Hockey's Impressive Turnaround

It was not to long ago that the great sport of hockey was going through troubling times.  The playoffs where where not interesting and not many could even tell you who won the past few Stanley Cups.  Now, the NHL has made a nice turnaround into a very entertaining sport with intense playoff action.  I think that people get tired of sports if it's the same old thing after to long.  All sports must make themselves fresh and interesting, if this does not happen then the league slips into the gray unknown area that nobody care about.  

A Great Time for Sports Fans

As the NHL and NBA are read to star playoff intensity games, sports fans are pumped.  What a great time to be a sports fans wherever you are.  Hockey and basketball not your thing? Well next week the good ol' Detroit Lions will have the first selection in the 2009 draft.  We won't have to wait hours on end to see what improvements will be made.  No matter where you are I feel that sports is a buzzing subject at work, school, or at your local bar.  Great time to be a fan of these great game.  

A.I. Trade=Bad News

At first I though the Allen Iverson trade was an o.k. move.  Looking back now, myself and other Piston fans have realized that this trade was a total disaster.  What we got out of this deal was an aging superstar with little left in the tank.  Also we got a player who does not play well with others, which does not blend with the entire persona of the Pistons.  A.I. might have ruined the Pistons season as well as his own legacy within the same year.  Sorry Joe D, but this was a bonehead move and a trade that didn't need to happen.  

NBA Hall of Fame Class

With this year inductions to the NBA Hall of Fame comes many big names.  People like Michael Jordan, John Stockton, and Davis Robinson to name a few top the list of this years inductees.  The year strikes a special cord with me because I can actually remember these players playing at the height of their careers.  This means two things one, I'm getting older and time is catching up and two, each class after this will have more and more players that I will recognize.  These class acts deserve to be inducted and are model players to current NBA players as well as generations of players to come.  Many of these players have one on the great things such as broadcasting, team management, and even incorporating themselves into one of the most recognizable brands in sports today.  All I have to say is great job and way to be a excellent example in sports today.  

Lions Pick

The question is, who will the Lions pick with the first choice in this years draft?  To me and many others this is a very exciting time for the Lions.  After completely falling on their faces last year, they are bound for success this upcoming season.  This offseason the Lions have a few upgrades on the roster and also went over the big change of a new logo.  The Lions seem like they are re-branding them self's after being the laughing stock of the NFL.  What a great time to do so for them, they have the ability to draft a new face of the franchise and go through a time of change.  The Lions need a lot, but I feel that this is a great way to start.  

Final Four, A Dim Light in Detroit's Future

As Detroit readies itself for the final four tournament, this provides the city a light in the darkness it is in.  As we all know, the city of Detroit is facing a economic crisis.  News reports the other day, speak of the "big 3" possibly going out of business causing the city that was based on the auto industry falling deeper into economic oblivion.  When Detroit gained the hosting rights a couple years ago nobody thought the city would be in the shape that it is in now.  What myself and other fellow Detoitors are hoping is that the final four creates a spark in the city.  I feel that the games will provide excitement and energy that Detroit's struggling economy needs.  Now that Michigan State has made it to the final four, this adds even more interest to the people of Michigan.  I'm not saying this will be the turn around that will bring the city out of the depression.  I'm saying that over and above all, it will be a great time for the city and state at a much needed time. 

Sports City

If you look at the current team standing in all sport today, you would see Boston at the top of the lists.  Boston is thriving right now in sports these days and it shows.  The Pats resent success plus the Brunins and Celtics controlling their respective divisions mixed with the alway solid Red Sox equals a city-wide buzz.  They seems to be always on the winning side and all this success has spilled into the downtown streets.  With all the national attention the city will receive local businesses will thrive.  The people will flock to see, which will bring in visitors to the city and surrounding areas.  In the current economic situation, the excitement of sports is doing its part.  

NFL Offers Big Money in Free Agency

Albert Haynesworth scores a touchdown with a new 100 million dollar contract.  This tops the NFL free agent market so far, and will likely be the years largest contract.  Albert inks the deal with the Washington Redskins with 41 million guaranteed, the rest being distributed though-out a seven year contract.  This seems like a rather large amount given to a defensive tackle.  It is well known over the league the Redskins need help other places.  The offensive line would have been a good place to start if you ask me.  I find it hard to believe, as good of a player as Albert is, won't ever live up to the 100 million he will receive.  Even if he sees much success and he probably will, people will always say he could have done more.  There is almost an omen or curse that comes with signing these larger than life contracts.  People in New York are saying that A-Rod will never live up and I hope that Albert doesn't follow in his footsteps of the 100 million dollar men.  

What DUI?

Michael Phelps has committed sponsorship suicide recently by being photographed smoking weed out of a bong.  It's understandable that sponsors don't want to associate their product with someone who smokes pot.  But, what is not understandable is how Phelps managed to get himself a DUI in 2004 and all is forgiven.  He could have killed himself or others while driving around drunk after a party, but I guess winning a bunch of gold medals made that go away.  Now Phelps may be facing charges from the photo, and has gotten himself into hot water.  I feel that since drinking is more socially accepted than smoking pot, this will have a much worse effect on Phelps.  Americas golden boy is now seen as a Americas weed smoking swimmer.  It will be interesting seeing how this all plays out, but I suspect Phelps lost some fans when this photo came out despite a DUI change and party boy image before this happened.  

25 Million Not Enough???

Manny Ramirez has recently rejected a massive 25 million dollar one year contract with the LA Dodgers.  I can't say I really that surprised that Manny did this, I mean it goes right along with his "Manny being Manny" way of life.  When many Americans are getting laid off, filing for employment, and loosing their homes, at least we know one guy will be getting paid an absurd amount of money to hit a baseball.  

Manny Ramirez has turned himself into this larger than life baseball player that fans seem to love.  Is Manny really worth this enormous contract?  Will he help a team enough to be worth 25 million? As sports figures salaries balloon into the multi-millions, organizations must be extra careful in getting their moneys worth.  

Super Bowl Ad's Record High

Well the big game has come and gone and the business elites that could afford to advertise during the Super Bowl are out a cool 3 million.  Yes, 3 million dollars to advertise during the game this year versus last years price of around 2.2 million.  The ones who did run a commercial during the venue, had a great game to do so.  Reports say that this was the most watched Super Bowl of all time, so the audience was there.  

Considering the outrageous price of Super Bowl ad's I began to wonder about companies ROI or return on investment.  Logically, an organization who spends 3 million on a t.v. spot would need to get a 3 million dollar increase in sales for the commercial to be worth it.  Todays troubling economy has caused many to cut down the marketing budget and this showed in this years Super Bowl ad's.  Many were dull and repeated way to much and lacked the punch of a new Super Bowl commercial.  I hope that using the big game as a medium to advertise works out for these companies, but for some will be a disaster.  

0-16

Well I thought I would never see the day.  The day where a "professional" football team would fail to win a single game.  In the past, teams have come close to point of total disaster, but managed to mutter up a win or two to avoid total embarrassment.  

As each week went on the Lions seemed to be more concerned with not loosing, rather than wanting to win.  Week after week went by and the Lions failed to put up a win for there so called efforts on the field.  Although, I'm not here to give my two cents on reasons why the Lions embarrassed them-selfs, and more so the city of Detroit.  We all know that they need a lot and I'm not the GM, so I won't point fingers.  

What I will say is how much of an epic failure this season was for the Lions, and when looking at the bigger picture, for the NFL.  To harbor a team that can't win one single game and just let it go without being reprimanded is wrong.  The Lions are a business, and right now this business has hit rock bottom.  This year the Lions, among other off the field issues, have tarnished the NFL's name.  

When marketers give big money deals to athletes, this turns out to be a giant risk.  For every success story we have the Lions or a Mike Vick who make business with their logo seem cheep or a big joke.  

A 0-16 team, a wide receiver shooting himself in the leg, pac man, and some guy called T.O. have given this league a bad name.  Not only does this look bad for the league but the businesses that shell out millions as sponsors may have to take years to re-build the image.