Blogger Roundtable: 2014 NFL Draft First Round Reactions

The first round of 2014 NFL Draft has come and gone. The hype and dramatic build up was tremendous as always and the first round did not disappoint. We saw everything from stars falling to surprising trades to some pretty big reach picks. All in all, 32 dreams were made a reality on Thursday night and they I'm sure they all cannot wait to get on the field for their very first NFL game.

We asked our bloggers for their reaction to the hectic first round that was. Here is how they responded:

Stephen Rosen, Assistant Editor- Mike Mayock

The highlight of the draft without question was the genius that is Mike Mayock. The NFL Network draft analyst never ceases to amaze me with his ability to predict what is going to happen seconds before it actually does. Starting at 3, with Mayock suggesting Blake Bortles could get drafted by the Jaguars all the way to the suggestion that Marcus Smith may go at 26 to the Eagles, Mayock was amazing. He was without a doubt the round 1 MVP.

Matt Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Quarterbacks

Heading into the draft, I was really interested to see where the big three quarterbacks would wind up. Bortles to Jacksonville was a pretty big reach, especially considering how a guy like Manziel could have filled plenty of their seats. The Browns trading up with their later first rounder to take Johnny Football was an awesome move that I think will work out extremely well for them. Lastly, Teddy Bridgewater landed in a good spot with a Minnesota offense that already features Adrian Peterson and Cordarrelle Patterson. 

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Running Backs

For the second straight year, no running backs were picked in the first round.  We all know that running backs are relatively less valuable in the new NFL, but it is still weird to see tight ends getting popped in the first half of the first round, and see players capable of handling the ball 25+ times a game having to wait until round 2.  The pro game (and the college game) has changed so much just in the last decade.

John Martin, Blog Contributor- St. Louis Rams and Cleveland Browns

Two teams that really impressed me in the first round of the draft were the St. Louis Rams and the Cleveland Browns. The Rams get two huge players to bolster their front line, Greg Robinson on offense and Aaron Donald on defense. While these two picks may not be enough to make serious noise in the NFC West, it is definitely a step in the right direction. Then the Cleveland Browns moved back five spots and still got Justin Gilbert, who many considered the top defensive back in this year's draft as well as a first round pick in next year's draft. Then of course they got Johnny Football who fell down the board. Many experts have their concerns about Manziel and Cleveland hasn't exactly been a hotspot for developing quarterbacks, but getting such a talented player with the 22nd pick is a steal.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Weekly Blog Recap (5/4)

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

(4/28) What Went Wrong With Draft Day?
Assistant Editor Stephen Rosen analyzes the movie Draft Day and explains what he thinks the movie lacked. Was the movie an accurate portrayal of the normal war room of each NFL team? Read to find out.

(4/29) NHL Stanley Cup Finals Prediction
Featured Blogger Stephen Dreznick predicts a rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Final matchup. Will the Blackhawks be crowned yet again? Read for an in-depth look into the projected rematch.

(4/30) Event Recap: Becky Sendrow '02
We finally got around to posting Editor-in-Chief Max Fogle's recap from this great event last semester. Becky Sendrow discussed her career as a Sports Broadcasting Agent at Creative Artist's Agency (CAA). Sendrow spoke of representing clients such as Michelle Beadle, Nomar Garciaparra, and Ephraim Salaam. Read to find out more as well as her valuable advice.

(5/1) All Hail the NCAA's Arcane Rules
Is it time for the NCAA to take a step back and realize certain rule changes are necessary in college athletics? In light of the recent Mitch McGary incident, Stephen Rosen expresses his concern over the current rules.

(5/2) Event Recap: Jim McFarland (4/16/14)
ILRSBS played host to NFLPA Executive Committee member Jim McFarland earlier this semester. McFarland discussed topics such as player health and safety, the NFL concussion lawsuit settlement, college athletics, and race and inequality in football. Read to hear his unique insight.

(5/3) Blogger Roundtable: Best Second Round NHL Series
We rounded up the bloggers for the weekly roundtable. This week's question? Which second round NHL playoff series is the best? Read to see how each blogger chose.

Also, check out our Contributor's Page to get to know our staff. Contact information, career plans, and their sporting interests are all there.

Blogger Roundtable: Most Appealing Regular Season NFL Game

The passion for football in this country is unrivaled. It is because of this passion that the NFL manages to remain relevant in the news even during its offseason. The most recent news was the release of the 2014 regular season schedule and it did not disappoint. You want rivalry games? How does Brady v. Manning round 15, or Steelers v. Ravens, or Seahawks v. 49ers sound? You want a Super Bowl rematch? "Touchception" rematch? Division opponents battling it out for a playoff spot the last week of the season?The NFL schedule-makers listened to your requests and have ensured that all your wants will be met in 2014. Now as the hype for the season builds as the draft grows nearer, the question is which game is going to be the best.

We asked our bloggers which regular season NFL matchup is most intriguing. Here is what they had to say:

Thomas Kroner, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

Disclaimer, I was born and raised in San Francisco. That being said, it should come as no surprise that my most anticipated matchup is Niners-Hawks on Thanksgiving night at Levi's Stadium. This is the first time the NFL's best rivalry meets during the season. Plus it's a home game for San Francisco, so they're more likely to come out with a W. I look for the first offensive play the Niners run to be some sort of screen or sweep action where Joe Staley comes around and gets to pancake Richard Sherman. Nothing would make me happier.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers

The most appealing game of the regular season is the Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers matchup. Both teams have high profile defenses coupled with exceptional young quarterbacks. It will be interesting to see how Cam Newton plays against Seattle's secondary, which is in my opinion, the best defensive unit in the NFL. Also, Russell Wilson will have to face the likes of Luke Kuechly, one of the best young linebackers in the game who has the potential to be a future Hall of Fame player.

Rick Saxe, Featured Blogger- Redskins at Eagles

Definitely Week 3's matchup when Desean and the 'Skins get a shot at the Eagles. Desean Jackson has his chance to prove that Philly made a mistake letting him go. He has already stated that he looks forward to these games and wants them to regret their move. Can't wait to see him do it.

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers

The most attractive game for the 2014 season has to be the Seattle Seahawks at the San Francisco 49ers in Week 13. Easily the best rivalry in football at the moment, the Niners and Seahawks flat out hate the opposition. San Francisco has been on the cusp of a Super Bowl each of the last three years while Seattle is coming off a dominating championship performance. There is no doubt that San Fran will be seeking to avenge their loss in the thrilling NFC Title Game back in January. The stage will certainly be set for this Turkey Day clash in the new Levi's Stadium.

John Martin, Blog Contributor- Redskins at Eagles

The obvious answer to the question would be the NFC Championship Game rematch when the Seahawks travel to new Levi's Stadium to take on the 49ers on Thanksgiving Day. But the game I am more excited to watch due to how deeply rooted the bad blood is, is in Week 3 when the Redskins travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles. This will be DeSean Jackson's first time back in Philadelphia, facing the team that cut him over "personal issues" after his best season in 2013. Jackson could have a big game against a pass defense that gave up the most yards during the 2013 regular season, as he seeks revenge against Chip Kelly and the Eagles' front office.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Blogger Roundtable: NBA Draft Prospects

There is always hype going into a draft concerning a special few players who will go as lottery picks. Making the correct choice, or winning the lottery in a sense, requires an in-depth analysis of the top college prospects. The best player in the draft may not be the most pro-ready as of now, but that is the beauty of these athletes entering the league so young. They can be coached and molded into the ideal player.

We asked our bloggers which college prospect who has declared for the 2014 NBA Draft is going to have the best professional career. Here is what they had to say:

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Andrew Wiggins

Andrew Wiggins will have the best professional career. He has the perfect build for a defender, since he is 6' 8" with an even bigger wingspan. There is minimal bust potential with Wiggins, because he will be able to shut down the opposing team's best player. Moreover, he has significantly developed his offensive game since arriving at Kansas, and the sky is the limit on this side of the ball. I could see Andrew Wiggins becoming a player of Kevin Durant's caliber, if not better.

Thomas Kroner, Featured Blogger- Aaron Gordon

This may be my Bay Area bias coming through, but I'd have to say Aaron Gordon. He's 6'8" with out of this world athleticism. He's also much more developed skill-wise, than his NBA comparison Blake Griffin was at the same point in their careers. If he gets drafted by a team that puts him in a good situation look for Gordon to blossom in the NBA.
 

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Andrew Wiggins

This question is really contingent on whether or not Jabari Parker comes out or stays another year at Duke to play with Jahlil Okafor. The guy can score in any way he wants - he reminds me of a more physical Carmelo Anthony. If Parker doesn't come out though, Wiggins has the best chance to become a superstar from this year's class. Wiggins was the consensus top pick prior to this season, but he underperformed as a freshman at Kansas. He has a ton of potential, but he will definitely need to bulk up a bit if he wants to thrive in the NBA.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Joel Embiid

It's really easy to dream on a guy like Embiid.  He's got the measurables (7'0'', 250 lbs.) and the production (11.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 2.6 blocks per game while averaging just 23.1 minutes). He's the best center prospect in a long time, and it's not hard to imagine him becoming a perennial All-Star.   The BIG thing working against the Cameroonian is his injury history, along with the recent track record of centers selected with top picks.  But if you are a team that is picking early, the best bet for an impact player is probably Embiid.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Blogger Roundtable: NFL Free Agency Analysis

The wondrous period that is free agency has gotten underway in the NFL and the first two weeks have been exciting to say the least. Multiple big names around the league will be wearing a different uniform next year as they settle into their newest destination. We have seen the two Super Bowl contenders make some key signings that they hope will propel them to a return trip to the big game. Meanwhile, other teams are trying to make strategic signings in an attempt to fill holes before the draft on May 8th.

We asked our blogger's who they thought made the best free agent signing thus far. Here is what they had to say:

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Darrelle Revis to the New England Patriots

As a Jets fan it hurts to say this but Darrelle Revis to the New England Patriots was a steal. Still one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Revis was cut last week by the new regime in Tampa Bay. After essentially trading Revis for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sheldon Richardson, the Jets had the opportunity to sign the star corner, but Woody Johnson didn't want to deal with the drama. Bill Belichick saw a golden opportunity as the Pats scooped Revis up; I guess Revis has to apologize to his new head coach now though.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Denver Broncos

The best NFL free agency signings were done by the Denver Broncos. After having their defense embarrassed in the Super Bowl, they used their money to acquire Demarcus Ware and Aqib Talib. Even though people think that they overpaid for these players, they were able to improve their defense with Pro Bowl players. This, coupled with their high powered offense led by Peyton Manning, makes them serious contenders for a shot at the 2015 Super Bowl.

John Zakour, Featured Blogger- Jairus Byrd to the New Orleans Saints

The best signing of NFL free agency was the Saints and Jairus Byrd. The Saints supposedly couldn't free up any cap space, yet they reeled in the best free agent of the class and at an obvious position of need. People forget amidst their near record setting offense how pivotal elite safety play was to their Super Bowl year. The Saints are poised to put themselves in a great position to replicate their magical year.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Every Team Who Doesn't Sign an Expensive Free Agent

While free agents definitely can be an important addition to playoff and championship teams, plenty of teams have success without breaking the bank for free agents.  This is probably due to the fact that good teams have a productive core of players already under contract taking up most of the cap space.  It's really not a bold statement to say that many good teams this season will not sign major free agents this spring.

Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Blogger Roundtable: NHL Trade Deadline Analysis

The 2014 NHL trade deadline was one to remember. Wednesday provided non-stop trade action that had fans of every team on the edge of their seats right up until the 3pm deadline.Trades are an exciting facet of major league sports and this deadline certainly did not lack excitement. Big names were on the move along with role players and we even saw a captain for captain deal as every team attempted to better position themself for the playoff race down the stretch.

We asked our bloggers for their reactions to the deadline's stories. Here's what they had to say.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger- Ryan Callahan for Martin St. Louis

The best trade was the one between the Rangers and the Lightning, in which the Rangers traded away their captain, Ryan Callahan, and received Martin St. Louis. This trade was very surprising, as you don't typically see a team trade away their captain. However, St. Louis was angry at Lightning General Manager Steve Yzerman, because he didn't select St. Louis to the original Canada team in the Olympics - this anger boiled over and led to the eventual trade.

Ben Cantor, Assistant Editor- Marian Gaborik to Los Angeles Kings

Very strange to see Marian Gaborik moved in two straight years at the trade deadline. It is peculiar that two consecutive teams had trouble fitting a three-time All-Star into their long term plans.

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Ryan Miller to St. Louis Blues

Coming off the heels of the Sochi Winter Olympics, some major stars were moved at the NHL trade deadline. I would have to say the Blues made the biggest splash by acquiring longtime Buffalo Sabers goalie Ryan Miller. Although it had to give up a ton to get the American, St. Louis definitely positioned itself well to compete with the Anaheim Ducks and the Chicago Blackhawks in the Western Conference.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief, Thomas Vanek to Montreal Canadians

I really like this trade. Mostly because I really like Thomas Vanek. I know the Isles are sort of moving on from 2013, but their ROI on Vanek was very low.  He was my favorite rental player on the market, and he makes the Habs a lot better.  To give up nothing off the NHL roster for a top line forward was very impressive.


Be sure to comment below to let us know your opinion.

Alumni Spotlight: Rivalry Wear Co-Founder Jorge Lee '07

Recently, we highlighted Rivalry Wear, an emerging sports apparel vendor. In case you missed it, the company was founded by two Cornell Alumni, Dan Hershberg '06 and Jorge Lee '07. We were able to hear from Jorge about Rivalry Wear, Cornell, his other business endeavors, and much more.

1. Could you tell us a little about your background, including your time at Cornell?

I am originally from Mill Valley, California, which is a suburb about 10 minutes outside of San Francisco. I went into Cornell with the intention of eventually pursuing a graduate degree in clinical psychology, but fell in love with entrepreneurship during my senior year. Outside of academics I played club soccer for Mundial for four years, frequented many hockey games, thought nothing beat a CTB pitcher on a sunny day, and remember several 3am runs to Shortstop for a double Sui.

2. What was your path from Cornell to your current endeavors, particularly Rivalry Wear?

During my senior year at Cornell I decided I wanted to start a business after graduation and spent the months following graduation working on a business plan. I launched my first business in March of 2008, and after growing the business for three years, decided to pursue an MBA to round out my business knowledge.

While completing an MBA at Georgetown I continued to run my business remotely, and returned to California in 2012 to grow my business further. Early last year I reached out to Dan to see if he would be interested in establishing a PhillyPhaithful-type business in San Francisco, and after several calls back and forth, Rivalry Wear was born.

3. Why Rivalry Wear? What compelled you to get into the sports apparel industry, and why was this the model you chose?

Initially I reached out to Dan because in early 2013 San Francisco teams had been doing very well, and I thought it would be a great opportunity for PhillyPhaithful to enter a new market. However, after several discussions it became clear the strategy should be to launch nationally all at once.

I was not looking to get into sports apparel, per se; I was looking for a business opportunity that would complement my existing business. At that point in my life I was looking for a business with high growth potential and an endeavor that I would be passionate about. With Rivalry Wear I am able to add value remotely, which was critical because I am currently based in San Francisco. As a lifelong sports fan, working in the sports space is a dream come true.

We built the business model from the ground up to address many of the issues Dan had experienced while running a sports apparel business. With our model we are able to manage inventory risk, focus on relevant content relating to any team/player/sport, and encourage users to share our designs throughout their social networks.

4. Can you tell us a little bit about your other business ventures?

After I had committed to the idea of starting a business after Cornell, I outlined several things I wanted to accomplish: to create a business that helped people, to run the business in San Francisco, and to start the business with minimal upfront investment (I had to pay my way through Cornell and had student loans to pay back). I decided to start a nontoxic housecleaning business because it fulfilled all of these goals.

I taught myself web design, spent 4 months writing a business plan, and learned how to make cleaning solutions from scratch out of things like vinegar, baking soda and club soda. We launched in 2008 and have been responsible for making homes healthier for hundreds of residents of the Bay Area as well as significantly reducing toxins that get released into the environment.

5. How do you balance your time between businesses?

Like any entrepreneur worth his/her salt, in the beginning of my business I had to pay my dues. I spent first months of Marin House Cleaning LLC scrubbing kitchens and vacuuming floors, which is something I do not think many of my Ivy League counterparts were doing at the time. I knew that in order to run a successful business I had to know everything there was to know about the industry, as well as experience what my employees would go through day in and day out.

My goal for the business from the beginning was automation, and after a few months I was able to hire additional employees so I could focus on management of the company. While completing my MBA in Washington DC I was able to practice running a business remotely, so when it was time to shift my focus to Rivalry Wear I was accustomed to working on several projects at once. At this point MHC is largely running itself, and I spend the majority of time on Rivalry Wear-specific projects.

6. Do you have any advice for entrepreneurial students interested in sports?

My best advice would relate to entrepreneurship in general rather than entrepreneurship in the sports space. I think the most common misconception is that your success will depend solely on the idea you have. I would argue execution is much more important than the idea, and sometimes you just need to take an existing business and improve it rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. While I do think you need an idea that will make money, I have seen many excellent ideas ultimately fail because of poor execution.

I would also suggest taking advice from everyone but acting with your own mind. While I was writing my first business plan some people thought it was a great idea while others thought it would not work. People will offer great advice and it’s important to listen, but at the end of the day you have to believe in yourself and decide which direction to take your business in.

My last piece of advice is practice getting comfortable with ambiguity and the unknown. As a business owner you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow, and more often than not you will have to deal with something you have never done before. For instance, one moment I’ll be designing a webpage, and then the next moment I will be creating an Excel table comparing pricing matrixes between different print shops.  

I think in school it is pretty straight forward what will come your way thanks to syllabi and lesson plans, but in entrepreneurship you have to create your own plan and decide what is most important at any particular moment. I think this uncertainty frightens some people, but it is what makes entrepreneurship truly exciting.

7. Could you think of an experience at Cornell that had the largest impact in shaping your professional life?

There was one class that changed my life forever, and it was AEM 1210 - Entrepreneurship Speaker Series. The 1 credit course was simply successful Cornell entrepreneurs speaking about their businesses and the path they took to get there. The class was the first time in my life I was exposed to successful entrepreneurs, as none of my friends or family had ever started a business.  

It during those class sessions that I began to view starting my own business as a legitimate option after graduating Cornell, and by the end of the semester I was convinced I had to try my hand at entrepreneurship. I think it’s a must for any Cornell student interested in entrepreneurship, and I truly believe it was the catalyst for future endeavors in entrepreneurship.

We would like to thank Jorge for taking the time to answer our questions. Be sure to check out the website if you haven't already. Rivalry Wear Company Website

Alumni Spotlight: Rivalry Wear Co-Founder Dan Hershberg '06

Recently, we highlighted Rivalry Wear, an emerging sports apparel vendor. In case you missed it, the company was founded by two Cornell Alumni, Dan Hershberg '06 and Jorge Lee '07.  We were able to hear from Dan about Rivalry Wear, Cornell, and much, much more.

1. Could you tell us a little about your background, including your time at Cornell?

I’m originally from Philadelphia, where my father has been a Professor at Penn for 40+ years. Despite his best arguments, I chose to enroll at Cornell in 2002. While on campus, I played three years of club soccer for Mundial, spent countless hours with the Lynah Faithful and in between that, somehow managed to get my degree in American Studies. I also made a point to eat at every dining hall on campus and can confirm that Cornell food is second to none.

2. What was your path from Cornell to your current endeavors, particularly Rivalry Wear?

After graduating in 2006, I took a job with ESPN as a production assistant at their Bristol, CT studios. At ESPN I produced and edited montages, as well as other creative pieces that aired nightly on the 11pm and 1am SportsCenter. My work was featured in--and responsible for—the creation of the SportsCenter “Encore” segment, a creative revisit of an important game or series from that night.

In the fall of 2008, I felt a pull towards entrepreneurship and moved home to Philadelphia where I started Philly Phaithful, a business specializing in originally designed Philadelphia sports apparel. Over the last five years, our company has been featured in ESPN the Magazine and Sports Illustrated, as well as on many local networks like Comcast SportsNet and WIP Sports Radio.

During that time, I focused on learning everything I could about the day-to-day operations of running a small business, with the long-term goal of growing the basic concept into a brand with a more widespread appeal.

Even with the launch of Rivalry Wear in November 2013, I still run Philly Phaithful as well as our sister company, Broad Street Broad, a Philadelphia female sports apparel brand started by my girlfriend Christine Blechman, before she moved back into the full-time sector.

3. Why Rivalry Wear? What compelled you to get into the sports apparel industry, and why was this the model you chose?

Rivalry Wear is the result of what I’ve learned running Philly Phaithful. Along with my business partner Jorge Lee (HE ’07), the business model we developed over the last year and a half was designed to address the variety of obstacles I faced while operating Philly Phaithful. As a small business owner, you face a myriad of daily challenges, from customer service and fulfillment to cash flow and marketing on a shoestring budget.

From a customer-facing standpoint, the Rivalry Wear model gives us a platform to provide our customers with a unique opportunity to control the final purchase price of their item through social media interaction, as well as the chance to purchase timely, relevant products.

From a business-facing standpoint, we’ve been able to largely eliminate the sunken cost of inventory, minimize the amount of advertising dollars necessary to promote our brand, and create an advanced schedule that streamlines the production process.

4. How do you envision Rivalry Wear growing? Where are the opportunities for expansion?

While we’re still in the infancy of our business model, we’re quite bullish about the growth potential. Currently, we feature six cities (Boston, Chicago, LA, New York, Philadelphia and the Bay Area) plus a national section, but we’d like to expand into other markets once we’ve laid a solid foundation and worked out any kinks that might develop over the first 6-12 months. There’s also been internal discussion about expanding into college apparel, although that’s probably a little ways down the line.

 5. Where do the ideas for your shirts come from? Some of the designs are very entertaining. 

Currently, all of our concepts originate in-house, although we do have plans to push our “Submit Your Own Design” page for a bit more crowd-soured material in the future. The designs themselves are a team effort, most stemming from brainstorming sessions that focus on current events in the sports world, relevant pop culture themes and often times, random ideas that seem like fun.

6. Could you think of an experience at Cornell that had the largest impact in shaping your professional life?

While it might only seem tangentially related to the path I chose, taking Introduction to Wines my senior year most definitely had the largest impact in my decisions to start my own businesses. Up until my senior year, I never looked at my course selection with a pre-professional eye. That is, I took what was required of me to graduate and didn’t focus on classes where I was completely engaged and enjoying the subject matter.

Taking the class opened my eyes to the fact that a finding a career didn’t have to be solely about work, in the traditional sense. I was fascinated with wine and many people were making a living in the industry, from growing grapes and creating product to selling and marketing a brand. Seeing as how sports had always been my passion, this experience allowed me to think about ways that I could channel that passion into a career and more specifically, the variety of paths I could take to achieve my goals.

7. Do you have any advice for entrepreneurial students interested in sports?

It’s important for students to decide if they want to turn their passion/hobby into their profession. That might seem like a natural progression but in reality it’s not always feasible or even desirable to merge the two.

For instance, I couldn’t have been more excited to take the job at ESPN, but after two years of working there I couldn’t have been more excited to leave. Working 6p-3a, weekends and holidays will do that to you. If being a fan above all else—attending/watching games—is what matters most, I wouldn’t recommend working for a team or sports media.

Often times, it’s more important to know what you don’t want to do, even though it’s usually easier to focus on what you do want. My experience at ESPN didn’t end up in a 20-year career, but it got me to think outside the box about how to pursue a career in sports without sacrificing everything I love about being a fan. In a nutshell, that’s what entrepreneurship is all about: identifying a problem, clearly determining a goal, and then executing a plan to find a solution.

Along those lines, the single biggest piece of tangible advice I ever received is to write things down. From short term to-do lists, to intermediate plans to long-term goals, it’s incredibly helpful to keep everything right in front of you. Having clearly defined goals provides a semblance of structure that a non-entrepreneur might have provided for them.

We would like to thank Dan for taking the time to answer our questions. Don't forget to check back next week for an exclusive interview with Jorge Lee, Dan's co-founder at Rivalry Wear. And while your at it be sure to check out the website if you haven't already. Rivalry Wear Company Website

Blogger Roundtable: Must-Watch Winter Olympic Sport

What is the most intriguing, must-watch Winter Olympics event and why? Here are our thoughts, now share yours. Be sure to vote in the poll above and comment below to let us know your opinion.

With the 2014 Winter Olympic Games getting underway in Sochi, Russia feelings of nationalism, patriotism, and pride in our country reach peak levels. As the most talented athletes from across the globe step into the national spotlight we will get to view some of the most classic along with some of the most strange events on a daily basis. All of the events are unique in their own sense, but some are clearly more captivating than others.

The little nuances about each sport are what makes each competition so fascinating. Figure skating and snowboarding are critiqued down to every little movement by the participants, luge, skeleton, and speed skating are all about, and bobsled and hockey are all about a team first mentality. It is a challenge to pick one favorite event, so we asked our bloggers to help you out.

What is the most intriguing, must-watch Winter Olympics event and why?

Here's a look at what our bloggers had to say:Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Men's Hockey

There's no doubt that hockey is the most intriguing event at the Winter Olympics. People might say curling or skeleton just because we only watch these sports once every four years, but lets be real here - there is no sport in the Olympics more thrilling than hockey. Unlike basketball, professional hockey stars rarely have the opportunity to represent their nations. When they have the opportunity to do so in Sochi these next couple weeks, it will absolutely be must-watch TV.

Stephen Rosen, Assistant Editor- Curling

Curling. Its a once every four years event. Unlike hockey, snowboarding or even figure skating which get coverage even in non-Olympic years, Curling is only televised during these weeks. For those who don't totally understand curling take a break and watch some of the action on CNBC or USA throughout the week. It is amazing how something that looks so simple can be so difficult. Maybe we should call it the Flappy Bird of Olympic sports. I am excited to continue this once every four year tradition and get totally wrapped in this Olympic's curling events.
Stephen Dreznick, Blog Contributor- Men's Hockey

The most intriguing sport in the Winter Olympics is men's hockey. There is violence, action and suspense all involved. Many of the other sports, such as skiing and figure skating, can be boring to watch at times. Last Olympics, the gold medal game in hockey ended on an overtime goal, in which Canada defeated the United States. The bottom line is that men's hockey is very captivating to watch and is the most intriguing sport in this year's Olympics.
Max Fogle. Editor-in-Chief-Curling

It's curling and it's not even close.  Ten ends of gut wrenching action you can't see anywhere else.  Curlers practice in underwhelming facilities for decades, all without a single paycheck, waiting for their chance at representing their country.  No precision game (darts, archery, bowling, etc.) requires the strategy of curling. And perhaps no other Olympic sport better captures the spirit of amateurism like curling.

What is the most intriguing, must-watch Winter Olympics event and why? Here are our thoughts, now share yours. Be sure to vote in the poll above and comment below to let us know your opinion.

Weekly Blog Recap

Here's a rundown on all of the content on the blog this week:

(2/2) Why the Bulls-Cavaliers Trade Means More than You Think 
Incoming freshman Mitchell Myers makes his blog debut with this NBA trade analysis. This in-depth look at what Luol Deng means for the Cavs, and what Andrew Bynum and draft picks meant for the Bulls.

(2/3) Letter to 49er Fans
Featured Blogger Thomas Kroner pens this open letter following the San Francisco's disappointing playoff finish. This unabashedly biased piece comes off like an obituary, and a must-read for Bay Area fanatics.

(2/4) The Weekly Rant: Arbitration and Bullpen Construction
Max Fogle ponders if teams are acquiring veteran relief pitchers in order to keep the arbitration prices of their current bullpen low.  He reaches the conclusion that "proven closers" may actually represent relative bargains in the long run.

(2/5) Blogger Roundtable: Foreign Invasion- International Sports in the U.S.
Assistant Editor Adam Malz rounds up the bloggers for the weekly roundtable. This week's question? Which internationally popular sport has the most potential in the U.S.?  We all chime in without any understanding of how cricket is actually played,

(2/6)  Rivalry Wear Changing the Model
The blog profiles Rivalry Wear, an emerging sports apparel start-up with a unique e-commerce model.  It's innovative founders are two recent Cornell grads, so it's more than worth a read.

(2/7) Event Recap: NHLPA's Alex Dagg and Mathieu Schneider
We finally got around to posting Jon Levitan's recap from this awesome event last semester.  NHLPA officials Alex Dagg (Director of Operations) and Mathieu Schneider (Special Assistant) spoke to SBS members about labor relations in hockey, among a host of topics.  Schneider, a former All-Star and Stanley Cup winner discussed his playing career through a series of work stoppages.

(2/8) Batting Leadoff: Marginal Win Value and Dollars Per Win
Our partners at Batting Leadoff deliver premium baseball content, and this piece is no exception. See what factors need to be considered in evaluating baseball transactions.

Also, check out our Contributors Page to get to know our staff.  Contact information, career plans, and their sporting interests are all there. 

Rivalry Wear Changing the Model

"We wanted to create a new business model whereby online consumers are exposed to new content on a continuous basis, one that provides a financial incentive for sharing that content with their extended social network."

-Rivalry Wear CEO Dan Hershberg

As sports fans we love to cheer on our favorite team and celebrate victories along with our fellow hometown fans, but there is one thing we love more than anything. We love to hate. There is nothing better than having a heated rival come to town and bring a bunch of traveling fans only to later watch them leave early because of the beating your team just handed them.

Rivalries are what make sports so exhilarating. Fans love to represent their city and prove their mettle. Now, two Cornell alumni, Jorge Lee and Dan Hershberg, have come together to create Rivalry Wear, an apparel company built on sports rivalries. Rivalry Wear serves these fans through a one of a kind e-commerce model that combines crowd-sourcing discounts, intercity competition, and social media integration.

It all starts when the "Deal" goes live. This stage features one limited design item that is live for a set period. Each featured item starts at a set price, but has the ability to drop in price as more customers agree to purchase the item. For every 10 people who buy, the price falls $1 for everyone.

This creates the incentive for those who agree to purchase the item to immediately begin sharing it on any and every social media outlet they can imagine. The more they spread the word and promote the product, the more they save. By utilizing the power of social media, Rivalry Wear lets customers do the marketing.

Whether re-tweeting on Twitter to all their followers, posting on Facebook for all their friends to see, or even posting a picture on Instagram, customers are educating others about the site and exposing them to an exclusive product all while helping themselves pay a lower price.

Getting your name out and displaying successful products are crucial aspects for any new business, but especially an e-commerce site. There is no better way of doing that than marketing through social media sites and Rivalry Wear has created the motivation for its customers to do that marketing for them.

At the end of the live period for the current "Deal", all purchasers receive the item at the final, lowest price. Along with sharing the "Deal" to control the final purchase price, Rivalry Wear customers accumulate points for their city with every purchase. Their website offers real-time standings that allows fans to see where their city stands compared to their rivals.

Another innovative aspect of the business model is "Rivalry Weeks", in which two cities are set against each other and gives the fans a chance to show their city's strength by earning the lowest price on a "Deal". Once the scores of the Rivalry Week are calculated they are placed into the standings.

The fans of the city atop the standings at years end are rewarded with prize offerings. Lee and Hershberg started out focusing mostly on a few core markets including New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco. Recently, they have added a "National" section to capitalize on other potential markets and fan bases (such as Kevin Durant supporters).

Cornell alumni Jorge Lee and Dan Hershberg have established an exciting, competitive, reward-based business model in which fans can do what they love most; beat their bitter rivals. By separating themselves from other sports merchandisers, Rivalry Wear is well positioned to make an impact in the marketplace.  

Blogger Roundtable: Foreign Invasion- International Sports in the U.S.

Which of these internationally popular team sports has the most potential in the United States; Australian Rules Football, Cricket, Handball, or Rugby? Here are our thoughts, what are yours? Be sure to vote in the poll and comment to give us your opinion.

As the Winter Olympic Games approach, we will have the opportunity to see many sports that rarely receive much attention. But this is what makes the Olympics great. Not only do we get to root for our country, but we get to see the best athletes from around the world compete in seemingly foreign events that otherwise wouldn't be on mainstream television.

This got us thinking about internationally popular sports that could make the transition to the United States and gain domestic popularity. Rugby provides that roughness that we love about football and is already gaining participation among Americans. Cricket is one of the most popular sports across the globe, with a strong base in the expanding eastern marketplaces, with inroads into the western hemisphere as well . Australian Rules Football has imitated North American sports leagues, providing a stable and accessible platform for American success.

Which of these internationally popular team sports has the most potential in the United States; Australian Rules Football, Cricket, Handball, or Rugby?

And here is what they had to say:

Rick Saxe, Featured Blogger-Rugby

As Americans' frustration grows with the changing realities of NFL football, rugby has a prime opportunity to step in and become popular. Rugby seems to be able to implement rules protecting its players whilst still maintaining an unquestioned fierceness. It would never replace the NFL, but it can fill a gap that the NFL is struggling to fill.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief- Australian League Football

I think Australian Rules Football has a chance to become surprisingly popular and generate significant revenue in the United States. While cricket and rugby are truly global sports with high participation rates and tens of millions of fans,their most popular events are competition between national teams. Without must-see domestic league programming, it seems unlikely that these sports will make anything more than superficial inroads into the US Market.

Australian Rules Football's model is structurally most similar to North American sports leagues. It is not hard to imagine the sport getting similar air time as the CFL or Arena Football. There's probably room on one of the new major sports networks' docket for a quality product like Aussie Rules Football.

Matthew Hakimian, Featured Blogger- Cricket

I would probably have to say cricket. Aside from soccer of course, cricket is considered by many to be the most popular sport in the world. Admittedly, I do not know much about cricket except the fact that Piers Morgan enjoys tweeting about the English national team quite often.

However, I do know that it does not involve any contact, which would likely help its potential to succeed in the United States. With more and more information being released about the dangers of head injuries in sports such as American football, hockey, and boxing; cricket has a legitimate shot to become popular in the United States.

Stephen Dreznick, Contributor- Rugby

I think that rugby has the most potential to be a popular sport in the United States. It is similar to football in the sense that it's a very physical sport that involves tackling the opponent. Americans tend to enjoy sports of this nature.

Moreover, some of my friends back home recently started playing rugby and have really enjoyed it. This leads me to believe that this sport has much more potential to prosper in America compared to Australian Rules Football and Cricket, as I do not know anyone who has played or watched any of these three sports.

Which of these internationally popular team sports has the most potential in the United States; Australian Rules Football, Cricket, Handball, or Rugby? Here are our thoughts, what are yours? Be sure to vote in the poll and comment to give us your opinion.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Does Soccer Threaten the Most?

Which North American sports league does soccer threaten the most? We gave our thoughts, so now it's your turn. Answer our poll at the top of the blog and then leave a comment at the bottom of this post explaining why.  

We all know that soccer is experiencing tremendous growth both in North America and abroad.  Powerful foreign soccer leagues clash with North American leagues' expansion overseas, while also carving out a chunk out a slice of the domestic sports market as well.  Soccer stacks up very well among Hispanics and young audiences, both favorable market segments.

MLS has also emerged onto the mainstream, with average attendances higher than that of the NBA or NHL.A mature MLS would almost certainly force a disruption in the traditional "Big Four" model of professional North American sports.

But the competition for viewers may not even be the greatest threat. Injury and cost concerns for youth participation have driven many athletes into soccer. Many parents choose soccer as an alternative to the physicality of football.  Others families may not be able or willing to pay for the significant expenses related to hockey and baseball at a young age.  If soccer can continue to win in the marketplace of youth participation, the consequences could be significant for other sports.

So here's the question for our blogger roundtable:

Which league does soccer threaten the most?

Matthew Hakimian- NFL

The NFL has to feel somewhat threatened by the growth of soccer in America. It seems like everyday more cases come out regarding players suing the league for health-related issues, including concussions. In turn, many American families are becoming reluctant in allowing their children to play such a physical sport. Moreover, it certainly does not help that we're one of the few nations in the world that refer to the NFL when talking about "football". 

Adam Malz- None

I don't think the growth of soccer is anywhere near the point of threatening any one of the four major sports leagues in the United States. It simply does not have the fan support that the MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL currently do. Also, the fact of the matter is that the U.S. level of competition of soccer is very far from what it is in Europe. Perhaps it will pose a threat in the future, but I don't see it being a major concern for any of the major four leagues for a while.

 John Zakour- None/MLB

I don't think soccer especially threatens any of the major American sports. I suppose if it could reach popularity levels of the big four in America, then we might have a conversation. That day is probably far enough away that the dynamic of the big four will likely be very different. Soccer still struggles to get highlights on ESPN, and the MLS is still a second tier league, at best. 

But, If I had to choose, I'd say soccer threatens MLB the most. The prototypical soccer player is most similar to the prototypical baseball player, as neither sport really has "size requirements" (soccer and baseball players still look like non-giants, unlike the NFL and NBA) and both tend to attract Hispanic and Asian audiences. But I'm grasping at straws here. I doubt Bud Selig is losing sleep over it. 

Stephen Rosen- MLB

The sad answer is MLB. The 2013 World Series was the least watched World Series by Americans under 18 EVER. There is no way around the fact that baseball does not have a young core group of fans to continue its growth into the next 20 years. Baseball suffers from long breaks and extremely slow moving pace. Unlike soccer which ever game is almost always under 2 hours, baseball can have a non-delayed 9 inning game take 4 hours. Lastly baseball has lost one of its coolest aspects in the post season the day time game. The 9:07 start to ever World Series games means most kids will be long asleep by the time the late innings arrive. 

MLS instead went with a 4PM Saturday start to its classic MLS final on Saturday between Sporting Kansas City and Real Salt Lake that everyone could watch. Despite the fact the game went through extra time and a shootout it was still over by 8PM when every kid was awake. Major League Baseball may be America's pastime but soon it will be past its time as a major American sport.

Blogger Roundtable: Brazil 2014 or Rio 2016?

Which sporting event in Brazil would you rather attend: The 2014 FIFA World Cup or The 2016 Summer Olympics? Please give your opinion by answering the poll at the top of the page and share your thoughts in the comments section.

All eyes will be on Brazil in two of the next three summers as the country is set to host what are arguably the two biggest international sporting competitions in the world. Many people dream about getting the chance to go to either event, but if you could only go to one, which one would you select?

Here's what our bloggers had to say:


Adam Malz - Olympics

I would much rather attend the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. The Olympics offer a variety of sports and the same level of pride in your country that the World Cup offers.

Matthew Hakimian - World Cup

Despite the aura the Summer Olympics carries, there is no single sporting event that can match the excitement of the World Cup. It is the pinnacle of the most popular sport outside the U.S. as the world's best soccer players vie to obtain national glory. In addition, from start to finish the World Cup is twice as long as the Summer Olympics (32 to 16 days). As a huge soccer fan though, my answer is likely biased due to the fact that the quality of Olympic soccer doesn't even compare to the level of competitiveness featured in the World Cup.

Thomas Kroner - Olympics

I would rather go to the Summer Olympics in Brazil simply because America is considerably better at nearly every other sport in the world than we are at soccer. If I’m spending the money to travel and stay in another continent then I want to see America succeed. The last thing I want is some little Portuguese person coming up to me talking trash about the result of a game.

Max Fogle - Olympics

After seeing the World Cup draw for the USMNT, I'm tempted to say the Olympics. While I would like to see the German national team and the Ronaldo national team, I wouldn't be able to take another defeat to Ghana. I would rather get better use on all of my star spangled paraphernalia and watch a bunch of Americans win at sports that I usually do not watch. It would be Rio 2016 for me.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Best Selects and Trains Talent

Which league bests selects and trains talent? We gave our thoughts, so now it's your turn. Answer our poll at the top of the blog and then leave a comment at the bottom of this post explaining why. 

Inspired by their learning in human resource courses, our bloggers took a stab at what can be a major consideration for professional sports leagues.  Analyzing how leagues select and train talent may seem a little abstract.  But scouting and developing players is a very real concept. 

Which of the four leagues best utilize other professional and amateur networks to identify suitable candidates.  Which league is most efficient and effective in hiring the most qualified players. Between the big four, which has the best developmental system in place?

That's what our bloggers tried to answer.

Adam Malz- MLB

In my opinion, the MLB does the best job identifying and developing talent. The minor league system is very successful and players are able to learn the ropes and improve the most. Players do not make it to the major league level unless they work hard and absolutely deserve it.

Thomas Kroner- MLB

I think Major League Baseball does the best job of hiring and training its players. The depth of their drafts allows it so players who aren't the top prospects to get an in with the organization and have the possibility of moving up in the ranks. The NBA D-League pales in comparison to the effectiveness and popularity of Minor League Baseball

Joshua Goldstein- NBA

Due to its relatively low amount of professional players in the league and its smaller draft size, the NBA has the most effective method of identifying its players. While football teams have over 50 people on their rosters, basketball teams can only have 13 active players on their rosters at any given time. Also, the NFL draft has seven rounds, while the NBA draft only has two rounds. Since NBA teams hire and therefore seek out less players than other sport franchises, the NBA has the least arduous job finding suitable employees.

Ben Cantor- NFL

I believe the NFL has the most effective method of identifying and developing talent in comparison to the other major sports leagues. The fact that prospective football players must be three years removed from high school provides scouts with ample opportunity to evaluate their ability in college. Furthermore, NFL organizations employ many specialized coaches, who represent valuable assets for developing young talent.

The NBA's developmental league is a valuable resource for young players to gain experience against top competition. However, the nature of basketball is such that rookies are often expected to contribute significantly right away, and failure to meet high expectation can hamper a young player’s development. The MLB’s minor league system allows young players to hone their skills against lesser competition. However, baseball’s scouting system is steeped in outdated traditions, and it’s flaws were detailed in Michael Lewis’s Moneyball.

College Hockey Conference Realignment

College hockey has already undergone some serious conference realignments and I believe that this will continue to be a trend throughout all of NCAA hockey. Two new conferences have gone into effect this season in the Big Ten and NCHC (National Collegiate Hockey Conference) and with their emergence the landscape of collegiate hockey conferences has been drastically altered.

Two of the major conferences before these additions, the WCHA (Western Collegiate Hockey Association) and CCHA (Central Collegiate Hockey Association) each took a significant blow. The WCHA lost 8 teams to these new conferences while the CCHA lost 9. There are currently 6 conferences in NCAA Division I Men's Hockey and they are as follows: Atlantic Hockey, Big Ten, ECAC, Hockey East, NCHC, and WCHA. To get an update on which teams are in which conference check out their current standings.

The Big Ten Network has 27 games on its schedule for this season, with seven more featuring Big Ten teams on ESPNU or ESPNews. There is clearly a huge marketing opportunity here. What the Big Ten Network sees is exactly the same thing I see. That is a chance to put NCAA hockey on more of a national scale. The NHL has been rising in popularity over the past decade or so and with that hockey in general has developed a core group of fans who feverishly support the game. It makes perfect sense that fans would love to watch college hockey on a nationally televised scale and what better outlet than ESPN and its vast family of networks.

With the Big Ten being the first mid-major to create their very own hockey conference one can't help but wonder if this will become a trend in college hockey. A lot will depend on how the Big Ten fairs from this development economically, but with America's love for hockey growing at a consistent rate and the massive success of other NCAA sports such as football and basketball, I think it is only a matter of time before college hockey becomes the next big thing.

I think the Ivy League has a great opportunity to significantly benefit from this. With six of the eight Ivy schools having a competitive squad along with some terrific rivalry games, the possibility for the Ivy League to capitalize on this growing market is certainly there. An Ivy League Hockey Conference is an extremely viable concept that all 6 universities could greatly prosper from. It would also be a great chance for the Ivy League Digital Network to expand and grow as they could obtain a monopoly over the broadcasting rights for the games similar to the way the Big Ten Network did with their new conference.

There is already a post-season tournament in place that is similar to NCAA basketball and consists of a 16 team bracket that after two rounds boils down to the Frozen Four, as opposed to basketball's Final Four. Enhanced media coverage of this tournament could be extremely profitable as well. With only the top 16 teams qualifying the tourney often provides high quality, close matchups between the best schools. However, as the sport grows I can envision expansion and an increased number of teams in the bracket in order to further improve the overall experience.

This is all just educated speculation, but I personally believe that NCAA hockey is ready to blow up and become just as big as college football and basketball. The atmosphere at any college hockey game is electric and comparable to any NCAA football or basketball venue and I think that if hockey fans everywhere get a chance to experience it via national television on a consistent basis they will realize this and ultimately fall in love. Who knows, maybe one day we will be watching NCAA Winter Classic games outdoors.

The Brothers Sedin

It seems as though the identical twins are never going to be separated. With Daniel and Henrik Sedin signing identical (obviously) four-year, $28 million contracts, the two brothers who were drafted together are going to finish their impressive NHL careers with the Vancouver Canucks.

These contract negotiations raised two questions in my mind when I first learned of them. First, why did the Sedins agree to such a modest amount of money to stay with the Canucks when they could have clearly gotten more had they tested the free agent market at season's end? And second, how is it possible that these two stars have been playing together their entire careers?

The Sedin twins would have been the top free agents along with their fellow Swedish countryman Henrik Lundqvist heading into the 2014 offseason. Instead of testing the open market and likely receiving significantly larger contracts from another NHL franchise, Canucks GM Mike Gillis wasted no time re-signing the Sedins to contract extensions that will expire after the 2017-18 season when the brothers are 37 years old, likely making them Canucks for life.

The negotiations were easier for both sides this time compared to 2009 offseason when both players became unrestricted free agents in Gillis' first year as GM. That year it took a last-minute flight to their native Sweden for Gillis to re-sign the twins to their current contracts. The talks lasted four months this time, but Vancouver was able to get the brothers signed before they entered the market. Gillis said the only sticking point this time was the salary cap and ensuring there was enough money left to spend elsewhere.

Ultimately, the answer to the first question is multi-faceted. First, the Sedins absolutely love playing in Vancouver and are dedicated to bringing the franchise its very first Stanley Cup. Second, the Sedins did not want to risk being forced to sign with different teams. They play their best when they are out on the ice together. Additionally, with the signing of Coach John Tortorella, (who loves to play his first line) they will get ample opportunities to display their twin telepathy out on the ice.

The second question requires a look back to the 1999 draft in which Daniel and Henrik were taken second and third overall. One might ask just how the Canucks were able to finagle these back-to-back high draft picks and the answer is a whole lot of wheeling and dealing by Vancouver's GM at the time, Brian Burke. The discussions with other teams continued until minutes before the draft was about to begin. His maneuvers included:

1. The wheeling and dealing began when Vancouver sent defenseman Bryan McCabe and a 2000 first-round pick to the Chicago Blackhawks for the fourth overall pick.

2. Brian Burke then sent the number four overall selection and a pair of third-round picks to the Tampa Bay Lightning for the top overall pick.

3. Lastly, Vancouver sent the top pick to the expansion Atlanta Thrashers for the number two selection and a conditional 2000 third-rounder. The deal being that the Thrashers would take Patrik Stefan, leaving the Canucks to take the Sedins in sequential order.

This daring sequence of moves has been referred to as the "Sedin Heist". Obviously no one could have foreseen the Sedin twins having such great success at the NHL level, but they were by far the best skaters in the weak '99 draft class and Burke certainly deserves praise for pulling off the necessary moves to bring the identical twins to Vancouver.

The two superstars mean a lot to the Canucks organization as well as the surrounding Vancouver community, "Daniel and Henrik are exemplary leaders, teammates and humanitarians and we're very pleased to have them as part of our team for the long-term," said general manager Mike Gillis. "Few players in the history of this club have had more significant roles in contributing to the success of this team and to our community and we look forward to many more years with their positive influence leading the way."

In addition to being the Canucks' captain, Henrik is the franchise's all-time leader in points (810), assists (625), plus/minus (plus-209) and consecutive games played (644), an ironman streak that's second to St. Louis Blues defenseman Jaw Bouwmeester among active players.

 

Younger (by minutes) brother Daniel, an alternate captain, is second in franchise history in scoring with 773 points. He is Vancouver's all-time leader with 64 game-winning goals and 10 overtime goals.

Blogger Roundtable: The Yankees' $189MM Question

The New York Yankees enter unchartered territory for a team used to two things: winning and spending money.  The front office has stated its desire to reduce spending next season to below the Competitive Balance Tax (CBT) threshold of $189MM.  Doing so would not only alleviate the 50% tax on spending over the limit this season, but would reduce the rate to 17% in the next season they choose to spend big. 

But it will not be easy.  The team spent over $203MM last season and failed to make the playoffs for the second time in decades.  The team has some big holes to fill, along with a number of free agents who would demand big money to stay around.  And though internally the Yankees may wish to cut payroll, their fan base's expectations of October baseball are doubtful to change. Even GM Brian Cashman noted that $189MM "is a goal, not a mandate."

A possible attempt to slash CBT relevant spending appears to have failed in Derek Jeter's new $12MM contract.  It was thought that though it is an increase over the Captain's player option, that it would save on average annual value.  But though some complicated rules in the Collective Bargaining Agreement, the deal will cost the Yankees more in both real dollars as well as those which count for CBT purposes.

But there are reasons to be optimistic. With many expensive players coming off the books, the Bombers will have some room to work with.  If Alex Rodriguez misses all or most of next season due to suspension, upwards of $25MM could be saved.  Additionally, key target Masahiro Tanaka will be expensive, but his massive posting fee will not hurt the Yankees attempt to slide under $189MM.  It will take some creativity and maybe some restraint, but it's entirely possible the club makes its stated goal.

So here's the question for our esteemed panel:

Will the Yankees spend less than the $189MM competitive balance tax threshold in 2014?

Jesse Sherman (Director of Operations, SBS)- No

The 2013 Yankees payroll was well over $200MM- and I don't see it decreasing drastically below the threshold. The Yankees have three players making over $23MM for 2014 (Rodriguez, Teixeira, and Sabathia), and that's not including Robinson Cano who will command the highest salary on the team (unless the sides can agree to a back-loaded contract). The aged Jeter just received a pay increase, and the Yankees will have to bolster their pitching staff by spending some money this offseason. But with over 98MM already being committed to just 7 players, the only chance they have of getting below the threshold is by not resigning Cano or Granderson. But even removing Granderson's contract and finding a steady replacement won't do the trick.

Adam Kirsch (Co-president, SBS)- No

I don't think the Yankees will make it under the tax threshold next year.  A great deal depends on how they choose to address key free agents – most notably Robinson Cano's call for a monster contract. A few arbitration-eligible players, such as Brett Gardner and David Robertson, will also likely cut into the Yankees' thrifty efforts. After missing the playoffs this year, I think that Cashman and Co. will not be afraid to spend to keep their key pieces in the Bronx.  
 

Kevin Cole (Featured Blogger)- Yes

 

It seems like the Yankees are fairly determined to get under the $189MM number. The club's behavior over the last couple of seasons would be hard to explain should they abandon this attempt to get under the Competitive Balance Tax Threshold, and it does seem like they are poised to meet their goal of lowering payroll to this level. The Yanks have a lot of cash coming off of the books this offseason from the likes of Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Kevin Youkillis, and others. Salary write-ups that I've seen give the Yanks around $70 million to play with this off-season in filling about 18 big league roster spots.

 

The Yanks obviously plan on giving a large portion of that amount to Robinson Cano. But, they could have an extra $27MM to play with, should A-Rod's suspension be upheld. If that happens, A-Rod's spot will need to be filled for 2014, but the team will have some additional freedom in making some free agent signings. Some are speculating that the Yanks are poised for a nice spending spree this off season, possibly for the likes of Masahiro Tanaka, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran, and others. We'll see about that, but I believe the team is set to meet the $189MM goal, resign Cano, and perhaps one or two other high profile free agents. Whether or not they field a playoff contender, though, remains to be scene.

 

John Zakour (Featured Blogger)- No

 

I don't believe the Yankees will spend less than $189MM, but I believe it will be close. The fact the Yankees are serious about Cano and Tanaka means they likely won't let a few mil stop them (who would?). There situation is fluid, and may even change depending on A-Rod's punishment. But the fact we're talking about this is noteworthy. It indicates a paradigm shift, and shows the Yankees might actually be (somewhat) responsible with their contracts. The title of the freest spenders in baseball rests safely with the Dodgers.
 

Matthew Hakimian (Featured Blogger)- No

 

Not a chance the Yankees have a payroll under $189 million heading into the 2014 season. Although the team was marred by an obscene amount of injuries throughout the course of the year, GM Brian Cashman will ultimately get his way. Not only does the team desperately need to resign Robinson Cano, but it also has no idea what the future of A-Rod holds. Look for the Bombers to be in the market for the likes of Brian McCann and Japanese product Masahiro Tanaka. Don't we all remember what took place after the Yanks missed the playoffs in '08?

Adam Malz (Featured Blogger)- No

While the Yankees front office has repeatedly stated that their objective is to reduce their payroll to $189 million, I believe they will end up going over that by the end of this offseason. The Yankees are set to embark on an offseason similar to that of 08-09 when they spent $423 million on CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett. This year their targets include Robinson Cano, Carlos Beltran, Brain McCann, and Masahiro Tanaka. They will most likely end up spending over $300 million in contracts to the players that they ultimately sign. After this, it will be a huge financial challenge to get below the $189 million competitive balance tax threshold.
 

A St. Louis Dynasty: The Cardinal Way

Dynasty is not a word that is handed out in the sports world. To go down in history as a true dynasty a team must be exceptional for a substantial period of time. This has become incredibly challenging in today’s ultra-competitive and for the most part even playing field where it seems that regardless of the sport, any team can beat any other team on any given day of the week, except maybe the Jacksonville Jaguars, but that is a story for another day.

The St. Louis Cardinals have to be considered a dynasty in my opinion. Looking back on their résumé since 2000, the Cardinals have been to the playoffs 10 times, the N.L.C.S. 8 times, the World Series 4 times, including this year, and won the 2006 and 2011 titles. To say that those numbers are impressive is an understatement. The baseball team based out of a city that seemingly gets more coverage for its ribs and barbeque has simply made a habit of winning since the turn of the century and there is no sign of them letting up.


Perhaps even more intriguing than the championships and accolades that the Cards have been racking up over the past 14 years, are the ways in which they have achieved them. The ‘Cardinal Way’ is a saying that is tossed around a lot when discussing the franchise. This ideology or whatever you want to call it permeates throughout the entire organization and it ultimately starts and ends with drafting talented, versatile players who are solid both offensively and defensively and stocking up on quality pitching. The players then become a product of the farm system where their raw talents are molded in such a way to make them successful at the major league level. They also come to learn and experience first-hand the ‘Cardinal Way’ which was summed up by their ace Adam Wainwright as, “an expectation of winning, an expectation of professionalism that comes with that winning, and doing things the right way.”

Every team in baseball wants to be able to rely on drafted players and not have to go out signing and re-signing free agents but few can field a team based largely on prospects. The Cardinals however, can. Why is it that they have been able to accomplish this goal so much better than everyone else for such a sustained period of time? It all started with Jeff Luhnow who worked with Cardinals scouting department from 2003 through 2011.

When he came into his position the Cardinals farm system looked nothing like it does now, but he completely reinvigorated it by drafting franchise players. They were often successful in the later rounds of the MLB draft, but have found more of their pitching gems in the early rounds such as snagging Michael Wacha, Joe Kelly, Lance Lynn (supplemental draft), and Shelby Miller all within the first three rounds. 18 of the 26 players on the red birds World Series roster are homegrown, and 17 of those 18 from the draft. The Cardinals have clearly proven that their system is the most successful in all of baseball right now.

The draft is a crucial part to building any organization, but the Cardinals franchise has taken their draft preparations as well as post-draft signings to a whole new level. Their draft strategy has been unrivaled and their success reflects this. A big part of it is their financial strategy for adhering to new Draft bonus restrictions put in place in the most recent Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Scouting director Dan Kantrovitz said. "We went in with a strategy and executed the strategy and we're getting guys out and playing quickly. That was one of our goals. We wanted to have a Draft that was a combination of some advanced proven performers with some younger, higher-upside, higher-risk guys with a healthy mix of players that play premium positions." The Cards are able to maintain extremely high signing percentages by having a strategy for how to spend the money they have allotted for draft picks and often sign their picks under slot value.

The names that stick out the most when discussing the Cardinals talent that has arisen from there farm system are Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina. More recently, players like Michael Wacha, Matt Carpenter, Allen Craig, Pete Kozma and Carlos Martinez are examples of homegrown talent that has been incredibly successful at the major league level for the Cards. It is truly impressive what the Cardinals have done, especially in the last two seasons after losing Albert Pujols.

It just further speaks to the ‘Cardinal Way’ and the ‘next man up’ mantra that this storied franchise seems to live by. There is always a new ballplayer ready to come up and fill a hole left by free agency, trades, or injuries, and almost all of them have become studs in St. Louis. The Cardinals have gone about building their franchise in all the right ways and do an unbelievable job in assessing, acquiring, and coaching skilled players. Through this, they have established themselves as a dynasty ever since the turn of the century.

The Cardinals fell short of another title this year, but with a core nucleus of talented young ballplayers, the Cards will continue to be in title contention for years to come.