Tuesday, June 30, 2009
REAL MADRID: KAKÁ OFFICIALLY PRESENTED
Took my 6 year old nephew to see REAL MADRID present its firststar signing KAKÁ this evening. There were between 40-50.000 people to witness the event, & quite frankly I haven´t seen anythinglike it before. I don´t even wish to imagine what it will be like nextMonday the 6th of July when Cristiano Ronaldo gets presented.Kaká will show the number 8 on his back, while its previous ownerGago takes
Should NCAA Adopt Rooney Rule?
On our blog, dre cummings and Roger Groves have written extensively about the Rooney Rule, an internal NFL rule which requires that NFL teams interview minority candidates for head coaching positions and which (as Cumberland law prof Marcia McCormick wrote about on Workplace Prof Blog earlier this month), now also requires that teams interview minority candidates for senior football operations positions. Thought it's difficult to show "causation" there has been a marked increase in the number of African-American head coaches since the league adopted the Rooney Rule. For some terrific background on the history and goals of the Rooney Rule, check out Temple law prof Jeremi Duru's article in the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal and dre cummings' article in the Thurgood Marshall Law Review.Interestingly, the NCAA has not adopted the Rooney Rule. Over on NCAA Double-A Zone blog, Marta Lawrence has a good piece on the NCAA's position. Here's an excerpt:
* * *
While the Rooney Rule has worked to help diversify the NFL coaching ranks, NCAA President Myles Brand and Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion Charlotte Westerhaus maintain a similar rule for college athletics won't work.
"The 'Rooney Rule' is an interviewing rule," writes Westerhaus in a recent blog post. "More candidates than ever before were interviewed last fall without an interview mandate similar to the 'Rooney Rule' and without the possibility of sanctions for noncompliance. What was the end result? Only four African Americans were hired as head football coaches of color in Division I FBS. This simply is not good enough.
"The NCAA is not opposed to equal opportunity within the interview process. But what is needed now is an end to side-stepping the crux of the hiring dilemma. Interviewing is not hiring. What is needed is more hires of head football coaches of color, not mandated interviews and the continued perpetuation of false hope."
* * *
To read the rest, click here. To read a law review article advocating that the NCAA adopt the Rooney Rule, see Michael Nicholas' article in the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law Journal.
FC BARCELONA: SAMUEL ETO ´O & SIGNS OF BAD MANAGEMENT III
Does anyone remember that FC BARCELONA won “The Big 3” titles– Spanish League, Spanish Cup & Champions League - last year? TodayREAL MADRID presents their first new signing KAKÁ & there is noplace on the World media for anything else, except the newsconference that SAMUEL ETO ´O´s representative has given thismorning to give their version of what some are already calling thefirst pre-season "
Monday, June 29, 2009
Kettlebell Snatch Drop Set
Kettlebell Drop Set
From last nights training - 60kg - 6kg snatch drop set
60,48,40,32,24,16,8,6kg kettlebells with 8 reps each weight with no rest
8kg and 6kg kettlebells were an a little bit of fun
This training session also included
Barbell snatch 6x3@70kg
Barbell Push press 4x6@90kg
110kg sandbag shouldering x 3 reps
Macebell 40 x 360's @18kg
Overall a good session
From last nights training - 60kg - 6kg snatch drop set
60,48,40,32,24,16,8,6kg kettlebells with 8 reps each weight with no rest
8kg and 6kg kettlebells were an a little bit of fun
This training session also included
Barbell snatch 6x3@70kg
Barbell Push press 4x6@90kg
110kg sandbag shouldering x 3 reps
Macebell 40 x 360's @18kg
Overall a good session
Chaos Kettlebell Shrugs
Diesel Crew Chaos Kettlebell Shrugs
Smitty from the Diesel Crew does it again with another great innovative exercise variation - The Chaos Shrug
Attaching bands to the kettlebells make them a totally different animal.
I've added bands to my kettlebells many times to make my training much more challenging
Check out my bench press with bands and kettlebells
Adding bands to kettlebells can make the weight feel like it is twice as heavy and twenty times more unstable
Smitty from the Diesel Crew does it again with another great innovative exercise variation - The Chaos Shrug
Attaching bands to the kettlebells make them a totally different animal.
I've added bands to my kettlebells many times to make my training much more challenging
Check out my bench press with bands and kettlebells
Adding bands to kettlebells can make the weight feel like it is twice as heavy and twenty times more unstable
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 IDEAL 11 TEAM: DAVID VILLA THE ONLY SPANIARD
FIFA has announced the CONFEDERATIONS CUP IDEAL 11 TEAMafter celebrating its 2009 edition. Apart from the surprises in someof the announcements, the only Spaniard in the 11 is DAVID VILLA.The news in this last case is that David Villa was better valued– 8.76pts vs. 8.70pts – than Luis Fabiano as the tournament “TopStriker”.Here is the list:Goalkeeper: Mohammed Kassid (Eygpt)Defenders: Siboniso
More on American Needle
As Mike noted below, the Supreme Court granted cert today in American Needle v. NFL and will review the Seventh Circuit’s holding that the NFL and its teams act as single entity when promoting NFL football through licensing teams’ intellectual property. We have been tracking and discussing this case since the district court ruled for the NFL back in October 2007 (and then debating it in the Tulane Mardi Gras Moot Court Competition), and I wanted to emphasize one point as we continue to follow this case through the Supreme Court: The NFL—and other professional sports leagues in the U.S.—have a tremendous amount to gain from the Supreme Court’s decision, but not much to lose.
First, let’s start with a little background. The Seventh Circuit’s opinion is an outlier. Until American Needle, every appellate court (and virtually every court) to address the issue held that professional sports leagues are not single entities and are thus subject to scrutiny under Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The Seventh Circuit went against the grain, stating in American Needle that the single entity status of sports leagues “should be addressed…one facet of a league at a time,” and concluding that the NFL acts as a single entity when collectively licensing NFL teams’ intellectual property.
Both American Needle and the NFL then filed petitions for cert with the U.S. Supreme Court. American Needle’s argument is simple—the Supreme Court should hear the case and reverse it because the Seventh Circuit’s holding conflicts with over 50 years of case law in other circuits. The NFL’s argument is more complex. Because it won the case before the Seventh Circuit, the NFL is seeking an expansion, not a reversal, of the decision. The NFL is thus arguing that professional sports leagues are single entities for all purposes, and thus should be completely exempt from Section 1 scrutiny. In the alternative, the NFL claims that professional sports leagues should be deemed single entities with respect to all of their “core venture functions.” Of course, the NFL will then claim that virtually every decision they make constitutes a “core venture function.”
I will address the merits of the underlying arguments over the next few months, but let’s get back to my original point. An expansion of the Seventh Circuit’s holding would be a huge win for professional sports leagues. Depending on the scope of the Supreme Court’s decision, leagues could be free to make decisions regarding the location and ownership of teams, contraction of franchises, television restrictions, intellectual property licensing, etc., without fear of attack under Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Taken to its most unlikely extreme, the Supreme Court could extend the single entity protection to cover all decisions made by a league, including salary caps, player drafts, free agency rules, and other player restraints.
Despite what some are saying, however, a reversal of the Seventh Circuit’s decision would not be a catastrophic loss for the NFL. Over at profootballtalk.com, Mike Florio claims that
I think Mike does great work over there, but his observation on this one is a bit misleading (but, Marc Edelman has a great comment in that post). The issue before the Supreme Court is not whether the NFL’s exclusive licensing arrangement is legal under the antitrust laws. The issue is whether the licensing arrangement should even be subject to scrutiny under the antitrust laws. If the NFL wins, they escape Section 1 scrutiny. If the NFL loses, their arrangement will then be analyzed under the rule of reason, where a court will weigh the procompetitive benefits of the agreement versus its anticompetitive effects.
There is no reason to believe that the Supreme Court’s rejection of the single entity argument makes it any more (or less) likely that American Needle would prevail in the underlying antitrust case (or that a suit against the exclusive deal with EA would be successful). Rather, it only subjects the NFL to the same antitrust scrutiny they have been subjected to for the last 50 years. American Needle could win the underlying case, but only if it could prove that the anticompetitive effects of the NFL’s exclusive apparel licensing deal outweighed its procompetitive benefits.
Thus, while a win for the NFL in the Supreme Court would have significant implications, a loss merely gets us back to the way we were before the Seventh Circuit’s outlier in American Needle.
First, let’s start with a little background. The Seventh Circuit’s opinion is an outlier. Until American Needle, every appellate court (and virtually every court) to address the issue held that professional sports leagues are not single entities and are thus subject to scrutiny under Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The Seventh Circuit went against the grain, stating in American Needle that the single entity status of sports leagues “should be addressed…one facet of a league at a time,” and concluding that the NFL acts as a single entity when collectively licensing NFL teams’ intellectual property.
Both American Needle and the NFL then filed petitions for cert with the U.S. Supreme Court. American Needle’s argument is simple—the Supreme Court should hear the case and reverse it because the Seventh Circuit’s holding conflicts with over 50 years of case law in other circuits. The NFL’s argument is more complex. Because it won the case before the Seventh Circuit, the NFL is seeking an expansion, not a reversal, of the decision. The NFL is thus arguing that professional sports leagues are single entities for all purposes, and thus should be completely exempt from Section 1 scrutiny. In the alternative, the NFL claims that professional sports leagues should be deemed single entities with respect to all of their “core venture functions.” Of course, the NFL will then claim that virtually every decision they make constitutes a “core venture function.”
I will address the merits of the underlying arguments over the next few months, but let’s get back to my original point. An expansion of the Seventh Circuit’s holding would be a huge win for professional sports leagues. Depending on the scope of the Supreme Court’s decision, leagues could be free to make decisions regarding the location and ownership of teams, contraction of franchises, television restrictions, intellectual property licensing, etc., without fear of attack under Section 1 of the Sherman Act. Taken to its most unlikely extreme, the Supreme Court could extend the single entity protection to cover all decisions made by a league, including salary caps, player drafts, free agency rules, and other player restraints.
Despite what some are saying, however, a reversal of the Seventh Circuit’s decision would not be a catastrophic loss for the NFL. Over at profootballtalk.com, Mike Florio claims that
the stakes are high. If the Supreme Court rules that the league and its teams do not constitute a single entity for antitrust purposes, then all exclusive marketing arrangements likely would be scuttled. For example, EA would likely lose exclusive rights to the team names and logos for the Madden video game — and the league would lose the extra money that comes from exclusivity.
I think Mike does great work over there, but his observation on this one is a bit misleading (but, Marc Edelman has a great comment in that post). The issue before the Supreme Court is not whether the NFL’s exclusive licensing arrangement is legal under the antitrust laws. The issue is whether the licensing arrangement should even be subject to scrutiny under the antitrust laws. If the NFL wins, they escape Section 1 scrutiny. If the NFL loses, their arrangement will then be analyzed under the rule of reason, where a court will weigh the procompetitive benefits of the agreement versus its anticompetitive effects.
There is no reason to believe that the Supreme Court’s rejection of the single entity argument makes it any more (or less) likely that American Needle would prevail in the underlying antitrust case (or that a suit against the exclusive deal with EA would be successful). Rather, it only subjects the NFL to the same antitrust scrutiny they have been subjected to for the last 50 years. American Needle could win the underlying case, but only if it could prove that the anticompetitive effects of the NFL’s exclusive apparel licensing deal outweighed its procompetitive benefits.
Thus, while a win for the NFL in the Supreme Court would have significant implications, a loss merely gets us back to the way we were before the Seventh Circuit’s outlier in American Needle.
ATLETICO DE MADRID: COUPET SIGNS FOR FRENCH CLUB PARIS ST.GERMAIN
French & ATLETICO DE MADRID 36 year old Goalkeeper GREGORYCOUPET has shut a two year contract deal with French Club PARISSAINT GERMAIN. The Frenchmen returns to French Football afteran unsuccessful year & attempt at Atletico that lead to completefrustration.(photo: Coupet)Continuing with Atletico, goalkeepers & with a “French flavour”,Spanish daily “Mundo Deportivo” publish that according to “
U.S. Suprme Court Grants Cert in American Needle v. NFL
Earlier this morning, the Supreme Court released its order list, which included notice that it has granted cert in American Needle v. NFL. The Seventh Circuit held earlier this year that the NFL can enjoy single entity status -- and thus immunity from Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act -- for limited purposes (namely, apparel sales). Until American Needle, leagues with franchises that are separately owned had traditionally been viewed as joint ventures, and thus subject to Section 1. Although U.S. Solicitor General Elena Kagan recommended that the Court not grant cert, it has done so anyway. It should make for a very important and interesting case.
For other Sports Law Blog coverage on American Needle, click here. For other news from the Supreme Court today, check out the outstanding Supreme Court of the United States Blog.
For other Sports Law Blog coverage on American Needle, click here. For other news from the Supreme Court today, check out the outstanding Supreme Court of the United States Blog.
SPANISH BASKETBALL: 2009 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP LIST ANNOUNCED
Spanish National Basketball Selector/Coach SERGIO SCARIOLO hasofficially made public the list of Spanish Basketball players thatwill represent SPAIN in the upcoming EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPSto be held in POLAND ( 7 to 20 September)The list:Pau Gasol - LA LakersRudy Fernández - PortlandRaúl López - R. MadridJuan Carlos Navarro - BarcelonaFelipe Reyes - R. MadridRicky Rubio - JoventutBerni Rodríguez -
FC BARCELONA "PUSHING" SAMUEL ETO´O TO MANCHESTER CITY & OUT THE "BACK DOOR".
After publicly commenting that SAMUEL ETO ´O is for him the “BestForward in the World” & that he would like the player to finish hiscareer at FC BARCELONA, President Laporta has said in referenceto the news from England that Eto´o should accept the offer fromMANCHESTER CITY. Curious & obvious that FC BARCELONA ispushing Samuel Eto´o to leave the Club at whatever opportunityas published today on “
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Kettlebell Links
Kettlebell Links
If you're a regular visitor of KB Training for Sport, you'll notice the new look!
Before I put my links back up I wanted to ask if anyone wants their site or one they know is interesting (relating to strength and fitness) included in my link list or wants to share one?
Just drop me a line in the comments box
Regards
Rob
Sandbags and Kettlebells
Sandbags and Kettlebells
Right up my street!
Sandbags and kettlebell from Smitty.
Great stuff and a great change to the usual boring routines many people do
Get at it!
Right up my street!
Sandbags and kettlebell from Smitty.
Great stuff and a great change to the usual boring routines many people do
Get at it!
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009: THIRD PLACE SPAIN 3 - SOUTH AFRICA 2 (SEE VIDEO OF GOALS)
An amazing game for the third place of the FIFA CONFEDERATIONSCUP 2009 between SPAIN & SOUTH AFRICA with the formerwinning 3-2 in extra-time. It was possibly Spain’s worst match ofthe whole tournament with defensive mistakes & with its accustomedflowing game missing. The absence of Xavi was extremely noticeable& other observations – which will be mentioned later – baffled theviewer.The game
REAL MADRID & FRANCK RIBERY: AN SFS EXCLUSIVE
A SFS reporter “risked his life” in gaining an exclusive video ofa “top level” secret meeting at the offices of Santiago Bernabeubetween REAL MADRID President Florentino “ Marlon Brando”Perez & the representative of Franck Ribery (white suit) . Therepresent was General Director Jorge “James Cann” Valdano & Miguel“Robert Duvall” Pardeza, to hear how Ribery´s representative washaving problems
Saturday, June 27, 2009
MALLORCA TRANSFER ARANGO TO BORRUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
Spanish Football loses a class player while German Football gains agreat talent. Spanish Team MALLORCA Captain & VenezuelanInternational 29 year old JUAN ARANGO goes to German ClubBORRUSIA MONCHENGLADBACH for 3.6M€. The transfer operationhas been agreed by both Clubs & the player will do his obligatorymedical examinations next week before signing.Juan Arango leaves Mallorca after 4 fabulous
DUTCH MOTOGP 2009: GOOD DAY FOR SPANIARDS
Good day of Motorcycling for Spanish riders in all catagories of theDUTCH MOTOGP at the Assen circuit held this afternoon.(photo: Spanish rider Gadea)In the 125cc catagory Spaniard GADEA won ahead of another Spanishrider SIMON with Brit SMITH coming in 3ºrd.Current World Campionship standings:1. Simon 104pts; 2. Smith 98.5; 3. Iannone 84.5In the 250cc catagory, Spanish rider & until then leader
REAL MADRID: LIVERPOOL FC PUTS A 41M€ PRICE ON XABI ALONSO
News comes to us from English paper “The Times” – via elmundo.com – that LIVERPOOL FC has publicly placed a transfer price ontheir Spanish midfielder & International XABI ALONSO of 41M€.The main Club interested & has already expressed its desire toincorporate the player in its squad next season is REAL MADRID &the English media express that it is the most likely future stop. Theonly obstacle is
REAL MADRID: FRANCK RIBERY IS NOT ON SALE & IS IRREPLACEABLE
FRANCK RIBERY is turning out to be a difficult operation, the reasonis simple, BAYERN MUNICH doesn’t wish to sell their star forward,or at least that is the message being sent. Bayern President Karl-HeinzRummenigge has told French paper “L´Equipe” that Bayern knowsof the REAL MADRID interest, the player wishes to go there, but thatRibery is a vital piece in the future plans of Bayern. So much so,
Friday, June 26, 2009
Catching Up with Links
* Brandon Jennings, a 19-year-old who earned over a million dollars playing basketball in Italy last season, was drafted 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in last night's NBA draft, ahead of a number of high-profile college players. Significance? Some believed that Jennings risked hurting his draft status by playing abroad and away from the TV coverage that players receive at top college programs. I never found that concern particularly persuasive, since NBA teams regularly scout Europe and other parts of the globe, and I presume teams are most interested in drafting the best available player or the player best fitting team needs--rather than the most well-known player (and fans' recognition of drafted players didn't help the Cavs after drafting Trajan Langdon at #11 in 1999 or the Bobcats after drafting Adam Morrison at #3 in 2006 or the Nets after drafting Ed O'Bannon at #9 in 1995 etc.). For more on Jennings, see Jeff Goodman's "Jennings' Experiment Pays Off."
* Steve Wieberg and Marlen Garcia have an interesting piece connecting the "one and done" phenomenon of college basketball (where a player attends college for one year in order to satisfy the NBA's eligibility restriction) and corruption at several marquee college programs.
* Contained within the seemingly ubiquitous coverage of Michael Jackson's death, Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has a good feature on a chain of events that began in 1985 with the Sullivan Family, which owned the Patriots, financing Jackson's "Victory" tour and ended with Bob Kraft buying the Patriots (which in turn lead to Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and three super bowls).
* Jeff Levine has a good piece on the Biz of Hockey on the Coyotes/NHL recent litigation.
* Steve Wieberg and Marlen Garcia have an interesting piece connecting the "one and done" phenomenon of college basketball (where a player attends college for one year in order to satisfy the NBA's eligibility restriction) and corruption at several marquee college programs.
* Contained within the seemingly ubiquitous coverage of Michael Jackson's death, Chad Finn of the Boston Globe has a good feature on a chain of events that began in 1985 with the Sullivan Family, which owned the Patriots, financing Jackson's "Victory" tour and ended with Bob Kraft buying the Patriots (which in turn lead to Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, and three super bowls).
* Jeff Levine has a good piece on the Biz of Hockey on the Coyotes/NHL recent litigation.
REAL MADRID TO TRANSFER JAVIER SAVIOLA TO BENFICA FOR 5M€
Spanish daily “Marca” via its digital edition have published thatREAL MADRID Argentine forward JAVIER SAVIOLA will be leavingfor Portugal & concretely to BENFICA. The agreement is for threeyears with a fourth as a possible option, with the operation costing5M€ in a transfer fee. The official announcement is due to beannounced by the Portuguese Club with the next 24 hours, as theagreement with all
MANCHESTER UNITED MAKES 46,8M€ BID FOR DAVID VILLA ( & 35M€ FOR BENZEMA)?
The latest news from England comes from “The Daily Mirror” – pickedup here by “AS” & “Marca” – that publishes that MANCHESTERUNITED has made a 46,8M€ offer to VALENCIA CF for DAVID VILLA.This offer surpasses the alleged FC BARCELONA bid of 43M€ madefor the Spanish International.(photo: marca.com)However two points that need to be made that add confusion tothis whole David Villa transfer affair:1.
SFS FLASHBACKS: TENERIFE 3 REAL MADRID 2 SEASON 1991/1992
It was season 1991/1992 & REAL MADRID needed only to win itslast game of the season against TENERIFE to take the Spanish 1ºDivision Title. Things started brilliantly for Real Madrid with twogoals from FERNANDO HIERRO & HAGI…, BUT with Real Madridthinking in the title Tenerife made a historic comeback:Quique Estebaranz 1-2Roca 2-2Pier 3-2Real Madrid loses the Spanish League title & FC BARCELONA
Thursday, June 25, 2009
DAVID VILLA: THE STORY & SITUATION WITH THE TRANSFER SAGA: PART III
The DAVID VILLA transfer saga takes another twist with the digitaledition of “Marca” announcing that FC BARCELONA has come outof the shadows officially & made a 43M€ offer to VALENCIA CF.The "breakdown" of negotiations with Real Madrid & the apparentdesire by Valencia CF to sell to any one except Real Madrid hasgiven Barça the stimulus to “go for it”, as they - Barcelona - claimagainst all other
VILLAREAL: BESIKTAS SAY THEY HAVE NIHAT
Turkish Club BESIKTAS has announced on its web that they havecome to a complete agreement with VILLAREAL TurkishInternational NIHAT for the next three years. Now what is neededis that both Besiktas & Villareal come to a transfer agreement,something that the Turkish Club President Yildirim Demirorenclaims to have already with a 4M€ deal, but cannot be confirmedhere from Spanish Club Villareal as
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
REAL MADRID: KARIM BENZEMA PLAN B
Spanish sports daily “AS & Marca" publish that REAL MADRID hasgot in contact with OLYMPIQUE DE LYON to talk about thepossibilities of KARIM BENZEMA landing at the Spanish Club nextseason. However, the original idea is that the 21 year old FrenchInternational stay one more season in French Football to continuehis development before making the move to Real Madrid, but the“failed” operation for
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 SEMI FINAL: SPAIN 0 USA 2 (SEE VIDEO GOALS)
Surprise & shock result in tonight’s FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP2009 1ºst Semi-Final with SPAIN losing to USA 0-2. It had to happensooner or later that the 35 consecutive straight games without a losshad to come to an end equalizing the FIFA Record with Brazil.Two reasons that explains this result, no perhaps three:1. Over confidence from the Spanish National Team. Mentally theywere already in the
REAL MADRID SIGNS VALENCIA CF DEFENDER RAÚL ALBIOL
According to news just in via the digital editions of “AS” &“elmundo.com”, VALENCIA CF Spanish International defenderRAUL ALBIOL will be player of REAL MADRID CF next season.Both Clubs have shut a 15M€ transfer deal in which all that is nowneeded is the players signature after his return from South Africawhere he is participating in the FIFA Confederations Cup withthe National Team. The 23 year
The New Anti-Tobacco Legislation, Sports Events and Commercial Speech
The Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act signed by President Obama's earlier this week contains provisions that should be of more than passing interest to those involving sports sponsorship. As has been widely reported, the legislation (found in 111 P.L. 31, 123 Stat. 1776) asserts Food and Drug Administration jurisdiction over tobacco products and will finally give that agency the power to regulate tobacco products. Additionally, and significantly for those in the sports industries, the legislation prohibits tobacco-related sponsorships of sports and entertainment events.
This legislation serves as a crowning achievement of the efforts by anti-smoking advocates to stop individuals, notably teenagers, from starting the habit. These advocates can feel justly proud of their accomplishment. A great deal of this legislation makes sense, especially giving the Food and Drug Administration jurisdiction over tobacco and the increase in warnings to be found on such products. However, as someone who lauds the goals of a smoke-free America, some of the advertising restrictions may be constitutionally suspect and will likely be challenged.
In its introduction, the legislation notes that "[t]hrough advertisements during and sponsorship of sporting events, tobacco has become strongly associated with sports and has become portrayed as an integral part of sports and the healthy lifestyle associated with rigorous sporting activity."
While tobacco company sponsorship has gradually decreased for major sporting events, a ban on sponsorships could jeopardize the viability of smaller events in jeopardy. Such a limitation, along with the billboard advertising restrictions -- could also affect the commercial speech rights and may be unconstitutional.
I come to this conclusion with great reluctance, because in the past, I advocated a ban on tobacco advertising (see SUNY v. Fox -- The Dawn of a New Age of Commercial Speech Regulation of Tobacco and Alcohol, 9 Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal 61 (1990). But since then, commercial speech protection has increased because the Supreme Court has applied the prevailing standard with greater scrutiny. That standard, known as the Central Hudson test is a complex variant of the “intermediate” scrutiny test found in time, place and manner restriction cases and requires that the government’s interest in regulating the commercial speech must be “substantial;” the regulation “directly advances the governmental interest asserted;” and the regulation “is not more extensive than is necessary to serve that interest.” In recent years, the courts have questioned governmental regulation of commercial speech involving liquor regulations and billboards, applying the last two prongs of the test was heightened scrutiny. In a case closely on point, the court, in 2001, concluded in Lorillard v. Reilly that a Massachusetts regulation banning "outdoor" advertising for tobacco products as the law failed the fourth part of the Central Hudson test. Some members of the court expressed interest in scrapping Central Hudson in favor of a strict scrutiny test. I wonder if the sponsorship ban in this legislation would be able to survive the "intermediate scrutiny-plus" standard of Central Hudson as applied by the courts over the last decade.
Constitutional challenges to portions of this law are likely and the sports industry should pay attention.
This legislation serves as a crowning achievement of the efforts by anti-smoking advocates to stop individuals, notably teenagers, from starting the habit. These advocates can feel justly proud of their accomplishment. A great deal of this legislation makes sense, especially giving the Food and Drug Administration jurisdiction over tobacco and the increase in warnings to be found on such products. However, as someone who lauds the goals of a smoke-free America, some of the advertising restrictions may be constitutionally suspect and will likely be challenged.
The law codifies previous bans on outdoor advertising within 1,000 feet of schools and playgrounds and certain print advertising to black-and-white text. In a limitation directly involving sports, the legislation prohibits manufacturers, distributors, or retailers from distributing or causing to be distributed any free samples of smokeless tobacco "to a sports team or entertainment group;" or "at any football, basketball, baseball, soccer, or hockey event or any other sporting or entertainment event determined by the Secretary [of Health and Human Services] to be covered by this subparagraph."(sec. 102a)
In its introduction, the legislation notes that "[t]hrough advertisements during and sponsorship of sporting events, tobacco has become strongly associated with sports and has become portrayed as an integral part of sports and the healthy lifestyle associated with rigorous sporting activity."
While tobacco company sponsorship has gradually decreased for major sporting events, a ban on sponsorships could jeopardize the viability of smaller events in jeopardy. Such a limitation, along with the billboard advertising restrictions -- could also affect the commercial speech rights and may be unconstitutional.
I come to this conclusion with great reluctance, because in the past, I advocated a ban on tobacco advertising (see SUNY v. Fox -- The Dawn of a New Age of Commercial Speech Regulation of Tobacco and Alcohol, 9 Cardozo Arts & Entertainment Law Journal 61 (1990). But since then, commercial speech protection has increased because the Supreme Court has applied the prevailing standard with greater scrutiny. That standard, known as the Central Hudson test is a complex variant of the “intermediate” scrutiny test found in time, place and manner restriction cases and requires that the government’s interest in regulating the commercial speech must be “substantial;” the regulation “directly advances the governmental interest asserted;” and the regulation “is not more extensive than is necessary to serve that interest.” In recent years, the courts have questioned governmental regulation of commercial speech involving liquor regulations and billboards, applying the last two prongs of the test was heightened scrutiny. In a case closely on point, the court, in 2001, concluded in Lorillard v. Reilly that a Massachusetts regulation banning "outdoor" advertising for tobacco products as the law failed the fourth part of the Central Hudson test. Some members of the court expressed interest in scrapping Central Hudson in favor of a strict scrutiny test. I wonder if the sponsorship ban in this legislation would be able to survive the "intermediate scrutiny-plus" standard of Central Hudson as applied by the courts over the last decade.
Constitutional challenges to portions of this law are likely and the sports industry should pay attention.
The Overhead Squat OHSQ
The Overhead Squat OHSQ
Overhead squat is a great exercise for building the core and training your body as one piece. I constantly use the barbell overhead squat as a warm up for my lifting sessions.
The OHSQ really builds great stability and stretches out the hips and shoulders ready for action.
Some people may have trouble with the mobility required for the OHSQ, if you are one of these people, be sure to start light and constantly work on this movement at every training session once you are warmed up.
The OHSQ is even more difficult with kettlebells as it is a real challenge to your mobility.
Nice work from Shaolos with 2 x 32kg kettlebells
For more reading on overhead squatting from the master check out Dan John's Book
Overhead squat is a great exercise for building the core and training your body as one piece. I constantly use the barbell overhead squat as a warm up for my lifting sessions.
The OHSQ really builds great stability and stretches out the hips and shoulders ready for action.
Some people may have trouble with the mobility required for the OHSQ, if you are one of these people, be sure to start light and constantly work on this movement at every training session once you are warmed up.
The OHSQ is even more difficult with kettlebells as it is a real challenge to your mobility.
Nice work from Shaolos with 2 x 32kg kettlebells
For more reading on overhead squatting from the master check out Dan John's Book
THE ROBINHO SHOW
At times SFS gets out of its Spanish Football & Sports boundaries tofeature videos that are universal in their appeal & of interest to itsreaders supposing beforehand that they are not only Spanish Footballfans but ultimately Football lovers on the whole.Found this video of Brazilian International & Manchester City playerROBINHO doing his thing while training in South Africa at the
REAL MADRID: RAÚL ALBIOL & ALVARO ARBELOA CLOSER
VALENCIA CF & REAL MADRID may not be in agreement over DavidVilla, but according to “Marca” both are very close in agreeing tothe transfer of Valencia & Spanish International 23 year old defenderRAÚL ALBIOL to Real Madrid. The operation is being said to bearound 15M€ & if successful would be the first Spanish player signedby Real in their promised process of acquiring more Spanish playersinto the
RCD ESPANYOL SIGN JAPANESE SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA
Spanish Football has another superstar Football player for nextseason, the "Japanese equivalent" of Cristiano Ronaldo, midfielderSHUNSUKE NAKAMURA has signed for two years with RCDESPANYOL.The Japanese player comes from Scottish Club GLASGOW CELTIC &comes “free” after finishing his contract at the Scottish team. Hisnew team will own a high percentage of his image rights as the 30year old Nakamura
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
MANCHESTER UNITED PREPARING TO GO AFTER SERGIO "KUN" AGUERO ?
Spanish sports daily “Marca” in its afternoon digital edition gives thenews that MANCHESTER UNITED maybe elaborating a plan to takeover to Old Trafford ATLETICO DE MADRID Argentine InternationalSERGIO “KUN” AGÜERO.Atletico has informed all Clubs interestedthat Aguero has a contractual release clause of 60M€ (+ VAT) &that this is the figure in any negotiation.(photo: afp/marca.com)Manchester
FOOTBALL (SOCCER) FINANCE: LEONEL MESSI THE WORLDS MOST POWERFUL FOOTBALL MEDIA PERSONALITY
An interesting piece on “Football Finance” has appeared thisafternoon on the digital edition of local sports media “AS”.They cite the University of Navarra (Spain) & their EconomicDepartment who have just released a study indicating theplayer, Club & Coach with most media pulling power in theWorld, using last season’s indicators(photo: as.com)In the player category FC BARCELONA player LEONEL
REAL MADRID: "THE XABI ALONSO & ARBELOA PACK" FOR 45M€
English paper “The Daily Mail” – sensationalist as it maybe – havepublished that with the transfer of Portsmouth & English Internationaldefender GLEN JOHNSON for 20M€ to LIVERPOOL FC, the actioncreates the necessity of the latter to sell. This has increasedspeculation within the Football World that the interest of REALMADRID for Liverpool FC & Spanish International XABI ALONSO may transform
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009: PREVIEW SPAIN vs. USA SEMI FINAL
This Wednesday SPAIN plays FIFA Nº 14 ranked USA in the firstsemi-final of the FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009 tournament.There is already speculation on the possible Spanish Team startingline-up that sees changes that local daily “AS” has titled the“2 Ps & 2 X” plan.According to the diagram the defence will feature the proven FCBarcelona partnership of Pique – Pujoy as central defenders, whilethe
REAL MADRID: NEGOTIATIONS FOR FRANCK RIBERY BACK ON COURSE?
The Spanish daily & at times enthusiastic admirers of REAL MADRID,the paper “AS”, publish today that contacts & negotiations haveincreased in reference to French International & BAYERN MUNICHplayer FRANCK RIBERY. According to the source the player’s agentAlan Migliaccio is in constant dialogue with Bayern Munich, withoutthe fanfare of other signings thus maintaining a low media profile. The
Monday, June 22, 2009
Does The New Women's Professional Soccer League Have A Business Model For Success?
In the late 1990s, sports consulting firms such as Game Plan LLC advised their clients to adopt centrally-planned league structures. Just ten years later, however, these structures have become relatively obsolete. Not only has the WNBA converted to a more traditional structure, but also the centrally-planned XFL, MISL and WUSA have gone entirely out of business.On March 29, 2009, the WUSA's founders launched a new women's soccer league--Women's Professional Soccer. Not surprisingly, this new league has adopted a more traditional approach.
In a recent law review article, former professional soccer player Elizabeth Masterson and I argue that the new women's professional soccer league is more likely to succeed than its predecessor, the WUSA, because of the virtues intrinsic in the traditional league structure.
In addition to touting the business advantages of traditional sports leagues, Elizabeth and I explain three reasons why we believe the once alleged antitrust advantages of the centrally-planned league are no longer relevant today:
- First, the 2002 First Circuit case Fraser v. Major League Soccer held that the single-entity defense to antitrust law is unlikely to apply to any centrally-planned sports league that allocates a share of specific team revenues to individual investor-operators.
- Second, Fraser v. Major League Soccer also held that the labor practices of a professional sports league, irrespective of its structure, cannot violate antitrust law so long as the league competes in a worldwide market for player labor and thus lacks market power.
- Finally, the more recent Seventh Circuit case American Needle v. National Football League extends the potential insulation from antitrust liability to certain business activities of even traditionally structured sports leagues. (Of course, some of us at Sports Law Blog, including myself, believe the American Needle opinion was poorly decided.)
EUROPEAN U-21 CHAMPIONSHIP 2009: SPAIN SAYS GOODBYE WITH A VICTORY
The Spanish U-21 National Team said goodbye to the EUROPEANU-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS with a 2-0 victory over FINLAND. The only“miracle” possible for Spain to continue was in the hands of Englandwith a victory over Germany; however their game finished in a 1-1draw. Therefore Group B has England & Germany that go onto thenext stage, while Spain packs its bags as third in what has been afor them a
Donald Fehr Stepping Down
The Street & Smith Sports Business Journal posted a link to an article by ESPN stating that Donald Fehr will be stepping down as Executive Director of the MLBPA "no later than the end of March." Pending board approval, his replacement will be current General Counsel Michael Weiner.
ATLETICO DE MADRID SIGNS YOUNG URUGUAYAN LEANDRO CABRERA
Sports daily “AS” informs that ATLETICO DE MADRID has signedUruguayan International U/20 youngster & defender LEANDROCABRERA, as communicated by the President of DEFENSORSPORTING the Club of origin & the Uruguay Club Champion. Theplayer comes under a “financial engineering” formula with theSpanish Club giving Club Defensor Sporting 1.5M€ in cash.Leandro Cabrera is a talented defender with
Professor Scott Rosner on the 1992 Cable Act and Sports Broadcasting
Professor Scott Rosner, the associate director of the Wharton Sports Business Initiative at the University of Pennsylvania, has an engaging op-ed in the San Diego Union-Tribune on sports broadcasting. The op-ed is excerpted below.
* * *
There are four main ways to receive home video service in the United States: traditional over-the-air broadcast, cable, satellite and now over lines from new competitors such as AT&T and Verizon, who have invested billions in infrastructure and marketing. This kind of competition is good because it means lower prices, more innovation and better customer service. It translates into lower bills for consumers as well as an increasing number of HD and non-HD channels, better DVR technology and bundled service. Consumers win as a result of this highly competitive marketplace.
That is, unless you are a sports fan living in San Diego or Philadelphia. The 1992 Cable Act has program access requirements that promote competition and diversity in video programming. The law prevents cable companies from acting in an unfair or anti-competitive manner when selling the huge amount of cable channels and programming that they own.
So why isn't what is happening in San Diego and Philadelphia illegal? In fact, it would be except for a technicality. At the moment the Federal Communications Commission is reviewing the rule that allows this to occur – the “terrestrial loophole” in the federal Cable Act. By their own admission, cable companies are taking advantage of this outdated exception to program-access laws. The loophole makes the law applicable only to satellite-delivered programming and not to programs delivered via a terrestrial signal. It's a technicality that serves no rational purpose.
* * *
To read the rest, click here.
Josh Henkin Sandbag Challenge
Josh Henkin Sandbag Challenge
Looking for a new and fresh challenge?
Check out Josh's sandbag challenge
Shouldering a sandbag 10 reps in 1 min followed by 1 min rest for 3 rounds.
For me this would be the 200 bag, ouch
Men:
180 or under: 120 pound sandbag
180-220: 150 pound sandbag
220-270: 170 pound sandbag
270 and over: 200 pound sandbag
Women:
130 or under: 50 pound sandbag
130-150: 70 pound sandbag
150-180: 90 pound sandbag
180 and over: 100 pound sandbag
Josh Henking Sandbags
Here's me recently loading 230lb sandbag onto my reverse hyper.
Josh Henkin Sandbag Challenge
Looking for a new and fresh challenge?
Check out Josh's sandbag challenge
Shouldering a sandbag 10 reps in 1 min followed by 1 min rest for 3 rounds.
For me this would be the 200 bag, ouch
Men:
180 or under: 120 pound sandbag
180-220: 150 pound sandbag
220-270: 170 pound sandbag
270 and over: 200 pound sandbag
Women:
130 or under: 50 pound sandbag
130-150: 70 pound sandbag
150-180: 90 pound sandbag
180 and over: 100 pound sandbag
Josh Henking Sandbags
Here's me recently loading 230lb sandbag onto my reverse hyper.
Josh Henkin Sandbag Challenge
DAVID VILLA: THE STORY & SITUATION WITH THE REAL MADRID TRANSFER SAGA II
Hi, here is more on the VALENCIA CF – DAVID VILLA saga. TodaySpanish daily “Marca” add more light to this unbelievable situationthat is affecting personally the actual player.1.On Friday, VALENCIA CF communicates that after reflectionDAVID VILLA is non-transferable. The Club goes back on its wordto the player & Real Madrid CF who had verbally shut a deal 10days earlier.2.Reason: David Villa is an
Sunday, June 21, 2009
CHELSEA FC PLANNING A 100M€ JOINT OFFER FOR TORRES & VILLA?
News that has “hit” locally comes from the English paper “New ofThe World” is that CHELSEA FC is preparing a Football earthquake.The idea of Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich & his new CoachCarlo Ancelotti is to put together Spanish International FERNANDOTORRES & DAVID VILLA in the English teams forward line, theestimate cost is 100M€.The English Club wishes to take advantage of the
SFS IS BACK. CAN´T LEAVE EVEN FOR TWO DAYS!
Can´t even go anywhere for a few days :)(photo: SFS resting place. Zahora/Cadiz)Been to the beach to disconnect this weekend & when I get backhome & onto the Internet I see that from Friday until now:. Valencia CF breaks all negotiations & signal that David Villa is notfor sale. Valencia CF Directive has “broken” under the pressurefrom the fan base that sees Real Madrid as the Club least to
Friday, June 19, 2009
Pavel Tsatsouline on kettlebells
Pavel Tsatsouline on kettlebells, Hardstyle and the RKC
Great video from Pavel Tsatsouline
Pavel Tsatsouline is the founder of the modern kettlebell movement. Here, Pavel discusses what is unique to his HardStyle kettlebell training and to his RKC instructor program.
Pavel Tsatsouline on kettlebells
Great video from Pavel Tsatsouline
Pavel Tsatsouline is the founder of the modern kettlebell movement. Here, Pavel discusses what is unique to his HardStyle kettlebell training and to his RKC instructor program.
Pavel Tsatsouline on kettlebells
Thursday, June 18, 2009
EUROPEAN U-21 CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009: SPAIN 0 ENGLAND 2
The SPANISH U-21 NATIONAL TEAM went down tonight 0-2 toENGLAND in its Group B match. This “virtually” puts the Spaniardsout of the EUROPEAN U-21 Finals being held in Sweden. TheONLY chance left is if Spain goals Finland in its last Group game& England defeats Germany in its match.Spain was nervous & put up a conservative set up that lacked anyaction along the wings. Once again Spain’s goalkeeper
SPANISH BASKETBALL: BARCELONA WINS ACB TITLE 2008-09
FC BARCELONA Basketball Team has won the Spanish Basketball ACBNational Title after defeating TAU CREMANICA 90 – 77 who wonthe title last year. Barça wins the Final play-off 3-1 & brings back thetitle after winning its last Championship back in 2004.(photo: JC Navarro/Marca.com)Juan Carlos Navarro & David Andersen were the star players forBarça tonight & managed to outpace & outshoot a “tired”
SFS FLASHBACKS:1998 WORLD CUP - SPAIN 2 NIGERIA 3
It was the 1998 World Cup in France & the Group D game againstthe strong & skillfull Nigeria. The end result was a "surprising"SPAIN 2 - NIGERIA 3 which was the end of Coach Javier Clemente& another disappointing World Cup "go home early" scenario. A defeatthat went down in Spanish history as the beginning of the WCupcareer for RAUL & another disasterous goalkeeping mistake byZubizarretaDon´t
2009 NBA Draft Preview: Power Forwards
This article can also be found here.
When looking at the power forward class of the 2009 NBA Draft, the conversation obviously begins with Blake Griffin from Oklahoma. He considered entering the draft after his freshman season (where he could have been a lottery pick), but decided to come back for one more year at Oklahoma to refine his game. It turned out to be a great decision. He absolutely dominated the college ranks as a sophomore, winning national player of the year awards and looking like a man among boys, and enters the draft as the undisputed #1 pick, the lone sure thing in a weak draft.
The numbers he put up were eye-popping. He averaged 22.7 PPG, lead the NCAA in rebounding at 14.4 RPG. Just for good measure, he also averaged over 2 APG, and one steal and block per game. He did this while shooting a staggering 65% from the field. But it wasn't even just the numbers, it was the way he did it. Physically, he was no match for anyone in the college game, meaning he should be ready to play right away. He can finish with either hand by the basket, and shows refined post moves. He outmuscles opponents for rebounding, and can get great position at any time. He knows how to use his body down low very well, and is very crafty in the post. His athletic ability is excellent for a big man, and he has a good handle on the ball. He needs to show more assertiveness and focus on the defensive side of the basketball, but that is just a small qualm. He will be the first pick in the draft, and he looks very ready to make an immediate impact in the NBA.
The next power forward off the board will be Jordan Hill from Arizona, who looks like he will potentially go in the top 5. He is a very high energy guy, and his game most looks like a more highly skilled Anderson Varajeo. He was one of the most improved players in college basketball this year. He has turned into a decent scorer down low. Mostly though, he is a very high energy rebounder and defensive player. He will do all of the little things necessary to win. If he can continue to develop his offensive game, he will be a very good NBA player. At worst, he should be a very good rotation player.
After that, there are a few different guys that could go off the board. One is Dejuan Blair from Pittsburgh. He is undersized at 6'7'', and there are some physical concerns about him, but he has lots of positives. Most chiefly, he is a great rebounder. He is very strong, and knows how to work his way into position. He is especially adept at grabbing offensive rebounds. He is a crafty low post scorer, and showed against Hasheem Thabeet that he can score even against players much bigger than him. He is one of the toughest players in the draft, and that should help him in his transition to the faster, stronger NBA game.
Then there is Tyler Hansbrough. Of course, he had a very distinguished collegiate career, with all sorts of awards, records, and a national title. Unfortunately, none of that means anything anymore. He is probably the hardest worker in the draft, but will his lack of elite athleticism hurt him? He can score in a variety of ways, and you know that he will work harder than anyone else at improving his weaknesses, but how high is his ceiling? That is the question teams will be asking. Finally there is James Johnson from Wake Forest, a guy who could go at high as in the late lottery. He has a lot of potential and talent, but he doesn't always have the consistency to go along with it.
So when looking at the power forwards in this year's draft, Blake Griffin is obviously the guy that stands out. He is the consensus #1 pick in the draft and the most sure thing in the draft. After him, there are a couple potential lottery picks, but nobody else that will have near the impact of Griffin. It will be interesting to see how things shake out!
FC BARCELONA: SIGNS OF BAD MANAGEMENT II
SFS posted this (click) a couple of days back explaining theapparent unusual situation at FC BARCELONA were it appearsfrom an outsider’s point of view that they are not enjoyingat all their historic three title triumph & are looking as ifeveryday is a problem. SFS put it down to BAD MANAGEMENTof their success, team & Club, added with an irrational nonjustifiable paranoia & negative envy towards
DAVID VILLA: THE STORY & SITUATION WITH THE REAL MADRID TRANSFER SAGA
The operation has verbally sealed on both fronts. REAL MADRID &DAVID VILLA agreed to a 5 year contract with a salary around 5M€ +incentives for goals/titles. The Clubs had verbally sealed thetransfer agreement & VALENCIA CF accepted the 28M€ cash offerplus Real player NEGREDO valued at 17M€ (28+15 = 43M€). However,last Monday Valencia CF President Manuel Llorente went back onhis word & put up the
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Kettlebell Strength Circuit
Kettlebell Strength Circuit
New kettlebell Exercise alert
The Gladiator Press
Check out the first exercise, almost a lateral plank with press. Great core/co-ordination movement. Will be using this soon.
Marcus Martinez of MBody Strength demonstrates an intense kettlebell workout for strength using heavy kettlebells.
Workout Circuit (Repeat 4-5 Times):
Gladiator Press (5 Reps Each Arm)
Pistol Grip TGU (5 Reps Each Arm)
Snatch to Catch (5 Reps Each Arm)
2-Hand Anyhow (5 Reps Each Side)
Figure 8 to Hold (5 Reps Each Arm)
Interval Training:
Alternate between 2-Hand Swings & Burpees
(30 Sec On, 60 Sec Off for 15 Min)
Find more kettlebell workouts and free kettlebell workout plans at MBodyStrength.com
Kettlebell Strength Circuit
New kettlebell Exercise alert
The Gladiator Press
Check out the first exercise, almost a lateral plank with press. Great core/co-ordination movement. Will be using this soon.
Marcus Martinez of MBody Strength demonstrates an intense kettlebell workout for strength using heavy kettlebells.
Workout Circuit (Repeat 4-5 Times):
Gladiator Press (5 Reps Each Arm)
Pistol Grip TGU (5 Reps Each Arm)
Snatch to Catch (5 Reps Each Arm)
2-Hand Anyhow (5 Reps Each Side)
Figure 8 to Hold (5 Reps Each Arm)
Interval Training:
Alternate between 2-Hand Swings & Burpees
(30 Sec On, 60 Sec Off for 15 Min)
Find more kettlebell workouts and free kettlebell workout plans at MBodyStrength.com
Kettlebell Strength Circuit
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009: SPAIN 1 - IRAQ 0 (SEE VIDEO)
SPAIN has defeated IRAQ 1-0 in its second Group A match of theFIFA Confederations Cup tournament & guarantees itself a placein the semi-finals. Next Saturday Spain plays host South Africa toattempt to secure the first place of the Group so to meet in the semis the 2º placed team of Group B(photo: elmundo.es)The Iraqi strategy was simple & logical under the circumstances,defend with most of the
Macebell Exercises
Macebell Exercises
Great mace bell exercise video from Aussie Kettlebells
The mace bell is a fantastic device for training the core and upper body.
Check out my 50lb macebell video
This video demonstrates some superb ideas for using a mace. Remember 360's are awesome but don't let your imagination limit your progress
Macebell Exercises
Great mace bell exercise video from Aussie Kettlebells
The mace bell is a fantastic device for training the core and upper body.
Check out my 50lb macebell video
This video demonstrates some superb ideas for using a mace. Remember 360's are awesome but don't let your imagination limit your progress
Macebell Exercises
Legal Fallout of New York Times story on Sammy Sosa
I have a column up on SI.com on the legal fallout of news that Sammy Sosa was--according to the New York Times--one of the 104 names on the list of steroids users. Here's an excerpt.* * *
Regardless of the Ninth Circuit's forthcoming decision (or of an unlikely review by the U.S. Supreme Court), a number of people are aware of the remaining 102 names. Any of those persons has the capacity to leak the names, which they might be tempted to do for a variety of reasons. They may, for instance, dislike one or more of the named players and want to settle a score. Or perhaps their intentions are more sinister: they could threaten to disclose a name or names unless compensated in a blackmail scheme.
Officials at the MLBPA and MLB are most likely aware of the names, as are various federal officials, including the agents who seized the computers, as well as judges, clerks, prosecutors and their assistants. Certain player agents and attorneys may also be aware of the list. In short, a lot of people have probably seen the list.
Granted, all of these persons "in the know" are bound by professional duties of confidentially, violations for which can trigger civil consequences. A baseball agent, for instance, could risk fine, suspension, or even decertification by the MLBPA, which certifies agents who have clients on 40-man rosters. The union itself is dissuaded from disclosing the names. Under federal labor laws, the MLBPA and its officials owe duties of trust and competence to each of its players. Should the MLBPA disclose the 104 players' names, the named players would be entitled to sue the MLBPA for breach of duties; they could also file a grievance with the National Labor Relations Board. Players' damages could be shown through reputational harm and potential loss of endorsement deals.
* * *. . . Sosa is viewed favorably for his charisma and charm. He has also been praised for his community service and generosity, particularly for his charitable work after Hurricane George decimated parts of the Dominican Republic in 1998. Never underestimate the power of reputation to influence whether one is selected for prosecution.
Second, although a person can commit perjury through a written statement, the government may place significance in the fact that Sosa did not verbally make the potentially-incriminating comments. Sosa, in fact, claimed he did not feel comfortable speaking because of his command of the English language. If Sosa's English was not perfect, then did he fully understand the meaning of the written statement? If not, could he have "knowingly" lied?
* * *
To read the rest, click here.
I was interviewed on the Dan Patrick Show this morning to discuss Sosa, along with legal issues concerning Plaxico Burress, Donte Stallworth, and Michael Vick. To listen to the interview, click here.
NHL wins in Coyotes Bankruptcy Litigation
Zach Lowe of The American Lawyer has the details on the NHL's victory. He interviewed me for his story. Here's an excerpt.
A ruling in favor of Balsillie would have "opened the door for team owners and prospective buyers to use the bankruptcy process to circumvent league rules," says Michael McCann an associate professor at Vermont Law School and a frequent contributor to the popular Sports Law Blog.
Judge Baum has ordered that an auction be held in September for bidders to make new offers, as long as they agree to keep it in Glendale, according to court records and this write-up in the New York Times. If that auction fails to produce a suitable bidder, the leagues have proposed that the judge order a second auction so owners wishing to relocate the team could bid.
* * *
We couldn't wait four our regular sports law column to write about a federal judge's ruling Monday that Canadian businessman Jim Balsillie can't buy the the Phoenix Coyotes out of bankruptcy court and move the team to Canada without permission from the National Hockey League and other league owners.
* * *But first an instant replay: The Coyotes and the team's owners (repped by Squire, Sanders & Dempsey) filed for bankruptcy last month and announced they had struck an agreement to sell the franchise to Balsillie, owner of the company behind the BlackBerry and a Canadian hockey fanatic who has twice tried to bring a seventh hockey franchise to Canada.
The NHL, repped by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (one of two go-to firms for the NHL along with Proskauer Rose), objected to the sale, saying the Coyotes never gave the league a heads-up and were violating league rules that required teams to get permission from other owners to relocate.
So, for the first time, a federal judge had to answer the question: Could a sports team use the asset sale procedures of bankruptcy court to sidestep league rules about franchise relocation?
A ruling in favor of Balsillie would have "opened the door for team owners and prospective buyers to use the bankruptcy process to circumvent league rules," says Michael McCann an associate professor at Vermont Law School and a frequent contributor to the popular Sports Law Blog.
Judge Baum has ordered that an auction be held in September for bidders to make new offers, as long as they agree to keep it in Glendale, according to court records and this write-up in the New York Times. If that auction fails to produce a suitable bidder, the leagues have proposed that the judge order a second auction so owners wishing to relocate the team could bid.
* * *
To read the rest, click here.
REAL MADRID: WHAT ABOUT RAUL?
While REAL MADRID brings onboard Kaká & Cristiano Roanldo,& with the possible & probable incorporations of David Villa &Franck Ribery, the million dollar question arises: what aboutRAUL?An old ex team-mate & friend Portuguese LUIS FIGO has preciselybrought this question into the frontline with his comments to media“Radio Onda Cero” & “Radio Marca” yesterday saying (translated) “…They are
CRISTIANO RONALDO WILL BE THE 13,000,000€ MAN
If you are having difficulties conceptualizing in your mind the extentof the CRISTIANO RONALDO transfer deal to REAL MADRID of96,000,000€ (+/-), here is another fact revealed by Spanish daily“Marca” to add to your efforts.Cristiano Ronaldo will be the World highest paid Football player atReal Madrid with a yearly salary of 13,000,000€, he overtakesInter Milan forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic with 12M€.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
REAL MADRID FAX LIST OF TRANSFERABLE PLAYERS TO PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS
What goes in must have others go out, this is the grand task aheadfor the REAL MADRID directives who have to do their “Summercleaning sale” in order to put in place the "new look super team".The English paper “The Guardian” & specialist media “FutbolMercado” inform that the Spanish Club has sent out an official fax to all the English Premier League Clubs with a list of players thatare on the
40kg Turkish Get Up and Weighted Vest
Dynamo Peter Lakatos - 40kg Turkish Get Up and Weighted Vest
This is truly impressive strength and control with a 40kg kettlebell+ 20kg weighted jacket
Peter Lakatos from RKChungary weighs in at 78kg bodyweight which makes this 76% of his body mass. Nice work!
This is truly impressive strength and control with a 40kg kettlebell+ 20kg weighted jacket
Peter Lakatos from RKChungary weighs in at 78kg bodyweight which makes this 76% of his body mass. Nice work!
SIGNS OF BAD MANAGEMENT & IRRATIONAL PARANOIA AT FC BARCELONA
It’s commonly called "Team Management", or more correctly in thisparticular case "Club Management", something that is not being donetoo well at FC BARCELONA, or at least it seems from this outsideobserver´s point of view. The last couple of weeks have seen FCBarcelona transform itself & its public image from total euphoria toalmost depression,that is, the signals being transmitted outside fromthe
One hand Barbell Clean and Press 72kg
One hand Barbell Clean and Press 72kg
My latest training session involving one handed barbell lifting.
Very difficult to do with plenty of balancing issues at the top.
Previous to this was working on kettlebell snatch ladders with 16,24,32,40 and 60kg kettlebell
My latest training session involving one handed barbell lifting.
Very difficult to do with plenty of balancing issues at the top.
Previous to this was working on kettlebell snatch ladders with 16,24,32,40 and 60kg kettlebell
ATLETICO DE MADRID THINKS IN FELIPE LUIS
Enough of Real Madrid, its time to talk about ATLETICO DEMADRID :-)Seriously, there is news from “AS” that the Madrid Club has its eyeson DEPORTIVO A CORUÑA 23 year old Brazilian left wing defenderFELIPE LUIS. There are Clubs like FC Barcelona ( option to substituteSylvinho) & Juventus who are also interested & the price of transferbeing talked about is around 15M€. Atletico wishes to lower
REAL MADRID: FRANCK RIBERY AGREES
BAYERN MUNICH Frenchmen International FRANCK RIBERY beginsto sound again, & seriously, as a soon to be transfer possibility toREAL MADRID. According to “Marca” the German Club hascommunicated to FC BARCELONA that if Ribery was to changeClubs the only place he would go would be to REAL MADRID.According to “AS”, this solid decision apparently was taken last week on the Island of Ibiza where Ribery
Monday, June 15, 2009
Will Roger Goodell Let Plaxico Burress Play?
I have a new column on SI.com, here's an excerpt:* * *
In [Drew] Rosenhaus' defense, Goodell has thus far declined to sanction Burress, who faces criminal charges for the Latin Quarter Club incident that occurred last November. Although the Giants suspended Burress for the last four games of the 2008 season, Goodell has not sanctioned Burress. If Burress wasn't deserving of a punishment while he awaited a trial scheduled for June, why should a mere delay in the trial suddenly make him more deserving?
Plus, Goodell has normally waited for the disposition of players' legal woes before imposing a punishment. He waited for Michael Vick's guilty plea in 2007, for instance, and did the same for Tank Johnson, who pled guilty to misdemeanor weapon charges, also in 2007. Likewise, Goodell declined to sanction Randy Moss in January 2008 after a restraining order was issued against him. Although he is not obligated to adopt a "presumption of innocence" standard when sanctioning players, Goodell has generally done so.
* * *Goodell is also not bound by his own precedent, meaning he need not follow a particular script or set of rules gleamed from his earlier punishments. He also needn't worry about his decision to punish being reversed or modified on appeal: under the policy, any appeal goes right back to him.
. . . Goodell, son of the late U.S. Senator Charles Goodell (R-NY) and son-in-law of former White House Chief of Staff Sam Skinner, might be attune to the unusually politicized dynamics of Burress' case. New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, a leading advocate of the law used to prosecute Burress, has stressed that Burress should be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law" for otherwise there could be "a sham, a mockery of the law." Should Goodell allow Burress to sign a multimillion dollar contract with a team, particularly with the nearby New York Jets, it may be viewed disapprovingly by the Mayor.
* * *
To read the rest, click here.
EUROPEAN U - 21 CHAMPIONSHIPS 2009: SPAIN 0 - GERMANY 0
The SPANISH U-21 National Team kicked off its participation in theU-21 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS,being held in Sweden againstGERMANY, with the result ending in a 0-0 draw.One can simply describe the game for Spain by saying that their bestplayer was Asenjo, who is the goalkeeper. It was a “miracle” thatSpain managed to go away from this game with a point as Germanywas way more superior & the better
DAVID VILLA: REAL MADRID? FC BARCELONA? MANCHESTER UNITED?
After FC BARCELONA put a “spanner in the works” to up the REALMADRID offer of 43M€ plus its player NEGREDO to VALENCIA CF,which was informally closed, with the inclusion of a 40M€ cashfigure with the loan of defender Martin Caceres in the operation,we now see news from English paper “The Mirror” that addsexcitement to the whole issue. According to the reportsMANCHESTER UNITED will make – if not
Sunday, June 14, 2009
BASKETBALL: PAU GASOL NBA CHAMPION & SPAIN´S GREATEST
Another great moment for Spanish Basketball lived in the personof Spanish player PAU GASOL member of the NBA team the LOSÁNGELES LAKERS who won this morning 86 – 99 Orlando Magic &take the NBA Final 4-1.It’s the first time in history that a Spanish player has gone so far & Pauis the man who will go down on the books as the first with an NBA ring.A player that has evolved into Spain´s Best ever
FIFA CONFEDERATIONS CUP 2009: NEW ZEALAND 0 - SPAIN 5 ( HAT-TRICK FOR TORRES - SEE VIDEO)
The FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 kicked off today with Group Agames, starting with a South Africa 0 - Iraq 0 draw, that has just seenthe other result with NEW ZEALEND defeated 0-5 by SPAIN.(photo: elmundo.es)Spain was clearly the superior side with New Zealand turning out to be a "sparring partner" with all due respects to them as they playedwithin their limits under the circumstances. Liverpool
SFS FLASHBACKS - 2006 UEFA CUP FINAL - SEVILLA FC 4 MIDDLESBOROUGH 0
It was 2006 & the UEFA CUP Final at Eindhoven (Holland) whereSEVILLA FC faced English Club MIDDLESBOROUGH. The end resultwas a historic first ever European title for Sevilla who won 4-0with goals from LUIS FABIANO (27th), MARESCA ( 78th & 84th) &KANOUTE (89th).This was the beginning of Sevilla´s glory run in Europe with a EuropeanSuperCup victory & a return Uefa Cup Final victory the following
NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Small Forwards
There is no way to sugar coat it - the small forward position looks to be the weakest position in a weak draft. There might not be anyone at that position drafted in the lottery, and there does not appear to be a whole lot of depth at the position either. There are some guys with the potential to be very good players, but there is nobody within the group that has been able to combine great athletic skills with consistently excellent basketball at the collegiate level. Which leaves basically two groups at the position - first, the guys with tools that have not consistently performed, and the guys that were great performers at the collegiate level but don't have the tools to be great NBA players.
The first small forward off the board could be Austin Daye from Gonzaga. He was a very highly touted prospect coming out of high school, but has never really been able to consistently put his game at the level that Mark Few hoped he would. Though he needs to bulk up, he has the height to cause all type of mismatch problems at SF, or the quickness to cause a lot of matchup problems at PF. He has shown at times that he can be both and efficient and explosive scorer. He only averaged 12.7 PPG, but he shot great percentages, showing the ability to both get to the rim, hit the midrange jumper, or hit from the outside. However, he had the tendency to explode one game, and then disappear the next, meaning you are not sure what you are going to get from him on a night to night basis. But his game is not all scoring. He is a solid rebounder (though again he needs to add bulk), ballhandler (for a man his size), and passer. If he had been able to put his game together on a consistent basis for the Zags, he could have been a top 5 pick. As it is, he will likely go sometime in the late lottery.
Next is Earl Clark, another guy with loads of potential but lots of questions about his game and about his consistency. If you would look only at his NCAA Tournament performances the past couple of years, you would think he was a top 10 pick, no questions asked. But when you look at his whole body of work, you start to question whether or not he will be able to bring it on an every night basis in the NBA. He can score both on the block or on the outside, and has a good enough handle to take his man off the dribble. He can get down and rebound, he is a great passer for a man his size, and he has the physical tools to be a solid defender. His great run in the NCAA Tournament should boost his stock, but scouts will still wonder why he could not do that game after game throughout the season. Again, like Daye, he has the potential to be a very solid NBA player, but he also may never live up to his potential.
After that are a couple of tweeners... guys that played the 3 in college but might be better suited for the 2 in the NBA. Gerald Henderson from Duke is one of the most athletic players in the Draft, but he will likely fall out of the lottery. There are questions about his jumpshot and handle, and so it's hard to project his role in the NBA. He can defend, and he can use his athleticism on the break (which makes him ideal for a running team), but he might be a little limited other than that. Terrence Williams from Louisville is a guy that got better and better as his career went on. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he solid all across the board. He is a solid shooter, great rebounder, and great passer. He can be a really good role player on a solid team.
The only other small forward that looks like he will be drafted in the first round for sure is Derrick Brown out of Xavier. He does not have the all-around game that some of the other small forward prospects have, but he is probably the most athletic of the bunch. He can fly up and down the court and jump out of the gym. This allows him to be a very good defender, as well as a solid slasher offensively. He can be very solid for an up-tempo team, as his athleticism allows him to be a menace on the break.
So there is not much star power or depth at the small forward spot in the 2009 NBA Draft. There might not be any taken in the lottery, and there is not a lot of depth throughout the rest of the first round to compensate for that. If a team is looking for a sure solution at this spot, they probably will not find it in the 2009 Draft.
MOTO GP: GOOD DAY FOR SPANIARDS, GREAT DAY OF RACING
The CATALUNYA (Spain) GP has been good to the Spanish riderstoday, & apart it turned out to be a fabulous day of events & racing,specially the GP catagory.Here is a brief summary of days proceedings& results.The 125cc catagory put two Spaniards on podium, second placeto TEROL & third place to GADEA, with IANNONE winning afterSpanish rider & leader of the catagory SIMON mistook the last lapas
FIORENTINA THINKS ON BARÇA DEFENDER RAFAEL MARQUEZ...PLUS ALBIOL & DRENTE
Italian Sports daily “La Gazzetta dello Sport” announce that ItalianSerie A Club FIORENTINA is searching for a proven & experienceddefender for next season, & the player on their mind is FCBARCELONA Mexican International RAFAEL MAZQUEZ. The onlyhurdle in view is the possible high transfer figure that maybe askedfor by Barça if they see the idea as positive, which is in doubt at thisearly stage of
REAL MADRID: DAVID VILLA OPERATION "BROKEN". DIEGO FORLAN NOW THE OPTION
The adamant agreement between VALENCIA CF & REAL MADRID forthe transfer of DAVID VILLA has gone into a dangerous standoffaccording to local sporting paper “AS”. It’s natural & obvious fromthe Valencia point of view that they are negotiating hard to extractthe maximum possible transfer figure from Real Madrid who havesignalled to the market that they have cash to burn.(photo: as.com)Yesterday
Saturday, June 13, 2009
SPANISH 2º DIVISION: TENERIFE, REAL ZARAGOZA & XEREZ GO UP TO "LA LIGA" NEXT SEASON
With one more round of the Spanish 2º Division left to be playednext week, the three teams that will go up to the "LIGA" - 1º Division next season have been decided this afternoon.They are TENERIFE, REAL ZARAGOZA & XEREZ (Jerez)Xerez defeated 3-1 Huesca to secure their 3º spot, with Herculesmissing out. Zaragoza beat 3-1 Cordoba to get the promotion ticket& 2º Division leaders Tenerife beat away
REAL MADRID: MAICON FOR WESLEY SNEIJDER + 20M€? WHAT ABOUT CLICHY?
Everyone wants to get into the act, or at least get some of thecirculating cash that is & will flood the market. Thinking again,perhaps it’s a case of the opportunists seeing a deal where othersare slow. INTER MILAN Coach José Mourinho rightly asks if REALMADRID have Cristiano Ronaldo & Kaká, where will WESLEYSNEIJDER play? Plus if Real Madrid is looking for a defender &MAICON is the player they
VALENCIA CF: JEREMY MATHIEU & DAVID VILLA
VALENCIA CF has agreed to the signing of 25 year old French &TOULOUSE player JEREMY MATHIEU for the next three years.The player comes “Free” due to the fact that he has ended hiscontract at his former Club; this explains the deal when Valenciais moneyless awaiting the “huge” deposits of cash soon to arrivefrom the sale of DAVID VILLA & other players.Sticking with Valencia & DAVID VILLA, latest
Friday, June 12, 2009
NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Shooting Guards
This article can also be found here.
The head of the class is James Harden from Arizona St. In two years, he has helped turn the Sun Devils program around, being one of the most productive players in the country. While he is not blessed with great athletic ability, he is a very crafty, refined player. He is a silky smooth left-hander, with the ability to both hit the outside shot and get to the rim and score. He can rebound, pass, and defend. He will not wow you in any area, but he is just a very solid player. He will be helped by the weakness of the draft, as it should propel him into the top 5 and likely the top SG off the board.
Next there is Tyreke Evans, who is more of a combo guard from Memphis. While he predominantly played the point in his one year, shooting guard looks like his more natural position. He is a very athletically gifted player, and should be able to get to the rim at the next level. If 2 guard does wind up being where he plays in the NBA, he should be able to score and defend very well and be a solid starter on a good team.
Next is DeMar DeRozan from USC. He is one of the 3 most athletically gifted and overall talented players in the draft, but his production did not match his talent in his lone season at USC. He has all of the physcial tools necessary to be a great player, but he was plagued by inconsistency. At times he looked like a star, and at other times he looked like, well, a freshman. If he can continue to improve his jump shot and work on bringing his best every night, he could be a steal for someone in the late lottery.
After that are a couple of tweeners... guys that played the 3 in college but might be better suited for the 2 in the NBA. Gerald Henderson from Duke is one of the most athletic players in the Draft, but he will likely fall out of the lottery. There are questions about his jumpshot and handle, and so it's hard to project his role in the NBA. He can defend, and he can use his athleticism on the break (which makes him ideal for a running team), but he might be a little limited other than that. Terrence Williams from Louisville is a guy that got better and better as his career went on. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he solid all across the board. He is a solid shooter, great rebounder, and great passer. He can be a really good role player on a solid team.
So there are no real stars at the SG position of this year's NBA Draft, and there's not a lot of depth, but there are some guys that should be solid NBA players. James Harden looks like the best of the lot, but there are a few guys here that should have nice, productive careers in the NBA.
If you are looking for a franchise shooting guard in the 2009 NBA Draft, you best look elsewhere. There are some solid rotation players, and maybe someday an all-star or two amongst the group, but it is a position that is lacking in both star power and depth this year.
The head of the class is James Harden from Arizona St. In two years, he has helped turn the Sun Devils program around, being one of the most productive players in the country. While he is not blessed with great athletic ability, he is a very crafty, refined player. He is a silky smooth left-hander, with the ability to both hit the outside shot and get to the rim and score. He can rebound, pass, and defend. He will not wow you in any area, but he is just a very solid player. He will be helped by the weakness of the draft, as it should propel him into the top 5 and likely the top SG off the board.
Next there is Tyreke Evans, who is more of a combo guard from Memphis. While he predominantly played the point in his one year, shooting guard looks like his more natural position. He is a very athletically gifted player, and should be able to get to the rim at the next level. If 2 guard does wind up being where he plays in the NBA, he should be able to score and defend very well and be a solid starter on a good team.
Next is DeMar DeRozan from USC. He is one of the 3 most athletically gifted and overall talented players in the draft, but his production did not match his talent in his lone season at USC. He has all of the physcial tools necessary to be a great player, but he was plagued by inconsistency. At times he looked like a star, and at other times he looked like, well, a freshman. If he can continue to improve his jump shot and work on bringing his best every night, he could be a steal for someone in the late lottery.
After that are a couple of tweeners... guys that played the 3 in college but might be better suited for the 2 in the NBA. Gerald Henderson from Duke is one of the most athletic players in the Draft, but he will likely fall out of the lottery. There are questions about his jumpshot and handle, and so it's hard to project his role in the NBA. He can defend, and he can use his athleticism on the break (which makes him ideal for a running team), but he might be a little limited other than that. Terrence Williams from Louisville is a guy that got better and better as his career went on. He doesn't do anything exceptionally well, but he solid all across the board. He is a solid shooter, great rebounder, and great passer. He can be a really good role player on a solid team.
So there are no real stars at the SG position of this year's NBA Draft, and there's not a lot of depth, but there are some guys that should be solid NBA players. James Harden looks like the best of the lot, but there are a few guys here that should have nice, productive careers in the NBA.
HUMOUR: REAL MADRID , CRISTIANO RONALDO & RAUL...PLUS PARIS HILTON
Thanks for the emotion of humour. Saw this cartoon in elmundo.es by its cartoonist "Ricardo" giving his view on the REAL MADRID signing & spending to get over to their squad CRISTIANO RONALDO:After the laugh, there is something to think about & SFS will post soonmore on the subject, if Real Madrid has Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo & are soon to get David Villa - with Silva & Ribery (the Frenchmen
REAL MADRID: LATEST ON DAVID VILLA - NEXT WEEK
As you can image the Cristiano Ronaldo transfer to Real Madrid hasdominated all the media with front covers & inner pages that saturatethe news. But there is another REAL MADRID soon to be announcedtransfer in the pipeline that is Spanish International DAVID VILLA. Allthe media consider that David Villa will soon be a Real Madrid player,some are saying as some as next week. There is total
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Catching Up with Links
* I was interviewed on Toronto 590 The Fan yesterday to discuss the Phoenix Coyotes bankruptcy saga. Geoff up some great links yesterday on the same topic.
* I had several interviews on Cold Hard Sports to discuss such topics as whether David Ortiz has been slandered by rumors about using steriods and whether the list of 103 players who tested for steriods can be revealed by compulsion.
* Mayor of Wingville discusses a recently-settled gender discrimination claim brought by a man who was not hired by Hooters as a waiter. A few months ago, Marquette law professor Paul Secunda was interviewed by the Mayor about this lawsuit and offered some excellent legal points.
* Interested in becoming an entertainment agent? Check out Entertainment Agent Blog, a creation of Darren Heitner and others from Sports Agent Blog, which we contratulate for being named a top 50 niche blog.
* Professor Christopher Robinette of Widener University School of Law and Torts Prof Blog writes about new developments in the Cowboys' stadium collapse.
* Professor Joel Maxcy of the University of Georgia Department of Kinesiology has started a new blog -- Sports Labor Relations -- and it has some good posts to start.
* Congratulations to Professor Martha Minow on being named the new Dean of Harvard Law School!
* I had several interviews on Cold Hard Sports to discuss such topics as whether David Ortiz has been slandered by rumors about using steriods and whether the list of 103 players who tested for steriods can be revealed by compulsion.
* Mayor of Wingville discusses a recently-settled gender discrimination claim brought by a man who was not hired by Hooters as a waiter. A few months ago, Marquette law professor Paul Secunda was interviewed by the Mayor about this lawsuit and offered some excellent legal points.
* Interested in becoming an entertainment agent? Check out Entertainment Agent Blog, a creation of Darren Heitner and others from Sports Agent Blog, which we contratulate for being named a top 50 niche blog.
* Professor Christopher Robinette of Widener University School of Law and Torts Prof Blog writes about new developments in the Cowboys' stadium collapse.
* Professor Joel Maxcy of the University of Georgia Department of Kinesiology has started a new blog -- Sports Labor Relations -- and it has some good posts to start.
* Congratulations to Professor Martha Minow on being named the new Dean of Harvard Law School!
Hustlin' Chagaev
An Attempt to Unravel the Confusion Surrounding the Cancellation of the Rematch Between WBA Heavyweight “Champion in Recess” Ruslan Chagaev and “Champion” Nikolay Valuev
On May 30, 2009, Ruslan Chagaev, 25-0-1 (17 KOs), the former Uzbekistani amateur sensation and undefeated World Boxing Association (the “WBA”) heavyweight champion was scheduled for a rematch with boxing’s own “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the seven foot, 300 plus pounds Nikolay Valuev, 50-1 (34 KOs), in Helsinki, Finland. Their first bout ended with Chagaev winning the WBA world heavyweight championship by shutting down the physically imposing Valuev with smart boxing. Had their second bout taken place as scheduled, Chagaev would have had the opportunity to repeat his accomplishment in the first world heavyweight title fight ever held in Finland. However, the Finland Professional Boxing Federation declined to sanction the fight after the weigh-in, after the blood tests submitted by Chagaev purportedly tested positive for hepatitis B. It was the third time that Chagaev had cancelled a rematch with Valuev.
In the aftermath of the cancellation, the WBA Medical Committee held a hearing on the hepatitis B test and its implications. In the balance was whether Valuev should now be regarded as the one and only WBA world heavyweight champion and whether Valuev should then be compelled to defend against the top available challenger, John (The Quiet Man) Ruiz. Valuev won the “vacant” WBA world heavyweight championship with a split decision win over Ruiz on August 30, 2008. The title apparently became vacant after Chagaev was adjudged a “champion in recess” following an Achilles tendon injury after his first defense of the title on January 19, 2008 and before the first scheduled date for his rematch with Valuev. However, both Chagaev and Valuev have successfully defended the WBA title since that time, with Valuev winning a decision over Evander Holyfield on December 20, 2008 and Chagaev winning a six-round technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond on February 7, 2009.
If the above synopsis seems confusing, little additional clarification can be provided from a WBA ruling on February 2, 2009 which stated, in part, that “[i]f Chagaev should incur another injury or impediment that would prevent him from defending against the Champion [Valuev], he will vacate whatever title he may hold and will be correspondingly lowered in his ranking.” To put the ruling another way, whatever title Chagaev may have had as of February 2, 2009, he had to defend it against “champion” Valuev without any further injury or medical problems or he would lose whatever title that he had and would be lowered in the WBA rankings...
To view the full article, please go to: http://www.8countnews.com/news/138/ARTICLE/1656/2009-06-11.html
Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq. is an attorney at the New York law firm of Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP. He is also a New York State licensed boxing manager and the Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association. ©
On May 30, 2009, Ruslan Chagaev, 25-0-1 (17 KOs), the former Uzbekistani amateur sensation and undefeated World Boxing Association (the “WBA”) heavyweight champion was scheduled for a rematch with boxing’s own “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the seven foot, 300 plus pounds Nikolay Valuev, 50-1 (34 KOs), in Helsinki, Finland. Their first bout ended with Chagaev winning the WBA world heavyweight championship by shutting down the physically imposing Valuev with smart boxing. Had their second bout taken place as scheduled, Chagaev would have had the opportunity to repeat his accomplishment in the first world heavyweight title fight ever held in Finland. However, the Finland Professional Boxing Federation declined to sanction the fight after the weigh-in, after the blood tests submitted by Chagaev purportedly tested positive for hepatitis B. It was the third time that Chagaev had cancelled a rematch with Valuev.
In the aftermath of the cancellation, the WBA Medical Committee held a hearing on the hepatitis B test and its implications. In the balance was whether Valuev should now be regarded as the one and only WBA world heavyweight champion and whether Valuev should then be compelled to defend against the top available challenger, John (The Quiet Man) Ruiz. Valuev won the “vacant” WBA world heavyweight championship with a split decision win over Ruiz on August 30, 2008. The title apparently became vacant after Chagaev was adjudged a “champion in recess” following an Achilles tendon injury after his first defense of the title on January 19, 2008 and before the first scheduled date for his rematch with Valuev. However, both Chagaev and Valuev have successfully defended the WBA title since that time, with Valuev winning a decision over Evander Holyfield on December 20, 2008 and Chagaev winning a six-round technical decision over Carl Davis Drumond on February 7, 2009.
If the above synopsis seems confusing, little additional clarification can be provided from a WBA ruling on February 2, 2009 which stated, in part, that “[i]f Chagaev should incur another injury or impediment that would prevent him from defending against the Champion [Valuev], he will vacate whatever title he may hold and will be correspondingly lowered in his ranking.” To put the ruling another way, whatever title Chagaev may have had as of February 2, 2009, he had to defend it against “champion” Valuev without any further injury or medical problems or he would lose whatever title that he had and would be lowered in the WBA rankings...
To view the full article, please go to: http://www.8countnews.com/news/138/ARTICLE/1656/2009-06-11.html
Paul Stuart Haberman, Esq. is an attorney at the New York law firm of Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP. He is also a New York State licensed boxing manager and the Chairman of the Sports Law Committee of the New York County Lawyers Association. ©
NBA Draft 2009 Preview: Point Guards
This article can also be found here.
The first point guard off the board will almost certainly be Ricky Rubio, the youngster from Spain. He showed his talent and potential in the 2008 Olympics, where as a 17-year old the Spaniard more than held his own against the best competition in the world. There is definitely a lot to like about Rubio. He is a true PG, with innate ability to lead an offense, get others involved, and take charge and score when his team needs it. He is creative offensively, and can find passing lanes and create plays seemingly out of nothing. He is not a great shooter yet, but he has very good form, and his great FT shooting (80%) suggests he will grow into a very good shooter. To top it all off, he is very charismatic on and off the court, which is perfect in the business in the NBA. He's the best PG in the draft, and he could go as high as 2 to Memphis and no lower than 4 to Sacramento.
After that, things get a little more interesting. The next wave of guys to go look like hybrid PG/SG rather than true point guards. First, there is Stephen Curry from Davidson. He played mostly SG in college (though did transition to PG his junior year), but will likely be too small to play SG in the NBA. But he is the best shooter in the draft, a prolific scorer who can create his own shot or get one off quickly off of a screen, and he will be a potent offensive threat in the NBA. There are some concerns about whether he can effectively run an offense or be a solid defender at the next level, but he did help alleviate some of thos with his play this season.
Next there's Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, two highly touted one-and-dones with loads of talent. Evans played PG at Memphis last season as a freshman, but the 2 guard might be his more natural position. He can score and defend, but there are certainly some questions about how well he can an offense. Jrue Holiday has all the tools to be a very good NBA player, but his production did not jump out at anyone in his one year at UCLA. He has the tools to be a great defender, but he is not a very natural scorer right now. Also, though he played PG and that looks like his natural position, he didn't play it full-time last year with the Bruins, as they had Darren Collison to help carry that load.
Perhaps the biggest unknown in the whole draft is Brandon Jennings. He was a high prospect before last season, and had committed to Arizona before deciding to spend the year playing in Europe. However, his playing time was sporadic, and scouts really did not get a great chance to watch him play. In addition, they haven't been able to see him in very many workouts either. The talent certainly appears to be there, but there are a lot of unknowns surrounding him, which could cause his stock to drop.
The class is rounded off with guys who produced a lot at the college level, but who have questions about how their game will translate at the NBA level. First is Johnny Flynn from Syracuse. He has all of the physical tools of strength and quickness that you look for, but there are concerns about his height and shooting ability from the outside. Then there is Ty Lawson from North Carolina, who might be the quickest and fastest player in the draft, but again, there are concerns about his height and shooting ability. Eric Maynor was a great college player for VCU, and he is certainly remembered for his game-winner against Duke in the NCAA Tournament. He is an opportunistic defender and good leader offensively, but he doesn't really stand out in any one area. Last, there is Darren Collison, who may have been a lottery pick if he had come out after his sophomore year, but now might struggle to get picked in the first round. You know what you are getting with him... great shooter and great on-the-ball defender. There are some questions about his size, but he should be a productive NBA player.
So the point guard position looks to be the deepest in this year's NBA Draft. With star power of Rubio at the top, and depth throughout the first round, look for many point guards to be taken in this year's NBA Draft. There might not be any future MVP's within the group, but there will be a lot of solid NBA players.
With the NBA moving more and more towards faster basketball by rewarding the drive-and-kick style of offense, point guards are more important than ever in the NBA. Looking at the impact of guys like Chris Paul, Deron Williams, and even Derrick Rose this year, having a good PG can completely turn around a franchise. In the 2009 NBA Draft, point guard looks like the strongest position, both in terms of talent and the top and depth throughout the first round.
The first point guard off the board will almost certainly be Ricky Rubio, the youngster from Spain. He showed his talent and potential in the 2008 Olympics, where as a 17-year old the Spaniard more than held his own against the best competition in the world. There is definitely a lot to like about Rubio. He is a true PG, with innate ability to lead an offense, get others involved, and take charge and score when his team needs it. He is creative offensively, and can find passing lanes and create plays seemingly out of nothing. He is not a great shooter yet, but he has very good form, and his great FT shooting (80%) suggests he will grow into a very good shooter. To top it all off, he is very charismatic on and off the court, which is perfect in the business in the NBA. He's the best PG in the draft, and he could go as high as 2 to Memphis and no lower than 4 to Sacramento.
After that, things get a little more interesting. The next wave of guys to go look like hybrid PG/SG rather than true point guards. First, there is Stephen Curry from Davidson. He played mostly SG in college (though did transition to PG his junior year), but will likely be too small to play SG in the NBA. But he is the best shooter in the draft, a prolific scorer who can create his own shot or get one off quickly off of a screen, and he will be a potent offensive threat in the NBA. There are some concerns about whether he can effectively run an offense or be a solid defender at the next level, but he did help alleviate some of thos with his play this season.
Next there's Jrue Holiday and Tyreke Evans, two highly touted one-and-dones with loads of talent. Evans played PG at Memphis last season as a freshman, but the 2 guard might be his more natural position. He can score and defend, but there are certainly some questions about how well he can an offense. Jrue Holiday has all the tools to be a very good NBA player, but his production did not jump out at anyone in his one year at UCLA. He has the tools to be a great defender, but he is not a very natural scorer right now. Also, though he played PG and that looks like his natural position, he didn't play it full-time last year with the Bruins, as they had Darren Collison to help carry that load.
Perhaps the biggest unknown in the whole draft is Brandon Jennings. He was a high prospect before last season, and had committed to Arizona before deciding to spend the year playing in Europe. However, his playing time was sporadic, and scouts really did not get a great chance to watch him play. In addition, they haven't been able to see him in very many workouts either. The talent certainly appears to be there, but there are a lot of unknowns surrounding him, which could cause his stock to drop.
The class is rounded off with guys who produced a lot at the college level, but who have questions about how their game will translate at the NBA level. First is Johnny Flynn from Syracuse. He has all of the physical tools of strength and quickness that you look for, but there are concerns about his height and shooting ability from the outside. Then there is Ty Lawson from North Carolina, who might be the quickest and fastest player in the draft, but again, there are concerns about his height and shooting ability. Eric Maynor was a great college player for VCU, and he is certainly remembered for his game-winner against Duke in the NCAA Tournament. He is an opportunistic defender and good leader offensively, but he doesn't really stand out in any one area. Last, there is Darren Collison, who may have been a lottery pick if he had come out after his sophomore year, but now might struggle to get picked in the first round. You know what you are getting with him... great shooter and great on-the-ball defender. There are some questions about his size, but he should be a productive NBA player.
So the point guard position looks to be the deepest in this year's NBA Draft. With star power of Rubio at the top, and depth throughout the first round, look for many point guards to be taken in this year's NBA Draft. There might not be any future MVP's within the group, but there will be a lot of solid NBA players.
REAL MADRID: DAVID VILLA IN LINE TO BE THE NEXT
Mr. Juan Cruz Sol is the representative of CHELSEA FC in Spain & hehas met with VALENCIA CF President Manuel Llorente to see ifChelsea had any chance in signing Spanish International DAVID VILLA.On leaving Mr Cruz Sol was adamant “…the negotiations with REALMADRID are very advanced” Clear sign that Chelsea are not in therunning, that Villa wishes to stay in Spain to play in Real Madrid &that he
Kettlebells and Indo Board Training
Kettlebells and Indo Board Training
This is an awesome display of balance and skill.
Indo board balancing whilst cleaning, snatching and pressing a kettlebell
What is an Indo Board?
From Indoboard.com
Using the Indo Board for fun or as a serious workout helps the rider develop balance, coordination, and increased leg strength, while enhancing all important core fitness. Indo Boards improve motor skills, making the Indo Board a great cross training tool for a variety of sports, from extreme board sports to all mainstream sports that require agility and innate balance coordination.
Looks like a whole load of fun and a great challenge
The Indo Board is great for:
Board sports:
* Surfing
* Tow Surfing
* Skateboarding
* Wakeboarding
* Wake Skating
* Water Skiing
* Skimboarding
* Snowboarding
* Snow Skiing
* Mountain Boarding
* Sandboarding
* Kiteboarding
* Windsurfing
* and many more ...
Other sports:
* Football
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Golfing
* Cycling
* Hockey
* Running
* Soccer
* Rugby
* Swimming
* Martial Arts
* Tennis
* Volleyball
Kettlebells and Indo Board Training
This is an awesome display of balance and skill.
Indo board balancing whilst cleaning, snatching and pressing a kettlebell
What is an Indo Board?
From Indoboard.com
Using the Indo Board for fun or as a serious workout helps the rider develop balance, coordination, and increased leg strength, while enhancing all important core fitness. Indo Boards improve motor skills, making the Indo Board a great cross training tool for a variety of sports, from extreme board sports to all mainstream sports that require agility and innate balance coordination.
Looks like a whole load of fun and a great challenge
The Indo Board is great for:
Board sports:
* Surfing
* Tow Surfing
* Skateboarding
* Wakeboarding
* Wake Skating
* Water Skiing
* Skimboarding
* Snowboarding
* Snow Skiing
* Mountain Boarding
* Sandboarding
* Kiteboarding
* Windsurfing
* and many more ...
Other sports:
* Football
* Baseball
* Basketball
* Golfing
* Cycling
* Hockey
* Running
* Soccer
* Rugby
* Swimming
* Martial Arts
* Tennis
* Volleyball
Kettlebells and Indo Board Training
CRISTIANO RONALDO BECOMES THE FOOTBALL WORLD RECORD TRANSFER ( 94M€)
CRISTIANO RONALDO is soon to become - if not already - the WorldRecord Transfer in Football (Soccer) History with the 94M€ offeraccepted by MANCHESTER UNITED & made by Spanish Club REALMADRID C.F. Ronaldo over takes Zinedine Zidane who was on topuntil today with 73,5M€. In fact, Real Madrid under its PresidentFlorentino Perez is responsable for the Top 4 on the Top 10 listbelow.TOP 10 HISTORICAL
MANCHESTER UNITED ACCEPTS THE 94M€ OFFER FROM REAL MADRID FOR CRISTIANO RONALDO
MANCHESTER UNITED have just published on their web site (click)following statement:11/06/2009 09:30, Report by Press departmentReds accept £80m Ronaldo bidManchester United have received a world-record, unconditionaloffer of £80million for Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid.AtCristiano's request - who has again expressed his desire to leave -and after discussion with the player's representatives,
REAL MADRID WILLING TO EXERCISE "ITS RIGHT" ON RONALDO FOR 96M€
Once KAKA is secure in the REAL MADRID “bag”, all the focus &attention moves towards CRISTIANO RONALDO & the adamantmedia affirmations that the MANCHESTER UNITED player will bethe next player announced to join Kaka at Madrid.The source of such confidence is the “pre-contract” between Ronaldo,Manchester United & Real Madrid signed at the beginning of last seasonthat opens the door for the
SAMUEL ETO´O TO AC MILAN 2010? INTER?
The Silvio Berlusconi owned Sportmediaset.it has published thatSAMUEL ETO´O may be on course to land at AC MILAN in the year2010. According to “Mundo Deportivo” who has picked up thenews, the Italian Club has put itself in contact with Eto´o ´srepresentative to begin discussing the terms, conditions that includearriving at Italy FREE of transfer fee which would help increase hissalary package.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
FC BARCELONA, GUARDIOLA, SAMUEL ETO´O & "VIVA LA VIDA"
FC Barcelona must be on top of the World, literally, that is from itsPresident down to the dressing room cleaner onto to the healthyeveryday street fan. What they have achieved in season 2008-2009is simply amazing & in Spanish Football it is historical. Never beforehas a Spanish team won the “Big 3” in one single season; theChampions League Cup (European Cup), the Spanish League & theSpanish Cup.
Franchise Relocation Fees, Antitrust, in Phoenix Bankruptcy Court
We've given little attention so far to the bankruptcy of the Phoenix Coyotes, pending in federal bankruptcy court in Phoenix. The ongoing dispute over control of the team raises some important longstanding issues relating to franchise relocation and antitrust law. In the hope that the parties will settle before he's forced to issue a decision, Judge Baum has "dropped the hammer" on lawyers from all sides. I've been quoted in several stories over the past month in the National Post (Toronto) on the case:
Judge Stuck Between a Rock, Hard Place: Coyotes Bankruptcy; Would Prefer if NHL, Balsillie worked Out a Deal
Money matters in bankruptcy court
NHL aware of legal ‘morass’: U.S. Antitrust Laws; Court filing notes ambiguous rules for sports leagues“Confusion” over league powers could weaken NHL Coyote’s case
Law Professors at the Baseball Hall of Fame
Last week, the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, hosted its annual "Cooperstown Symposium on Baseball and American Culture". The event featured ten law professors. Congratulations to Patricia Bryan (North Carolina), John Eastman (Chapman), our guest blogger Ed Edmonds (Notre Dame), Kathy Heller (Chapman), Hugh Hewitt (Chapman), Mitchell Nathanson (Villanova), Keith Rowley (UNLV), Alexander Sanders (Charleston), Brad Snyder (Wisconsin), John Tehranian (Chapman), who participated in the event.
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