The 5 Best Second Day Picks. Plus, Random Draft Thoughts

With the 2008 NFL Draft in the books, I would be remiss if I didn't offer up some thoughts from one of my favorite sporting events of the year.

1. People saying that the Kansas City Chiefs are the big winners is like saying the 1927 Yankees were OK at baseball. But of course they were going to be, they had the 5th pick and they got 17 from the Vikings, plus a pair of 3rd rounders. In order for them to mess up this draft they would have had to be absolutely dumb.

2. Kudos to the Baltimore Ravens. As soon as Matt Ryan came off the board the Ravens identified that they wanted Joe Flacco, and then correctly determined they could trade down and still get their guy. Give huge credit to Ozzie Newsome for getting two extra mid rounders and still grabbing who I think will end up being the best QB out of this draft.

3. On the flip side the Carolina Panthers gave up everything but the farm in order to move up to draft Jeff Otah. Otah had better be a perennial pro bowler, because not only did Carolina give up a lot this year, they gave up next year's first rounder. The future is now in Charlotte, or it had better be.

Alright, on to the top 5 second day picks / undrafted free agents: (In no particular order)

1. Owen Schmitt, FB, 163 overall to Seattle
Maybe the fiercest competitor in all of college football this past season, Schmitt could perhaps be best known for this. But in addition to that Schmitt is a tremendous blocker who will clear the path for whomever Seattle has getting the majority of the carries this season, presumably Julius Jones. Schmitt also will be able to catch the ball out of the backfield.

2. John David Booty, QB, 137 overall to Minnesota
Vikings fans everywhere cheered when the Booty pick was announced. It's been said that Booty will be watching the 2008 season, but in my opinion if Tarvaris Jackson is struggling, Booty needs to be in there by week 5 at the latest. The Vikings have the best running back in football, the number one run defense, and a should-be improved pass defense. All they are missing is competent quarterback play. Booty is perhaps the most accurate passer of this draft class, and since the Vikings run a west coast offense, his lack of arm strength isn't a huge concern.

3. Marcus Henry, WR, 171 overall to NY Jets
Henry amassed over 1,000 receiving yards in his senior season at Kansas. Some of that is due to the pass happy offense the Jayhawks employ, but a lot of it has to do with Henry's talent. At just a shade under 6'4", Henry should be a force on jump balls, and though he is listed as a 4.5 40 yard dash, Henry repeatedly ran away from corners and safeties this year. I see Henry eventually becoming a very good third receiver, and possibly a starter in the NFL.

4. Mike Dragosavich, P, Undrafted to New England
Yes, a punter. Field position is important, and this allows the Patriots to get good punting for the league minimum. The Pats are the best team in football at saving money wherever they can, and this is no different. Had he qualified, Dragosavich would have led D-1AA the past three seasons in punting. He has a booming leg.

5. Caleb Campbell,S, 218 overall to Detroit
A great story who was profiled on Sunday, Campbell only runs a 4.57, a little slow for a safety. However, he is tough and hard nosed, and should be able to contribute on special teams right away, and in time could be an outside linebacker who is adept at stopping the run. The former Army Black Knight now can focus on playing football, rather than risking his life overseas. A huge standing ovation goes out from me both to Campbell and to the Detroit Lions.

Coming this weekend will be a post on a perhaps controversial topic (although not on the whole Bob Costas HBO thingy, you can check every other website in existence for that), but first, what are your NFL Draft thoughts?

Build Dynamic Strength

Kettlebell training for building dynamic strength



This video is a great example of training explosive power, skill, co-ordination and grip strength all at once. It has a direct carry over to explosive skill based sports. High levels of co-ordination are required to turn the kettlebells when passing at the low point between the knees to avoid collision of the kettlebells, the kbells must then be turned back out ready for the swing and flip phase.

It is a must to have great eye hand co-ordination to flip the kettlebells and then grab them again to return to the low point of the swing. The grabbing action of the hand on regaining contact is an excellent grip developer.

Never get stuck in the rut of just doing swings and cleans, you'll soon get stale.

Alternate your training! Serious power can be developed with kettlebells, you just need to know how.

Coming soon.... some seriously tough strongman style exercises with kettlebells that you've probably never seen before.

Until then Stay Strong

SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP 2008

As the season comes slowly to its end, the transfer market heatsup along with all the rumours, gossip & at times outright lies. TheFootball World moves millions & there are powerful interests in theday to day running of the "Business". Here are a few stories comingout of the Spanish transfer market - you can believe them or not!As SFS posted a few days ago, INTER MILAN star forwardZLATAN

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINAL: MANCHESTER UNITED GOES INTO THE EUROPEAN CUP FINAL

The one goal needed by FC BARCELONA just did not come &with the goal scored by MANCHESTER UNITED it was enoughto put the English team into the final of the EUROPEAN CUP.The 1-0 scoreline was minimal but very effective to shut the door & sentence the game & a failed season for Barça.Said this, FC Barcelona tried their best & should return home withtheir heads well up. But, they are just words, SFS

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS 2008: MANCHESTER UNITED - FC BARCELONA PRE-MATCH HYPE

Huge game tonight for FC BARCELONA in the 2º leg semi-final ofCHAMPIONS against Manchester United at Old Trafford.Surfed the net this morning to see what´s about & everything is filledwith Barça pics & motivational comments from the experts. Alsothe Web is filled with inspirational videos ...etc. Here is one, obviously done by a fan & the second is a news piece on Barçatraining yesterday (for the

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMIS 2008 - FC BARCELONA: ONE AIM ONE GAME - 2º LEG AGAINST MANCHESTER UNITED

It´s all or nothing. FC BARCELONA places all its bets on one number& that number is tomorrows semi-final return leg of CHAMPIONSLEAGUE against MANCHESTER UNITED. With the Spanish Leagueout of their grasps the European Cup is all that´s left to make this season memorable.Barça rested all its stars on Saturday´s League game against Recreativo,which they lost 2-0, but that was part of the

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 34/ 2008 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

After Round 34 do you wish to hear the bad or the good news?The bad? Levante is a 2º Division team next season. The goodnews?We have another week of Spanish Football until a Championcan be crowned.Good if your not a Real Madrid fan, of course.Villareal "gate crashed" the Real Madrid party with their win, theyare10 points away in 2º place with 12ºpoints still up for grabs, sowe all will have to

TENNIS: RAFAEL NADAL WINS HIS 4ºTH STRAIGHT MONTE CARLO TITLE

It´s his favourite surface & he shows it, as he won today his 4ºthstraight MONTE CARLO MASTERS title on clay . TheSpanish Nº2 World ranked player RAFAEL NADAL defeatedSwiss World Nº1 Roger Federer 5-7, 5-7.Great match between both with Nadal coming back in the second setto over take & beat a fighty Federer, but the clay surface makesNadal look like a fish in water. Rafael Nadal looks now

FORMULA 1: FERRARI DOMINANT IN SPANISH GRAN PRIX

Spain was hoping for its two time World Champion FERNANDOALONSO to get on the podium today, after starting from 2ºposition on the grid. The apparent new adjustments to the RenaultR28 had lead to suspect that it was much better & faster than inprevious races.However, on the 34th lap, Alonso´s car blew its engine & he had toabandon the race.The other story was the spectacular crash by McClaren

Kettlebellchannel.com

Kettlebellchannel

Stop what you're doing!
Found Kettlebellchannel.com

It's a fantastic resource for kettlebell exercises. Literally hundreds of the top kettlebell instructors are out there.

If you're stuck for exercises check it out.
Also, take a look at Steve Cotter. If you've never seen him in action before then check this out.

He'll blow you're mind. Literally every thing he does and advocates has a direct passover to Kettlebell training for sport.

If you can pistol with a KB imagine what it's gonna do for your explosive leg and hip power




Stay Strong

SEVILLA FC: KEITA ON JUVENTUS AGENDA

News from Italy, & picked up here by "Marca", announce that Italianclub JUVENTUS is looking for a midfielder, & that midfielder lookslike being SEVILLA FC player KEITA.The operation is valued at around 15M€, however Sevilla Fc may wish to avoid a total leak of its stars. Its already news that Luis Fabiano,Dani Alves & Poulsen, either wish to leave the Club or have offers.The Spanish Club may wish

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 34/ 2008 SATURDAY RESULTS

Two games played tonight in Round 34, with the news that FCBARCELONA have definately said goodbye to the Spanish Leaguetitle & SEVILLA FC go backward in their quest for the 4ºth ladderplace for Champions next season.The image of Thierry Henry says it all, FC BARCELONA wereblown off the field by the best team in the 2ºhalf of the season,DEPORTIVO with their 2-0 victory. Barça have their head

THE TOP 50 BEST PAID FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE WORLD 2007-2008

Here´s an interesting Video that SFS thought may interest the readers:

FC BARCELONA LOSE LUKA MODRIC TO TOTTENHAM

It was the talk of the European Football World, Croatian 22 year old International LUKA MODRIC was on the FC BARCELONA agenda for the last months. The transfer over to the Spanish Clublooked like a done deal, but Football is certainly unpredictable.Local daily "Marca" has published that English Premier LeagueClub TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR has taken ( signned) the young star for 27M€, a historical sum for

Compounds and Kettlebell Circuit

Compounds and Kettlebell Circuit

For a great strength and conditioning all in one routine, I highly recommend a compound strength training circuit consisting of the big lifts. Squat, bench press, deadlift, bent row, shoulder press and power clean.

Perform 10 reps of squat rest 1minute then perform 10 reps of bench press,rest 1 minute then move onto the next exercise. You get the idea. Try 3 circuits of this at around 50-60% of your 1 rep max for each exercise and you're gonna blow. This will improve your physical fitness, strength and blow torch fat from your body like never before. It put's your body into metabolic hyperdrive.

I can hear you thinking there's no kettlebell training in there.....

Well, work up to a good standard with this workout, or add kettlebells as an active or set lengthener from the beginning. The choice is yours. If you do then you may need to drop the weight first and work your way up.

What to add between sets as active rest. This can be made simple, just add swing between ne set snatch the next and then cleans or clean and press.

The workout may look something like this.
Rest 1 min after each group

Squat x 10
KB 2 handed swing x 20 (light)

Bench press x 10
KB Snatch x 10 each hand

Bent row x 10
KB Clean x 10 each hand

Shoulder Press x 10
KB Swing x 10 each hand

Deadlift x 10
KB Snatch 10 x each hand

Power clean x 10
KB roundabout (pas kettlebell around body) x 10 each way

That's one circuit

You may find you only make one circuit the first time
Stick with it and blow your conditioning level through the roof
The possiblities of this workout is endless as you can switch and swap and change the exericses to suit.

But the main point is using the compound exercises as they cost the most metabolically speaking.

Good luck with the workout and stay strong

Kettlebell Long Cycle Clean and Jerk for MMA

Long Cycle Clean and Jerk for MMA

Check out this article about the ten reasons why you should be doing LCCJ for MMA
It's totally packed out with great information.

Read it now to gain the knowledge you need to be BETTER

Stay strong

Constitutional law in unexpected places

For example, in George Clooney cinematic homages to His Girl Friday, every Cary Grant-Katherine Hepburn comedy, and movies depicting the minor-league backwaters of professional sports.


One of my colleagues was approached by a student in his Con Law I class, who had just seen the movie. According to the student (I have not seen the movie and probably will not until it comes out on video), one issue that arises is an attempt by Congress to regulate the new professional football league, including by requiring the teams to appoint a commissioner. (Can anyone who has seen the film confirm this?)

The ever-vigilant new law student (I always tell my 1Ls that a legal education changes the way you look at everything, even nostalgic slapstick comedy) wanted to know where Congress could get the power to tell a professional sports league how to run its business. The answer, of course, is the Commerce Clause.

But the interesting thing about that answer is that the story takes place in the 1920s, during the wild-west early days of professional football. And the prevailing view of the time was reflected in Justice Holmes' now-infamous decision in Federal Baseball Club v. National League, holding that professional baseball was not interstate commerce for purposes of the Sherman Act. And that decision at least intimates Holmes' (and the Court's) view at the time that professional sports were not interstate commerce for constitutional purposes, thus Congress lacked any power to regulate pro sports in the way apparently depicted in the movie.

Oh well. By now, we should be used to popular culture getting law mostly wrong.

Kettlebell training for Wrestlers

Kettlebell Training For Wrestlers

Nathan over at Kettlebellplanet has written a superb article on kettlebell training for wrestlers.
Check it out here and find out what the scoop is
Also check out the video for MMA fighters. Gonna get you sweating!!

Stay Strong

LIVERPOOL FC INTERESTED IN MAXI RODRIGUEZ

According to English press reports & today on Sp.daily"Mundo Deportivo", LIVERPOOL FC Manager Rafael Benitezwishes to incorporate into the team for next season ArgentineInternational & ATLETICO DE MADRID midfield CaptainMAXI RODRIGUEZ.Rumours have it that Liverpool is speaking with Atletico at thismoment. However, Maxi is considered a vital piece in the Atleticoset up & will have to hear a grand

FC BARCELONA TRANSFER UPDATES 2008

Here´s a quick sumamry of what are the rumours & speculationsat FC BARCELONA in reference to possible transfers & signningsfor the coming new season.When Silvio Berlusconi announces that FC BARCELONA are askingtoo much for RONALDINHO, it smells like AC MILAN maybe thinkingtwice in signning the Brazilian.SFS speculation apart, English press & "Marca" report thatTOTTENHAM HOTSPURS & MANCHESTER CITY

I love Inside the NBA

From last night's postgame... Kenny Smith trying to copy Kobe and jump over a moving car. This is hilarious.

IBRAHMOVIC MAKING EYES AT REAL MADRID?

Its back again, the speculation & rumours, that INTER MILAN star forward & Swedish International ZLATAN IBRAHMOVICare talking with REAL MADRID. Not directly, that´s not proper,but via his agent Mino Rayola who is testing the waters at Madridaccording to "Marca". The reaction has been positive, but cautiousas Real Madrid has yet to fully finish its design for next year.The Swede is have "problems"

Another victim of sports mascot violence

In a previous post, I discussed the interesting role of sports mascots in spectator injury cases. Assumption of risk usually bars spectators injured by batted balls at baseball games from suing the team or arena. However, there is a split on whether a spectator distracted by a mascot should be able to get around this ordinary bar.

The Tort Law Professor blog picks up the following interesting variant from the Chicago Tribune via Yahoo Sports:

A Naperville dentist called a flagrant foul on Chicago Bulls' mascot Benny the Bull on Monday, suing the team over a high-five gone awry. [The plaintiff] alleged he was sitting near courtside on Feb. 12 when he raised his arm to get a high-five from . . . the exuberant mascot in a bright red fuzzy costume. But [the plaintiff], an oral surgeon, may now wish he had settled for a fist-bump instead.

Instead of merely slapping [plaintiff's] palm, [Benny] grabbed his arm as he fell forward, hyperextending [plaintiff]'s arm and rupturing his biceps muscle . . . . "Benny's flying down the aisle, giving everybody high-fives," [plaintiff's] attorney, Shawn Kasserman, said . . . . "When he gets to [my client], he either inadvertently trips or, as part of the shtick, trips. . . . He grabbed [my client]'s arm and fell forward."

[The plaintiff] could miss as much as four months of work . . . The lawsuit claims [Benny the Bully] was negligent in either "falling forward while grabbing a fan's hand" or "running out of control" through the crowd.

Does one assume a certain risk of injury when willingly seeking to "high-five" a large fuzzy bull?

U. of Hawaii Enforces Contract Against Breaching Coach

In the first week of January, Hawaii football coach June Jones terminated his 5-year contract that expires on June 30 of this year and accepted a job worth about $2 million per year at Southern Methodist. Hawaii claims it is entitled to damages for his early termination in the amount of $400,008 (which amount represents half of his annual salary). Section 10.4 of the agreement clearly provides, "If Coach terminates this Agreement prior to June 30, 2008,...Coach shall pay to the University as liquidated damages the sum of $400,008."

Jones is now trying to get out of paying Hawaii. According to Jones' agent, Leigh Steinberg, there was an agreement with former athletics director Herman Frazier that "after three years, there would be no penalty if coach Jones were to leave the university. If that were not the case, coach Jones would always honor a contractual obligation." However, this alleged agreement with Frazier directly contradicts Section 10.2, which provides:

Coach therefore agrees, and specifically promises, not to accept employment, under any circumstances, as a men's football coach at any institution of higher education which is a member of the NCAA...requiring performance of duties prior to the expiration date of the term of this Agreement or any extension thereof, without first obtaining a written release of this Agreement or a negotiated settlement thereof in writing accepted by Coach and the University. In the event that the University releases Coach of his obligations under this Agreement, Coach shall be responsible for paying to the University liquidated damages, as set forth in Section 10.4.

Despite Sections 10.2 and 10.4, Steinberg says the matter is in the initial stages of being submitted to an arbitrator. Section 10.3 of the contract provides that disputes shall be decided in a final and binding arbitration by a mutually agreed upon arbitrator.

Jones breached his contract with Hawaii, and the contract is crystal clear that he owes $400,008. His refusal to pay Hawaii is the result of a culture that currently exists within collegiate athletics that schools won't, or shouldn't, enforce a contract against a coach who leaves for a more lucrative situation. Jones should feel fortunate that Hawaii released him from his contract, thus triggering the liquidated damages clause. Hawaii could have elected not to release him and pursue a negative injunction to prevent Jones from signing with SMU, because Jones acknowledged in his contract that the university would be irreparably harmed if he terminated early:

Coach represents to have special, exceptional and unique knowledge, skill and ability as a men's football coach, which, in addition to the future development of coaching experience at University, as well as University's special need for continuity in its men's football program, will render Coach's services unique. Coach recognizes that the loss of Coach's services to University, without University approval and release, prior to the expiration of the term of this Agreement or any renewal thereof, would cause an inherent loss to University which cannot be estimated with certainty, or fairly or adequately.

LUCHO GONZALEZ IN THE ATLETICO DE MADRID ORBIT

The Transfer Market is heating up with rumour & speculation asthis season comes to its natural end & Clubs look to the future. Partof the many growing speculations come out of ATLETICO DE MADRIDwho are obviously active in the market. Yesterday "Marca" mentionedRaul Meireles from OPORTO as a player that interested, today "AS"publish the At.Madrid will make an effort for his team mate

VALENCIA CF LOOKS AT DANI GUIZA - FORWARD IN FASHION

MALLORCA & Spanish International forward DANI GUIZA(pictured below) is currently 2º in the Top Goal Scorers Listof the Spanish League with 21 goals. He is in fashion & has grabbed the attention of various Clubs (Spanish & European).The first club to actively show its direct interest is VALENCIACF who wish to find a substitute for its current forward FernandoMorientes. According to "El Mundo",

Sonny Vaccaro to Speak at Columbia University Tomorrow Night

For those of you in the New York City area, Columbia University will be hosting its second annual Sports Ethics Symposium tomorrow night from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. The keynote speaker will be basketball legend Sonny Vaccaro, who has recently delivered talks at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School, the University of Memphis, and the University of Maryland. Sonny's talk tomorrow will focus on the NBA's desire to raise the age limit and various issues in college sports.

Other speakers include

Chris Bevilacqua, Co-Founder, CSTV Networks/Partner, SCP Worldwide
Adolpho Birch, Vice President of Law and Labor Policy, National Football League
Gary Charles, New York Panthers/AAU Coaching Legend
Robert Lipsyte, Award-winning sports journalist
Chris Monasch, Athletic Director, St. John's University

For more details, click here.

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI FINAL - 1º LEG - 2008: FC BARCELONA 0 - MANCHESTER UNITED 0

The City of Barcelona stopped along with half of Spain as FCBARCELONA played MANCHESTER UNITED in the 1º leg of their home & away semi final games in the CHAMPIONSLEAGUE. The end result is a 0-0 draw that makes the 2º leg game atManchester the decider. Who played better? Depends on what side of the fence your on. Manchester started strong & was awardedan early penalty which CRISTIANO RONALDO

WHILE FC BARCELONA CALL FOR FANS SUPPORT AGAINST MANCHESTER, MANCHESTER GIVES THE CITY ITS NON -REPRESENTATIVE SUPPORTERS

Big match tonight for Spanish Football & FC BARCELONA in the1º leg of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE semi-finals againstMANCHESTER UNITED. The Barça team has done an add callingall fans to join in & support the club in its endevour to overcome themighty English club. See Video titled : "Barca vs Manchester - Totsunits fem força"The other spectrum sees how once again the City of Barcelona gets visited by

AT.MADRID & FC BARCELONA 2008 TRANSFER RUMOURS

Just got back from the city of Barcelona & they are reved upfor tonights Champions League semi against Manchester. Surfinto SFS later tonight for the all the rundown.However, just two quick transfer rumours/speculation pieces in the news today. Firstly, ATLETICO DE MADRID spies went toPortugal to follow OPORTO & Portugues International midfielderRAUL MEIRELES ( pictured below) in the 2-0 victory

VALENCIA CF. COACH ROLAND KOEMAN SACKED

Winning the Spanish Cup was´nt enough, the fact that Valencia arejust 2ºpoints from the relegation zone & the 5-1 defeat at the hands of Athletic de Bilbao yesterday , was the straw that broke thecamels back. VALENCIA CF has announced that it has sacked itscoach ROLAND KOEMAN.Here is the video of yesterdays 5-1 loss, see why Valencia decidedto get Koeman of the teams driving seat. Now there is

Sports Leagues and the New Media

Good story in The New York Times (free subscription required) on the way that sports leagues are attempting to deal with changing sports media. The piece touches on some issues that we have discussed here in the past: credentialing independent bloggers and allowing them access to the locker room and other places; restricting audio and video clips on media web sites and blogs; and live blogging the games. Apparently, some members of the press have floated the idea that the First Amendment has a role to play in publicly funded stadiums, a point on which I have written and spoken a great deal.

The upshot is that leagues and the media are butting heads over the future of sports coverage. Everyone is staking out a position and the Media Law Resource Center is researching the issues for possible future litigation, including the First Amendment/state actor issues and more targeting of anti-trust exemptions. But no one quite knows where this is going to come out.

New Sports Law Scholarship

Recently published scholarship includes:

Jon Boswell, Note, Fantasy sports: a game of skill that is implicitly legal under state law, and now explicitly legal under federal law, 25 CARDOZO ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW JOURNAL 1257 (2008)

Jesse Crew, Note, In Irabu’s footsteps: baseball’s posting system and the non-statutory antitrust exemption, 7 VIRGINIA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW JOURNAL 127 (2007)

Christian Dennie, White out full grant-in-aid: an antitrust action the NCAA cannot afford to lose, 7 VIRGINIA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW JOURNAL 97-125 (2007)

Robyn R. Goldstein, Note, An American in Paris: the legal framework of international sport and the implications of the World Anti-Doping Code on accused atheletes, 7 VIRGINIA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW JOURNAL 149 (2007)

Russell Landy, Do the Washington Redskins hate deaf people? ADA claims for the captioning of football stadiums, 15 UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI BUSINESS LAW REVIEW 47 (2007)

Bennett Liebman, The trainer responsibility rule in horse racing, 7 VIRGINIA SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT LAW JOURNAL 1 (2007)

Those who don't learn from history . . .

(H/T: Andrew Sullivan)

Twice actually--history has forgotten that the 1936 Winter Games also were in Nazi Germany, in Garmisch-Partinkirchen. We also let a brutally repressive totalitarian Communist regimes host: the Soviet Union (Moscow) in 1980 (my mistake as to Munich), plus a "less repressive" Communist regime in Yugoslavia in 1984.

Historically, in fact, the goal simply was to avoid offending the host nation. Thus, in part, did U.S. Olympic Committee officials, namely head Avery Brundage, replace Marty Glickman and Sam Stoller (two Jews) with Jesse Owens and Ralph Metcalfe (two African-Americans) on the 400-yard (these were pre-metric days) team (Jews being more offensive to Hitler than blacks). And we remember Owens in part for the political context of his on-field achievements--in a sense, his greatness embarrassed the host country. This also is why the U.S. boycott of rhe Moscow games in 1980 (and the U.S.S.R.'s responsive boycott of the Los Angeles Summer Games in 1984) was such a big deal politically--it infused politics in a way that embarrassed the host country.

I have not been surprised by the ever-increasing uproar over China hosting the Games and I hope the International Olympic Committee, which made the decision, is not surprised. We are more aware of, and concerned with, human rights issues than we were even 25 years ago. There are more people, organizations, and nations talking about human rights. And, with technology, more ways to talk and hear about it. The protests and calls for boycotts that have arisen around the Torch relay, the Opening Ceremonies, and the Games themselves were inevitable. The IOC historically either had a tin ear or was too arrogant to care. That cannot be the case any longer.

LUIS FABIANO CURRENT SPANISH LEAGUE TOP GOAL SCORER AFTER ROUND 33 / 2008

The Spanish 1ºst Division - La Liga - has already turned out 33Rounds, & with just 5º more left, the "Pichichi" title ( The TopGoalscorer in the Spanish League in one season) is a tight race.The 2º favourites are Luis Fabiano & Dani Guiza, who are seperated by just 2 goals, with Raul close by but with a gap of 6goals from the leader.After Round 33 the current Top Goal Scorer in the Spanish

REAL MADRID CLOSE TO THE SPANISH LEAGUE TITLE 2007-2008

Check the Video & the reaction from the REAL MADRID playersafter Higuaín scored their 2º goal in their 0-2 victory over Racing ofSantander yesterday:You would think that they had already won the title, however it is stillup for grabs mathematically speaking. If Real Madrid win next Sunday &FC Barcelona & Villareal both fail to win, the title will definately be allfor Real Madrid & the above

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 33/ 2008 GAMES RESULTS

SFS was out of town this weekend in a "non-digital zone" & was glued to the radio listening to all of the Round 33 games, were the news is that Real Madrid could claim the title next week,Atletico de Madrid still hold onto the 4ºth Champions spot & Zaragoza climb out of the relegation zone. Here is all the results,scorers, images & a couple of videos.REAL MADRID took a giant leap today after

Congrats to Florida Coastal and UVA Law School Softball Teams

Via TaxProf: For the second year in a row, Florida Coastal School of Law and the University of Virginia have won the annual and only mildly corrupt UVA law school softball tournament in the co-rec and men's divisions, respectively. One suspects that a certain Sports Law blogger may have contributed to the Florida Coastal victory.

Long-Term Contracts and the Coaching Carousel

Rick is right that the college coaching carousel flies in the face of everything we think we know about contract law. On the other hand, job mobility is an element of many white-collar professions, including within a university setting. If another law school needs someone to teach civil procedure, the administration might contact me about moving or visiting there and I might at least consider leaving my current school and making that move. See here for a sense of how much law faculty move around, including out own Michael McCann. There is an expectation that a faculty member will leave School A for School B and that School A will replace her with someone recruited from School Z. This is how job markets work.

The difference, it seems to me, is that coaches sign long-term contracts and the carousel renders these contracts farcical. As Rick notes, Travis Ford signed a seven-year contract extension, then left for a new school one week later--in other words, he performed one week of a 364-week contract. This movement arguably would be less troubling, at a visceral level, if we drop the pretense that either coach or school truly is making a long-term commitment and put coaches on one-year renewable contracts. Bring the legal landscape in line with reality--Coach Smith will be the coach at Enormous State University this year; whether he will be the coach at ESU next year depends on how the team does on the court and whether a better coaching offer comes along.

Legal Fallout from Sonics Move to Oklahoma City

I was interviewed by NPR to discuss the legal and economic implications of the Sonics upcoming move from Seattle to Oklahoma City. By a vote of 28-2 (with Dallas' Mark Cuban and Portland's Paul Allen voting no), the NBA owners voted to approve the move. Hope you have a chance to listen to the interview.

WILL RONALDINHO BE THE CURE OR A SICKNESS FOR AC MILAN?

Is the signing of Brazilian & FC BARCELONA star RONALDINHOthe cure for the AC MILAN blues? That’s the question that mustbe asked, as everything seems to indicate that Ronaldinho hasalready given his word to AC Milan & (if things go according) willbe their new player next season. However, some Football experts havecommented e.g. .Johan Cruyff & SFS agrees, that Ronaldinhocould be a problem more

NBA Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

With what should be a great playoff season just about upon us, it's time to prognosticate, undoubtedly ending in horrible shame at my ignorance. But that's ok.

(1) Boston Celtics vs. (8) Atlanta Hawks
It's going to be strange to see the Hawks back in the playoffs, although I don't foresee their stay being too lengthy. The Hawks have talent and athleticism, but they're no match for the Celtics. The Celtics should be able to smother the Hawks defensively, leading to a quick, decisive victory.
BOSTON IN 4

(2) Detroit Pistons vs. (7) Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers are a great story and I'll be rooting for them, but it's difficult seeing them match up with the Pistons in a 7-game series. The Pistons are a bit too strong defensively and efficient offensively. The Sixers have played about as well as anyone over the past couple of months, but Detroit in the playoffs is a completely different animal.
DETROIT IN 5

(3) Orlando Magic vs. (6) Toronto Raptors
I like the Raptors in an upset pick. I'm not sure the Magic and their players are really familiar being in this position, as a favorite in the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how they handle it. The Raptors don't really have anyone to match up with Dwight Howard, but then the Magic don't have a good matchup for Chris Bosh. This should be a highly entertaining series.
TORONTO IN 7

(4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (5) Washington Wizards
These clubs will meet up for the 3rd straight season, but this year should be a lot better than last. Now that the Wizards are healthy, they're a very dangerous club capable of putting up lots of points on the board. Meanwhile, the Cavs have the best player in the world. In round 1, I think LeBron wills his team to victory... as long as the game is close at the end, LeBron will win it for the Cavs.
CLEVELAND IN 7

What are your thoughts on round 1 of the East?

Breaching Contracts: It's Just Part of the College Coaching Biz

One week ago, Travis Ford signed a contract extension to remain at UMass for the next seven years and said, "I am excited to know that UMass is committed to building the men's basketball program back to one of the best in the East and that I will have the chance to be at the helm for many years to come." Today, one week later, Ford breached that contract and signed with Oklahoma State. UMass athletic director John McCutcheon's reaction: "It's part of the business we're in. That's just something we have to deal with is professionalism. When you have an individual as talented as coach Ford was, that represents an institution like he did, you'd be naive to think you're not going to have these situations."

I'm confused by McCutcheon's statements. Is he suggesting that it would be "unprofessional" of him if he tried to hold Ford to his contractual obligation? In other words, that it wouldn't be professional for him to say to Ford that they just agreed to a seven year deal and that he expects Ford to be bound by his promise? Why is that? And why is it "naive" to think that you can't keep another school from interfering with an existing contract?

Nothing will change so long as athletic directors continue to take the position that "it's just part of the business we're in".......

REAL MALLORCA PLAYERS VARELA & BALLESTEROS NEARLY COME TO FISTS AT TRAINING

The training sessions at MALLORCA are competitive & at times heatedas this video shows. Mallorca players Varela & Ballesteros nearly gotinto a fist fight, as the latter reacted to a harsh & dangerous tacklefrom the former at training today. Their teammates had to separatethem to avoid a worst case scenario.Let’s hope they take this energy onto the field this weekend!

SPANISH CUP FINAL 2008 - VALENCIA 3 - GETAFE 1 - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

Congratulations VALENCIA CF

Early Season MLB Surprises and Disappointments

With the MLB season being 1/16 over, of course it's time to grossly exaggerate what has happened so far.

-Surprises-

Livan Hernandez, RHP, Twins- I and humans everywhere scoffed at the Twins throwing multi million dollars at Livan Hernandez, but so far at least it has worked out. Livan is 3-0, but more importantly he has a 2.57 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. If the Twins play Adam Everett and Matt Tolbert in the middle infield spots it should boost their defense and help out Livan and more importantly the rest of that young staff.

Brian Bannister, RHP, Royals- I suppose I shouldn't be too surprised, but I didn't totally believe Bannister's 2007. He had a good year, but only 77 strikeouts. What's surprising is that Bannister doesn't quite put up the stats that should endear him to the sabermetric community, and more so, he understands why. The fact that Bannister is familiar with things like DIPS should only make him be a better pitcher and improve even more.

San Francisco Giants- Yes I realize they're 6-10 only. Yes I realize it's April 16, but if the Giants put up this good of a record over a whole season I'll be very impressed. Honestly, they are horrible. Take a look around their roster once. Bengie Molina hits cleanup? Brian Bocock plays short? Brian Bocock put up a robust .220/.293/.328 in the California League, probably the best offensive league in minor league baseball, which equates out to a -25.9 VORP. And outside of Angel Villalona, who is only 17, there isn't any help coming from any younger kids either, unless Dan Ortmeier tickles your fancy. The only thing keeping them going is the duo of Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum. And with the way he's pitching and the way the offense is going, Matt Cain is my odds on favorite to lead the NL in ERA and losses, if you can bet on such a thing.

-Disappointments-

Russ Martin, C, Dodgers- Really I could include the entire Dodgers team here. I picked out Martin mainly because I traded for him in fantasy baseball, but to tell the truth I'm not worried. My main complaint with the Dodgers is that Joe Torre is treating managing a major league baseball team like it's building a space shuttle (or to borrow a phrase from my favorite person on earth "it's not rocket surgery") rather than what it is: put your best 8 (or 9) guys out there and let them go to it. Instead the Dodgers have used the same lineup just twice, and inexplicably have played Juan Pierre, who shouldn't ever be on the field except to pinch run, instead of Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier for some games. Really Joe Torre, put him in the 2 hole and let him go to work. The end.

New York Yankees- I said this was the year the Yankees would miss the playoffs. Hopefully I'll be right. Ian Kennedy and Phil Hughes have tons of talent, but it takes time to adjust to a major league season, but the Yankees don't have free wins against the Rays and Jays anymore to get back on track. The American League is just too good for a team to have to wait to get things going. Also, why in the world don't the Yanks have Mussina in the pen and Joba in the rotation? Truth be told, I hate the Yankees, and I'm not a huge fan of Joba doing stuff like this, but it's tough to root against a guy when this is going on. Also, the Yankees are relying probably a bit too much on older players such as Damon, Giambi, Posada and Matsui. Obviously they are good players, but how long can they play at their highest level?

On one more note, my preseason World Series pick, the Arizona Diamondbacks (yes I wish I had that on record) are playing very well. Chris Young is coming into his own (although probably should be hitting cleanup) and Justin Upton is one of the better young players in the game. It should be interesting to follow them all season.

Who are your surprises and disappointments?

SPANISH CUP FINAL 2008: VALENCIA CF 3 - GETAFE 1

It was a typical final, great level, tough, chances & one winner,unfortunately this game has to have a loser, that loser wasGETAFE who went down courageously 3-1 to a solid & betterVALENCIA CF.The second important big loss in a row for Getafe who must bedevasted, with Valencia overflowing with joy & getting relief froma terrible & a nightmare season. Valencia coach Koemangets a title & a break

Pull Apart Kettlebell

PULL APART KETTLEBELL


Check this out.
Pic from

marks treeniloki

Finnish kettlebell training. I can't understand much of the language (any of it actually)
But check out the pull apart kettlebell.

Now that looks like real hardcore old schoolesque style training going on.

Now if only I could make something like that.

Hmmmm....................

I think I may feel a project coming on

• Check out the picture

FC BARCELONA 2008 RUMOURS: RONALDINHO, DECO, ZAMBROTTA, MARQUEZ, BENZEMA...

AC MILAN has practically RONALDINHO in "the bag" & justneed to figure a price with FC BARCELONA, but news from Sp.daily "AS" says the Italian team wants a "pack deal", that is, apart from Ronaldinho, also DECO, ZAMBROTTA & MARQUEZincluded in the transfer deal.Staying with Barça, "Sport" & "Mundo Deportivo", announced thatFC BARCELONA will commence an offensive for OLMPIQUEDE LYON French

REAL MADRID 2008 RUMOURS: HIGUAIN, DIARRA, DE ROSSI...

Italian club JUVENTUS were in Madrid last weekend to talk withREAL MADRID directives in an attempt to shut two desiredsignnings: HIGUAIN & DIARRA, according to "AS" daily.Real Madrid responded that they would not give a firm answer tothe Italians until the end of this season, as they wish to further consultcoach Schuster for his opinion.Coach Schuster considers Higuain a young player with a

SPANISH CUP FINAL 2008: VALENCIA CF - GETAFE

Big night today with the final of the SPANISH CUP betweenVALENCIA CF - GETAFE. Surf into SFS late tonight for result,scorers & images.Who will win?

David Ortiz's Curious Start to the 2008 Season

On Monday, Geoff wrote a great piece about the legal issues of the Red Sox fan who buried a jersey of David Ortiz under the new Yankees stadium

Over on The Situationist, Jon Hanson and I take a stab at trying to explain David Ortiz's hard-to-fathom early season struggles.

We hope you check out both posts.

NBA MVP Pick

Since this has been the best MVP race in recent memory, and we should actually get a deserving winner (no offense Steve Nash), it's time to weigh in. Basically everyone's top 4 is the same in some order: Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul. I'm not going to deviate from that formula, so I will just give my top 4. In reverse order.

4. Kobe Bryant - A lot of the talk lately seems to take it for granted that either Kobe or Chris Paul will be MVP, but in my book Kobe is 4th. Yes, he's been real good on a great team. He's a great player, but that doesn't mean that others haven't been a little greater. He is still a great scorer (even with the hurt finger), scoring over 28 PPG while shooting a respectable 46%. He's a solid rebounder and passer, but LeBron (comparing him since they play similar positions) is better in both areas. He's very good defensively, but not the consistently great like Kevin Garnett, and his defensive numbers don't match Chris Paul. Add it all up, and a great season for Kobe Bryant, but still only enough to merit 4th place.

3. Kevin Garnett - He has played less minutes this year so the numbers are down a bit, but it's impossible to deny his impact on the Celtics. He's the best defensive player in the game, and he has backed it up with wild efficiency on the offensive end. His shooting is up at 54%, highest in his career. He is the ultimate team player, sacrificing his numbers and shots for the greater good of the team. He is still a great rebounder and an excellent passer for his size. How the Celtics do in the postseason will determine whether this season was a success, but there is no denying that KG has been great in his first year for Boston.

2. Chris Paul - I put him just a tiny smidgen below LeBron, but he's certainly a great MVP choice. John Hollinger actually had him as his MVP and Most Improved Player, and that's a pretty good thought. In the blink of an eye Chris Paul has surpassed Steve Nash as the best PG in the NBA, and has become one of the best players. He's become a better shooter, upping his % to above 48% on the season. He's averaging over 21 PPG, and also finding time to dole out 11.6 APG and steal 2.7 balls per game. All while leading the most surprise team in the NBA to one of the top seeds in the West. What a player.

1. LeBron James - Today I was watching Sportscenter top plays with some friends, and LeBron James was #2 with some ridiculous coast-to-coast move followed by a thunderous dunk in traffic. Someone else said something about how that wasn't even that good. But then we realized, LeBron is just so good, so talented, so athletic, that he makes it all look easy. I mean, look at his numbers... 30 PPG, 7.9 RPG, 7.2 APG, plus a more consistent defensive effort this season. No, his team's record is not as good as the other candidates, but that's so much his fault as it is that his teammates are simply not as good. But LeBron has been fantastic, and he gets my MVP vote. Once again, he's simply the best, most talented player in the NBA.

Who does your vote go too?

SFS TRIBUTE: ROMARIO DE SOUZA FARIA RETIRES AT 42

Brazilian Football leyend ROMARIO has announced at the age of42 his definate retirement from football as a player, but as the sayinggoes..."you may take Romario out of Football, but not the Footballout of Romario". I am sure he will continue in someway as Coach,Commentator or National selector, in some way.From SFS this is a small tribute & personal thanks to whom SFSbelieves - personal opinion -

CRISTIANO RONALDO THE REAL MADRID OBSESSION

It´s a REAL MADRID obsession, it´s an illness, they just willnot give in, & keep at it, to see the Portugues superstar CRISTIANORONALDO dress in the Real uniform. The local daily "AS", via itsweb, has revealed conversations between Real Madrid FootballDirector, Pedja Mijatovic & a freelance French journalist forL´Equipe, in London last week.Mijatovic travelled to London to witness the Chelsea

David Throws Two Punches at Goliath

A year ago last April, it was reported that Houston Baptist University (HBU), an NAIA school, made an application to rejoin the NCAA at the division one level, on a provisional basis. At that time, it was also reported that, because HBU was an NCAA division one school previously from 1973 to 1990, HBU would be required to wait only three years instead of the normal seven to become a full-fledged member of the NCAA. But according to HBU, after it became a provisional member last year, the NCAA notified HBU that the rule setting forth the provisional period for returning members was changed from three to seven years by an "editorial revision...(that) does not require a vote of Division 1 membership and is not a substantive change."

Last month, HBU threw its first punch by filing a lawsuit against the NCAA in state court alleging that the NCAA violated its own constitution when it informed HBU that it would have to wait the full seven years before becoming a full-fledged member. In its lawsuit, HBU asserts "such an amendment (to the constitution) would have to be voted on by the full membership and passed by a two-thirds vote" and that "the change was arbitrary, capricious, and in total disregard of its own rules and regulations."

Last week, HBU threw its second punch by filing an antitrust lawsuit against the NCAA in federal court alleging that the seven-year provisional period amounts to "an unreasonable restraint of trade" in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. HBU alleges that the seven-year wait has deprived it and other schools of the opportunities to compete in "highly successful and lucrative" postseason tournaments, specifically the NCAA men's basketball tournament, and that the NCAA has recently "established and sought to enforce policies that have had the intent and effect of restricting colleges from competing at all."

Whether David actually ends up defeating Goliath here remains to be seen. In the state lawsuit, one of the first issues that most likely needs to be resolved is whether HBU has standing to assert a violation of the NCAA constitution when it is not a member of the NCAA. There is a factual issue regarding when the rule was revised from three years to seven. According to the press release, an NCAA spokesman said that "information on the change was provided in writing to Houston Baptist before the school applied for membership." If the rule was revised before HBU filed its application, it might bolster a defense by the NCAA that HBU has no right to complain about the manner in which NCAA member schools conduct their business, even when it violates their own constitution and bylaws. But if the rule was revised after HBU filed its application, the standing issue becomes more problematic for the NCAA because then it can be argued that the NCAA has an obligation to all applicants to follow its rules and to not act unfairly nor arbitrarily, which would necessarily include following its rules pertaining to the procedures for amendments to the Constitution. HBU would then need to prove that the amendment to the rule regarding the provisional period for returning members was not made in accordance with the requisite procedures for amendments as set forth in its Constitution (another factual issue).

In the antitrust lawsuit, I don't think it's pertinent when the rule was revised by the NCAA. HBU is asserting that a seven year provisional period is an unreasonable restraint on HBU's ability to compete with other member schools in NCAA post-season basketball tournaments. A rule providing a provisional period before an applicant can become a full-fledged member of the NCAA constitutes a restraint on trade because the applicant is prohibited from competing in Division I athletics with all NCAA member schools. But the key question is what period of time constitutes a "reasonable" period of time, or to put it another way, whether seven years is an "unreasonable" period of time. The NCAA essentially needs to show a legitimate business reason for adopting a seven-year provisional period. Under a rule of reason analysis, the NCAA needs to demonstrate that the procompetitive effects of the rule outweigh its anticompetitive effects -- Of course, focusing on how the consumer is affected by this rule, which I have no idea how to assess. Let the jury try to figure out who the consumer is and how he, she or it is affected. You gotta love antitrust in sports....

REAL MADRID & LORIK CANO?

French paper L´Equipe publish that REAL MADRID is "flirting"with 24 year old Albanian & OLYMPIQUE DE MARSEILLEdefensive midfielder LORIK CANO ( seen below).Speculations & rumours are the norm this time of the year & we willread lots more as the months go by. The question arises, what aboutcurrent Real Madrid players Diarra, & Gago?SFS will keep an eye out on developments. Stay tuned!

SLAYING THE BEAST

SLAYING THE BEAST

Back on with beast training (48kg Kettlebell).
I'm trying not let my guard slip after last week, when I slightly stressed out my lower back doing the cleans to acclimatise to weight of the kettlebell.

However, this week I'm back on track with the beast. Just completed a nice little lunch time routine with the 32KG KB with a combo circuit. 2 swings both hands, 2 swings l&r, 2 snatches l&r, 2 cleans l&r and 2 Clean and press l&r x2 all round. Followed by 4 x10 l&r push press(32kg)

Followed with 1 x 6 l&r press 48kg kettlebell followed bu 1 x 10 l&r press 48kg kettlebell with a mighty set to end of 1 x 12 l&r press 48 kg kettlebell (THE BEAST)

So here we go back into it. Will keep you informed.

CHELSEA FC DREAM WITH SERGIO AGUERO

According to news published in English daily, "Sun People", whichhas been picked up locally by Sp. papers "AS" & "Mundo Deportivo",English club CHELSEA FC is planning to "renew" its team & seesArgentine star forward & ATLETICO DE MADRID player SERGIOAGUERO as ( & excuse the punt) the cherry on its next cake. The cited papers mention that Chelsea will have a budget fornext season of 125M€ & its

Trespassing to Lay a Curse

An amusing story from the new Yankee stadium, where construction crews jackhammered through concrete to retrieve a David Ortiz Red Sox jersey buried there in an effort to hex the bronx bombers by Red Sox fan (and one-day stadium construction worker) Gino Castignoli.

Not amused (it seems), the Yankees will apparently seek criminal charges against Castignoli, presumably for some sort of building code violation or criminal trespass. Unfortunately for Castignoli, I think there's also an open and shut case against him for trespass to land: Any person who commits an act of entry with intent to the land of another without permission is liable to the other for trespass. Leaving a thing on land without permission can constitute the "act of entry" needed for the trespass claim. And trespass, like other intentional torts, doesn't have much of a sense of humor -- as long as there was intent, that the effort may have been a good-natured practical joke would not provide a defense.

Recoverable damages? It would seem like the Yankees could recover the expense associated with removing the jersey. Castignoli has argued that no structural damage was done, but I don't think a landowner is limited recovering removal costs / remediation expenses to situations where the removal or remediation is a structural necessity.

Would this construction worker have to pay punitive damages as well? Yankees president Randy Levine described Castignoli as someone who "had really bad motives and was trying to do a really bad thing" and the act as "a very, very bad act." Most Red Sox fans likely have actual malice when it comes to the Yankees, or at least did until the past few years, no? Does that kind of malice suffice for the "aggravation" needed to state a claim for punitive relief?

Of course, Castignoli could presumably request return of the jersey (although the Yankees intend to donate it to charity), and sell it on ebay to pay for his legal fees and damages. And maybe Red Sox nation will be kind enough to start a legal defense fund.

Florida Coastal School of Law Skills Practicum

On Friday, April 18th, the Sports Law Society at Florida Coastal School of Law will be hosting a "Skills Practicum for the In-House Counsel". The practicum will consist of three separate seminars focusing on the every day legal issues faced by in-house counsel working for professional sports organizations, and the seminars will be taught by the very people who face them. The practicum will be held in Jacksonville, Florida, in Room 465 of the law school. The event is free of charge and has been approved for a total of 3.5 general CLE credits. Registration begins at 8:45 a.m. Here is the schedule for the day:

Seminar 1 (9:00 - 10:30 a.m.): Working Through an Acquisition or Sale of Property. Len Brown, Assistant General Counsel of the PGA Tour, will discuss issues to be aware of as legal counsel working through various stages of a transaction, including the letter of intent, the due diligence process, the negotiation and execution of a purchase agreement, and the closing.

Seminar 2 (10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.): Legal Issues in Sports Sponsorship and Marketing Contracts. Jeff Reel, Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for ATP Tour, Inc., will discuss the nuts and bolts of negotiating and entering sports sponsorship and marketing deals, including the product/service category and the trademark license within the sponsorship agreement, the scope of promotional rights, representations and warranties, rights of first negotiations and refusal, and nontraditional termination rights.

Seminar 3 (1:30 - 3:30 p.m.): Corporate Legal Issues Working for a Professional Sports Team. Sashi Brown, Assistant General Counsel with the Jacksonville Jaguars, will focus on corporate issues working for the Jaguars, which may include stadium leases, risk management insurance, vendor contracts, and employment matters.

For additional information, or if you plan on attending the event, please contact me at rkarcher@fcsl.edu

SPANISH FOOTBALL HUMOUR: FC BARCELONA

From Sp. daily "Sport" & from its cartoon section "Futbolitis" comesthis humorous piece on Fc Barcelona string of bad play:Text translated: "Our free fall seems to have no final limit" ."Oh , yes it has".

SPANISH FOOTBALL ROUND 32/2008 - MALLORCA 2 - SEVILLA FC 3

SFS has chosen this game from yesterdays 8 played, as it gavethe spectators 5 goals & a great Dani Alves "cracker" worth thewatch. Here is a complete resume of the game:

Harvard Law School Panel on Acquiring a Sports Franchise

The Harvard Law School Committee on Sports and Entertainment Law will be hosting a panel tomorrow (Monday, April 14) at 7:30 p.m. in Hauser 102 entitled "Acquiring a Sports Franchise." (directions to Harvard Law School/campus map).

Panelists include three transacation attorneys:

Adam Klein from Katten Muchin Rosenman

Larry Silverstein from Bingham McCutchen

Jon Bernstein from Bingham McCutchen.

Additionally, Bradley Rangell from Citibank and Tony Tavares, CEO of Sports Properties Acquisition Corp., will be speaking.

The event is open to the public. For additional information, please contact the Committee's president, Mike Menitove.

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 32/ 2008 SUNDAY GAMES RESULTS

Round 32 of "La Liga" had its 8º games scheduled today, afteryesterday saw two played with Barça losing another 2ºpoints &Racing winning to put pressure for the 4ºth spot on the ladder, oneof the Champions League tickets for next season.Controversial game REAL MADRID - REAL MURCIA were theformer took the opportunity & won 1-0 to open up a 9º point leadover arch rivales Fc Barcelona. Real Madrid

MOTO GP PORTUGAL. SPANISH RIDERS DOMINANT & JORGE LORENZO WINS FIRST GP

It was a great day for Spanish riders in all 3 catagories at todaysMoto GP at Portugal. The big winner, which has taken all theheadlines is JORGE LORENZO, who won his first GP race afteralready doing history as the youngest rider in history to grab 3 pole positions in a row.The Spanish rider Lorenzo was outstanding as he took his bike to the limits & was full on to dare do things no one else

Make Your Own Kettlebell Part II

Make Your Own Kettlebell Part II

For those out there who wanna have a go and train with kettlebells but don't have the cash to spend on one (they ain't too cheap) then try going over to 'The Traceless Warrior' Blog and find out how they make them over there.

It's a totally different baby to other one I told you about.

Look's quite cool and rather 'industrial' but industrial is good.

Find the article HERE

If anyone has a go at making both let me know which one turns out better.

BOXING: SPANIARD JAVIER CASTILLEJO KOed IN EURO TITLE BY SYLVESTER

It was the European Middleweight Title & it was against GermanSebastian Sylvester, the winner would have qualified to face currentthe World Champ Felix Strum, to whom Javier Castillejo had lostlast time in the World Title fight.It was a tough, tough fight & the Spaniard nearly floored the Germanin the 6ºth Round, but Sylvester came back & got ahead on points.Then in the last Round a fierce combo

On the Topic of Fat Loss..............................

Fat Loss

Despite being a regular trainer on the kettlebells I have devoted quite a lot of time to the heavier Kbells (40kg and 48kg) to build up my strength. However, I have recently being told several times (you never no the first 10 people may just have looked at you at the wrong moment) that I'm looking rather slovenly (in other words a fat pig). So , finally after my mother gave me the hard word I realised I really must do something about it!

So I'm gonna be high high repping the kettlebells with clean, presses, snatches and swings. Basically a really big circuit to burn off some of that blubber and follow up with a new improved diet. Cos we all know that's the main thing, or at least more than half the battle. If you're diet ain't right then you not gonna lose nothing, period end of story!!!

So after scouring the internet for some books (jesus I already have 20). I stopped because they're all the same give or take a few things like the amount of carbs protein you eat etc. So I went to that lovely place I look for information on the internet called www.T-nation.com and found this article that I believe will get anyone kick started and on the right road to losing those Love Handles.

It doesn't have to be technical, but this lays out some easy steps to take on a daily basis to get you down the right road to being slimmer, healthier and fitter.

Bang a load intense kettlebell circuits regularly onto a good diet and BAM!! You've got the idea

Find the aricle HERE

SPANISH FOOTBALL ROUND 32/2008: RECREATIVO 2 - FC BARCELONA 2 VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

FC Barcelona may see Real Madrid escape them by 9ºpoints if the latter wins its game tonight , the draw against Recreativo was not part of the Barça script.Eto´o scored two great goals, Recreativo were given a "phantom 1ºst goal" & Barça keeper Valdes made a terrible mistake in theequalizer. See it all on the VIDEO:

SPANISH FOOTBALL - LA LIGA - ROUND 32/ 2008 SATURDAY MATCH RESULTS

Surprise, surprise, Round 32 starts off this Saturday with two interestingresults as Fc Barcelona draws, allowing the chance tomorrow for RealMadrid to escape further, & Valencia - have to say it - are in deep shit.The RECREATIVO 2 - FC BARCELONA 2 drawn result, had one winner, Real Madrid, as tomorrow, if Real wins, they can openthe points gap further & if Villareal win, take & consolidate 2º

Make your Own Kettlebell

How To Make Your Own Kettlebell

Check out this article on How to make you're own Kettlebell.
I've seen some attempts to make Kettlebells but this takes the biscuit.
Really looks the business and looks like a fully functional Kbell.
Coming soon............. more ways to make you're own kettlebell

To find out how go HERE

Another great resource from DIYstrength Gear Homemade Kettlebell Post


Take Your Fitness To Another Level with the Gymboss Interval Timer

SPANISH FOOTBALL TRANSFER TALK 2008: ETO´O, KEITA & VILLA

Apart from the RONALDINHO rumour, that now looks almost adone deal - that he will be in AC Milan next season - there are afew more speculations in the transfer area.Turkish team FENERBACHE know they need a star striker to make the jump beyond the Q/finals of Champions, & with a90M€ budget for next season, will go all out for that forward.The Turks see SAMUEL ETO´O as the answer & will attempt

Did Clay Bennett Lie About His "Good Faith" Intent to Keep Sonics in Seattle?

Jim Brunner and Jonathan Martin of the Seattle Times have an interesting piece today on new e-mail evidence suggesting that Oklahoma City businessman Clay Bennett and other members of his SuperSonics ownership group violated the "good faith" contractual pledge to keep the franchise in Seattle. The city of Seattle has sued to keep the franchise in Seattle, while the Bennett group, which purchased the franchise in 2006 with expectations that the city would provide substantial tax dollars for a new statidum or a renovated KeyArena, intends to relocate the franchise to Oklahoma City no later than when the team's lease with the KeyArena expires in 2010. New e-mails have surfaced that appear to confirm suspicions that the Bennett group never intended to keep the franchise in Seattle.

I was interviewed for the story and hope you have a chance to check it out.

Superhuman Kettlebell Swings

Superhuman Kettlebell Swings

Review of Article by Bud Jeffries.

I have bought Bud's Ebooks, 900lb squat, Twisted Conditioning and Twisted Conditioning II and found them all to be very inspirational. Bud is an Old school totally Raw Strength Super Human.

Bud has really hit the nail on the head with this article and how to mix in kettlebell swings with your usual weight training routine to maximise your performance and improve one's strength and kettlebell training repertoire. Forget periodization and forget elaborate training regimes.

This is 'Old School' and this is how it should be.

To check out this article click the title of this page or go HERE

Old School Polish Olympic Training

BARCELONA ALREADY SAYING GOODBYE TO RONALDINHO

Read more in the below post here at SFS . It seems Barcelona mediaare already saying goodbye to RONALDINHO, below is the cover oftodays "Mundo Deportivo"The latest is that Barça - AC Milan have a transfer figure of 30M€on the table, plus Zambrotta is being discussed as well.SFS has a feeling that Ronaldinho is still cheap - market price wise -& that other clubs may could come in at the last

UEFA CUP 2º LEG Q/FINAL: GETAFE 3 - BAYERN MUNICH 3 - VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS

The end of a dream. Getafe lose out to nerves, mistakes & the absence of luck. Great comeback from Bayern Munich, butGetafe derserve to win ( my opinion) because of their play, spirit & disadvantage with 10 men.Now its for the Spanish Cup next Wednesday against Valencia.

UEFA CUP 2ºLEG Q/FINAL 2008: GETAFE LOSE A GAME THEY SHOULD HAVE WON

Football can be a cruel, cruel game. It can be unjust, not fair & out right a real bastard. But that´s Football & GETAFE felt ittonight after finishing its 2º leg Q/Final clash against BAYERN MUNICH 3-3, but losing on the away goals.The hard part? That the Germans scored a goal that should havebeen disallowed in the last minute (a foul), that killed Getafe on the spot. Not fair, as Getafe

AC MILAN IN BARCELONA TALKING ABOUT THE FUTURE OF RONALDINHO

Its official, FC BARCELONA is listening to offers for its 28 yearold Brazilian player RONALDINHO. Barça Football Director TxikiBergiristian, met Roberto De Assis ( player representative &brother) & Ernesto Bronzetti (AC Milan representative) today in thecity of Barcelona with an official meeting.The club must have already told the player they do not count withhim for next season & have opened the

Newly Posted Paper on Racist Sports Fans

Dr. Lawrence McNamara, a Professor at England's University of Reading School of Law, has posted Sport, Spectator and Traditions of Hatred: Responding to Racist Abuse on SSRN (the article was published in 2001 in the Griffith Law Review). Here's an abstract:

This article is primarily concerned with racist abuse by spectators that is targeted at indigenous Australian footballers. My core objective is to explore some possible options for combating and eliminating racist abuse at sporting events, keeping in mind the relationships between such aims in football and racism within the community more generally. It is argued that the positive anti-racism strategies and images that have underscored the Australian Football League's (AFL) approach to on-field racist abuse need to be subjected to careful scrutiny. It is clear that currently there is simply not enough information about racist abuse by spectators at either elite or lower levels of football (or any sports) and there is no meaningful avenue of redress for players who are subjected to it. Importantly, if the community is serious about combating the traditions of racism that have characterised Australian sport, there are significant questions that need to be asked about participants' experiences of racism and racist abuse in sports and in competitions which are not conducted at the elite or professional levels.

For (Howard's) previous Sport Law Blogging on the issue, see:

Welcome Back: Mutombo, Richards, and Racist Cheering Speech

Hate Speech as Cheering Speech

Tacky or Fun?

Via ESPN, play Torch Run. No explanation necessary.

RUI MIYAGAWA. DREAMS ARE POSSIBLE, JUST GO FOR IT!

This is a happy story.Young 11 year old Japenese boy RUI MIYAGAWA came to Spainto only participate in a Football Camp, now he is here living & playing Football.Young Rui had one dream, to be a Football player & he decided thatSpain was the place to learn. He went into the Web & came across theFootball Camp run by Ex -Atletico de Madrid Serbian player MilinkoPantic. He decided he wanted to attend

FC BARCELONA HUMOUR: OBJECTIVE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

FC BARCELONA have reached the semi-finals of ChampionsLeague & will meet Manchester Utd. The European Cup is theirobjective, as the Spanish League is tough at this moment & coachRijkaard needs a title - this title - to retain his job as coach.Barcelona based daily "Mundo Deportivo" add humour to the situation today via its cartoon section "Pelotazos" by KAP.Rijkaard says "...I hope its not a

Snapple Antioxidant Water

Earlier this week the kind folks from Snapple were generous enough to send me a sample of some of their Antioxidant water. Here is a short description from a press release:

Antioxidant Water product line offers a smart solution that improves energy, helps restore the body and supports a healthy immune system for consumers who are actively taking steps to incorporate healthier behaviors into their everyday routine. For those looking to add a healthier boost to their traditional bottled water, the zero calorie Snapple LYTeWater line is enhanced with electrolytes and minerals.

Also, as you would expect from Snapple, it's tasty stuff.

If you get a chance to get some of the Snapple Antioxidant Water, you should! It gets my official recommendation (which is not an easy thing to get).

Anyway, here is a commerical for the product.

UK Kettlebell Competition

UK KETTLEBELL COMPETITION 2008

I've just found out about a great Kettlebell comp in th UK (Lockerbie/Scotland) on 11th May 2008 run by Stan Pike.
Find details here

I'm gutted as I can't make the comp due to Yorkshire Athletics Champs.
The KB comp sounds absolutely awesome with lots of added extras such as Farmers Walk for time over 100m with 45kg KB's, crucifix holds and kettlebell throwing.

Would love to hear about anyone's experience of the day.
If anyone knows of any more comps in the UK please let me know details

Good Luck to all!!

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Q/FINAL 2008: FC BARCELONA WINS

Huge victory tonight for FC BARCELONA 1-0 in the return legagainst SCHALKE 04, that takes them into the semi-finals to meetManchester United. Big win because apart from the threat of beingknocked out if they lost, coach Rijkaard had his job on the line &breathes again for another match.The 1ºst half was Barça´s with the German trying hard, but in the 42nd min TOURE YAYA ( above) scored the only &

REAL MURCIA YOUNGSTER DANI AQUINI LOCKED BY REAL MADRID

This is the father of DANI AQUINO, the Argentine Internationalplayer DANIEL "TORO" AQUINO, here on video when with RealBetis:Here is his son , 16 year old REAL MURCIA player, Daniel Aquinowho has debuted with the first team & already has 3 senior gamesup his sleeve.After Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Fc Barcelona, Valencia CF &Sevilla Fc have shown interest, REAL MADRID has gained apreferencial

Is dousing the Olympic torch a crime (or a tort)?

On the Olympic torch's path around the world to the site of the 2008 summer Olympics, the torch has been a target of protests directed at the repressive actions of the competition's host government. China's recent crackdown on Tibetan monks has been a subject of particular concern for demonstrators, but one suspects that even without recent events, China's history (and continuing practice) of human rights violations would have spurred demonstrations.

Protesters' efforts to douse the Olympic flame -- successful several times over -- led to the amusing scene of the torch being transferred along its route inside a bus (surrounded by a phalanx of motorcycle rollerblade police) (pictured at right).

"Using the torch this way is almost a crime," said the Vice President of the International Olympics Committee, Gunilla Lindberg. I'm curious why the IOC doesn't think it is a crime. Why "almost"? I think it's also safe to say that it's a tort -- assault -- in that the person carrying the torch certainly has reason to be apprehensive of imminent offensive contact when a protestor tosses a bucket of water or a burlap bag or sprays a fire extinguisher in the torch's direction.

False/Positives: The Current State of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports

The West Virginia University College of Law is proud to present its Spring 2008 Forum entitled "False/Positives: The Current State of Performance Enhancing Drugs in Sports." The event will take place Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the WVU Law Center in Morgantown, West Virginia.

As indicated, panelists include:

Jay K. Reisinger, Dreier LLP, Counsel to Andy Pettitte and Sammy Sosa

Larry Silverman, General Counsel, Pittsburgh Pirates

andré douglas pond cummings, Associate Professor of Law, West Virginia University College of Law

All are invited. Attendance is free and open to the general public.

ATLETICO DE MADRID FOLLOW SINAMA PONGOLLE

ATLETICO DE MADRID wish a 3ºforward to accompany Aguero& Forlan for next season, & apart from De Moral or Uche ( bothAlmeria) on their list, RECREATIVO 24 year old striker SINAMAPONGOLLE ( below) is now in the running according to Sp. Daily"AS".Recreativo make reference to the players contract release clause, a figure of 10M€, when asked about the players situation. ValenciaCF & Villareal are

Kansas, You Need to Play Hardball Now

It hasn't even been 24 hours since Kansas won the national championship and Bill Self is already talking about his contract situation -- and one that still has four years remaining on it! In an interview after the game last night, Self told ESPN that he wouldn't rule out listening to an offer from Oklahoma State: "That's my alma mater. I know people down there. But they haven't contacted me." Although Self signed a five-year contract extension last season that increased his annual compensation to more than $1.3 million with a chance to make another $350,000 each year if he meets incentives, Self told ESPN after the game that he needs to talk to KU athletic director Lew Perkins: "I want to visit with my athletic director. To be real honest with you, I love Kansas. I love my job here, and hopefully it will be a situation where I can spend a long time here. I'm certainly not looking to leave, but Lew and I got to visit. I'm sure that'll happen in the next couple days."

Enough is enough! It's time to play hardball, Lew. Tell Self that you're going to hold him to his 5 year commitment he signed last year. Tell him that if he leaves for OSU, a lawsuit will be immediately filed against both Self (for breach) and OSU (for interference with contractual relations) seeking a negative injunction preventing Self from signing with OSU. Having just won a national championship bolsters a claim of irreparable harm to KU necessary for injunctive relief, in other words, that money damages are inadequate and not ascertainable. Self may be feeling like he has a leg up on you because his contract doesn't contain a buyout provision. But ironically, the fact that Self's contract does not have a liquidated damages clause if he terminates would support a claim for injunctive relief. Moreover, courts are most likely not going to be sympathetic to Self who is already handsomely compensated. The timing is right, and KU is ideally situated, for an eager court to throw a wrench into this rapidly moving carousel of college coaches.

Rock chalk, Law Talk: Finality, Accuracy, and Appellate Review

I am against the recent over-emphasis on video evidence in court, for reasons that I and others have discussed. For me, that objection has carried over (for reasons both similar and different) into a general dislike for instant replay in sports.



Well, the difference in last night's NCAA Basketball Championship, besides Memphis' horrid free-throw shooting down the stretch, was the use of instant replay and, in essence, appellate review of a single decision. With about four minutes left in the game, Memphis guard Derrick Rose launched a fade-away jumper from right around the three-point line, with two men in his face, that banked-in and initially was called a three-pointer. But during the next timeout, the officials went to the videotape and determined (correctly, I think, based on my perception of the video) that Rose's left foot was inside the three-point-line when he left the ground (although he released the shot and landed behind the line), making it a two-pointer and taking one point from Memphis. But for that changed call, Memphis would have lead by 4 with ten seconds left and the dramatic 3-pointer by Kansas' Mario (Superintendent) Chalmers that sent the game into overtime would have been meaningless. Memphis Coach John Calipari, while not necessarily disagreeing with the officials' conclusion as to what the video showed, said after the game he would argue that this use of video should be eliminated.

The instant-replay debate implicates the long-standing policy balance among accuracy, finality, the efhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.link.gifficient flow of "the game," and avoidance of piecemeal review that characterizes the law of appealability. At trial, we typically draw that balance in favor of keeping things moving along, making (relatively) few decisions subject to immediate review and deferring heavily to on-the-fly decisions about singular issues, such as evidentiary and discovery ruling. That does mean some legal decisions, even legal errors, escape effective review. Had video review not been available, it would have been cold comfort to KU to announce afterwards that the game should have been one-point closer.

But the loss of accuracy is thought to be outweighed by interests in efficiency and some deference to the competence of trial judges, a view I typically share. Even more so in sports. Instant replay in football--where we have to wait 10 minutes to celebrate a touchdown while the ref stares into a hooded camera--has, I think, badly disrupted the rhythm of the sport. We did not have as blatant an interruption last, but I still would rather let the refs make their decisions and have them stand, any human error simply being part of the game.

And, by the way, I was rooting for Kansas. So pelase consider this principled, rather than results-oriented, jurisprudence.

New SI.com Column on Implications of Tammy Thomas Guilty Verdict for Barry Bonds

I have a new column on SI.com relating to the guilty verdict last Friday in the trial of former U.S. Olympic cyclist Tammy Thomas, who was convicted on perjury charges stemming from the government's investigation into BALCO. I discuss the verdict in the context of the likely trial of Barry Bonds for perjury.

Both Thomas and Bonds allegedly obtained steroids through BALCO, and both, according to the government, lied under oath when denying they used steroids. Whether the evidence against Bonds is as strong as it was against Thomas is another matter, and I take that up in the column.

Hope you have a chance to check it out.

REAL MADRID TO RECOVER DE LA RED

Liverpool FC, Arsenal, Everthon & Aston Villa are all interestedin GETAFE midfielder RUBEN DE LA RED, but its going to beREAL MADRID that will recover the player for next season, according to Sp.daily "AS". The paper claims that coach Schusterhas given the Ok for the club to exercise its buy back option.That buy back opcion will cost the club 4.5M€, after being soldto Getafe this season because

FC BARCELONA INSIST WITH ALVES & EYE BERBATOV

Local daily "Mundo Deportivo" announce that FC BARCELONA has gone back a third time to convience SEVILLA FC to let go ofits star Barzilian player & defender DANI ALVES. The paper claimsthat both clubs may have an agreement after Barça presented a 30M€offer.Earlier Barça attempted to lower the price putting in the dealGiovani Dos Santos, but Sevilla has both wings well covered withNavas &Capel.To

DIEGO FORLAN: HIGHEST URUGUAYIAN GOAL SCORER IN SPANISH FOOTBALL HISTORY

DIEGO FORLAN Uruguayian International & current ATLETICODE MADRID forward has made History in Spanish Football as thehighest Uruguayian goalscorer ever with his 68 goals: & theres moreto come.The "European Golden Boot Winner" ( 2004 - 05 with 25 goals)scored most of his goals in Spain at Villareal were he wasfundamental in taking them to the Top of Spanish & EuropeanFootball. He scored 54 goals

Rock, Chalk, Championship

I'm speaking, of course, of the play on words that Jim Nantz has after the final buzzer sounds. Not a bad effort. He didn't really seem to have a lot to work with, as the Kansas Jayhawks is not something that lends itself very easily to a play on words.

If Memphis had won, he probably would have had it easier because of Derrick Rose. Some things he could have used for Memphis:

- "Memphis is smelling like roses."
- "Kissed by a rose."

All in all, bravo Jim Nance, bravo. You're the one thing we can count on every year.

On a sidenote, does Mario Chalmers have ice water in his veins or what? Wow.

David Katz on Effects of the NFL's CBA on Young Reserves and Veteran Journeymen

David E. Katz, a 3L at Harvard Law School, has posted an excellent article on SSRN on the NFL-NFLPA collective bargaining agreement and how it economically disadvantages young reserves and veteran journeymen. He examines why the league and players' association would pursue such a framework and what it may suggest about their next CBA, which could expire as early as 2010.

Here is an abstract from his piece, "The Veteran Premium Problem and the Effects of the NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement on the League's Reserves," which can be downloaded for free at SSRN.

NFL franchises are extremely profitable and rank as the highest valued teams in all of sports. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) attempts to maximize the league's value and profitability and share the wealth equitably between players and management by creating, among other things, free agency, a salary cap, and mandatory retirement benefits. However, the main CBA provisions along with a tradition of not guaranteeing yearly salary disadvantage young players and veteran reserves. Players are not eligible for true free agency until their fourth year in the league, dead money from signing bonus cap charges attributed to players no longer on the team limits what organizations can spend on reserves, and rising minimum salaries and retirement benefit contributions make many veterans too expensive for teams to sign. Although teams should prefer having experienced players as backups and on special teams, the NFL regulatory structure gives teams the incentive to sign young and inexperienced players to those roles.