Boston and Providence can do wonders for the soul and the mind (if you don't live in the area, that is).

On the agenda: taking in a little PawSox action (barring any rain), getting the perspective on the Celtics' playoff run and finishing the challenging article that was mentioned earlier this week.

Don't worry, there will actually be something from the original on this space worth reading before Sunday night.

In the meantime, above is a new Quote (courtesy of Doug Glanville and the New York Times) and to your right is a new poll.

Hungry?

Some food for thought in these nutty times.

There would be more on this space this evening, but sometimes, if you can sleep early, you'd be a fool not to.

• From Yahoo! Sports, Jeff Passan revisits the greatest rant in sports history. Oh yes, better than Dennis Green's "Crowning". Better than Jim Mora's playoff outlook. Better than Hal McRae's extreme makeover. Tops anything from the Lou Pinella vault. By the way, whether fans like it or not, everything said in that three-plus minute, profanity-laced tirade is 100% truth... even 25 years later... but more on that tomorrow.
  
  
• From a favorite blog of Scribe's, Sports Media Watch, how the New York Knicks' head coaching and general manager searches can possibly ruin NBA television. And, no, it's not another "this is how the Knicks suck" piece. Thank goodness.
  
  
• From the New York Times (yesterday), a somewhat disturbing, yet intriguing look at how War Emblem isn't exactly producing anymore Kentucky Derby winners. Disturbing in the sense of how the horse's bounty of male-tinged fantasies can seem a little too... shallow and human. Intriguing in the sense that people still debate if horse racing is even a sport.
  
  
• And for those of you who like a little scandal and controversy that does not involve the names of Obama, Clinton, McCain, Bush, Wright, Clemens, McNamee, (Josh) Howard, New or York (you like that?)... enjoy... or cringe... or whatever you want to do.

Finally, you may notice a couple of names below mine on the right hand side. It's time to mix things up a bit and Scribe can only be better because of their contributions. Looking forward to them.

Say What?!?!: By the way, Mr. Elia? I am PROUD to be part of the 85% who make a living everyday. However, thanks to your classic diatribe, I will play for your baseball team ANYTIME.

Crimson

Your school's men's basketball program has never won a conference championship.

Your team hasn't played in the NCAA tournament since Harry Truman was President of the United States.

Your arena is prehistoric (despite refurbishments) compared to the more modern amenities across campuses across the nation.

Your team suddenly has the most talented recruiting class in the conference's history thanks to the program's first-year head coach, whose experience extends to the Big Ten and the Big East.

You're... these guys?


Has the nation's "smartest" school gone all athletic on us? According to this New York Times article (written by Pete Thamel and Adam Himmelsbach), it looks as if Crimson are now trying to play in the big-time college athletic arena by lowering their already high academic standards and bending NCAA rules - stop laughing - to admit the best available talents.

Which begs the question: What does this do for Harvard?

Thoughts?