The last NBA game was played on March 11. The next day, Spring Training was canceled. Three months later, hope swirls in the empty worlds of ESPN and FS1, based on preliminary talks of a NBA tournament in Orlando with the commissioner inviting 22 teams. These teams and staff would be essentially quarantined in O-town with no fans present, (As of right now). Rumors suggest the teams will be seeded based on their record. Will it have the excitement of March Madness? NO! But, it might be more entertaining than the product we become accustomed to. Will the players agree to be on lock down, away from their loved ones, in Florida until October 12, the targeted end of an interrupted campaign and crowning a Champion with an asterisk?
One thing seems certain, the MLB has a Grand Canyon of a divide between owners and players, even though Rob Manfred, MLB Commish, has guaranteed a 2020 season. Owners have started a smear offensive against players greed, blurring the lines between a prorated salary, and further cuts from lack of ticket sales. The result is players receiving not just half pay for an 82 game season but a further confiscation, due to the hardship on the owner’s lack of attendance. Two bulldog starting pitchers, Max Scherzer of the Nationals, and Trevor Bauer of the Reds, Tweeted out, “Some owners have mentioned that owning a team isn’t very NET profitable. You know what other company isn’t very NET profitable? Amazon,” said Max. Trevor Tweeted, “Why would players play the additional 24 games for free and burden the additional risk of injury?” MLB’s revenue last year was 10.7 Billion, up from 10.3 the year prior.
It seems outrageous to the fans and players that the MLB can’t come to an agreement, but rich men did not get that way by taking losses. The jury is still out on the owners behind the Shield, of the NFL, America’s most dominant professional sports league. They definitely will have a season fans or not. By fall, the droves of men, women, and kids craving SC highlights will hit a tipping point. To quote James Franco, in The Interview, “We the people, give us some shit, monja, monja, monja.” We need our fantasy, Draft Kings, and First Takes. In 2011, CBS, NBC, and Fox committed to pay the NFL a total of $39.6 billion between the 2014 and 2022 seasons. In addition, during 2011, ESPN signed a deal to pay the NFL $15.2 billion through 2021 for the rights to “Monday Night Football.” Football will be played, thank God!
The ratings for First Take have tanked, Nick Cannon Wild and Out 15, on VH1, had double the viewers. We can’t debate Jordan Vs LeBron anymore, or read articles about how teams should’ve drafted in 2015. Betting on virtual games has little substance, it is not enough. We need competition of elite warriors on the grid-iron and the pitch for a multitude of reasons. For starters, it helps race relations in an environment that’s volatile.
Drew Brees, QB of the Saints, has felt the court of public opinion from his Tweet that he’ll, “Never agree with anybody disrespecting the flag of the United States of America.” This Colin Kaepernick kneeling nonsense needs to end! I have no issue in kneeling for the flag or for that matter, setting it on fire. These are first amendment rights that American’s fought and died for, so feel free to express yourself in the Republic. The players don’t hate Merica, the military, or law enforcement, they’re making a statement that is so profound, they need the Stars and Stripes help to get their point across. They feel locked up, like Francis Scott Key, watching the police light up their brothers, just as, the British lighted up Fort McHenry, to see if our flag can be seen, past generations of life, liberty, and the pursuit, for some.
Living through sports teams gives Americans passion, excitement, and comradery. In Cleveland, we always wait for next year, come on Browns! But I’m sure Patriot fans are chewing at the bit to see if Bill can deliver without the GOAT, or every single MLB team that plays them cheating Astro’s , wanting to crush them. Talking at the water cooler, smack on the fantasy board, or just chit chat with a relative that you don’t have a lot in common with was fueled by sports. To quote Daniel Stern, in City Slickers, “When I was 18, me and dad couldn’t communicate about anything, but we could still talk baseball.” I’ve felt the same with my father and grandfather. Sports help bridge the divide, when you think there is no common ground, it’s found in sports.
Athletics make us feel young. It helps us remember the beauty of an under the lights little league game and ice cream afterwards, watching the first fire fly’s light up field before the river. In college, all they wanted to do was group us together and develop teamwork but there’s no better setting to advance growth in a collective than sports. Everyone has a role to play from coaches, parents, fans, and players. With everyone’s reputations on line, in a competitive environment, and only black and white, pass or fail, win or lose; unity is bonded.
So please Universe, bring us back to a world filled with sports. A sphere brimming with buzzer beater shots, two toed receptions tapped inside the chalk for a first down, and routine double plays. Where All-Stars grace the cover of Wheaties, like Greek Gods, and give the public something mythical to believe in. Bring us back to a place where kings are crowned for their sacrifice of blood, guts, ability, and teamwork; so we can dream and live through them.
Please, I can’t take another, “Will OBJ be traded,” article. The guy has been nothing but a solid Cleveland Brown. Sure, the visor and shoes, but no trouble. All while playing hurt and over a thousand yards receiving last year. As Nick Kroll said on The League, “I need my stinker tinker time.”
