Just listened to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell speak to Norm Hitzges of Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket. Everytime I hear him talk I become more sure that the NFL is okay and will be okay. They are in good hands. He is the best commissioner of any pro sports league in the U.S. and possibly the universe.
First, from a personality point of few he talks straight. No double speak like David Stern of the NBA or Bud Selig of MLB. Both talk like politicians. The truth lies somewhere deep in their prose. Now make so mistake Goodell is honest but doesn't always proactively volunteer info. An example is when he constantly responds to questions about a possible work stoppage of the NFL in 2 years. He toes the company line stating things will be worked out. But he seems legitimately sincere in NOT wanting a work stoppage the like that has hit MLB and the NBA.
Roger Goodell wants to improve the game of football. Example: moving to an 18 game season. He admits that the preseason games are a joke. Fans are getting nothing for their money. Teams are not playing their best players for fear of injury to their highly paid stars. Example: changing the schedules for the 2010-2011 season so that there are important division games at the end of the season. No more resting starters before the playoffs.
Roger Goodell, also unlike his peers overseeing the other leagues, doesn't mess around with the misbehavior of his players. He correctly sees that players who overstep the bounds off the field with illegal or immoral behavior risk tarnishing the league. From suspensions of Donte Stallworth (manslaughter) and Ben Rothleisberger (sexual assault) he is not afraid to wield the hammer. He has done a good job of getting owner buy in, despite the millions of dollars spent in bonuses that may be lost by suspensions.
Roger Goodell promotes the league and has marketed it well. His latest move is to move the NFL draft to primetime TV like the NBA. Spread out over 3 nights ratings have been off the charts, even outdoing the NBA playoffs. Having the NFL Network on to constantly push the league is also a great move. There is no more "offseason." Fans can tune in for draft talk and replayed games, analysis, and training camp coverage.
The best thing the NFL owners could do is to sign Roger Goodell to a long term contract. Keep giving him authority to make decisions, even though they may not agree with all of them. The players and their union should realize that Goodell has the best interests of the league at heart and understand that threatening a strike over money in a few seasons would be financial suicide.
Now, if only Roger Goodell could be cloned so that the NBA and MLB could be fixed...
G.I. Joe supports the Grand Prairie Airhogs
Friday, April 23, 2010
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Goodbye Texas Stadium
"It should be awhile before I see Dr. Death so it woujld sure be nice if I could get my rest." (Johhny Cash, Like the 309)
Wonder if this would be what Texas Stadium is saying as it approaches imminent implosion at 7:02 a.m. CST.
An old friend is about to die. Yes, there is a shiny new behemouth just 20 minutes down the road called the New Cowboys Stadium. But this is the original place with a hole in its roof so God could watch its team.
Yes, Tom Landry's statue has been moved but something tells me his spirit is still here, patiently standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, holding his playsheet. He grimaces and slowly shakes his head.
I will miss the stadium because it does represent the golden years of the Cowboys. Their first Super Bowl teams. Landry, Staubach, Dorsett, all played here. Monday Night Football and America's team. I'll miss it for the end zone. When you first enter it is the blue end zone with the Cowboys printed across it that you notice. A sense of pride wells up in you. Yes, most of the league may hate you for being America's team and cheer your downfall since 1996 but this is where Cowboy fans can unite and celebrate the glory of Tom and Jimmy (and you too, Jerry).
I'll miss the long walk from the parking lot. Getting out of your car you behold the huge gleaming collosus. You know as you walk closer and closer that you are seeing something special. Cowboys merchandise tables everywhere, the world famous Cowboys cheerleaders. Cheesy scoreboards and video monitors that you strain your eye to see.
The Ring of Honor has been moved to the new stadium but just seeing the names that curved around one could not help get emotional. Especially the name of Tom Landry and the iconic logo of his hat.
So will a tombstone be placed on its site? Will it behold stats such as "Born January 25, 1969 and died April 11, 2010"? How about "capacity 66,539 or 381 luxury suites (most of any NFL stadium)"?
No, no tombstone. Just a simple plaque should be placed with the words of Tom Landry, "
Football is an incredible game. It's so incredible that it's unbelievable."
Wonder if this would be what Texas Stadium is saying as it approaches imminent implosion at 7:02 a.m. CST.
An old friend is about to die. Yes, there is a shiny new behemouth just 20 minutes down the road called the New Cowboys Stadium. But this is the original place with a hole in its roof so God could watch its team.
Yes, Tom Landry's statue has been moved but something tells me his spirit is still here, patiently standing on the sidelines, arms crossed, holding his playsheet. He grimaces and slowly shakes his head.
I will miss the stadium because it does represent the golden years of the Cowboys. Their first Super Bowl teams. Landry, Staubach, Dorsett, all played here. Monday Night Football and America's team. I'll miss it for the end zone. When you first enter it is the blue end zone with the Cowboys printed across it that you notice. A sense of pride wells up in you. Yes, most of the league may hate you for being America's team and cheer your downfall since 1996 but this is where Cowboy fans can unite and celebrate the glory of Tom and Jimmy (and you too, Jerry).
I'll miss the long walk from the parking lot. Getting out of your car you behold the huge gleaming collosus. You know as you walk closer and closer that you are seeing something special. Cowboys merchandise tables everywhere, the world famous Cowboys cheerleaders. Cheesy scoreboards and video monitors that you strain your eye to see.
The Ring of Honor has been moved to the new stadium but just seeing the names that curved around one could not help get emotional. Especially the name of Tom Landry and the iconic logo of his hat.
So will a tombstone be placed on its site? Will it behold stats such as "Born January 25, 1969 and died April 11, 2010"? How about "capacity 66,539 or 381 luxury suites (most of any NFL stadium)"?
No, no tombstone. Just a simple plaque should be placed with the words of Tom Landry, "
Football is an incredible game. It's so incredible that it's unbelievable."
Monday, April 5, 2010
Why Jerry Jones is the smartest owner
Jerry Jones is the smartest owner in professional sports.
Forbes Magazine ranked the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 worth $1.65 billion, only second to Manchester United of the English Premier League, a soccer team. Not a bad improvement from the $150 million he bought it fore in 1989. Three Super Bowls later he has shown just how smart he is.
He is smart because he is making himself, the NFL, and other owners money. He has helped boost the NFL to the most watched and most profitable sports league in perhaps the world. He has built the most talked about venue in the U.S.
Call it the Death Star, Jerry World, or whatever you may it is a sight to behold. It makes the Astrodome, the 8th Wonder of the World, look like a shed. The recently completed new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX has a price tag of $1.2 billion, of which Arlington fronted $325 million and Jerry the rest. The stadium will host Super Bowl 45 this coming season. It has played host already to college football and basketball games, the Big XII football championship, a boxing match, a rodeo, motocross, concerts, the NBA All Star game, and more.
This venue is putting money in Jerry's pocket and helping him pay off his debt. Odds are he will pay it off in 5 years or less. It's more than a stadium, it is THE place to hold an event. Future events include NCAA Basketball Final Fours, UFC fights, and who knows what--perhaps even a Republican or Democratic convention?
Furthermore, look for other owners in the NFL to build their own multipurpose stadiums. Now they do not have the cash to outdo Jerry but they see the future--stadiums that can host many events. Owners who can earn extra revenue from stadiums to help pay for their players' signing bonuses.
Jerry Jones is not selfish and has in fact has helped others make money. Since joining the league Jerry has helped the NFL evolve from just a sport people watch on Sundays to a business. He has brought innovation via marketing deals and sponsorships. He doesn't need a sponsor name for the stadium. Look inisde--he has sponsors lined up from Ford (cars/trucks), to Wingstoop (official wing), Miller Brewing (beer), and the list goes on. The Cowboys are one of the biggest brand names in the sports world. From jerseys, merchandise, to the crazy training camp scene--it's all Cowboys all the time. The Cowboys' jerseys and merchandise are one of the top sellers in the league. Jerry pushed for the Cowboys to be on the HBO series Hard Knocks, a show about NFL training camp, a staple. Teams WANT to be on it. Exposure means money. Jerry has shown fellow owners how to manage their brands. He has had a hand in the labor agreements between the league and players as well as the television contracts. Ratings for NFL games are at an all time high.
Because Jerry is so smart I find it hard to believe that the NFL and its players will fail to come to an agreement and risk a lockout and a stoppage of play for the 2011-2012 season. He will find a way to make both sides compromise. Make no mistake, he will not let the cash cow of the NFL fall backwards to the depths of the NHL.
Forbes Magazine ranked the Dallas Cowboys in 2009 worth $1.65 billion, only second to Manchester United of the English Premier League, a soccer team. Not a bad improvement from the $150 million he bought it fore in 1989. Three Super Bowls later he has shown just how smart he is.
He is smart because he is making himself, the NFL, and other owners money. He has helped boost the NFL to the most watched and most profitable sports league in perhaps the world. He has built the most talked about venue in the U.S.
Call it the Death Star, Jerry World, or whatever you may it is a sight to behold. It makes the Astrodome, the 8th Wonder of the World, look like a shed. The recently completed new Cowboys stadium in Arlington, TX has a price tag of $1.2 billion, of which Arlington fronted $325 million and Jerry the rest. The stadium will host Super Bowl 45 this coming season. It has played host already to college football and basketball games, the Big XII football championship, a boxing match, a rodeo, motocross, concerts, the NBA All Star game, and more.
This venue is putting money in Jerry's pocket and helping him pay off his debt. Odds are he will pay it off in 5 years or less. It's more than a stadium, it is THE place to hold an event. Future events include NCAA Basketball Final Fours, UFC fights, and who knows what--perhaps even a Republican or Democratic convention?
Furthermore, look for other owners in the NFL to build their own multipurpose stadiums. Now they do not have the cash to outdo Jerry but they see the future--stadiums that can host many events. Owners who can earn extra revenue from stadiums to help pay for their players' signing bonuses.
Jerry Jones is not selfish and has in fact has helped others make money. Since joining the league Jerry has helped the NFL evolve from just a sport people watch on Sundays to a business. He has brought innovation via marketing deals and sponsorships. He doesn't need a sponsor name for the stadium. Look inisde--he has sponsors lined up from Ford (cars/trucks), to Wingstoop (official wing), Miller Brewing (beer), and the list goes on. The Cowboys are one of the biggest brand names in the sports world. From jerseys, merchandise, to the crazy training camp scene--it's all Cowboys all the time. The Cowboys' jerseys and merchandise are one of the top sellers in the league. Jerry pushed for the Cowboys to be on the HBO series Hard Knocks, a show about NFL training camp, a staple. Teams WANT to be on it. Exposure means money. Jerry has shown fellow owners how to manage their brands. He has had a hand in the labor agreements between the league and players as well as the television contracts. Ratings for NFL games are at an all time high.
Because Jerry is so smart I find it hard to believe that the NFL and its players will fail to come to an agreement and risk a lockout and a stoppage of play for the 2011-2012 season. He will find a way to make both sides compromise. Make no mistake, he will not let the cash cow of the NFL fall backwards to the depths of the NHL.
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