Bloggers' Roundtable: Best Second Round NHL Series

This weekend marks the official beginning of the second round of the NHL postseason. Due to the rules change, this year's second round matchup features exclusively division match-ups. The New York Rangers v. the Pittsburgh Penguins or the NHL's biggest market vs. the league's biggest star. The Anaheim Ducks v. the Los Angeles Kings or the NHL's Freeway Series. The Chicago Blackhawks v. the Minnesota Wild or the defending Stanley Cup Champ vs. the only 4 seed remaining. Lastly, the Montreal Canadiens v. the Boston Bruins or an Original Six Matchup who have met more than any other two teams in playoff history.

With such competitive match-ups and interesting narratives in each series,  this week we asked our bloggers which second round NHL series they were most excited for.

Max Fogle, Editor-in-Chief - Boston Bruins v. Montreal Canadiens

This matchup is really has everything that people who overhype hockey match-ups are looking for: "Original Six", "Hockey's best rivalry", and the whole "Canada's team" angle. I don't know how much I buy into any of that, but this should be a great series, with the Canadiens being significant underdogs and the Bruins finishing with the East's best regular season record. Both fan bases hate each other, and feel extremely entitled. This one could get ugly.

Stephen Dreznick, Featured Blogger - New York Rangers v. Pittsburgh Penguins

I am most excited for the matchup between the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Rangers just came off of an emotional game 7 victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. But goalie Henrik Lundqvist will have his hands full because the Penguins have Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, two of the best scorers in the game. Expect this series to go 6 or 7 games.

Matthew Hakiman, Featured Blogger - Anaheim Ducks v. Los Angeles Kings

Anaheim Ducks v. Los Angeles Kings - the Kings are red hot coming back from a 3-0 deficit to take the series their series against the San Jose Sharks. Just two years ago, the Kings won the Cup by getting hot at the right time as the eighth seed. The Ducks have been considered by many to be the most consistent team in the West this season, but they'll have a tough time trying to get shots by Jonathan Quick. Already one of the biggest rivalries in the league, these two teams will definitely play an exciting series.

Geoffery Rosenthal, Former Editor-in-Chief - Boston Bruins v. Montreal Canadiens

Bruins-Habs is the obvious answer here. That series will be everything that the playoffs are meant to be about - great hockey, great goaltending, hatred between fan bases, and a historic and current day rivalry. Of course, if you're a fan of the trap system, clutching and grabbing, and watching players who end the careers of others, look no further than the Minnesota series. Because when I think of watching exciting, wide-open hockey, I think of Minnesota.

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.

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.

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.

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Will Grow the Most? (Part II)

h/t to Business Insider

This is Part II in a two-part Blogger Roundtable.  To read what the SBS E-board had to say about sports revenues, see Part I.

The four major U.S. sports leagues in the United States generate massive amounts of revenue.  Although there is great disparity between the leagues, each has considerable potential for growth.  So here's the question we asked our featured bloggers::

Which of the four traditional major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) will experience the highest percentage growth in revenue over the next 20 years?


Matthew Hakimian (Featured Blogger)- NBA

Of the four traditional professional team sports leagues, the National Basketball Association will experience the most growth over the next 20 years. With Adam Silver coming to the helm as the league's new commissioner in February 2014, he will have the opportunity to further build off the tremendous job David Stern has done in expanding the global markets and international segments of the game. Over the next 20 years there's a chance that a team, or even an entire division potentially, will be featured in Europe. With the league's popularity at an all time high, it would not be shocking to see a 100 percent increase in revenue in 20 years from now as the revenue currently stands at slightly $5 billion.

Thomas Kroner (Featured Blogger)- NBA

Over the next 20 years the NBA will experience the most growth of the four major leagues in North American Sports. That is not to say that it will ever surpass the NFL’s popularity. The NFL just can’t get that much more popular than it already is. Last season’s NBA Finals drew some of the highest ratings in years. With young stars like Kyrie Irving, KD and D-Rose entering their prime, look for the NBA to increase its popularity and close the game between itself and MLB.

Joshua Goldstein (Featured Blogger)- NFL

Due to the high potential for both domestic and overseas expansion, I believe that the NFL will experience the most growth over the next 20 years. Commissioner Goodell has made it a goal to bring teams to both Los Angeles and London, which would result in two new, large market revenue generators for the league. The NFL’s expansion into Europe would spark excitement for American football among English youth, as well as a potentially greater interest from other European metropolises. The NFL’s long-term growth plans are promising!

John Zakour (Featured Blogger) -NBA/MLB

I believe the growth of the four major sports leagues will be tied to embracing the internet and globalization. The NFL is incredibly popular, but I don't think it's global. The NBA is both. I always thought MLB was in a bad position with their supposedly old and bleak demographics, but after hearing Pre-Play founder Andrew Daines talk about the strong online infrastructure they have I believe they're in better position than most think.

So I'd say NBA and MLB will be trending up the most in 20 years time, while the NFL will still be going strong in the US. And the NHL, is well, the NHL. I don't think the NHL will grow much outside of North America, and labor turmoil continues to hurt them.

This is Part II in a two-part Blogger Roundtable.  To read what the SBS E-board had to say about sports revenues, see Part I.

What do you think about our predictions? Let us know by answering our poll at the top of the blog and by leaving us comments below!

Blogger Roundtable: Which League Will Grow the Most? (Part I)

h/t to Business Insider

The four major U.S. sports leagues in the United States generate massive amounts of revenue.  Although there is great disparity between the leagues, each has considerable potential for growth.  In today's post, we'll be asking some of SBS's E-board members which league's stock they would be buying.  Tomorrow, we'll look at what our featured bloggers have to say.  So here's the question:

Which of the four traditional major professional sports leagues (MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL) will experience the highest percentage growth in revenue over the next 20 years?

Gabe Cassillo (SBS VP of Magazine)- NBA

While there's not much certainty on any topic in the world nowadays, let alone sports, I believe it is a fairly educated guess to say that the NBA will experience the largest growth in revenue over the next 20 years. While Football may be the king of the day, the recent concussion concerns and long-term impact on quality of players lives cannot be overlooked. 20 years down the road puts us at the point in our lives when today's children will become the next crop of professional athletes. Basketball seems to have the international appeal and overall flashiness to keep up in today (and presumably tomorrow's) action-packed world of entertainment. I feel it is inevitable for the athletes that once would play football to slide over to the relatively safer and flashier sport in basketball.

Dan Cappetta (SBS Director of Finance)- NFL

I believe that increasingly advanced technology and a global economy will lead maximum growth to come through a league's expansion overseas in the next 20 years. To start, we can begin by narrowing the field through process of elimination. The NHL is probably the least likely to expand in my opinion--it currently generates the least revenue of the four major sports, and some star players are actually being pulled away from the NHL to play in leagues overseas that can offer absurd contracts, such as the Russian KHL (see Ilya Kovalchuk, Sergei Kotstitsyn). Growth potential looks bleak here. The NBA ranks above the NHL in revenue, but Commissioner Stern has said that he is uninterested in adding overseas teams. Stern's reign is coming to an end, so this may change, but without the willingness to expand, it won't happen.

The MLB ranks second in revenue, but the current structure of the game allows international markets to act as a sort of farm system for the league. Players in Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia, namely Japan, funnel into the MLB promoting internal growth. Outside of these regions though, participation is minimal--there are only 2 European players in the league. The MLB's internal growth potential won't trump the possible expansion of the NFL, which is pushing its game on the rest of the world. As different cultures begin to understand and accept the game, and enjoy some of the aspects that Americans have come to love--the physicality, the once-a-week format, the live game experience, fantasy football, etc--growth potential is enormous. The league's talks to put a team in London is the first step. NFL will take the cake in this one.

Adam Kirsch (SBS Co-President)- MLB

I think we'll see Major League Baseball make major revenue gains.  The changing demographics of the United States, especially the projected growth of the Latino population, align closely with the high concentration of Latino players in the league and should benefit attendance and numbers and merchandise sales.  Furthermore, the league's edge in technology due to MLBAM's efforts will continue to keep the league ahead of the game (pun intended) in terms of online presence, a position I expect the league to continue to monetize successfully.

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.
 

Blogger Roundtable: The Future of the NCAA

What will the NCAA look like in five years? 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. 

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has never faced the instability it faces today.  The governing body for college sports is under assault from all angles.  Current student-athletes are demanding increased and more direct compensation and increase economic rights (such as the ability to use their name and image).  Former Division I football and basketball players have an ongoing lawsuit against the NCAA over the use of images in the popular video games (the players have already settled with EA Sports for $40 Million). 

With the visibility of under-the-table payment and other suspect recruiting tactics increasing its highest levels in decades, coaches and administrators are even proposing "pay-for-play" models.  Some in college athletics, do not agree about the role of the NCAA.  Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney expressed his view stating “If athletes want to professionalize themselves, then professionalize themselves... but why is it our job to be the minor leagues for professional sports?" NCAA President Mark Emmert stated "a lot of change" is ahead for his organization.

So we asked the question, "What will the NCAA look like in five years?"  Here is what our bloggers had to say:

Stephen Rosen (Lead Editor)

In the next five years, the NCAA will no longer be the governing body for football. Currently the Football Bowl Series (Division 1A Football) is the only sport the NCAA does not control the playoff for and soon it will not regulate the sport at all. The closer and closer the colleges move to four 16-team conferences, the closer they will move away from the NCAA as its regulatory body. The NCAA has consistently been inconsistent in its punishment of schools and players and its only time until the schools realize their association with them is not necessary to truly maximize their profits. As for the other sports, only basketball has a chance of surviving as an independent sport outside of the NCAA due to its large revenue steam, but it will most likely be kept in as part of the NCAA's current structure. By leaving the structure of the NCAA, the possibility would arise where new rules where players could get paid for playing for college football while other student athletes in other sports may not be equally compensated.

Adam Malz (Featured Blogger)

In five years, the NCAA will have a drastically different landscape. Of course next year starts the four team playoff system in college football which should certainly kick up some new debates, but I think that in five years this playoff system with expand to fit eight teams. Another major difference in the NCAA will be in regard to conferences. We have recently seen schools from all across the nation swapping conferences and moving around with every university trying to find the “perfect fit” for them. In reality it comes down to where they can make the most money off of their best sports. The next five years is sure to contain much more of this mixing and matching that seems to be the new cultural norm around the NCAA.

Matthew Hakimian (Featured Blogger)

In five years, Division I football and basketball student athletes will finally be monetarily compensated after years of being exploited by the NCAA. The BCS will cease to exist, as the playoff system will be an absolute hit; eight teams will have the right to make their claim as the greatest college football team in the nation. The NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament will further expand to a whopping 96 teams, with a entire full rounded added to March Madness. Both sports will feature just four powerhouse conferences: the ACC, Big Ten, SEC, and Pac 12. With the AAC (former Big East) and the Big 12 folding or losing prominence, each conference will contain around 20 schools

Joshua Goldstein

Due to the NCAA's growing revenues from various television and advertising contracts, I believe that there will be some sort of supplemental payment plan for student athletes in five years. I don't believe that athletes will have set contracts with the NCAA, but rather there will be pay plans in which students receive a small portion of their university's revenues from television contracts and merchandise sales.

What will the NCAA look like in five years? 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.

Blogger Roundtable: NFL in London?

Will the NFL Have a London-based franchise by the end of the decade (2020)?  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. 

In last week's edition of Blogger Roundtable, our newest Sports Business Society bloggers argued over who was the best commissioner in sports.  Two of the panelists chose Roger Goodell, citing among other factors, the National Football League's success in international markets (particularly London). 

Then on the September 17, SBS Skyped with alumnus Hussain Naqi, SVP of  Fan Engagement for the Jacksonville Jaguars.  Naqi has been charged with marketing and branding the team in the UK.  Naqi was able to provide a great deal of incite into the potential NFL market, although he dismissed the possibility of his Jaguars making a permanent move across the Atlantic.


And now the possibility of a London-based franchise has received more media attention than ever before.  ESPN has launched a series of articles on the issue, including Greg Garber's "More Than Just A Nice Place To Visit".  Here's what Garber had to say:

The good news for the skeptics? Players, coaches and staff of the four teams get to jump on a plane afterward and return home. But what if they didn't? What if there were a franchise in London? What financial, logistical and competitive challenges would have to be overcome?  

It's time to start asking these questions, folks, because it's going to happen. Yes, with some serious thrust from commissioner Roger Goodell and a league with a powerful hunger to increase its revenue streams, it's quite likely there soon will be an NFL team in London.

In a separate piece on ESPN, Kristi Dosh examines a variety of legal concerns that arise from a full-time London team.  Tax laws, working visas, as well as competition and free movement labor laws could get in the way of the desires of the NFL's business and marketing brass.

But could legal or other logistical challenges (such as travel) really get in the way of the most powerful sports league in the history of the world?  Or will Roger Goodell and the NFL break down any barriers that stand in the way of their expansionary goals?  That was the question we asked our bloggers and E-Board members this time around:

Will the NFL have a London-based franchise by the end of the decade (2020)?

Adam Malz (Featured Blogger)- Yes

 Yes, I believe that the by the end of the decade an NFL franchise will call London home. This is going to happen eventually, regardless of whether fans or players think it is right. Owners and the League are pushing for it because of the fact that it opens up a brand new and tremendously large area of revenue, as the domestic market is peaking. There are still a lot of obstacles and kinks that will need to be worked out, which is why I’m thinking towards the end of the decade. But I think it is certainly in our near future.

Gabe Cassillo (SBS VP of Magazine)- NO

While the NFL has the ambition and no doubt the resources to make a move to the UK happen (eventually) I think it highly unlikely such a move would take place by the end of this decade. Fans often cite fairly trivial "issues" that would impact such a move. Travel, time differences, culture, lack of fan base, etc. In reality, the time frame seems too aggressive. For a league experiencing continual growth, I question whether the 32 owners would be in favor of taking the risk by adding a team based in London. If I was a betting man, yes, I agree that one day the NFL will have teams overseas. Do I think that day will be by 2020? Not at all.

John Zakour (Featured Blogger)- Yes

In both articles, Garber and Dosh discuss a litany of problems that an NFL team in London would face. Tax codes, food, jet lag, logistical issues, would all have to be ironed out. But they're just minor issues. If Goodell wills a NFL team in London, it will be so. Roger Goodell won't let these triflings stop him from realizing his dream of a truly international, intercontinental NFL. It wouldn't surprise me if we have a foreign Super Bowl in the near future, which would precede a London team. Goodell wants this, against all reason, and he will find a way to make it happen.

Jon Levitan (Featured Blogger)- Yes

The NFL will eventually put a team in London. The league almost always gets what it wants, and clearly wants to have a team.  With two games being played there this year, the only question is when a team will eventually be placed across the pond. I would say that a team will be there by 2020, and I would also guess that that team will be the Jaguars. The market of Jacksonville just isn’t big enough to support a franchise that isn’t firmly entrenched there. That much is already clear, by the fact that the Jags will play a game in London for the next four years, which will be far more lucrative for them than their normal home games. By the end of those four years, the team may very well have a solid following overseas, and hopefully a better product to put on display. Although the league may want to place an expansion team London, as Garber’s article showed, I think the Jaguars will lobby heavily to be relocated.

Jesse Sherman (SBS Director of  Operations) - NO

Word on the street is that an NFL team in London is imminent. We've seen some successful trips to Wembley in the past few years. But that being said, I don't see a London-based franchise emerging before 2020. The current NFL CBA runs through 2020 and some labor laws between the US and London differ significantly enough to raise doubt in my mind. I don't think it will happen.. yet.

Matthew Hakimian (Featured Blogger)- Yes

One of Roger Goodell's main priorities since he came into power as the commissioner in 2006 has been to innovate the National Football League in all facets of the game, both on and off the field. We all know that he is one of the main proponents of an NFL team permanently relocating to London and it's looking more plausible each year. The most likely team to move to the UK would have to be the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team is scheduled to be featured in a game overseas through the 2016 season.  With one of the league's lowest fan bases, and faced with yearly difficulties with local television blackouts, it makes way too much sense to move the struggling Jags to London.

Will the NFL Have a London-based franchise by the end of the decade (2020)?  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. 

Blogger Roundtable: The Best Commissioner in Sports

For the first Blogger Roundtable event of the semester, we asked some of our newest Sports Business Society bloggers the big question.  Who do they think is the"best" commissioner in sports today.  It was up to them to decide what "best" meant, and they came up with a variety of choices and explanations (along with one notable omission).

Read what they had to say after the jump:


Kevin Cole (CALS '15)- Roger Goodell, NFL

It is hardly uncommon to hear a negative sentiment about one of the commissioners of the four major pro sports leagues in America. Whether it is a function of media portrayal, individual personalities, the nature of the position, or some combination of factors, David Stern, Gary Bettman, Bud Selig, and Roger Goodell descriptions more often touch on words like 'arrogant', 'out of touch', or 'despot', than they do 'likeable'. However, setting popularity aside, the success that each has experienced with their respective league varies quite a lot- And in terms of league popularity, it's hard to argue with the job that Goodell has done for the NFL. 



Courtesy of www.businessinsider.com.

When Goodell began his reign atop the NFL in 2006, the league had already long been the standard for American professional sports. During his tenure, the NFL has remained at the top in the U.S., while furthering it's brand internationally. The global success is reflected by the influx of non-American NFL players (Ziggy Ansah, Margus Hunt, and Bjoern Werner all were taken in the first two rounds of this year's draft), games played on foreign soil (London, Toronto), foreign fan clubs, and the international coverage of the Super Bowl. 

 Goodell's rule has not been controversy free, however. His practice of being judge and jury for NFL suspensions and fines, along with the crackdown on excessive celebrations have been instrumental in earning the "No Fun League" moniker and simultaneously paint Goodell as a dictator. Needless to say, the replacement referees were nothing short of a disaster. However, while he has displayed iron-fisted tendencies, Goodell's has been relatively even with his punishments. His strict penalties not only hit players, but have extended to front offices and owners who have attempted to skirt the league's salary cap rules (see Redskins, Washington and Cowboys, Dallas, 2010). In summation, Goodell has held organizations, players, and coaches accountable for their actions under rules that he considers to be fair and just.

Matthew Hakimian (ILR '17)- Roger Goodell, NFL

Since taking the reins from longtime commissioner Paul Tagliabue in 2006, Roger Goodell has stood head and shoulders above every major American sports commissioner in large part due to his steadfast ways and persistent actions.   Various issues have arisen thus far throughout Goodell’s tenure that he has handled fairly well. Prior to the 2011 season, against all odds, Goodell remained cool in the face of pressure and was able to help orchestrate a deal between the NFL team owners and the NFL Player’s Association which saw the establishment of a new collective bargaining agreement, and effectively avoided any missed regular season game in which each team would have certainly lost its fair share of revenue.

Moreover, Goodells has been a major supporter of player safety, which can be seen by the disciplinary actions he has handed down. Whether its through weekly fines to players such as Ndamukong Suh or James Harrison for illegal hits, or dropping down steep penalties on an entire organization such as the New Orleans Saints, Goodell has made a firm effort to protect the welfare of the players. More recently, the National Football League was able to strike a $765 million deal with a group of ex-players over concussion-related brain injuries. The agreement certainly could not have been made without the headship of Commissioner Goodell, and it was immediately seen as a big win for the NFL to have finally gotten this situation resolved. Whether it has been through his efforts to relocate an NFL franchise overseas or awarding New York/New Jersey with the first cold weather Super Bowl in 2014, Goodell has continuously sought to innovate his league. 

Sebastian Perez-Vargas (ILR '17)- David Stern, NBA

It's easy to find faults in every commissioner, but that's the benefit of hindsight analysis. Focusing on the positives, though, you have to marvel at what David Stern has done with the game of basketball since his appointment in the mid-1980s. 

Out of all of the American sports, basketball is the one that has globalized to the greatest extent --  to the point that it is the 2nd most popular sport globally. If any sport is going to challenge soccer internationally, it's going to be basketball, and that all started with Stern, MJ, and Nike in the 1980s. It's not just because of MJ, though. Other stars such as Kobe Bryant and LeBron James are enormous figures around the world. Stern has been at the center of all of this, pushing the game of basketball beyond American borders through marketing and outreach campaigns. 

The effect has been not just American basketball players penetrating international markets, but international players impacting the NBA -- from Yao Ming to Dirk Nowitzki to Manu Ginobili. More generally, the fluid and selfless European style of play has impacted the way basketball in the US is being played. The reigning two-time NBA champions, for example, follow a very European "smallball" style, with no real post presence. The globalization of the game of basketball that has occurred under David Stern has had an impact on the NBA both on and off the court.  

Jon Levitan (ILR '17)- Bud Selig, MLB

Major League Baseball’s Bud Selig is the best commissioner in America sports. Selig is not without his flaws, the 1994 strike, which cancelled the entire postseason and World Series, was disastrous, and he was late to realize the massive PED problem on his hands. Despite these flaws, Selig has done a remarkable job keeping his players happy while at the same time creating a system of incentives that maintains a level of parity, even as teams like the Yankees and Dodgers payrolls’ expand. Baseball’s wage system comes far closer to a true free market than any of the other American sports, and its few restrictions on unhinged capitalism, like the revenue sharing program and the luxury tax, make it possible for poorer teams like the Rays and Athletics to experience consistent success. 

This wage system, which guarantees all contracts and doesn’t restrict their length or cost, allowed MLB to be the only major sport to survive the most recent wave of CBA expirations without a lockout. While his sport doesn’t have the worldwide appeal that basketball does, Major League Baseball is beginning to grow the sport in non-traditional baseball countries like Brazil and Italy, which will allow the talent pool to grow, further increasing the levels of parity in the game. Selig should not be judged on mistakes like his handling of the steroid issue, which caused short-term problems for the game, but rather on his salary system, that simultaneously rewards players fully for their performance, yet also makes it possible for poorer teams to stay competitive with the financial powerhouses.

Well that's what our bloggers think. Do you agree? Did they miss somebody? Leave your comments below and answer the poll at the top of the blog to show us what you think.

Roundtable: March Madness Storylines

Florida Gulf Coast University became the first #15 seed to reach the Sweet 16 in the 2013 tournament

Roundtable compiles the views of various ILRSMC bloggers and e-board members. If you have a suggestion for a future roundtable topic, email Geoff at gjr52@cornell.edu.

As always, March Madness has given sports fans some of the craziest and most memorable moments of the year. From Florida Gulf Coast University's shocking run to the Sweet 16 to Kevin Ware's horrifying injury, the tournament has provided plenty of memories and images for CBS' "One Shining Moment.

Last week, we asked several ILRSBS club members what they felt was the biggest March Madness storyline so far. Check out their answers after the jump.


Gabe Cassillo: The reemergence of Syracuse's vaunted 2-3 zone. The way the Orange are playing, could this be Jim Boehiem's last dance? [Editor's Note: Question asked BEFORE Syracuse's loss]

Robbie Cohen: I think the biggest storyline is the success of the Big East in its final season as we know it. Two of the Final Four teams are currently playing their final seasons in the Big East - Louisville and Syracuse. The Big East also featured Marquette, who will join the new Big East after the season, in the Elite 8, giving it more teams than any other conference. Great way to send out a great conference, and we can only hope that it stays strong as a basketball-centric conference.

Chizoba Ibeanusi: The BIGGEST storyline of March Madness so far was definitely when Florida Gulf Coast #15 beat Georgetown #2. Practically everyone I knew thought Georgetown would win and no one even knew who Florida Gulf Coast was. It's crazy that a new school could beat out a known winner such as Georgetown. I definitely think that was the first major bracket upset.

Adam Kirsch: You can't talk about March Madness without discussing Wichita State. While the national media was obsessed with Florida Gulf Coast, the #9 Shockers dispatched #1 seed Gonzaga, fresh off a 32-3 season, and easily beat La Salle. With the Cinderella spotlight all their own, they took down a dangerous Ohio State team and punched their ticket to the Final Four.

 John Rodriguez: I think the storyline for the March Madness so far has been: Cinderella Story Florida Gulf Coast and the rise of mid major schools busting everyone's bracket this year. The balance of power in college basketball seems to be evening out.

Zach Schelberg: Up until Sunday night [3/31], I would have had to highlight The University of Michigan's historic second-half comeback against the top-seeded Kansas Jayhawks as one of the most memorable moments of the tournament. Trey Burke's ability to take over the game and hit clutch shot after shot to come away with a victory, will truly be something to remember. However, after witnessing Kevin Ware's gruesome injury against Duke, it is one moment that I unfortunately will not be able to get off my mind.

Alternative Perspective: College Athletes SHOULD Be Paid

At least one observer believes the Fab Five should have been paid

In Part 1 of our Blogger's Roundtable, three ILRSMC bloggers were unanimous in thinking that college athletes should NOT be paid. Here, Eric Weintraub (ILR '14) argues for the idea that these players deserve compensation.

I was shocked when I found out that I was the minority in the room, but I still believe collegiate athletes should be paid.

Follow the jump to hear me out.

In light of all the upheaval and the changing climate of college athletics, the paying of college athletes has recently become a major issue with the NCAA, and it has shifted dramatically in recent years toward a big capitalistic venture, away from its non-profit roots. College sports is making headlines more often for recruiting violations, pay-for-play schemes, and Nevin Shapiro-types than for Heisman-worthy performances and huge upsets.

One can argue that all this corruption on the college level is a direct result of talented, yet naive, athletes from inner-city backgrounds getting taken advantage of by seedy agents or boosters that throw a few bucks or gifts their way. I don’t think that giving every athlete two-to-three thousand dollars per year in stipends is going to fully eradicate these violations from the culture of college sports, but it can definitely help.

Additionally, these athletes should be entitled to these stipends simply because they are the central actors in the product that the NCAA and big-time colleges are selling to the public as entertainment, not to mention profiting from handsomely as well.

When studying for an economics test the other day, I tripped over one of those semi-irrelevant sidebars that just happened to be talking about the marginal revenue product of a college athlete. The blurb said that a Heisman-caliber performer at a D-I school can generate up to $800,000 of additional revenue for his school every year, adding up to over $3 million over the course of his four-year career. And to think that this student is only compensated in free education (which he probably has little use for anyway) is mindboggling. And don’t tell me that college athletes are compensated in other ways, such as the opportunities to market themselves to professional teams, or just the fleeting glory of being a college athlete. When it's a Division III softball player or the star quarterback for a D-I school, a large majority of these athletes have no pro aspirations; they are just playing because they love the game.

Unfortunately, the reality of this notion isn’t so idyllic. When thinking about the overwhelming daily stresses of the life of a college athlete today, I think back to the vivid interviews Jalen Rose gave in the hit ESPN documentary, "The Fab 5." Rose, a native of the projects of Detroit, was talked about how the life of the college athlete is not as glamorous as it seems. He revealed that he was driving around a beat-up old car, and he and his teammates on the Michigan basketball team would eat Ramen noodles and hot dogs for dinner more often than people thought. They had pressure to keep their grades up to avoid academic ineligibility, and they had to go to practice every day as part of a highly regarded team. Also, they did not reap any of the benefits that came with the success they were having on the court, aside from heightened exposure and expectations. This frustration Rose shared with the rest of the Fab 5 over their situation hit its peak when they came back from a trip in Europe after their freshman year and saw all this Fab 5 merchandise selling in the stores around Michigan. When they realized they weren’t getting one cent from those sales, (and the fact that the sales all lined the pockets of the Michigan athletic program) they eventually left school early and went to the NBA, finally able to taste the fruits of their unpaid labor.

From Rose’s perspective and background, can you blame college athletes for succumbing to the allure of improper benefits? By giving a few thousand dollars to each of these athletes, lending them some semblance of day-to-day financial living stability, a lot of these violations should be eliminated from the culture of college sports. This is perhaps the most compelling reason to pay college athletes.