((HT: AJC/Swartz))
Or he risks losing his stake in Atlanta Spirit, LLC... according to Kristi Swartz's piece in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Montgomery County ((MD)) Circuit Court documents reveal that of the US$25.8-million that represents his 30-percent share, he's lacking in that amount to satisfy cash calls and/or capital calls since the court case started back in 2005.
Gee... something else to argue over...
To fill space, the HQ figures it should show you one of the best theme songs dealing with the Atlanta Hawks from 1987- one of the properties Atlanta Spirit would grab fifteen years later...
"The Atlanta Air Force" from Tom Grose and The Varsity...
((HT: Youtube/hotlantahawks))
Harry The Hawk never ages, you realize that...???
Friday, February 19, 2010
Tiger Woods Presser...the other side of things...
We came across this on our Twitter feed and felt like that we should share it with everyone else. It is from one of our College Football Faves, the LSU Freek and though admittedly not "Fall off the Chair funny", it is amusing and our friend "The Freek" is one seriously talented dude.
We give you Tiger's presser...Courtesy: LSU Freek and The You Tube:
Tiger Woods...the Apology Tour
Ok. So now he is on the record. Tiger Woods basically spoke to the entire world this morning apologizing...repeatedly for what he has done.
The apology, broadcast from PGA Tour HQ in Sawgrass was given in front of a handful of friends, tour officials and sponsors. There was also a camera in the room so it could be broadcast...and broadcast it was by all the over-the air networks and most of the cable networks.
((Tiger speaks his peace//Courtesy: NY Daily News/CNN Screen grab))
Itself, the premise was almost surreal. Here was the one time most popular athlete in the world on a platform trying...in a carefully scripted way to take the 1st step towards regaining his life. Yes, there are going to be a lot of cynics...and tabloid reporters who will say the whole thing was a dog and pony show and a load of crap. They are saying that because they want to be the one to get the "One-on One" interview. Sorry people. It ain't happening. As a professional journalist, sure, it makes me cringe that no reporters were present in the room and no questions were taken. But I can see his side as well. He doesn't need the journalists to get his story out.
There were several key statements in the speech that would lead one to believe that the man realizes the effects of what he's done. We will highlight what we feel are the interesting parts:
-"I know I have bitterly disappointed all of you. I have made you question who I am and how I could have done the things I did. I am embarrassed that I have put you in this position."
-"For all that I have done, I am so sorry."
-"The issue involved here was my repeated irresponsible behavior. I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. What I did is not acceptable, and I am the only person to blame."
-"I knew my actions were wrong, but I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I never thought about who I was hurting. Instead, I thought only about myself. I ran straight through the boundaries that a married couple should live by. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to. I felt that I had worked hard my entire life and deserved to enjoy all the temptations around me. I felt I was entitled. Thanks to money and fame, I didn't have to go far to find them."
-"I was wrong. I was foolish. I don't get to play by different rules. The same boundaries that apply to everyone apply to me. I brought this shame on myself. I hurt my wife, my kids, my mother, my wife's family, my friends, my foundation, and kids all around the world who admired me."
-"It's hard to admit that I need help, but I do. For 45 days from the end of December to early February, I was in inpatient therapy receiving guidance for the issues I'm facing. I have a long way to go. But I've taken my first steps in the right direction. "
-"I recognize I have brought this on myself, and I know above all I am the one who needs to change. I owe it to my family to become a better person. I owe it to those closest to me to become a better man. That's where my focus will be. "
-"Finally, there are many people in this room, and there are many people at home who believed in me. Today I want to ask for your help. I ask you to find room in your heart to one day believe in me again."
We here at OSG World HQ...well actually the Satellite office feel as though this was a good start. We feel that he said what needed to be said. Would a room full of journalists have jumped at the chance to start asking him questions...sure they would. Did they need to? No, to be really honest, they didn't. When push comes to shove, this is a personal issue. This is not something that needs to be combed through with a fine tooth comb publicly. This should suffice.
Will it be enough to stop the onslaught of tabloid stories? No. Will it stop the endless stream of jokes about it? No. Should it be left alone. Yes. But we know that we live in a society where we feel like we have to know every dirty little secret of the people we admire. Is it our right to know it? Debatable. It really shouldn't matter what they do on their own time. As long as when they are on our time, they do what they are paid to do.
Here is the entire statement...Courtesy CBS News:
MyFoxDallas had an interesting sidebar to the whole 13-and-a-half minutes...
A joint called HCD Research was surveying close to 1,100 Americans as Tiger Woods was delivering his apology to determine his "sincerity." Here are their results from their survey during key sections of the Tiger Woods World Feed...
((HT: MyFoxDFW.com))
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Mark Becker Trial Day 6: Defense Continues
((HT: KWWL-TV))
As Mark Becker's ((pictured, thanks KWWL-TV)) attorneys continue to build his insanity defense in the murder of Ed Thomas, the defense played an video interview with Becker, recorded just hours after Thomas was shot.
Becker sits alone in the sheriff's office for more than 30 minutes, occasionally shouting about the Devil and Lucifer.
"Get back Ed. It's done, you're done. You're simply done...Ed Thomas, you are done. You are never coming back," Becker shouted in the video.
He also shouts about "being on the white side, not the dark side."
In an interview with the Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigations ((DCI)), Becker claims he did a "great and selfless thing," also saying it was an act of God. Becker told investigators that the only way for the children to be free was for Thomas to be gone.
Becker also told DCI agents he had felt dead nearly his entire life until that point, saying he felt awakened from the grave. He also told the agents he did not plan to hurt anyone else that day, and that he went into the weight room to make sure students were out of the way before he brought in the gun to killed Thomas.
In the video shown in court, Becker said, "It crossed my mind to take his family when I was drinking coffee. But, I decided against it right away. It must have been him in there. His force is that big. It felt so right and so true. I have no guilt or shame."
Becker told agents he never intended to run after the shooting, saying he knew he was caught. When agents asked him what should be done if he was charged with the crime, Becker finally said he just wanted to be accepted onto the "white team"- alluding to his desire to be on the "white side, not the dark side."
The trial resumes Friday morning at 9AM local time.
Jamie Grey gets to contend with emergency vehicles outside court today...
Thrashers To Winnipeg: Thursday Update
((HT: Toronto Sun/Wiebe-QMI))
A couple of quick quotes from Bill Daly, the Number Two at the NHL...
“There has been absolutely zero discussion at the league level of Thrashers to Winnipeg,” Daly told The Sun in an e-mail Wednesday night.
“There is no truth whatsoever to these rumours.”
And the whole idea of the Bettman visiting MTS Centre...?
"Gary (Bettman) did not visit Winnipeg earlier this week — or even earlier this year for that matter,” Daly said Wednesday.
Of course, that's what the league is going to say...
Scott Taylor was on the "Illegal Curve" radio program last night on Kick FM in Winnipeg to discuss what he knows and what he thinks may go down...
Taylor is under the impression that "Bettman has had it" with Atlanta Spirit as the owners of the Thrash- just as much as he's had it with the old Tampa duo of Oren Koules and Len Barrie. This is corroborated by the Bettman interview with Jeff Schultz of the AJC from February 7:
“Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out,” Bettman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren’t getting along. It’s even more difficult in a recession climate. A team has to be at its very best. Issues have to be resolved and everybody has to be together so they can interact with fans. But that’s difficult when the owners aren’t together.”
Taylor thinks that if Thomson-Chipman/True North were to purchase any franchise, Thomson would also want to purchase the arena. If Spirit were to decline that idea, then Thomson would want to move the Thrashers. Winnipeg would be one of the first places he would look to relocate. His top three places for franchises are Western Ontario, Winnipeg, and Quebec City.
The main issue in Winnipeg is the corporate dollars and support. According to Taylor, Winnipeg businesses ((nationally based or otherwise)) are currently spending 2008 dollars in a 2010 environment. True North would not operate under the idea, according to Taylor, of operating a bottom line linked to a revenue sharing share. In a town of over 700-thousand, the franchise would need to be economically sound in what Taylor called a "boutique arena" in the MTS Centre ((pictured, thanks to the MTS Centre their ownselves)).
The HQ still thinks that True North is playing their cards right by denying everything and saying nothing where the possible relocation of the Thrashers is concerned. Jim Balsillie wanted a public forum where his interest in the Phoenix Coyotes was concerned. You see what that got him...
Bettman desperately wants Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Florida, and Columbus to work- it was his gambit to expand in that direction. The Preds and the New York Islanders are already floundering- Wang having lost over US$400M since he's bought in. The HQ still thinks that if Charles Wang doesn't get his Lighthouse Project approved, he's heading to Kansas City. And Bettman still believes that Canadian teams won't draw in US markets. The more Canadian teams his league has, the less attendance he feels will be involved overall.
The economy of all the aforementioned franchises, however, will eventually mean traditionally-served hockey markets will get the franchises anyway.
The HQ still thinks one of three things will happen- but not as immediately as everyone may think...
1) True North purchases the Thrashers under the impression that they would "give hockey a chance" in Atlanta. When attendance figures do not meet "expectation levels" set forth by the National Hockey League and True North, the team moves for the subsequent season- whichever one that is...
2) The Thrash will be bought and relocated for the 2010-2011 season and move to Winnipeg and the MTS Centre. The announcement will have to be made in a Thrashers off-season and before the schedule makers have their chance to create the '10-'11 work of art. Nashville and Atlanta would then switch positions in conferences- the Predators making the Southeast division a "truly" southeastern division. Winnipeg joins the Central Division with Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, and St. Louis.
3) The Thrash are sold to True North and renovations will be performed on the MTS Centre to add seating to the current 15,000 capacity. Atlanta will have a lame-duck season at their arena. Winnipeg gets a franchise for the 2011-2012 season.
Got all that...???
Figured what we'd do is show you what the current tenants look like...
Here's recent highlights of a full-line brawl between the Manitoba Moose and the Toronto Marlies from, about, a week ago...
((HT: American Hockey League))
A couple of quick quotes from Bill Daly, the Number Two at the NHL...
“There has been absolutely zero discussion at the league level of Thrashers to Winnipeg,” Daly told The Sun in an e-mail Wednesday night.
“There is no truth whatsoever to these rumours.”
And the whole idea of the Bettman visiting MTS Centre...?
"Gary (Bettman) did not visit Winnipeg earlier this week — or even earlier this year for that matter,” Daly said Wednesday.
Of course, that's what the league is going to say...
Scott Taylor was on the "Illegal Curve" radio program last night on Kick FM in Winnipeg to discuss what he knows and what he thinks may go down...
Taylor is under the impression that "Bettman has had it" with Atlanta Spirit as the owners of the Thrash- just as much as he's had it with the old Tampa duo of Oren Koules and Len Barrie. This is corroborated by the Bettman interview with Jeff Schultz of the AJC from February 7:
“Ultimately, the ownership situation has to be straightened out,” Bettman told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s difficult to operate a franchise when owners aren’t getting along. It’s even more difficult in a recession climate. A team has to be at its very best. Issues have to be resolved and everybody has to be together so they can interact with fans. But that’s difficult when the owners aren’t together.”
Taylor thinks that if Thomson-Chipman/True North were to purchase any franchise, Thomson would also want to purchase the arena. If Spirit were to decline that idea, then Thomson would want to move the Thrashers. Winnipeg would be one of the first places he would look to relocate. His top three places for franchises are Western Ontario, Winnipeg, and Quebec City.
The main issue in Winnipeg is the corporate dollars and support. According to Taylor, Winnipeg businesses ((nationally based or otherwise)) are currently spending 2008 dollars in a 2010 environment. True North would not operate under the idea, according to Taylor, of operating a bottom line linked to a revenue sharing share. In a town of over 700-thousand, the franchise would need to be economically sound in what Taylor called a "boutique arena" in the MTS Centre ((pictured, thanks to the MTS Centre their ownselves)).
The HQ still thinks that True North is playing their cards right by denying everything and saying nothing where the possible relocation of the Thrashers is concerned. Jim Balsillie wanted a public forum where his interest in the Phoenix Coyotes was concerned. You see what that got him...
Bettman desperately wants Nashville, Atlanta, Tampa Bay, Phoenix, Florida, and Columbus to work- it was his gambit to expand in that direction. The Preds and the New York Islanders are already floundering- Wang having lost over US$400M since he's bought in. The HQ still thinks that if Charles Wang doesn't get his Lighthouse Project approved, he's heading to Kansas City. And Bettman still believes that Canadian teams won't draw in US markets. The more Canadian teams his league has, the less attendance he feels will be involved overall.
The economy of all the aforementioned franchises, however, will eventually mean traditionally-served hockey markets will get the franchises anyway.
The HQ still thinks one of three things will happen- but not as immediately as everyone may think...
1) True North purchases the Thrashers under the impression that they would "give hockey a chance" in Atlanta. When attendance figures do not meet "expectation levels" set forth by the National Hockey League and True North, the team moves for the subsequent season- whichever one that is...
2) The Thrash will be bought and relocated for the 2010-2011 season and move to Winnipeg and the MTS Centre. The announcement will have to be made in a Thrashers off-season and before the schedule makers have their chance to create the '10-'11 work of art. Nashville and Atlanta would then switch positions in conferences- the Predators making the Southeast division a "truly" southeastern division. Winnipeg joins the Central Division with Chicago, Detroit, Columbus, and St. Louis.
3) The Thrash are sold to True North and renovations will be performed on the MTS Centre to add seating to the current 15,000 capacity. Atlanta will have a lame-duck season at their arena. Winnipeg gets a franchise for the 2011-2012 season.
Got all that...???
Figured what we'd do is show you what the current tenants look like...
Here's recent highlights of a full-line brawl between the Manitoba Moose and the Toronto Marlies from, about, a week ago...
((HT: American Hockey League))
Does this Tiger Woods story strike you as odd?
There has been an interesting story making the rounds of the Sports/News world today having to do with the presses favorite target right now, one Tiger Woods. Woods, who announced (well, his PR people announced) that he will be making a "Statement" to a room of invited guests and friends and begrudgingly a couple of odd members of the media...who can't ask questions, will be be addressing the handpicked audience at PGA Tour HQ at the TPC Sawgrass (in Jacksonville).
((Interesting file photo//Courtesy: CBSNews.com/AP Photo/Chris Carlson))
Two things are happening with this story right now. One, apparently a Country/Western Radio station in Asheville, North Carolina is claiming that they have a "Leaked Text of his prepared statement". Two, the Sports World is not happy with the terms and accomodations...or lack therof that are being made for the "Event".
Here is the "Statement" story from CBS News RIGHT HERE
The folks at NBC also elaborate on the "Statement" RIGHT HERE
We think that this part of the story is just plain "MORONIC". Does anyone....and I MEAN anyone really think that Tiger Woods or any of his PR people or anyone associated with him would actually "Leak" this to a dinky little radio station in Asheville, North Carolina? No...I didn't think so. Though apparently, it struck enough of a nerve that the "Tiger Woods Foundation" felt compelled to deny the story.
The other part of the story is this. The Golf Writers and Sports Journalists...and probably some News people too, are not very happy over the "Event". They are not happy that (a) the journalists in the room are "handpicked". (b) That there will be no questions allowed...at all. There was actually some discussion from the Golf Writers Association of America who got to "pick" a participant of boycotting the whole thing.
The "Official" statement/invite from TigerWoods.com RIGHT HERE
Tiger Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, has invited three reporters from wire services -- The Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg -- and he asked the Golf Writers Association of America for three reporters.
President Vartan Kupelian, who is retired from The Detroit News and now contributes to pgatour.com, asked the group's officers to go. That means Kupelian is going, along with second vice president Bob Harig of espn.com. Kupelian said first vice president, Mark Soltau, declined. Along with working for Golf Digest, Soltau is the editor of tigerwoods.com.
Kupelian said he still does not have a third GWAA member, and he is lobbying Woods' camp for a larger pool. A large faction of the GWAA board wants to boycott the appearance because of Steinberg's rules -- no questions are allowed.
"This is not a press conference," Steinberg said Wednesday.
To that issue, we say...duh! Did you really think that Tiger or his people would allow a press free-for all? Did any of you really....really think that he would just step up to the podium and open the floor to questions? Seriously...it would be the most absurd, crazy, over dramatically over publicized event in the history of TV. Would you...or anyone else you know want to be subjected to the questions that would come not from the News or Sports people...but rather the Tabloid Clowns?
Tiger Woods' agent, Mark Steinberg, has invited three reporters from wire services -- The Associated Press, Reuters and Bloomberg -- and he asked the Golf Writers Association of America for three reporters.
President Vartan Kupelian, who is retired from The Detroit News and now contributes to pgatour.com, asked the group's officers to go. That means Kupelian is going, along with second vice president Bob Harig of espn.com. Kupelian said first vice president, Mark Soltau, declined. Along with working for Golf Digest, Soltau is the editor of tigerwoods.com.
Kupelian said he still does not have a third GWAA member, and he is lobbying Woods' camp for a larger pool. A large faction of the GWAA board wants to boycott the appearance because of Steinberg's rules -- no questions are allowed.
"This is not a press conference," Steinberg said Wednesday.
To that issue, we say...duh! Did you really think that Tiger or his people would allow a press free-for all? Did any of you really....really think that he would just step up to the podium and open the floor to questions? Seriously...it would be the most absurd, crazy, over dramatically over publicized event in the history of TV. Would you...or anyone else you know want to be subjected to the questions that would come not from the News or Sports people...but rather the Tabloid Clowns?
Would you want to be trapped in a room having to answer to the people who have taken the story way...way over the top? Groups like..Access Hollywood, Extra, TMZ and the Enquirer, yes they were a bit ahead when this story developed, but they keep pounding away...every 2 weeks...another alleged mistress pops up. Do we actually believe all of these people?
While yes, he needs a "Serious" image makeover, apparently Woods nor his PR folks think that is necessary. They seem to feel that this will be enough. There is also speculation that he will resume playing on the PGA Tour sometime very soon, in preparation for one of his favorite tournaments, the Masters, which begins in April.
In the meantime...enjoy the Charlie Brown Valentine with Tiger Woods....from the Jimmy Kimmel Show. Thanks You Tube:
McGrady Headed To Gotham
The New York Knicks have acquired Tracy McGrady and his massive expiring contract in a three-way dance with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings.
The Knicks will also get Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, though the hook of the deal was McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract.
The Rockets will get guard Kevin Martin and forward Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento and forward Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries and draft considerations in 2011 and 2012 from New York.
They're also relieved to have finally found a taker for McGrady, the troublesome seven-time All-Star they've been trying to shop for almost two months.
The Kings will also get New York guard Larry Hughes and Houston forwards Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. The draft considerations Houston gets will have the right to swap first-round picks with the Knicks in 2011 as well as take on New York's 2012 first-round pick.
Got all that...???
Here are the numbers:
New York Knicks
Rodriguez: $1.5M- expiring/McGrady: $22.8M- expiring...
Total dollars exchanged: $24.3M, currently $30M under the salary cap
Houston Rockets
Martin: $9.6M- 4 years remaining/Armstrong: $2.8M- expiring/Hill: $2.4M- two years remaining/Jeffries: $6.4M- two years remaining
Total dollars exchanged: $21.2M, currently $26M under the salary cap
Sacramento Kings
Hughes: $13.6M- expiring/Landry:$3M- expiring /Dorsey:$881K- three years remaining
Total dollars exchanged: $17.481M, currently $1.4M over the cap...
The Knicks will also get Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, though the hook of the deal was McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract.
The Rockets will get guard Kevin Martin and forward Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento and forward Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries and draft considerations in 2011 and 2012 from New York.
They're also relieved to have finally found a taker for McGrady, the troublesome seven-time All-Star they've been trying to shop for almost two months.
The Kings will also get New York guard Larry Hughes and Houston forwards Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. The draft considerations Houston gets will have the right to swap first-round picks with the Knicks in 2011 as well as take on New York's 2012 first-round pick.
Got all that...???
Here are the numbers:
New York Knicks
Rodriguez: $1.5M- expiring/McGrady: $22.8M- expiring...
Total dollars exchanged: $24.3M, currently $30M under the salary cap
Houston Rockets
Martin: $9.6M- 4 years remaining/Armstrong: $2.8M- expiring/Hill: $2.4M- two years remaining/Jeffries: $6.4M- two years remaining
Total dollars exchanged: $21.2M, currently $26M under the salary cap
Sacramento Kings
Hughes: $13.6M- expiring/Landry:$3M- expiring /Dorsey:$881K- three years remaining
Total dollars exchanged: $17.481M, currently $1.4M over the cap...
Tiger Is Out And About
Tiger Woods has emerged from his exile. Here he is taking a run with what most of us at the OSG compound believe is his personal trainer.Friday Tiger will make his first public appearance in front of his "selected" freinds and loved ones.
H.S. Football Star killed before he could play in College
A very sad story to report from Powder Springs, Georgia (just outside Atlanta). Rajaan Bennett a senior who was the captain of the McEachern High School football team was killed in an apparent murder suicide inside his family's home.
Bennett, who ran for 1857 yards and 28 touchdowns last season had signed to play football at Vanderbilt University this coming fall.
The story from ajc.com is RIGHT HERE
((Rajaan Bennett in action//Courtesy: Johnny Crawford/AJC.com))
The incident happened overnight when a man who was ID'd as Clifton O'Neal Steager was entered the house and apparently killed Bennett and himself and also injured another man in the house. That other individual was identified as Bennett's uncle, Taiwan Hunter. He was in serious condition Thursday afternoon.
Here is the story from Tacoma Perry of Fox 5 (WAGA-TV) in Atlanta:
Team coverage continues with FOSG Ken Rodriguez...
"Rajaan was an extraordinary young man and an ideal fit for Vanderbilt University," Vanderbilt football coach Bobby Johnson said in a statement. "Initially, our thoughts and prayers are with his mother Narjaketha and family members. I know he meant so much to them."
Absolutely senseless...
Mark Becker Trial Day 5: The Defense Begins
((HT: KWWL-TV))
The defense's first day started by calling Joan Becker, Mark Becker's mother, as their first witness.
Joan Becker described her son's recent past, saying he had "become more inward, more depressed... It just kept going deeper and deeper."
She also said Mark ((pictured, in court, thanks KWWL-TV)) changed in September 2008, saying her son believed he was being turned into the family's dog.
Joan Becker says her son was committed to a hospital several times beginning in 2008. She says he would be given prescriptions when he was discharged, but did not always get them filled.
She would then describe what she called in her testimony "episodes" that Mark would have where he would become violent, and sometimes not even recognize his family. She said during Mark's first episode, he ripped down a poster of Ed Thomas and four former Aplington-Parkersburg High School ((IA)) players currently in the NFL hanging in his room.
The night before Thomas was killed, Becker called his parents, asking to stay at their home. The day of the murder, Mark woke his father up around 4:30 a.m. and wanted to have coffee.
"He seemed very happy, very at peace," Joan Becker said. She said there was no indication Mark was having an episode on the morning of the murder.
KWWL's Jamie Grey got to tape her report today...
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Thrashers To Winnipeg...? The Manitoba Denials...
((HT: Winnipeg Free Press))
"It's no different than last week's rumour and there's nothing to it," True North spokesman Scott Brown said Tuesday. "Of course we deny it; it's completely false."
What about the presser after the five-ringed circus...?
"It's no different than last week's rumour and there's nothing to it," Brown said.
The switching of the franchises in the AHL and WHL in Winnipeg and Saskatoon...?
Jack Brodsky, owner of the Saskatoon Blades, says no one has contacted him yet:
"I got a chuckle out of it," he said.
"Something like that would certainly come across my desk." WHL commissioner Ron Robison said. "No way. There are no thoughts of moving them," he said. "Saskatoon is an original member in our league and an institution in that community. That's where they'll remain. I'm not sure where that story came from."
The expansion of the arena and the visit by engineers...?
"I've heard that one, too," said Brown. "There's no truth to it."
The sale of National Leasing by Chipman...? Strategic to access actual cash since the loan industry is hurting...
So, there you go...
Take it for what it's worth...
More tomorrow...
"It's no different than last week's rumour and there's nothing to it," True North spokesman Scott Brown said Tuesday. "Of course we deny it; it's completely false."
What about the presser after the five-ringed circus...?
"It's no different than last week's rumour and there's nothing to it," Brown said.
The switching of the franchises in the AHL and WHL in Winnipeg and Saskatoon...?
Jack Brodsky, owner of the Saskatoon Blades, says no one has contacted him yet:
"I got a chuckle out of it," he said.
"Something like that would certainly come across my desk." WHL commissioner Ron Robison said. "No way. There are no thoughts of moving them," he said. "Saskatoon is an original member in our league and an institution in that community. That's where they'll remain. I'm not sure where that story came from."
The expansion of the arena and the visit by engineers...?
"I've heard that one, too," said Brown. "There's no truth to it."
The sale of National Leasing by Chipman...? Strategic to access actual cash since the loan industry is hurting...
So, there you go...
Take it for what it's worth...
More tomorrow...
Thrashers To Winnipeg: Round Two- Screw The Smoke...
There are two notations in The Scott Taylor blog from CITI 92.9 KICK FM in Winnipeg... the first from yesterday's entry
So are the Atlanta Thrashers about to wind up in Winnipeg? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that the Thrashers ownership must get it together or else. The “or else” we aren’t sure of, but we do know this: According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Thrashers are 28th in the NHL in attendance, averaging 4,000 fans fewer per game in the 10th year of their existence (13,204, according to inflated announced figures) than in the first (17,205). The rumours get louder and it could be that the Thrashers are about to get a new owner: Mark Chipman’s partner David Thomson. Again: Believe whatever it is you want to believe...
2/12/10-Taylor
Wealthy David Thomson of Toronto, the man who most of the shares of the MTS Centre and True North Sports and Entertainment in Winnipeg, has purchased the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League and will move them to Winnipeg for the 2010-11 season. The Moose will move to Saskatoon. The announcement will be made right after the Olympics. Believe whatever it is you want to believe.
Taylor is addressing it on his show tonight 8PM EST here...
The Rod Pedersen Blog from Friday:
Pedersen is the play-by-play voice of the Regina Pats...
More fuel to the NHL-to-Winnipeg fire:
I wouldn't tamper with a city's emotions. Well, maybe Swift Current, but definitely not Winnipeg.
In Monday's column I whispered the rumour that the NHL WILL be returning to Winnipeg in time for the 2010-2011 season. Since Monday, I've received several more tips about the topic.
THIS IS JUST WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, but representatives of the Atlanta Thrashers were in the MTS Centre recently getting a tour with Manitoba Moose owner Mark Chipman. Apparently they're looking at the possibility of adding 3,000 seats to make the capacity around 18,000?
The arrival of an NHL team would assuredly squeeze the AHL's Moose out, and we repeated that they could be looking at Saskatoon or Regina. The rumour mill went one step further saying the Moose are looking at Saskatoon, and that Blades owner Jack Brodsky could flip his team to the Manitoba Capital.
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER! This is just what I'm hearing.
It gets more interesting:
The people who run the MTS Centre would like 80+ hockey dates per year in the arena and an NHL/WHL combo would provide that nicely (a la Flames/Hitmen, Oilers/Oil Kings).
It would be ideal for the 'Dub ... you could make a Manitoba swing and play Winnipeg Thursday and Brandon Friday and head back home.
Also part of the tip I got was that Chipman is building a training complex with practice ice in an affluent area of Winnipeg. Downtown would be ideally suited, but if the practice rink is in the community where all the players from the NHL team live, all the better.
So no Winnipeg, I'm not blowing smoke. I'm just passing along some interesting info I received this week.
OSG Sports has learned that True North Sports and Entertainment's Mark Chipman sold his leasing company on February 1- National Leasing Group- for C$130M. That should be enough to float most of the purchase price of the Thrash in straight cash, but it does take up to 90 days for any sale of a publicly held company to clear a trade commission... which would lend itself to a May announcement- long after a regular season concludes, and presumably, when attention is elsewhere.
The total "value" of the Thrashers franchise is listed at US$143-million according to a Forbes annual report in 2009.
The Atlanta Spirit Group has a seven-year non-relocation clause as part of its deal with the sports leagues the franchises are tied to... that would expire in September of 2010 if the purchase date of the elements from Time Warner is held as September 21, 2003.
With the back-room questioning of Philips wanting to either remove themselves or renegotiate their deal with Spirit on the naming-rights of the arena, that could be the last element needed in Atlanta for removal and relocation...
When Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution caught up with Thrashers GM Don Waddell in late January, Waddell "acknowledged that the Thrashers will be among only a few teams penalized in the NHL’s revenue-sharing program: 10 to 25 percent. Last year’s normal share was $17million. The loss would be $1.7 million to $4.25 million for a franchise already counting pennies.
"He also acknowledged that Philips has sought to get out of its naming-rights deal at the arena and sell it to a third party. He dismissed any notion that ownership would accept a reduction in the deal with Philips."
So, you have a financial loss ((or shortfall)) on several fronts through either the fault of Atlanta Spirit or a wonky economy, and you have a lot of arrows pointing in one direction.
All that's needed now is for someone to go on the record for this...
So are the Atlanta Thrashers about to wind up in Winnipeg? NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman says that the Thrashers ownership must get it together or else. The “or else” we aren’t sure of, but we do know this: According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Thrashers are 28th in the NHL in attendance, averaging 4,000 fans fewer per game in the 10th year of their existence (13,204, according to inflated announced figures) than in the first (17,205). The rumours get louder and it could be that the Thrashers are about to get a new owner: Mark Chipman’s partner David Thomson. Again: Believe whatever it is you want to believe...
2/12/10-Taylor
Wealthy David Thomson of Toronto, the man who most of the shares of the MTS Centre and True North Sports and Entertainment in Winnipeg, has purchased the Atlanta Thrashers of the National Hockey League and will move them to Winnipeg for the 2010-11 season. The Moose will move to Saskatoon. The announcement will be made right after the Olympics. Believe whatever it is you want to believe.
Taylor is addressing it on his show tonight 8PM EST here...
The Rod Pedersen Blog from Friday:
Pedersen is the play-by-play voice of the Regina Pats...
More fuel to the NHL-to-Winnipeg fire:
I wouldn't tamper with a city's emotions. Well, maybe Swift Current, but definitely not Winnipeg.
In Monday's column I whispered the rumour that the NHL WILL be returning to Winnipeg in time for the 2010-2011 season. Since Monday, I've received several more tips about the topic.
THIS IS JUST WHAT I'VE BEEN TOLD, but representatives of the Atlanta Thrashers were in the MTS Centre recently getting a tour with Manitoba Moose owner Mark Chipman. Apparently they're looking at the possibility of adding 3,000 seats to make the capacity around 18,000?
The arrival of an NHL team would assuredly squeeze the AHL's Moose out, and we repeated that they could be looking at Saskatoon or Regina. The rumour mill went one step further saying the Moose are looking at Saskatoon, and that Blades owner Jack Brodsky could flip his team to the Manitoba Capital.
DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER! This is just what I'm hearing.
It gets more interesting:
The people who run the MTS Centre would like 80+ hockey dates per year in the arena and an NHL/WHL combo would provide that nicely (a la Flames/Hitmen, Oilers/Oil Kings).
It would be ideal for the 'Dub ... you could make a Manitoba swing and play Winnipeg Thursday and Brandon Friday and head back home.
Also part of the tip I got was that Chipman is building a training complex with practice ice in an affluent area of Winnipeg. Downtown would be ideally suited, but if the practice rink is in the community where all the players from the NHL team live, all the better.
So no Winnipeg, I'm not blowing smoke. I'm just passing along some interesting info I received this week.
OSG Sports has learned that True North Sports and Entertainment's Mark Chipman sold his leasing company on February 1- National Leasing Group- for C$130M. That should be enough to float most of the purchase price of the Thrash in straight cash, but it does take up to 90 days for any sale of a publicly held company to clear a trade commission... which would lend itself to a May announcement- long after a regular season concludes, and presumably, when attention is elsewhere.
The total "value" of the Thrashers franchise is listed at US$143-million according to a Forbes annual report in 2009.
The Atlanta Spirit Group has a seven-year non-relocation clause as part of its deal with the sports leagues the franchises are tied to... that would expire in September of 2010 if the purchase date of the elements from Time Warner is held as September 21, 2003.
With the back-room questioning of Philips wanting to either remove themselves or renegotiate their deal with Spirit on the naming-rights of the arena, that could be the last element needed in Atlanta for removal and relocation...
When Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution caught up with Thrashers GM Don Waddell in late January, Waddell "acknowledged that the Thrashers will be among only a few teams penalized in the NHL’s revenue-sharing program: 10 to 25 percent. Last year’s normal share was $17million. The loss would be $1.7 million to $4.25 million for a franchise already counting pennies.
"He also acknowledged that Philips has sought to get out of its naming-rights deal at the arena and sell it to a third party. He dismissed any notion that ownership would accept a reduction in the deal with Philips."
So, you have a financial loss ((or shortfall)) on several fronts through either the fault of Atlanta Spirit or a wonky economy, and you have a lot of arrows pointing in one direction.
All that's needed now is for someone to go on the record for this...
BREAKING NEWS: Tiger Speaks On Friday
According to Tiger Woods' agent, the golfer is set to speak on Friday for first time since the entire journalistic ((and otherwise)) world found out about how heroically his wife, Elin, saved him from his car when it hit a tree in their Isleworth community last year.Mark Steinberg, and his spokesman, Glenn Greenspan, in a statement obtained by Bloomberg News sayeth quote: "Tiger Woods will be speaking to a small group of friends, colleagues and close associates at [11 a.m. ET Friday] at the TPC Sawgrass Clubhouse in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Tiger plans to discuss his past and his future and he plans to apologize for his behavior."
Steinberg added that three wire services would be invited and is also asking the Golf Writers Association of America to pick a small group of reporters to serve as a pool.
Tiger Woods' presser will occur during the Accenture Match Play Championship. Accenture was the first sponsor to drop Tiger Woods when the sex scandal was raging and his press conference will sure direct attention away from the event.
Steinberg told the Associated Press, "It was a matter of timing,"
When asked if the press conference could wait until after the Accenture tournament he replied "No".
Those of us in the OSG compound think Tiger must have a golf weekend planned.
More when we know more...
Photo Courtesy: SI.com
Georgian Luger's Body Returns Home
((HT: Reuters))
The body of the luger killed during a practice run at the Vancouver Olympics is back in his family home in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
Relatives were at an airport before dawn to meet the flag-draped coffin of Nodar Kumaritashvili.
According to wire reports, his mother threw herself on his coffin and cried: "Why have I survived you?" She became so upset she had to be held up by the arms of relatives, and an ambulance was called to help her.
The casket was taken to the family home, on a street that local authorities have renamed in the athlete's honor. Nikolas Rurua, Georgian minister of sport, has also said in Vancouver press conferences that a luge track will be named for the athlete as well.
Among the mourners during the procession was Levan Gureshidze. He grew up and trained with Kumaritashvili, but withdrew from the Olympics after Nodar's death. Gureshidze said he could not compete after the accident.
The 21-year-old will be buried Saturday at a churchyard in the village of about 1,500.
Reuters Paul Chapman has details from Kumaritashvili's home town of Bakuriani...
The body of the luger killed during a practice run at the Vancouver Olympics is back in his family home in the former Soviet republic of Georgia.
Relatives were at an airport before dawn to meet the flag-draped coffin of Nodar Kumaritashvili.
According to wire reports, his mother threw herself on his coffin and cried: "Why have I survived you?" She became so upset she had to be held up by the arms of relatives, and an ambulance was called to help her.
The casket was taken to the family home, on a street that local authorities have renamed in the athlete's honor. Nikolas Rurua, Georgian minister of sport, has also said in Vancouver press conferences that a luge track will be named for the athlete as well.
Among the mourners during the procession was Levan Gureshidze. He grew up and trained with Kumaritashvili, but withdrew from the Olympics after Nodar's death. Gureshidze said he could not compete after the accident.
The 21-year-old will be buried Saturday at a churchyard in the village of about 1,500.
Reuters Paul Chapman has details from Kumaritashvili's home town of Bakuriani...
Hockey Rumors: Thrashers Moving...it's only a rumor
We at OSG World HQ and the Satellite office are all big Atlanta Thrashers fans. We know a good portion of the folks in the front office and we've been around the team since their inception. We also know that Hockey is in trouble in Atlanta. We don't deny that. We realize the group that owns the team doesn't have the resources to compete with the Red Wings and Sharks and other high budget operations.
((Thrash in action//Courtesy: Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images))
We also are aware of the possibility that they might at some point no longer be in Atlanta. That being said, we raise the collective eyebrow at the uproar and rumors that are floating around that not only are they moving, but they will be sold, right after the Olympics are over. That rumor, which started on the website Hockeybuzz.com has made the rounds and has folks in the rumored destination for the team...Winnipeg flipping out. It also made the Thrashers have to address the rumor on their website.
The original post from Hockeybuzz.com is RIGHT HERE
The Thrashers response on AJC.com is RIGHT HERE
We suspect that the truth probably lies somewhere in the middle here. We actually saw the Hockeybuzz post yesterday and decided against running it because we felt that it was just that...a rumor. We enjoy the site, but they bat roughly about 50% in terms of accuracy.
It would not surprise us if sometime in the future that the Thrashers relocate. They have had very little success thus far. When they have played well and competed for a playoff berth, people came and watched and they would if the competed again. However, the front office has failed to develop many players and signed way too many past their prime players to support them.
We know for a fact that the Spirit group which owns the teams just can't arbitrarily dump them. They are intricately tied to the Hawks and to the arena and there will be a significant penalty if they bail out on short notice.
Keep an eye on this however and don't be surprised in another year or so it actually does happen...just our 2-cents.
In the meantime...check out this high-larious PSA Spoof we found on the You Tube:
POSTSCRIPT: Okay, so you want to know where we're coming from in all of this...
Here's our background:
In the Earl Scudder deposition during the Jerry Moyes trial in Phoenix against the NHL...
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said that moving the team (( the Coyotes)) to Winnipeg was “considered only if there were no other options.” Daly: “In the event there turned out to be no options in Phoenix -- and only in that event -- we thought it was worth exploring what might be available in Winnipeg” (TORONTO STAR, 5/17/09).
October 5, 2009...
Al Strachan on the "Satellite Hotstove" on Hockey Night In Canada...
"... ((Strachan)) suggested a Toronto-based group is working to purchase the club ((the Thrashers)) and move it to Winnipeg. Strachan said the investors include real estate firm Osmington Inc. and billionaire media magnate David Thomson.
He also said there was more to the story than idle speculation.
"This is not a torqued story. This is a good, solid business story," Strachan told CBC News on Monday.
"There is a desire on the part of these people to move Atlanta to Winnipeg, but as I stress, it is not imminent."
Any deal would need approval from the NHL board of governors, Strachan said, adding there are also many legal hurdles to be dealt with in Atlanta.
Another issue is what role True North Sports and Entertainment, which owns the MTS Centre and the Manitoba Moose, would play in such a move.
"The sport seems to be on a revival in areas that know hockey and Winnipeg is one of those," Strachan said. "The city has changed a lot since 1992. You've got a new facility there and I think the feeling is that the city would give a lot more support to it than they did last time.
"True North Sports and Entertainment chair Mark Chipman has not commented on the rumours..."
That's our smoke that we've known for quite a while...
The HQ is awaiting the fire...
Donte Stallworth has a new Home
It seems that Donte Stallworth, out of football for a year after being suspended for his conviction of vehicular homicide while intoxicated, has found somewhere to play football this upcoming season.
Stallworth, who was released by the Cleveland Browns as soon as he was reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, signed a contract today with the Baltimore Ravens.
The story from the Baltimore Sun RIGHT HERE
((Donte Stallworth plays football//Courtesy: Andy Lyons/Getty Images))
Stallworth, whose best season was a 70 catch year back in 2005 with New Orleans gives the Ravens some depth at a position where they are perennially weak. It also gives Stallworth, who reportedly had a $3 million dollar settlement agreement with the family of the man he killed, a chance to reclaim his career.
Here is some video of Stallworth pleading guilty in a Miami Courtroom. Thanks Miami Herald and the You Tube:
LaMichael James jailed...What is it in Oregon?
It appears that there may be either a disciplinary or a character issue with the players on the University of Oregon's football team. Apparently, sometime on Tuesday, LaMichael James, a 20 year old, who was a freshman this past season who was the Pac-10 Freshman of the Year was arrested on domestic violence charges.
James was arrested and charged with: 4th degree assault, menacing and strangulation under Oregon's Abuse Prevention act. As of early Wednesday morning, he was still in jail.
The story from Registerguard.com RIGHT HERE
((LaMichael James is in trouble//Courtesy: LCSO/KMTR.com))
James adds to the criminal role for the Crima-Ducks. Kicker Rob Beard was charged with assault having to do with a fight back in January where he was injured and hospitalized. He had apparently assaulted a woman in the fight. In January, the Crima-Ducks was let go from the team after he was charged with misdemeanor assault in retaliation for Beard's fight.
The list of incidents makes one question the type of player being recruited in Eugene. Though we fully realize that a school will often take on kids that need some care to be successful, this run starts raising a few eyebrows. It seems as though a string of incidents such as this often lead to bigger problems within a program...let's hope that doesn't happen this time.
Here is some video of the aforementioned Mr. James playing football...it remains to be seen if that will still be the case. Thanks You Tube:
And here's coverage of the fun in Eugene, thanks to our friends at KVAL-TV...
The Hokies Are Hot, Showdown With Duke Looming
The Duke Blue Devils are on top of the ACC, ho hum so what's new. It's just a matter of time before they win their 9th Duke Invitational (AKA, The ACC Tournament) since 1999 which starts in 3 weeks.Well there's a team in Blacksburg, Virginia that has the look of a real challenger, the Virginia Tech Hokies.
Virginia Tech has the tools of a title team. The Hokies have a go-to guy in Malcolm Delaney, who leads the ACC in scoring (20.2 PPG), a compliment to Delaney in Dorenzo Hudson who averages 12.0 PPG, a commanding inside presense with Jeff Allen and a team that values defensive stops.
Tuesday night Virginia Tech defeated Wake Forest 87-83 at Cassell Coliseum for their fifth win in a row and now are 14-0 this season on their home court.
The only other ACC team unbeaten on it's home floor this season is the Duke Blue Devils. Virginia Tech can change that Sunday night as the hot Hokies take on the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Head coach Seth Greenberg calls his Virginia Tech team resilient and tough minded, qualities that the Hokies will need to escape Durham with a significant win.
Here's the highlights and post game sound from of the Virginia Tech/Wake Forest game from WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia.
The only other ACC team unbeaten on it's home floor this season is the Duke Blue Devils. Virginia Tech can change that Sunday night as the hot Hokies take on the Blue Devils at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
Head coach Seth Greenberg calls his Virginia Tech team resilient and tough minded, qualities that the Hokies will need to escape Durham with a significant win.
Here's the highlights and post game sound from of the Virginia Tech/Wake Forest game from WSLS-TV in Roanoke, Virginia.
Photo Courtesy: AP
So Much For The New York Sentinels
((HT: WTNH-TV))
The United Football League is settling down in Hartford...
And this is coming on the heels of the possibility of the California Redwoods franchise moving full-time to Sacramento...
There was a presser today explaining the move to UConn's campus...
Four teams, two moves, one season...
Almost sounds like the make-up of a Collective Soul album...
Crystal Haynes got to attend the press conference and "fish for fans..."
"Legendary" and "Chris Palmer" going together in the same sentence...???
That's a first...
The HQ is a fan of football, and the more football there is, the better the HQ feels. The UFL can find its niche and be a feeder to other leagues out there if they can find stable homes and fan bases...
Always the issue... along with the quality of play in a lot of these games overall. The games have been somewhat painful to watch at times in Year One. Here's to thinking they might be a little less painful in Year Two...
But we kinda doubt it... Good luck on that, though...
To remind you what the UFL was all about in Season One...
Here's highlights of the title game, thanks to our friends at Versus and the UFL
The United Football League is settling down in Hartford...
And this is coming on the heels of the possibility of the California Redwoods franchise moving full-time to Sacramento...
There was a presser today explaining the move to UConn's campus...
Four teams, two moves, one season...
Almost sounds like the make-up of a Collective Soul album...
Crystal Haynes got to attend the press conference and "fish for fans..."
"Legendary" and "Chris Palmer" going together in the same sentence...???
That's a first...
The HQ is a fan of football, and the more football there is, the better the HQ feels. The UFL can find its niche and be a feeder to other leagues out there if they can find stable homes and fan bases...
Always the issue... along with the quality of play in a lot of these games overall. The games have been somewhat painful to watch at times in Year One. Here's to thinking they might be a little less painful in Year Two...
But we kinda doubt it... Good luck on that, though...
To remind you what the UFL was all about in Season One...
Here's highlights of the title game, thanks to our friends at Versus and the UFL
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Mark Becker Trial Day 4: Prosecution Rests
((HT: KWWL-TV))
The prosecution has rested after only two days of testimony in the murder trial of Mark Becker. He is facing first degree murder charges in the shooting of Aplington-Parkersburg teacher and head football coach Ed Thomas.
He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors showed a video tape of Becker just hours after the murder. An Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations ((DCI)) agent who interviewed Becker said Becker's demeanor did not match his words. According to the agent, Becker said he was happy. But, the agent described Becker as sad, even saying Becker was slumped over in his chair and cried during the interview.
If that makes any sense...
During the interview, Becker described the series of events leading up to the murder, saying he believed Thomas to be a devil tyrant who was hurting people.
Becker told the agent that after shooting Thomas he said, "You're free, it's done."
Also during the interview, Becker describes elation over shooting Thomas, even telling agents, "I feel so sane right now. So straight-edged and right...and drug-free...I feel so much better."
The State Medical Examiner also testified about Thomas' injuries, including the placement of gunshot 6-7 gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma to Thomas' head, chest and right leg.
The defense asked for an acquittal, saying the state had not proved its case.
The judge overruled the motion.
Here's Jamie Grey's continuing coverage outside of the courthouse...
She's still freezing...
The prosecution has rested after only two days of testimony in the murder trial of Mark Becker. He is facing first degree murder charges in the shooting of Aplington-Parkersburg teacher and head football coach Ed Thomas.
He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
Prosecutors showed a video tape of Becker just hours after the murder. An Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations ((DCI)) agent who interviewed Becker said Becker's demeanor did not match his words. According to the agent, Becker said he was happy. But, the agent described Becker as sad, even saying Becker was slumped over in his chair and cried during the interview.
If that makes any sense...
During the interview, Becker described the series of events leading up to the murder, saying he believed Thomas to be a devil tyrant who was hurting people.
Becker told the agent that after shooting Thomas he said, "You're free, it's done."
Also during the interview, Becker describes elation over shooting Thomas, even telling agents, "I feel so sane right now. So straight-edged and right...and drug-free...I feel so much better."
The State Medical Examiner also testified about Thomas' injuries, including the placement of gunshot 6-7 gunshot wounds and blunt force trauma to Thomas' head, chest and right leg.
The defense asked for an acquittal, saying the state had not proved its case.
The judge overruled the motion.
Here's Jamie Grey's continuing coverage outside of the courthouse...
She's still freezing...
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