The Five Smartest Moves of the 2014 NBA Offseason

I’m going to shatter your expectations and write this entire article without mentioning Lebron James. If you’ve watched ESPN at all in the past, let’s say, decade, I think you’ve had your fair share of Lebron coverage. And while his return to Cleveland has clearly been the highlight of the NBA offseason, I’ve found a way around putting it on the list. Notice how I used the word “smartest”. I’m not glorifying the Cavaliers for having superlative judgement in their acquisition of Lebron. James Dolan has the ability to make that decision. If James Dolan can do it, it’s not ingenious. That’s something I call the “Dolan Rule”--spread the word, let’s make it a thing. I’m looking for the five most clever and strategic moves by an organization this offseason. So allow me to stop talking about the man and get this list started.

5. Chicago Bulls: Signing Pau Gasol They lost out in the Carmelo Anthony sweepstakes, but Chicago still found a way to improve this offseason by grabbing Pau Gasol. The 13-year veteran, four-time All-Star, and two-time NBA Champion will take over for Carlos Boozer as the big man alongside Defensive Player of the Year winner Joakim Noah. The Bulls will get Derrick Rose back, and with the addition of Doug McDermott, they have a lot of talent. Talent only gets you so far, though, so signing a proven winner really means everything for Chicago. A healthy Rose can mean one of the top seeds in the Eastern Conference for the Bulls. Expect Gasol to be an integral part of their postseason run.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers: Trading For Kevin Love Love is a great talent, and has the potential to lead the Cavs to an NBA Championship, so of course I have to mention this trade. Still, for reasons I will explain later, it was not a move deserving to be at the top of the list. The other end of the trade will make an appearance at a higher spot, but for now, let’s focus on the positives. This man has averaged a double-double for the past five seasons. Put those numbers next to the numbers of “He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named”, add one of the best Point Guards in the league to the mix (Kyrie Irving), as well as top 3-point shooters (Mike Miller/James Jones), my vote for the league’s most underrated player (Dion Waiters) and a good amount of other tools around them (Shawn Marion, Tristan Thompson, Anderson Varejao), and--well--wow. On the other hand...

3. Minnesota Timberwolves: Trading Away Kevin Love Kevin Love is in the last year of his contract. And he was NOT signing with the Wolves again. Another year in Minnesota would maybe amount to a low playoff seed and a first round exit in the playoffs at best, so getting value for K-Love while they still could was brilliant. Even more brilliant was the value they were able to get for him. In exchange for an albeit remarkable player--but that would only stay with them for one more year and failed to lead them to the playoffs in all six seasons he spent there--Minnesota received: Andrew Wiggins - An absolute home-run for the Wolves, who were able to lock down the first overall pick in the 2014 NBA Draft. Wiggins doesn’t share the same mindset as Love, as he’s excited about the opportunity to play on “whichever team wants [him].” He will step into Kevin’s old spot as Minnesota’s franchise player, but with better pieces around him, I’d expect Andrew to accomplish more for the franchise during his career than K-Love did. Anthony Bennett- This first overall pick of the 2013 NBA Draft shows us a combination of size and mobility that should excite fans in the Twin Cities. He put up a poor rookie campaign, however he didn’t go a game in the 2014 Summer League without scoring double-digits, while averaging 8 rebounds as well. Thaddeus Young- And finally, add a man who averaged 17.9 PPG last season. After the strongest statistical season career, Young will bring a lot to the table--including much-needed playoff experience--at Small Forward for the Wolves. All that (and a $6.3 million trade exception) for a guy they would’ve only had for one more season. Ricky Rubio, smile.

2. Golden State Warriors: Keeping Klay Thompson SPOILER ALERT: The Golden State Warriors will be the most improved team in the Western Conference, and will make their way to the Conference Finals for the first time since Rick Barry led them that far in the 1975-76 season. All because they knew they didn’t need to shake their team’s foundation, but just add a few more pieces and be patient. When most people hear Klay Thompson’s name, they think “Splash Brother”, or “the guy that helps Steph Curry out a little bit”. First, yes, Klay is a knock-down shooter who becomes a more effective scorer every day. In his three NBA seasons, he’s averaged 12.5 PPG, 16.6 PPG, and 18.4 PPG, respectively. Notice a trend? But what makes Klay so invaluable is his defense. He’s beginning to rightfully be regarded as the best two-way Shooting Guard in the game. His capability to lock down forwards just as well as he can guards is a talent unmatched by any other man at his position today. And yeah, K-Love is great and would’ve made this team even scarier on offense, but it wouldn’t have made them a better team. They already have David Lee--who is a less-talented version of Love, but can do a lot of the same things. While Love would’ve been an improvement at that position, the downgrade at Shooting Guard would have been so dramatic that it would’ve sent Golden State on a path similar to the one they’ve been on for the last few decades--a path with no appealing destination. The Warriors will now benefit from the presence of Shaun Livingston and Head Coach Steve Kerr. While many people think they missed out by not grabbing Love, I think their commitment to Klay Thompson will get them a championship within the next three seasons.

1. Washington Wizards: Signing Paul Pierce I’m not going to make any crazy claims about the Wizards success this season, but this list is about the smartest moves of the offseason, and Pierce is the perfect fit in Washington. I hated Brooklyn’s decision to give up so much for him and Garnett (refer to my blog post last April praising the Celtics for offloading them). And I’m realistic about his shortcomings as far as what is left in the tank. But when I looked at Washington’s roster at the end of last season, I saw that they had athletes that I viewed as top-10 guys at their positions at every spot but Small Forward (John Wall, Bradley Beal, Nene, Marcin Gortat). I also saw that young leaders were struggling to really carry the load and get past other veteran leaders in the playoffs. Enter Paul Pierce. The Wizards killed two birds with one stone in getting a solid Small Forward and one of the most experienced veterans in the league in Paul Pierce. It’s the perfect fit for Paul, who can complement John Wall very well as a leader, and perhaps make the Wizards a serious contender in the Eastern Conference this year. I wouldn’t set my expectations too high for Washington, but as far as moves that actually make too much sense, put this one at the top of your list.

Experience Spotlight - Ashley Estrada, Anschutz Entertainment Group

In this semester's Experience Spotlight series, the blog will be featuring Cornell ILR SBS members who have excelled in positions in the sports industry. Many talented Cornell students are making impressions all across the sports world, and this is their chance to showcase their experiences.

This week's Spotlight focuses on Ashley Estrada '16.  Ashley is a senior in Cornell's Industrial and Labor Relations School, majoring in Industrial and Labor Relations. She is double-minoring in Business and Law & Society.

This summer, Ashley interned for AEG (Anschutz Entertainment Group), a sports and music entertainment company. The AEG Sports division owns several sports teams including her hometown teams; the Los Angeles Kings and the Los Angeles Galaxy, and owns shares of the Los Angeles Lakers. Ashley worked at the STAPLES Center, the home of the Lakers, Clippers, Sparks, and Kings. She served as a Marketing Intern and was kind enough to answer some questions about her experiences.
What are some Day-to-Day responsibilities of the position?

I performed various marketing activities througout the internship. My main responsibility was assisting with the development of the annual 3-day Nike Basketball 3on3 Tournament.

How were you able to get the Internship?

I got the internship through the help of a family friend who knows someone in the company.

How has this experience shaped your career plans?

My experience at the STAPLES Center validated my desire to work in a sports and/or entertainment company and reminded me to keep branching out and meeting people who could potentially help me land a position in these difficult-to-enter industries.

What was your favorite aspect of the experience?

Some of my favorite memories of the internship are attending the LA Kings' fan fest and pep rally after winning their second Stanley Cup championship, working the Nike Basketball 3on3 Tournament, and attending the LA Clippers fan fest held to celebrate the team's new owner, Steve Ballmer. If anyone has questions or wants to know more about my experience and/or the company, feel free to send me a message at ae282@cornell.edu.

Thank you to Ashley and AEG for allowing us to share this awesome experience. We hope you have learned about some of the wonderful opportunities that Cornell, the ILR School, and the ILR Sports Business Society can provide in the sports world. We hope to feature many more stories from students and employers this fall!

The Top 5 Most Critical Offseason Moves of the NHL

An in-depth look at the most crucial moves of the offseason, and how the players will impact their new teams.

1. Ryan Kesler, Center - Anaheim Ducks

Just before the 2014 NHL entry draft, two-time United States Olympian Ryan Kesler waived his no-trade clause and was shipped to the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Nick Bonino, Luca Sbisa, and two picks in this past entry draft. The Ducks finished off last season with the most points in the Western Conference with a striking 54-20-8 record, and now with the addition of this new center, Anaheim will be even stronger. Kesler was one of the biggest trade targets during this past season after publicly stating that he wanted a fresh start, as he was not satisfied with the path of the Vancouver Canucks. In short, the Ducks were lucky to grab the 6-2 202 lb. center for such a good price. Kesler’s size, faceoff skills, and ability to score double-digit power-play goals will be key for the disappointing 22nd-ranked Anaheim power play this past season. The 2011 Selke trophy winner will anchor the 2nd line for Anaheim next to Swedish young-gun, Jakob Silfverberg. In 2011, Kesler proved he could guide a team to the Stanley Cup final by netting 41 goals and 32 assists for the Canucks. Kesler wants a championship and wants it now. His chances got a lot better after being dealt to the Western Conference juggernaut, Anaheim Ducks.

2. Ryan Miller, Goaltender - Vancouver Canucks

With the trade last year that sent of Cory Schneider to the New Jersey Devils, and the departure of Roberto Luongo in the trade that sent him back to Florida, the Canucks’ main objective over the offseason was to grab an experienced goaltender to lead them this season. The Canucks made the move to sign Miller to a 3-year, $18 million contract this offseason to fill this missing piece. Miller brings some needed experience to the Canucks goaltending. Miller spent his first 12 seasons with the Buffalo Sabres until this past February when he was traded to the St. Louis Blues. The two-time United States Olympian and 2010 Vezina trophy winner has shown that he is capable of stepping up and putting up note-worthy goaltending numbers; however, he will need to adapt quickly to the tactics of the offensive powerhouse California teams in the Pacific Division (Anaheim, San Jose, and the 2014 Stanley Cup Champions, Los Angeles Kings). If Miller clicks with the Canucks and performs under the pressures of the endless goaltending drama in Vancouver, we could see Vancouver make the playoffs unlike last year’s 12th place finish in the Western Conference.

3. James Neal, Right-Winger - Nashville Predators

In the midst of the first round of the 2014 NHL entry draft, the Pittsburgh Penguins made the first blockbuster trade of the draft sending power forward, James Neal to the Nashville Predators in exchange for Patric Hornqvist and Nick Spaling. The trade freed up some cap space for the Penguins, but they lost an important part of their offensive core. Neal finished last season with 27 goals and 61 points in 59 regular season games with the support of 2012 Art Ross and Hart Memorial trophy winner, Evgeni Malkin. Neal will be entering his third season of a 6-year, $30 million contract this season and will provide much needed offense to the Nashville Predators as the first line right-winger. In the 2011-2012 season Neal proved himself as a top-line contender scoring a career high 40 goals and 41 assists, a feat no Nashville Predator has ever achieved. We will also see Neal as the captain of Nashville’s power play this season, a role Neal took during the 2011-2012 season and scored a league-leading 18 PPG for the Penguins. The acquisition of James Neal will finally bring the presence of a big-time goal-scorer to the “Music City” that Nashville has always lacked.

4. Dan Boyle, Defenseman - New York Rangers

The most targeted defenseman in this past offseason was the long-time San Jose Shark, Dan Boyle. The offensive defenseman signed a two-year, $9 million contract with the New York Rangers. With the signing of Boyle, the reigning Eastern Conference champions filled a much-needed hole in their defense with the departure of Anton Stralman to the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 38-year-old has had a lot of experience in the NHL and his presence on the second line of defense for the Rangers will be crucial. Boyle will be playing a lot of minutes for the team especially as many see him having a leading role on the point during the Rangers’ power play. With Boyle’s offensive minded play comes his capability of driving possession of the puck, which will be key when trying to attack the opponent’s defensive zone. Adding Boyle’s gives the Rangers his proficient offensive tactics; however, it will be his defensive minded role that will be critical in trying to help the Rangers get back to the Stanley Cup Finals this season.

5. Mike Cammalleri, Left-Winger - New Jersey Devils

Mike Cammalleri, the 11-year NHL veteran left-winger, signed a 5-year, $25 million contract with the New Jersey Devils over the offseason. Cammalleri is coming off of an impressive season with the Calgary Flames scoring 45 points (26 goals and 19 assists) in his 63 games played. Although new to the team, the left-wing sniper will be playing on the first line with veteran and 2013-2014 Devils scoring leader, Jaromir Jagr, and assistant captain, Travis Zajac. Cammalleri’s presence on the top line will help improve the Devils’ subpar offense that finished 27^th in the NHL averaging 2.40 goals per game. Did the Devils overpay for Cammalleri? Maybe. But, as Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said before the offseason the Devils would be looking for the addition of scoring help on the market. Cammalleri has proved his scoring abilities by scoring 30+ regular season goals multiple times, so if he can catch fire the Devils will no doubt get back into the playoffs after missing them two years in a row.

Women in Sports - Megan Hughes, WNBA

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society is pleased to present our "Women in Sports" series. In recent years, powerful women (led by many Cornell Alumnae) have advanced the role of women in the sports world. We will be featuring the stories of individuals from across the industry, in various stages of their careers, who have made an impact in sports.

Megan Hughes is the focus of this week's edition of Women in Sports. Hughes is a 2008 graduate of Cornell's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a former Ivy League Champion as a member of the Cornell Women's Basketball team. She currently serves as Coordinator of Basketball Operations and Player Relations at the WNBA. Megan was kind enough to speak to Cornell SBS member Zoe Forster about her career and much more.


Why Cornell?

Growing up my goal was to play college basketball and I wanted to compete at the highest level at academically and athletically. I was fortunate to be offered the opportunity at Cornell. I had full scholarship offers from other schools, but I chose Cornell for the outstanding academic background.

What did you study at Cornell? Did you know you wanted to work in sports while at Cornell?

I started out in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and I was apart of the AEM program. I quickly transitioned into the Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS) major. I pretty much crafted my own curriculum. The official title of my major was Marketing Strategies and Management. I took a combination of courses from entrepreneurship, finance, food merchandising. It was a combination of a variety of classes from CALS and marketing classes in the Hotel School. I realized I didn’t want to be an investment baker and I felt like AEM was very driven towards making me one.

I wanted to do sports marketing and Cornell didn’t really have that. There was sports law in ILR but I wasn’t in ILR. As far as being business savvy, having that ability is so crucial to be successful and well respected in the sports business world. I definitely value all I learned from the AEM program because it really taught me how to leg up when I got to the Associates Program at the WNBA. All of that stuff helped to build a base, but I found that it was very narrow and I wanted more. There are ways to get more out of your experience at Cornell.

Could you describe your current role? 

My current role for the WNBA is Coordinator of Basketball Operations and Player Relations. I work in our WNBA president’s office with our players, coaches, officials, and league staff to help coordinate player programs. I’m very involved in any kind of league or team initiative that involves our players. I help communicate the player needs up to our executive partners. We make sure that our partners have access to our players. So I’m very involved in any kind of player communications or movements as well as making sure the players are abiding by the appropriate rules.

What's your favorite part about working in sports?

What I love the most about my job is that I have the opportunity to do the scouting and talent evaluations for the WNBA. Every year we get rookies in. But my job is to go out on the road between late November and early April. I’m on the road at March Madness and different conference tournaments out looking for the top 100 women’s basketball players in the country and getting them prepared to get drafted for the WNBA. This is so close to my heart given my background playing. I wanted to play professionally at one time. Helping them to make that transition into professional athletics is one of my favorite parts about what I do here.

How did you get to where you are today?

I came directly out of Cornell in May of 2008 and started immediately with the NBA. The NBA and WNBA are one big family of brands. I became a part of the NBA Associates Program, which is our entry-level program for recent college graduates. I applied to that program in the fall of my senior year and I remember I got an interview to come into New York City and I remember it was the day of our last home game against Brown University. So I woke up that morning and flew into New York City and had the interview with 5 or 6 people. I ended up flying back to Ithaca and making the game at halftime. 

It was the craziest day ever. Now the associates program is a rotational program, but when I started I was placed in a department called Team Marketing and Business Operations, which is a term for the NBA’s internal consulting firm. My job there was to work with all the account managers, team owners, and presidents, to figure out what are the best practices to implement to help them drive their business. They throw you right into the fire right away. It was a great experience.

What are your thoughts on the role of gender in the sports industry?

In general, I think women are definitely making it. I sit in a very unique position. Where I am in the WNBA, I sit right between the WNBA president laurel Richie, and vice president Renee Brown. My desk is in between their offices and they are two African American women who are at the head of a major sports franchise. And that is very unique. So in my day-to-day interaction, I don’t always see what other people see. Where I am, we’re at the top of our game and we have two women managing it every day. There are not a whole lot of people coming in and telling us we can’t do something. Part of our brand charter is that we show the world what’s possible. 

Outside our department, I think women are making headway. There was a recent announcement that Michele Roberts is heading up the NBA Associates Program—the first women to ever take that role. To me, that’s a sign that we are cracking the glass ceiling. But we’re not always necessarily looked at with the same set of eyes as when there are men in the room. Sometimes your voice will not be as readily heard. And that’s something I didn't really believe until it actually happens to you. I think the role of women in sports is becoming larger and people are aware of us now in the industry.

How has the industry changed since when you started? 

The game itself is stronger than it has ever been. Its growing by leaps and bounds, which is evident by the talent we have. Brittany Griner came into the league in 2013. She dunks all the time in practice and did it in the All Star game a couple of weeks ago. We had a dunking contest in practice and all of them were dunking. As for the business side, we are 18 years young. Given where we are, I think we’re in good shape. I think we’re strong, headed in the right direction. Magic Johnson just became an owner this past December. We have people really helping to grow the business.

Do you have any advice for students, particularly young women, who would like to work in sports? 

Get out there and get involved. Don’t worry about the money. Get experience, get on the ground and don’t be afraid to do the work. In sports, it is a who-you-know type of field, but it is also performance based. Get to know the business and be able to speak and articulate yourself about the game and the environment. Our president, Laurel Richie had no idea about sports. She never played basketball and I don’t think she even knew the rules, but she’s the president because she knows marketing and she knows how to sell the product. It’s about knowing your craft and perfecting it.

We sincerely appreciate alumnae like Megan who take the time to share their experiences with us. "Women in Sports" is only possible through the efforts of industry leaders and students alike. We wish to thank all of the alumni who make the Sports Business Society such a valuable organization for so many Cornellians and others interested sports.

The Magic Touch: How soccer club with financial obstacle is rescued by fans?

Eibar players celebrating their first victory in La Liga.

With midfielder Javi Lara’s brilliant free kick, Eibar secured a 1-0 win against Real Sociedad in their first fixture of the 2014-15 La Liga season. While many soccer fans were amazed by the performance of Eibar on the pitch in their first ever La Liga appearance, few people realize that the squad accomplish a far more amazing miracle off the pitch.

Located in the north of Spain, Eibar is a small city with a population of 27,000, and the only stadium in the town, Ipurua Municipal Stadium, has just 5,250 seats. By comparison, Bernabeu Stadium, the home of Real Madrid, can hold the entire population of Eibar and still have 58,454 seats remaining. To everyone’s surprise, the SB Eibar has earned two consecutive promotions. In just two years they have gone from the third tier of Spanish football to La Liga this season.

However, at the end of last season, the club realized it had a huge hurdle laid in front of them as they were being promoted to La Liga. According to certain Spanish financial regulations, every La Liga club should have the cash on hand to pay 25% of the average expenditure of all sides in the second tier (excluding the two clubs with highest spending and two lowest spending clubs). The rule was designed to ensure all clubs can attend to its debts. If the teams fails to do so, it will not be allowed to play in La Liga, and even worse, it will be relegated to the third tier. At the moment of their promotion, SB Eibar had just 420,000 euros (544,020 US dollars) in its account. In order to fulfill the requirement, it had to raise 1.72 million euros (2,227,892 US dollars) to reach 2.1 million euros (2,720,101 US dollars), the registered money threshold for this season based on the amount of money spent in the Spanish second tier. Although it may seem quite easy for a top club to raise 2 million euros, it an uphill battle for a tiny club like Eibar. However, the world loves a good underdog story, and Eibar accomplished this miracle.

After failures in seeking individual investors, the board turned to another way of financing - launching a stockholder share plan. Initially, the franchise sold its shares, 50 euros per share, solely to the Spanish public. However, after realizing the capital raised was far from the threshold, it resorted to international fans, an obviously much larger population. During this round of international financing, Chinese soccer fans played a crucial role.

After learning of the financials struggles of Eibar through the media, a large number of fans across China gathered on QQ, the most popular instant messaging software in China, to try and help the club. They discussed different aspects of the plan, they researched for and learned Spanish laws regarding purchasing shares of a company, and then completed the corresponding transactions. During that period, fans had to surmount various difficulties, such as the language barrier, their unfamiliarity with the law, and the inconvenience of international transactions. Eventually, with the support of fans around the globe, Eibar raised the sufficient funds three weeks before the deadline. According to the New York Times, more than eight thousand people from 48 different countries purchased a share of SB Eibar.

Actually, to a certain extent, Eibar followed the history of a number of clubs that did the same thing to save themselves while on the brink of collapse. Currently in England, Wales, and Scotland, there are almost 150 supporter trusts. This method to save a team by selling shares to the public can be traced back to 1992 in England, when Northampton Town was the first club to be taken over by fans. During that season, the club experienced a huge plunge in their standing, and even worse, the debt amounted to 1,600,000 pounds (2,610,000 US dollars). While failing to pay player wages from the last two months, Northamtpton Town released ten senior players and called up several youth players with lower wages, but the results did not improve. In January 1992, the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust was formed with the purpose of raising money to save the club, and becoming involved in the operation of the team. The trust helped the club escape the crisis and the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust is still helping to run the team today.

In terms of fans rescuing their beloved soccer clubs, the cases of Eibar and Northampton Town are just the tip of iceberg, as there are many more passionate and responsible fans who helped saved their teams. From donating to the sports club, organizing fan movement, and even taking over the club, fans have constantly found ways to help their teams in any way possible. 

SBS Report Recap - September 21

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society's radio show "The SBS Report" aired for the third time at the Olbermann-Corneliess Studios on East Buffalo Street this past Sunday. Host Matt Hakimian and co-host Ben Denson discussed some of the biggest stories in sports from the past week, beginning with off-the-field NFL news. The guys shared their opinion on the developments in the Adrian Peterson child abuse case as well as Commissioner Roger Goodell's press conference.

They went on to talk about the one game suspension of Heisman trophy winner Jameis Winston, the most recent example of the star quarterback getting into some trouble. Matt and Ben also discussed the NBA rumor that the Minnesota Timberwolves were trying to lure restricted free agent Eric Bledsoe on a max contract offer sheet. The guys then went into the Yankees' decision to start Masahiro Tanaka for the first time since July. Afterwards, they took listener phone calls for the first time, answered some Twitter questions, and wrapped things up with the Final Four rapid fire questions. You can listen to the entire show here.

The SBS Report airs on Cornellradio.com every Sunday night from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Matthew Hakimian, the Cornell ILRS Sports Business Society's VP of Radio, discusses the week's biggest topics in sports business and professional sports with fellow members of the club. Have your voice heard live by tweeting your questions to @CornellSBS! 

Experience Spotlight - Jesse Sherman, The Legacy Agency

In this semester's Experience Spotlight series, the blog will be featuring Cornell ILR SBS members who have excelled in positions in the sports industry. Many talented Cornell students are making impressions all across the sports world, and this is their chance to showcase their experiences.

This week's Spotlight focuses on Jesse Sherman '15.  Jesse is a senior in Cornell's Industrial and Labor Relations School. He has been a dedicated member of the club since his freshman year at Cornell, serving on the E-Board since Spring 2013.  Jesse has also cofounded Cornell at Bat, and eventually, the Big Red Sports Network.  He can be reached at jws328@cornell.edu.

Jesse worked with The Legacy Agency as an intern for Summer, 2014.  Jesse served as a Baseball Representation Intern at TLA, and was kind enough to answer some questions about his experience.


What were some of your day-to-day responsibilities of the position?

The Legacy Agency as a whole is a dynamic representation and marketing agency that looks after the interests of the broadcasters, coaches, and professional athletes that it represents. Legacy handles anything from on the field contracts to off the field marketing opportunities, and also serves as a sports consulting firm for external organizations. 

I was the baseball representation intern for a list of clientele that includes MLB stars such as Johan Santana, Jose Reyes, Melky Cabrera, Martin Prado, Starling Marte, and Bobby Abreu, as well as over 100 minor league players. 

My responsibilities included researching clients' statistics on a daily basis, keeping track of their career progression (that is, seeing if they are currently with an organization, which level they are playing at, whether they were released and have free agent standing, so on and so forth). I was also asked to perform analyses on big league teams and their rosters to see if any Legacy clients that were free agents at the time could potentially fill a void on a big league roster. 

I was also responsible for logging and checking client endorsement contracts to ensure that the athletes had been appropriately compensated by the sponsors in accordance with the terms of their signed contracts. 

Additionally, a major project I worked on was creating a career projection analysis on a current client who will be eligible for salary arbitration following the 2015 season. My bosses asked me to do a preliminary determination of what he will be worth during his arbitration years, based on my evaluation of his current performance and potential performance in the future. Salary figures are then determined using comparable players and the statistics they compiled while being on a major league roster for a similar amount of days/years as the player in question.

How were you able to get the internship?

I got the job through a combination of family connections and experience with baseball statistical research with my peers at Cornell.

How has this experience shaped your career plans?

The internship was amazingly insightful as to what it takes to be a successful and respected sports agent, as well as everything that goes on from an athlete marketing perspective. I also learned to understand the interests of the player and team sides, which I believe will serve me well if I decide to either pursue agency-side or team-side work.

What advice would you give another student interested in a similar experience?

I would say that if you want to get your foot in the door, show potential employers that you can bring something out of the ordinary to the table. For instance, I believe my work with the Cornell SABR analytics team gave me an edge in showing that I could evaluate baseball player performance at perhaps an even deeper level than is done by some agents or teams. It also helps to read up on the CBA. Finally, being up to date on up and coming players, international free agency and the draft, in addition to knowing the players in the big leagues and the terms of some long term contracts is incredibly helpful in thriving as a baseball representation intern. Now go out, make the connections, and do the best work you can possibly do.

What was your favorite aspect of the experience?

My favorite aspect of the experience was being able to learn more about baseball, a sport that I thought I couldn't learn much more about. The agency side of the sport is so important, and working with some of the best and brightest minds in the industry today gave me a much better understanding of what agents do each and every day as well as what it takes to be ahead of the curve from a player development and client management perspective. I also loved not knowing what to expect from one day to the next. I could be doing a project one moment and then get up to talk to my boss and a major leaguer will be sitting in his office.

Thank you to Jesse and The Legacy Agency for allowing us to share this awesome experience. We hope you have learned about some of the wonderful opportunities that Cornell, the ILR School, and the ILR Sports Business Society can provide in the sports world. We hope to feature many more stories from students and employers this fall!

Why Eli Manning's Job Should Be Secure

     
       

                                                                       

     
After starting the second straight season 0-2, many Giants fans want starting quarterback and 2-time Super Bowl Champion Eli Manning to be benched in favor of Ryan Nassib, a Syracuse alum. However, Giants fans should be patient and let Eli Manning remain the starter for the remainder of the regular season.

Manning had a great game this week against the Arizona Cardinals.  Despite the loss, he went 26/39 with 277 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  It should be noted that one of these interceptions came in garbage time, with the Giants trailing 25-14, when Manning's deep pass was intercepted by Larry Foote with 10 seconds left.  Moreover, Victor Cruz dropped three passes and Reuben Randle had a big drop during the 4th quarter drive in which the Giants had a turnover on downs.  Even with those dropped passes, Manning completed 66.7% of his passes.  The bottom line is that Eli Manning has done a lot for this organization in the past, as well as this season, and he is not the reason why the Giants are off to yet another slow start in 2014.

The Giants are beating themselves thus far in the 2014 season.  The team as a whole is losing games, not Eli Manning.  For instance, the Giants defense has forced 0 turnovers in the first two games, putting the team's cumulative turnover differential at -6.  If you lose the turnover battle in the NFL, you will lose games.  Moreover, the Giants special teams played badly, allowing the Cardinals Ted Ginn Jr to have a 71-yard punt return touchdown, in which a Giants player missed a tackle the second Ginn fielded the punt.   In addition, in the first game of the season against the Detroit Lions, the Lions converted 66.7% of their 3rd down plays while the Giants only converted 23% of their 3rd down plays.  While the Giants 3rd down efficiency against the Cardinals was better, it was two fumbles - one by running back Rashad Jennings in the redzone and one by Quintin Demps on a kick return - that were the difference in today's game.

Football is a team sport.  While people are always going to place the game on individual players, such as the quarterback, or even the coach, games are won and lost by teams as a whole.  With that being said, Giants fans have to be patient and have faith in quarterback Eli Manning.  He has 2 Super Bowl rings, which is more than his brother Peyton has.  Eli's in good company, as Jim Plunkett is the only quarterback in NFL history to have at least 2 Super Bowl rings and not be in the Hall of Fame.

Women in Sports - Robyn Miller, Tennis Channel

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society is pleased to present our "Women in Sports" series. In recent years, powerful women (led by many Cornell Alumnae) have advanced the role of women in the sports world. We will be featuring the stories of individuals from across the industry, in various stages of their careers, who have made an impact in sports.

Robyn Miller is the focus of this week's edition of Women in Sports. Miller is a 1973 graduate of Cornell University, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in French Literature and Linguistics. She currently serves (no pun intended) as the Senior Vice President of Marketing for Tennis Channel. Robyn was kind enough to speak to the Cornell ILR SBS Blog about her career and much more.


Why did you go to Cornell? What did you study at Cornell?

I had studied French from 4th grade up through high school and found I had a real affinity and growing love for the language. The Romance Languages department was very strong at Cornell, and I was so thrilled to be the first in my family to be admitted to an Ivy League School! My Major was French Language and Linguistics, and I loved every minute of it.

Did you know you wanted to work in sports while at Cornell?

Hell no! I was always one of the last to be picked for sports teams and I didn’t make the Cheerleader squad because I couldn’t do a cartwheel to save my life. Need I say more?

Could you describe your current role?

I’ve been Senior Vice President of Marketing here at Tennis Channel for about 7 ½ years. Tennis Channel is a digital television network that’s in about 35 million homes across the U.S. (In fact, I hope the cable system in Ithaca carries us!). I’m in charge of all advertising, promotion, branding, creative and publicity for the network, basically any initiative that involves generating awareness and tune-in to our programming. 

I oversee all marketing. Not just to our viewers and website users, but also to our advertisers and distributors. I supervise an amazing, talented staff of 20, and as a live sports network with tournaments on our air 51 weeks per year, we have to be very nimble day-in-and-day-out. There’s never a dull moment!

How did you get to where you are today?

One of my first jobs was as a Coordinator in the International department of Max Factor Cosmetics, and it was there that I caught the marketing bug. I thought how cool it would be to travel internationally (and show off my French at the same time LOL). At that point I also realized a higher education was in order so that I could further hone my marketing skills. I got my MBA from UCLA Anderson School, specializing in International Marketing. I ended up working in International Marketing for the next 20 years, first with Max Factor and then at the Walt Disney Company. 

It was at Disney where I truly earned my marketing chops, moving up the ranks in the International Home Entertainment division for close to 17 years. I traveled extensively to almost every Disney office on the planet and to this day am so grateful for that experience! At a certain point however, I wanted to experience a bit more entrepreneurial, less corporate environment, and that’s where my first cable job, Fine Living (3 ½ years) and now Tennis Channel, came in.

What are your thoughts on the role of gender in the sports industry?

Obviously there are gender issues at play in every industry, not just sports. In fact, after all these years, it’s appalling that women still earn less than their male counterparts in almost every arena of business. Speaking only of tennis however, I’m proud that it’s an even playing field. The Women’s purse for our Grand Slam winners is equal to the Men’s, as it should be!

How has the industry changed since when you started?

I started at Tennis Channel in 2007, where we had our linear network and a website, www.tennischannel.com. Today we have a robust mobile application, our “Tennis Channel Everywhere” App and our enhanced “Tennis Channel Plus” for our biggest fans. The ubiquitousness of various sports platforms has been a true technology game changer for the entire industry. Now our viewers have the freedom to access our live coverage from wherever they are, whether it be via mobile, on their ipad, on their laptop. And that’s great for Tennis Channel.

Do you have any advice for students, particularly young women, who would like to work in sports?

I hope it doesn’t sound pithy, but I encourage women to follow their passion. What I mean is, what is it that turns you on most in your life, and how can you parlay that interest into a career that will give you satisfaction? Understand that there will be many diverse curves along the way, but that shouldn’t deter you. My passion was French, and that interest led to my passion for Marketing. Importantly, you do not have to play sports to be in sports, and I’ m the poster child for that!

What's your favorite part about working in sports?

Watching Rafa or Roger from my seat at the French Open while exercising my now rusty French doesn’t suck!

What do you most miss about your time at Cornell?

I live in Southern California, so it’s NOT the weather!!! Of course I miss the amazing friendships I made with so many people during my time there. And just the experience of being in this quite magical place for four years and feeling very blessed to be a part of it.

We sincerely appreciate alumnae like Robyn who take the time to share their experiences with us. "Women in Sports" is only possible through the efforts of industry leaders and students alike. We wish to thank all of the alumni who make the Sports Business Society such a valuable organization for so many Cornellians and others interested sports.

SBS Report - September 14

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society's radio show "The SBS Report" aired for the second time at Olbermann-Corneliess Studios on East Buffalo Street this past Sunday. Host Matt Hakimian and co-hosts David Wechsler and Ethan Cramer Gibbs discussed some of the biggest stories in sports from the past week, starting off with the NFL. The guys shared their opinion on the Ray Rice domestic violence situation as well as Adrian Peterson's recent arrest stemming from a child abuse charges. What does the future hold for Commissioner Roger Goodell?

They went on to talk about the purchase of the Buffalo Bills by Buffalo Sabres owner Terry Pegula as well as the future of management and ownership in the Atlanta Hawks organization. Matt, David, and Ethan also discussed Chris Davis' immediate suspension following his failed drug test in addition to the Cleveland Cavaliers' new ticket-sales strategy with the return of Lebron James. They wrapped up the show with the week that was in college football and the NFL before taking Twitter questions and answering the Final Four rapid fire questions. You can listen to the entire show here.

The SBS Report airs on Cornellradio.com every Sunday night from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Matthew Hakimian, the Cornell ILRS Sports Business Society's VP of Radio, discusses the week's biggest topics in sports business and professional sports with fellow members of the club. Have your voice heard live by tweeting your questions to @CornellSBS! 

Experience Spotlight - Rick Saxe, National Hockey League

In this semester's Experience Spotlight series, the blog will be featuring Cornell ILR SBS members who have excelled in positions in the sports industry. Many talented Cornell students are making impressions all across the sports world, and this is their chance to showcase their experiences.

This week's Spotlight focuses on Rick Saxe '16.  Rick is a junior in Cornell's Industrial and Labor Relations School. He has been a dedicated member of the club since his first year at Cornell, attending numerous conferences and events, as well as contributing to the blog.

This summer, Rick worked for the National Hockey League, serving as a Studio Intern for the NHL Network.  He was kind enough to answer some questions about his experience.
What were some of your day-to-day responsibilities of the position?

I rotated through all facets of production of live programming on NHL Network--in the studio and in the control room--including roles in stage management, audio management, video management, and graphics coordination.

I came up with an idea for a TV Show for the Network, and it was picked by a group executive producers. I was given a team to work on producing the show, and we are essentially done with its production. As long as the final touches are approved, we hope for it to air in the Spring of 2015 before the next NHL Entry Draft.

How were you able to get the internship?

I got word of this internship through a friend, emailed HR, and went through the application process.

How has this experience shaped your career plans?

While I don't expect to go into television production for a career, I learned a lot (especially from my TV show project) about how to both lead a team and to develop an idea. It was tough for me to alter my original idea because I was really attached to what I was pitching to producers. Opening up to new ideas in order to improve the program was difficult at first, but now that I see how much better it made the show, I learned that listening to teammates is invaluable. No matter what field I land in, I want to be a leader in it, as well as revolutionize it through new ideas, so this experienced definitely helped me take a step closer to reaching that goal.

What advice would you give another student interested in a similar experience?

For someone looking for a similar position, I can't really offer anything past the "make as many connections as you can" advice that everyone pitches to you. I only knew about this opportunity through a friend with similar career goals as I have, so just keep one ear open at all times and know that connections that can change your life can come from anywhere and anyone.

Thank you to Rick and the National Hockey League for allowing us to share this awesome experience. We hope you have learned about some of the wonderful opportunities that Cornell, the ILR School, and the ILR Sports Business Society can provide in the sports world. We hope to feature many more stories from students and employers this fall!

Weekly Blog Recap (9/8)

Here is a rundown of all of the content on the blog from the past week:

(9/8) Experience Spotlight - Alex Gimenez, Cleveland Indians
As part of the Experience Spotlight series, Alex Gimenez answers questions about his spring credit internship and following summer internship with the Cleveland Indians. Read to find out.

(9/9) Why People Should Watch the FIBA World Cup
Thomas Kroner breaks down 6 reasons to watch the FIBA World Cup. The reasons are both basketball related and there some non-basketball related ones too. Check out why you should watch it.

(9/10) The NFL's Most Improved Teams
Rick Saxe gives his thoughts on the 3 teams who will improve for the 2014 season. The predictions seem to be on target as the teams are 2-1 in Week 1. Read to find out who Rick picked.

(9/11) Women in Sports - Molly West, ESPN
As part of the Women in Sports series, Zoe Forster interviews Cornell alumnus Molly West. This is a great read especially with Molly's upcoming event with the club just next week.

(9/12) SBS Report Recap - September 7
Matt Hakimian recaps the first ever SBS Report. The Sport Business Society's new radio show that is on CornellRadio.com on Sunday Night at 7PM.

SBS Report Recap - September 7

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society's radio show, "The SBS Report" made its debut in the new Olbermann-Corneliess Studios in Collegetown this past Sunday. Host Matt Hakimian and co-host Rob Pannullo discussed many football-related topics as the regular season finally kicked off. Each host shared his opinion on major offseason contracts given to Alex Smith and J.J. Watt. They went on to talk about a few suspensions that were handed down by the NFL over the last week including Wes Welker's four game suspension, and the ban Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay received. 

Matt and Rob also shared on their opinion on Michael Sam's new landing spot in Dallas. They then moved on to the NBA and MLB where they spoke about Kevin Durant's decision to stick with Nike despite the allure of the Under Armour brand, and the Yankees' reported decision to offer longtime General Manager Brian Cashman a new contract at the end of the season. They wrapped up the show with the week that was in college football and the NFL in addition to taking Twitter questions and answering the Final Four rapid fire questions.

The SBS Report airs on Cornellradio.com every Sunday night from 7:00 - 8:00 PM. Matthew Hakimian, the Cornell ILRS Sports Business Society's VP of Radio, discusses the week's biggest topics in sports business and professional sports with fellow members of the club. Have your voice heard live by tweeting your questions to @CornellSBS!

Women in Sports - Molly West, ESPN

The Cornell ILR Sports Business Society is pleased to present our "Women in Sports" series. In recent years, powerful women (led by many Cornell Alumnae) have advanced the role of women in the sports world. We will be featuring the stories of individuals from across the industry, in various stages of their careers, who have made an impact in sports.

Molly West is the focus of this week's edition of Women in Sports. West is a 1997 graduate of Cornell's College of Human Ecology, where she earned her Bachelor's degree in Human Services Studies. She currently serves as VP, Global Business Operation at ESPN, and has previously spoke to the club in person. Molly was kind enough to speak again  to the Cornell ILR SBS Blog about her career and much more.

Why did you go to Cornell?

I think there are multiple reasons why I went to Cornell. I grew up in northeast Pennsylvania. Field hockey is big there. I had every desire and expectation that I would play some point in college. I hurt my knee junior year of high school and in sports your senior year is critical, so I ended up wanting to go to a school where if for some reason my knee didn’t hold up I could still attend there. Obviously going to an Ivy League school isn’t easy, but I had this focus from very early on. I was actually born in Ithaca while my dad was getting his MBA there. When I first came to Cornell my sister was being recruited for field hockey, and I remember thinking that the campus was beautiful. There were freshman on the field and I got such a sense of community. At that time I didn’t know if I was serious about Cornell or not. I ended up applying early decision because I knew it felt like home.

What did you study at Cornell? Did you know you wanted to work in sports while at Cornell?

I was in Human Ecology. I remember seeing the schools and I remember getting the packet. On the cover there was a collage of photos and it said, “Do you want to help people?” That was what I wanted to do. And I knew that was the school I wanted to apply to. HSS was the major I chose and it had a lot of cool courses and professors. One professor, Professor Barr, really spoke to my soul. I ended up focusing on social work. There is a through line into what I do today.

When I came out of school I applied to get my masters in social work. The feedback in that was that I needed more experience. I ended up at the Family Channel as a sales assistant. I worked on the TV media side. Within a couple years the digital industry was exploding and I realized there was an opportunity to help the organization. I asked if there was a way to help manage the new people. I learned through that time, that efficiently managing people is to effectively coach them. As a coach you have to take feedback and change things based on what you hear. I probably get most gratification in helping people. 

A big part of my job is managing this large staff I have, mentoring and coaching them. That has its roots in sports, and I probably have a stronger personality anyways, but I think sports brought that part out in me. You have to be a leader on the field to make an impact. Sports was the place where I felt I could most be myself. You don’t have time to make a lot of other choices. You’re on a team with men or women who are doing the exact same thing. You have to accept each other in high stress situations. The through line is coaching and mentoring others, which I have implemented into my profession. Another thing is really about operations. Finding a way to improve things. I was a goalie. Standing in the back I always felt that my job was to help out my teammates, which I feel I can do in operations.

Could you describe your current role?

I work in media operations at a Sports Company. The Function of my job is to oversee global TV advertising operations. In media today you have an advertiser. Lets say Nike. Nike wants to advertise their products. They work with an advertising agency and the agency goes out and purchases time on behalf of the advertiser. It could be an advertisement in Sports Illustrated or NFL Tonight. Whatever Nike is trying to push, the agency is looking for ad space to find that demographic. We are responsible for creating content. The sales people sell the piece and once the deal has been closed I oversee the completion. We make sure the commercials are booked and when they are run. My job is to oversee globally to make sure the inventory that the advertiser buys is run the way the requested it to be run.

What are your thoughts on the role of gender in the sports industry?

Growing up for me I realized if I wanted to be a great athlete the standards around me was that I wanted the guys to think I was great. Whatever it was I played with guys for as long as I could do it. Back then I felt I needed to be like the guys. Over the years, I realized that we don’t have to be like our male counterparts. We have to be looked at as us women. I think the opportunity is to really own how great it is to be a woman. What that means and how it benefits you. Every person is different. Both men and women have managed me. I don’t think its gender specific about whether a man is a great manager or a woman is. There is a balance at every role in every level.

Part of what happens with women is that there is no wrong or right in our lives. Sometimes the things we do are to please other people. As a woman, some point in your life you may want to get married or have kids. That environment is definitely better today than it was for our moms when they were out working. Some people say there is no point of going for that big job because they are going to be a mom. Are there as many women at the top as men? No. But there are a million reasons for that. 

Maybe I’m a little bit more optimistic. There are challenges and it’s not easy, but the world I live in now I’m very grateful for. At ESPN the company does an excellent job at caring for their employees. I’m lucky to be here. My sports upbringing as a whole really helps in a sports environment because it helps me get along with people in the office. I feel like there is a teamwork here that feels very similar to being apart of a team sport. I think the fact is that when we are sitting in the spot to make things happen, a big part of being successful is managing that inter critic and being confident.

How has the industry changed since when you started?

The biggest change is in the digital and mobile industry. When I was in college I remember seeing someone walking down the street with a huge cell phone and I thought it looked ridiculous. Now none of us can live without our cell phones. I think there is more opportunity because of the digital growth.

Do you have any advice for students, particularly young women, who would like to work in sports?

Think big picture. What does it mean for you to work in sports? What is that exactly? How do you want to contribute? The most important reason I say think big picture is because you need to think about what you are trying to reach. Don’t think small. Keep asking why because it may be that what you really want to do is baseball and that you want to revolutionize it. Get to your own personal mission statement and then come up with what kind of environment you want to work in. Lets say it’s working in media. What’s the best way to work in media and whom are you trying to reach? Part of the reason I say think big picture is because you will have to make some sort of sacrifice. What is your purpose and what do you want to do? Think about what sports mean for you and push it as big as you can. Don’t be afraid to make some sacrifices.

What's your favorite part about working in sports?

The culture of my company is similar to a team nature. I feel like we are kind of an established startup. We have a lot of energy and everyone is pushing. The people here are phenomenal, smart, hardworking and passionate. You don’t have to be die-hard sports fan, but the passion is critical. You need to have that passion and this company has passion at large for sports.

What do you most miss about your time at Cornell?

Cornell felt like home to me so whenever I go up there I feel like I’m returning to some part of myself. It’s a more simplified time when you’re there. It’s a beautiful place and it’s magical because it set this beautiful environment. The constant learning is unique and I think Cornell has a great way of bringing everything together. The season after I graduated I really missed my team. I like to come back once a year and help in some way. It’s always nice to get a little reminder.

We sincerely appreciate alumnae like Molly who take the time to share their experiences with us. "Women in Sports" is only possible through the efforts of industry leaders and students alike. We wish to thank all of the alumni who make the Sports Business Society such a valuable organization for so many Cornellians and others interested sports.

The NFL's Most Improved Teams

The wait is over, it’s football season. And with a new season comes unrealistic optimism for fans like me who--at this point of the season every year--think that their team will be playing in February for the Lombardi Trophy. If your team has let you down recently, however, maybe this actually is the year that your high hopes aren’t baseless. Every year there are teams that perform drastically better than expected, so let’s figure out who those teams will be ahead of schedule. Maybe your team will be the lucky one this year. It is a new season, after all.

Atlanta Falcons: 2013 record: 4-12, 2014 prediction: 10-6
Everyone knows the Falcons aren’t a 4-win team and are due for an improvement in their record this season--the only question is to what degree. I was going to be dramatic and predict a 12-4 record, but they did lose their most consistent player in Tony Gonzalez. Outside of that loss, every other noteworthy difference is a positive one for Atlanta.

Let’s go through some: One of the league’s brightest young stars, Julio Jones, is back. After fracturing his foot in Week 5 against the Jets, Julio spent the rest of the season on the sidelines, watching his well-respected team falter. Is he really good enough to be a difference maker? Yes. He left that Week 5 game early, and was still leading the NFL in receptions at the end of that week. Were he to maintain the pace he was on before the injury, he would have finished with 131 receptions for 1,856 yards (which would’ve easily surpassed the NFL’s best last season). Remember that Jones made the Pro Bowl the year prior after an impressive campaign of 79 receptions for 1,198 yards. Can teams put their best corners on him and stop Atlanta’s entire passing attack?

While  Roddy White has officially become perceived as washed-up, he shouldn’t be. His ankle stopped him last season, which was good news for every corner who hasn’t been able to stop him for the past decade. He’s healthy now, and with a brand new extension that will probably keep him with the Falcons for the rest of his career, he’s certainly not done making his impact just yet. This past season was the first since 2006 that Roddy didn’t gain over 1150 yards receiving. That’s remarkable, and now that he’s healthy again and has Julio to distract the opposition’s best corners, I would be surprised if he didn’t reach at least 1000 yards this year. Matt Ryan and Julio Jones have both said they think Roddy and Julio can each go for 1,500-plus yards this season--which would be the first time that was accomplished by two players on the same team--and while I’m not that optimistic, I think overlooking the Falcons passing game is nothing short of foolish.

Oh by the way, Harry Douglas had a 1,000 yard season of his own last year, and will now be the team’s third receiver. Expect a top-5 passing attack in Atlanta, despite that weak offensive line. They did draft Jake Matthews with their first pick this year, and acquire G Jon Asamoah from the Chiefs, but ater losing Sam Baker for the season already, the offensive line is a question mark for sure. Again, this is a 10-win team we’re talking about, not a Super Bowl winner necessarily. Still, we’re remembering the quality of their organization and forgetting the fluke that was their 2013 season. If their stars stay healthy, we’ll see them playing in January.

Green Bay Packers 2013 record: 8-7-1, 2014 prediction: 11-5
Also very tempted to exaggerate here, but take a look at their schedule and you’ll understand why I’m cautious. No team wants to be in the NFC North right now. 8-7-1 isn’t going to win the division again like it did for Green Bay last season, but I think the Packers will keep their spot at the top here. Concerns: Centers JC Tretter and Don Barclay are out, leaving rookie Corey Linsley with the starting role at least for now. He’s a fifth-round pick out of Ohio State and hasn’t snapped the ball to Aaron Rodgers in any game prior to Week 1. Rodgers is coming off an injury, and the Packers need to keep him healthy if they want to get the incredible play out of him that he is capable of producing. Why I’m Optimistic: Next to Linsley will be veteran guards Josh Sitton and T.J. Lang.

These guys are some of the top guys at their position, and will help ease Linsley into their system and keep Rodgers upright. When Rodgers doesn’t have to worry about the rush, I don’t have to tell you how great he is. With Jordy Nelson coming off a fantastic season, and Randall Cobb ready to show what he can do when healthy, Green Bay’s proven passing attack will be all that’s on opposing defenses minds. Cue Eddie Lacy. Another guy I don’t need to sell, but this young back is actually flying under the radar in my opinion. A Pro Bowler in his rookie season, Lacy is the best running back that isn’t his team’s biggest offensive threat. Don’t overlook that.

While I place guys like AP and Jamaal Charles ahead of him on overall talent, teams know and prepare all week for those guys. The Packers strong passing game will force defenses to spread out, giving Lacy room to improve upon the 1,178 yards he gained in his first season in the NFL. The defense is their weakness, but their pass rush this preseason looked fantastic. Why? Because it’s not the same defense as last year. Green Bay added an 8-time Pro Bowler in Julius Peppers, and an incredibly impressive talent in Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Clay Matthews doesn’t have to play with a broken thumb and Nick Perry won’t be bothered by the broken foot that he played through last season. I love the Packers this year. Expect a run deep into the playoffs, and if the defense keeps up the strong play they’ve shown in the preseason, perhaps even a Super Bowl appearance.

Houston Texans 2013 record: 2-14, 2014 prediction: 8-8
Sigh. I don’t want to write too much about an 8-8 team, but I have to put them here if I expect 6 more wins from them. Arian Foster is still a top-5 back in the NFL, and Andre Johnson is a top-5 receiver in my opinion as far as talent goes. The most improved player, and my fantasy sleeper this year, is the astoundingly athletic DeAndre Hopkins. Their defensive line might have the two best lineman in the game by the end of the season (Watt is already playing and getting paid like it and Clowney’s talent will take him there), and the rest of their defense deserves a good chunk of respect themselves.

 Ryan Fitzpatrick isn’t taking the Texans anywhere. Not saying anything bad about him, but we’ve seen him play to the best of his abilities in those games against New England while with Buffalo, and I don’t think he’ll reach close to that level again. I’m not giving him any extra love because he is a fellow Ivy Leaguer--he should not be the starter in Houston. I think he will be, at least for a while, but once Ryan Mallett is given a chance, I don’t think the Texans will look back. Mallett has a fantastic arm and learned behind one of the greatest of all-time in Tom Brady while in New England. If he gets the nod early in the season, I think Houston will be in playoff form by next year. Give him a shot. Perhaps above all, Houston has one of the easiest schedules in the league.

They get to play the Jaguars and Titans twice each, and will see the other last-placed AFC teams from last season in the Raiders, Browns, and Bills as well. They’re not a good team, but they’re so much better. Start Ryan Mallett and see him become a top-10 QB within a year or two, and they’ll be able to keep an unhappy Andre Johnson with them. If not, let’s hope we haven’t actually seen the best of Ryan Fitzpatrick just yet. No matter what happens, we will see much more than 2 wins this season in Houston.