ESPN hyped up the NFL draft like it was the superbowl.  They had some “futuristic” introduction and theme that made me wonder whether or not I was watching some cheezy show on the sci-fi channel.  Personally, I like to know what happened during the draft, but its not the biggest sporting event of the year, or anywhere near that, as ESPN would have you believe.  Some may say that ESPN only makes it such a big deal because they are the lap dog of the NFL, but that’s a different story.

Recently, ESPN has made a big deal about the Kentucky Derby.  I would have understood the hype if the only other sporting event of the week was Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling rematch, but we’re far removed from the 1930′s.  ESPN takes the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” thing a little too far sometimes.  ESPN, in the midst of the NBA and NHL playoffs, had its cover story on ESPN.com about the death of the second place horse in the Derby.  Granted, this is a big event in sports, but questioning the ethics of the sport of horse racing because a horse was euthenized after she broke both her front legs? come on ESPN.  In my opinion, ESPN sometimes tries to hard to create stories, as the 24-hour news networks do, in order to feed our up-to-the-minute lifestyles, and it often is too much.

After watching the highlights of the most recent events in the NBA Playoffs’ first round, I’ve learned a few things about the current pro basketball situation:

a)    Either the Celtics were overrated or the Hawks are just that good

b)   The Pacers didn’t make it…again

c)    That Chris Paul guy is MVP material

d)   I was right about Shaq and the Suns (and so was the rest of the world)

e)    The Spurs are probably going to repeat

As much as I hate pro basketball, I can’t help but watch the playoffs because they’re, well, the playoffs. It would be a challenge to my manliness and fanhood to not watch, so I occasionally switch from hockey, baseball, football (of the non-American variety), fishing, golf, and Hannah Montana to check out whatever game is going on in the NBA.

This year’s playoffs actually started off pretty promising to me as I expected the Suns-Spurs series to go all the way to a seventh game where the Suns would have their vengeance for last year’s controversial knockout. Game 1 was a classic double-overtime thriller that fittingly ended down at the wire. From there, all I got was a 4-1 series win for the defending champs. Otherwise, you have total domination of the Lakers over the Nuggets, the Hornets stomping the Mavs (who still can’t believe that they actually traded for Jason Kidd), and a pretty good series between the Rockets and Jazz.

Over in the East, things are a mess with the Sixers surprising the Pistons in the Palace and the Celtics facing good competition from the Hawks. The Celts, who absolutely obliterated their competition this year, seem to be trying to follow in the footsteps of their nearby neighbor Patriots by being that unbelievably good team that loses to a much worse opponent when it matters most. They have, however, made amends by clobbering the Atlanta in Game 5, presumably to finish them off in Game 6 with authority. Apparently, the brass in Atlanta felt that they should celebrate the Hawks’ mediocrity by showering the court with streamers and confetti (hooray mediocrity!) after they won a close Game 4, only to be put back in their place in Boston. In other news, Orlando has mercifully finished off the Raptors, and the Wizards are busy trying to make their inevitable elimination by the Cavs take longer than necessary.

Quite honestly, I’m having a lot more trouble keeping up with the playoffs this year than I did last year, which says a lot. I’m not sure if it’s the Penguins running through the Sens and Rangers, the Cubs being off to their best start in God knows how long, or the awesome Champions League broadcasts on ESPN2, but something is taking my mind way away from the NBA. I guess if I was a fan of any of the teams that are any good (if being under .500 and in the playoffs qualifies you as being “good”) then I would be having a great time with watching pro basketball. But for me, I’m just stuck reminding myself not to watch ABC or ESPN between 7 and 10.

After spending his tenure in the 2008 Stanley Cup Playoffs provoking opponents and, literally, rewriting the rules on fair play, New York Rangers forward Sean Avery will not see the ice until next season. The 28-year-old lacerated his spleen at an unknown point in the Rangers’ home loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on April 29^th and checked into the hospital shortly after the game.  While it is unfortunate for any player to be hurt, let alone during the playoffs, this particular injury seems to be the vengeance of the hockey gods. For a player whose title to most (opponents AND teammates) is a myriad of four-letter words rather than the more traditional, “mister,” this injury at this juncture was a long time coming.

You may have heard of his most recent antic: you know, the one in the first round of the playoffs against the Devils where he turned his back on the game and flailed around in front of Martin Brodeur to “set a screen.” Yeah, he’s that guy who made one of the NHL’s classier players (if you forgot about the affair with his sister-in-law) refuse to shake his hand at the end of the game. Brodeur commented that he’d never seen anything like it. Even Avery’s teammates and coach criticized his actions and the NHL even went so far as to change the rulebook in the middle of the playoffs to prevent similar situations from occurring this year. But really, no one should be surprised by the immature and ill-spirited play of Avery based on his reputation for being a dirty player based on his controversial career. He has recently been voted the NHL’s most hated player and has a litany of complaints against him, including racism. His previous team, the LA Kings, suspended him near the end of the 2007 season so they wouldn’t have to deal with him being around.

While it is unfortunate timing, as his team will need him if they hope to make a comeback against the white-hot Pens, a busted spleen seems to be a very fitting ending for a player who’s made more of a name for himself by being a moron than for scoring goals. And even though his team’s current opponents hope for him to have a speedy recovery and express their sympathies, I, along with many other hockey fans and players, am quite glad to see that Avery will not play for the remainder of the year. Just ask Marty Brodeur.

This situation leaves the Bengals with a marketing issue. Chad Johnson used to have the number one selling jersey in the NFL. Now the Bengals have to try to sell a jersey of a player who will most likely not be with the team after next season. Perhaps they could market a number 85 seat cushion, or maybe a joint venture with La-z-boy to create the Chad Johnson signature collection. The chair could be made out of actual money for that authentic Ocho Cinco feel of sitting on cash while not doing anything productive except occasionally pissing and moaning about the way things are going, but not actually doing anything productive to change it. The fact of the matter is that, without Chad, the Bengals have no stars. They have productive players, the occasional pro bowlers, and even an aging Super Bowl MVP, but none have star potential and Dexter Jackson has reached the age that he gets confused about what sport he is actually playing, where he lives, and occasionally is caught weeping in the locker room when he can’t remember where he put his helmet. Although I love Carson, Rudi, and TJ, none of them have that super star potential. Another issue with the Chad Johnson situation is the fact that fans tend to take sides. The rational fans side with the Bengals while the idiots, and yes, my city has its fair share, side with Chad. This split may hurt ticket and merchandise sales because, quite simply, Chad sells tickets. He provides the entertainment that keeps casual fans hooked. This also causes fans to blame the opposing parties. Fans either blame Chad or the organization, but I am here to present an alternative. Let’s blame, better yet, let’s hate Drew Rosenhaus for this situation. For those of you that don’t know, Rosenhaus is an NFL “power agent” that represents such disgruntled talent as T.O., CJ, and Jermemy Shockey. He is also the obnoxious prick that is a tumor to the NFL. He signs players, asks organizations for more money, then asks for even more money, and then demands a trade. He is, minus Ryan Leaf and Ed Hochuli’s arms bulging from his two sizes too small referee jersey, the worst thing that has happened to the NFL.

Well Chad, here we are. When you started your rise to stardom, you said you wanted to be the next T.O. I don’t know if you’ve reached the skill level of Owens, but you are definetly closing the gap in the overpaid, overrated, loud-mouthed, and most likely to cause an entire city to hate you categories. Congratulations, that’s quite an achievement.

The NBA is probably the league most prone to having age problems for it seems to have the easiest jump from the senior prom to having 2 a day practices with world renowned athletes.  Players like Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett and King James are all 3 examples of this quantum leap into the pros.  There are a few speculations to this rule, should it be changed to the way it used to be, should there be more superstars let in early or should you have to leave your teenage years behind you and then be able to strap on the pro shoes and play ball.

            The age limit has been in affect for the past two years now and it has seemed to be working at a decent pace.  Greg Oden is not a good example as to why this limit was put into affect.  Greg played one year at Ohio State and was a monster.  He had incredible stats and seemed ready to play with the big boys.  The rule was put in to see if these kids are truly ready.  Greg seemed ready but it didn’t show this past year.  Being hurt and missing the year may have proved something to David Stern and the NBA, maybe one year just isn’t enough.  Even though players like Curry from Davidson, who had a phenomenal year in the tournament, seem ready in my opinion atleast one more year is necessary, and the rumor is David Stern feels the same way.

             The rumor going around in the NBA world has people thinking that the 1 year rule will now be a 2 year rule as players must be 20 years of age to enter the draft, which essentially means two years at the colligete level.

            Personally I am in favor of this new ademdum, which would force players to stick around and play atleast two years in college.  I feel bad for the people who work with the Portland TrailBlazers and the mishap that happened with Greg Oden.  This also helps the NBA with knowing who to pay, how much to pay them and who truly to draft.  It also makes college basketball way more fun.

Over 30 years of history has been created at Texas Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL, but its time for a change says owner Jerry Jones.  As the Cowboys of Dallas end their 2008 football season the franchise will pack up their belongings and head to a new venue, something that can be considered a true sight.  Many feel it’s a shame to move to a new venue and leave behind such a legacy but many are excited because this new stadium seems ready to accommodate just about anything.

            HKS Architects, Inc., the proud owners of the rights to build this new structure have a few things in mind that many new stadiums do not.  First off the stadium will feature two unmistakable arches that cover the length of the field, two state of the art endzone plazas and that same retractable roof that creates that strange hole in the ceiling.  2.3 million square feet give this new stadium the rights to one of the biggest venues the United States has even built.  With seating for 100,000 people this structure has the biggest capacity for a football team in the entire NFL.  The 180 long video screens will give all 100,000 people in the venue the ability to watch the replay on that tip-toe catch.  The glass side panels will give the stadium a transparent look, something more recent and uncharacteristic of other stadiums across the country.  “The stadium says technology”

says Jerry Jones, the Cowboys onwer.

Blueprints are finished, the ground has been broken but one essential element to every new stadium, arena, venue is that it needs a name, something that it can be recognized by.  This stadium costs 1 billion dollars to erect and the local taxes of the people from Arlington, the city of the new stadium, are increasing.  Jerry Jones I am sure will find a new name for this building that will bring in some revenue for the team. The current top spots go to the Barclays Center, future home to the NBA’s New Jersey Nets, and Citi Field, where Major League Baseball’s New York Mets will play in 2009, each pulling in 20-year, $400 million contracts.

            In my opinion the creation of this new stadium is a fantastic idea.  Jerry Jones is a very bright business man and knows what he is doing when it comes to making money for his franchise.  This move will certainly cost a large sum of money but the dividends will definitely pay off.  Everyone from around the country is going to want to see this new venue and its almost like the venue can hold everyone with a capacity of 100,000.  I wish they would take the old name of the stadium and transpose it to the new one in Arlington but I am sure that wont happen.  I would even like to see Jones Stadium, in respect to the league renowned owner.  I know for certain though that this stadium will have a corporate name somewhere located on the front and sides of the stadium as well as next to every major television spot.

     The new stadium, which is located in Little Havana, will rejuvenate the area. “Supporters of the baseball stadium deal cited the project’s potential to provide the community with an economic engine for urban redevelopment.” The surrounding neighborhoods are filled with baseball fans. Now that the game will be held in their own backyard, Miami-Dade fans have no reason not to go. The stadium, which is set to open in 2011, will seat 37,000, features a retractable roof, and includes 6,000-space parking garage. The stadium is part of the $2.9 billion so-called Global Agreement plan, recently approved by the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County.

     It will be a win-win situation. Such a convenient location would benefit the Marlins as well of course. Even with a pretty good start this season, they can hardly manage to get decent attendance. The Miami Herald’s Greg Cote chastises Marlins “fans” for not supporting their baseball club when it is giving them all they’ve got. Only 10,462 fans went to Dolphin Stadium to watch a 4-0 victory against the Atlanta Braves that kept the Marlins atop the NL East. Did I mention they would no longer be playing on a football field?

     The agreement also requires the team change its name to the Miami Marlins, and guarantees the team will stay in Miami for 35 years.

     There are talks of shopping 11-year veteran Jason Taylor for another first round draft pick. The defensive end has played all of his of his 172 career games for the Dolphins and has become a household name with DolFans.

     In an interview with ESPN’s Kenny Mayne, Taylor stated, “The thing is, I haven’t talked to anybody. Everyone is talking to everybody else about me but no one is talking to me.” This could be attributed to the fact that instead of being at the Dolphins offseason training camp Taylor is starring on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars.”

     It also does not help that Parcells and Taylor keep contradicting themselves.  In every ESPN article, Taylor has made it clear that Miami is “home.”

Yet in the South Florida Sun Sentinel, columnist Dave Hyde says “Taylor wants to go.” Parcells told ESPN, “The only way Jason Taylor doesn’t play for the Dolphins in 2008 is if he retires,” Parcells said March 3. “The team is not going to trade him.” Hyde says that a source tells him “one team was feeling the Dolphins out with a trade offer.”

     So what should the Dolphins and Taylor do? In my opinion, I think that the Dolphins should keep Taylor. As great as Jason Taylor has proved to be for the Miami defense, I do not think that he would be traded for a first round pick when he is about to enter his 12^th season in the NFL. Although Hyde says that Taylor should not be burdened with another rebuilding year, it’s what Taylor knows. He would be an example to the rookies, although he is not right now in the offseason. Everyone knows he’ll produce once the season starts. If he were traded he would have to become familiar with the new team and since he is busy in the offseason, it might prove to be quite difficult.

5 of those bottles were signed by MVP Eli Manning and auctioned on e-bay. “For almost 40 years Gatorade has played an important part in fueling some of the world’s toughest athletes on sports’ most high-pressure stage — the Super Bowl. We’re proud to offer this first-ever celebratory bottle to the New York Giants, a team that defied the odds and claimed their place in NFL history,” said Matt Knott, vice president of Gatorade marketing.

Using this marketing strategy is very smart and definitely got Gatorade a lot of money. Those bottles were sold instantly especially since they were “first come, first serve.” Their price was higher than the average Gatorade bottle. People who bought them probably didn’t even drink them. They just placed them somewhere in their homes. The word “limited-edition” is very important in sports marketing. When you know that this product is limited and won’t come out again, you will run and buy it and view it as commemorative.