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"I can tell you, it's not going to be a popular move in the locker room," said one player, speaking on the condition of anonymity. "We loved T.J. The man loved the game and put it all on the line only to get dumped after his best season. I think you should reward players for performance. You dump him but give Vernon (Gholston) another shot? Doesn't make sense."
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StratBridge Inc. has just developed ground breaking software that should undoubtedly help professional teams in every sport to make better managerial decisions. StratBridge Inc. is a company that has developed software for both ticket sales (StratTix), and player analysis (StratEdge). The company was founded in 1999 by Mr. Matthew Marolda and made a name for themselves in 2005 with their ticket selling software. StratTix can be used in a number of ways to help teams gain valuable information about their ticket sales, as well as the people buying them. This software can help the team view up-to-the-minute seating charts to see which seats are selling, and which ones are not. It will provide the teams with information about the people purchasing the tickets such as their geographical area, what source they used to purchase them (Ticket Master, Stubhub etc.), and helping to predict attendance. This will help lead to teams to finding the best time to market, when the best time is to promote, and will help their yield management strategies to become more effective. The company's newest software breakthrough, StratEdge, will ultimately give an "edge" to teams that are scouting and looking to draft, or sign specific players. It provides teams with detailed information about trades, contract extensions, and how they match up to other athletes at their position. This company is in a niche of its own, and one of the best at what they do. These new tools that are now readily available for any team will help them make smarter business decisions that everyone knows will ultimately affect their franchise for years to come. StratBridge Inc. already has more then 100 deals with professional teams in the NHL, MLB, NFL, MLS, AFL, and minor league baseball. They hope to continue to build bridges with and for various sport franchises around the world.
The Temperature Management System (TMS) is a new technology for cooling football players. TMS uses compressors to blow cold, dry air through the shoulder pads of players.
This technology was developed at the University of Florida in the early 2000's. The Temperature Management System debuted in 2004 at a Clemson vs. Wake Forest football game. The technology soon spread to the NFL.
TMS was tested by five NFL teams during the 2005 season. The Jacksonville Jaguars, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys all took part in the test. The Dallas Cowboys and Indianapolis Colts still use TMS today. Along with the Cowboys and Colts, the Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams and Arizona Cardinals also take advantage of the Temperature Management System.
Safety is a major benefit associated with the Temperature Management System. By utilizing this technology there is much less risk of heat related injuries. Being able to cool down players safetly and quickly also provides performance advantages, since a rise in body temperature is associated with a decrease in athletic performance.
New technologies, like the Temperature Management System, are leading the way for increased safety and player performance in the NFL.
via theregister.co.uk via Chicago Sun Times
The long and short of it? A guy decides to watch his Chicago Bears game on a cruise ship while waiting for departure. The cell phone picks up on some international signal, goes into roaming, and garners a charge of $28,067.31. The folks at the Sun Times get involved and have the charges reduced to a more reasonable $290.65.
On Tuesday, November 25, 2008, Michael Vick pleaded guilty to his state dog fighting charge. He did this as it would make him eligible to leave prison early and hopefully return to pro football much sooner than expected. After arriving to the court room in both wrist and ankle shackles, Vick entered his plea. The former twenty-eight year old quarter back could have potentially received a ten year sentence but now it is a three-year suspended sentence. Also, he pleaded guilty to a count of cruelty to animals, that it was dropped under his plea deal. Currently he is serving a 23-month sentence in Kansas due to charges of bankrolling a dog fighting operation and the killing of several underperforming dogs. His release date is scheduled for July 20, 2009 and will then serve three years of probation. His continuing trials are to resolve the remaining charges. Vick's return to the NFL is uncertain due to the lack of interest by any and all NFL teams.
Michael Vick is a terrible representation of the NFL. For the NFL to bring him back, it would be a mistake. By no means am I an animal lover, however the actions in which Vick took part in are absolutely appalling. He should have to carry out the fullest possible punishment possible for his crimes and should not be allowed off. Vick has a daughter. What kind of example is he setting for her? I don't blame his mother for trying to close her eyes to this situation. Vick obviously needs to spend some quality time gaining some respect for life, not just human life.
On Wednesday, December 3, 2008, a Minnesota judge postponed the NFL's suspension of the Vikings player Kevin and Pat Williams. Being charged for doping, the two players were among six that were suspended for four games. Judge Larson discusses that he is in a very difficult situation because the drugs weren't totally there, just a masking agent was. Ginsberg, one of the player's lawyer, said that due to the uniqueness of the case, the players should be able to still participate until a final decision is made. The players are trying to use the ally that the product didn't list the diuretic as an ingredient. The Vikings are slightly worried because the loss of these two players creates a huge hole in the center of their defensive line and due to another player out on injury it makes it all the more difficult for them to continue on the winning streak.
In my opinion, this is just another example of athletes acting inappropriately. Athletes are responsible for what is inside their bodies. Why were they taking the diuretic in the first place? The athletes appear to be innocent due to the way they are handling the situation. However, why ruin one's reputation in the first place? This is terrible publicity for not only the athletes but the team. Their actions not only are affecting their status, but are hurting the team as they will not be able to hold up the defensive line for them in the upcoming games.
London has yet again locked up another NFL football game for the 2009 season. On October 25, 2009 both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots will play in the colossal Wembley Stadium. The NFL prepares for another sell out as it was with the New York Giants vs. Miami in 2007 and this year's Saints vs. Chargers extravaganza. The NFL loves this type of exposure overseas. Wembley stadium holds over 83,000 seats and believe me, there all filled. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell hopes to spread the love for American football. Football is predominately an American sport and not popular at all anywhere else. "The games have helped us to deepen our connection with our UK fans as well as create new ones. We are looking forward to another outstanding game in 2009" said Roger Goodell.
The Bucs will be forfeiting a home game in Tampa for
the London game. However the Glazer family which owns the Buccaneers also helps
run Manchester United. The game next year should be an exciting battle. Tom
Brady will make his appearance in London as one of the top NFL quarterbacks and
being able to his status after coming off a torn ACL. Tampa and the Pat's have
combined to win 4 out of the last 7 super bowls as well. We have had a lot of
memorable moments in recent years," Patriots chairman Robert Kraft said.
"I think it is fitting that New England's first game to be played outside
of North America". With every year the NFL is getting more fans outside the
United States. Merchandise, Ticket, and all aspects of the sport have been
increasing in revenue. This has a direct relationship with the NFL playing in
other countries. A game for 2010 is already in the works and I am excited to
see where else the NFL could potentially play in the near future.
The UFL or United Football League is looking for investors. The new league which had planned to start games this summer has fallen behind a little with the current economic situations. They do however plan on forging ahead and getting the league started. The league is targeting a market just below the NFL. Each team will have a $20 million salary cap and a $12 million dollar floor. The NFL currently has a $117 million cap and a $100 million floor. The UFL is just looking for owners to invest to help get them on their feet.
The League is smart in that they are targeting people just under the NFL. It would be hard to start a league to rival the NFL but by starting small and building into a competitor, I think that the UFL will stand a better chance of staying afloat and not ending up like the other leagues that tried to challenge to the NFL in the years before. There will definitely be losses though so there is some risk for investors.
With the economy faltering, big parties, bashes, and smaller, private parties hosted by talent agencies CAA and Octagon, have been canceled. And Playboy, which usually had a huge party gathering, was that its plans are "up in the air," the magazine seemed close to cancel there event. Playboy Enterprises even announced cutbacks and staff reductions earlier this month due to the failing economy. At NFL headquarters, the organization acknowledged that the "Commissioner's Party" may too have fewer participants this year. "In part, because we anticipate our business partners will be cutting back on the numbers they bring to town," he said. "We are not immune." But many parties ar estill said to be on and at full throttle. "The Good Life Experience," with boxer Winky Wright and rapper P. Diddy, will be staged in St. Petersburg, Fla., with tickets going for from $200 to $800 a night. ESPN the Magazine still plans on a bowl bask along with another big party hosted by John Travolta. However, many of the big name bashes are being thrown out this year so buzz surrounding the excitement is scarce. "Our corporate clients and the individuals we send [to the Super Bowl], they want to go to Playboy and to Maxim because of the sexiness of the name," said Jim Zissler, vice president of sales and marketing at Inside Sports & Entertainment Group, which customizes Super Bowl hospitality packages. Without these parties in place, sales and sponsorships will decrease. But as they say, the show must go on and most parties will still go on. There just may be less staff running the event.
I love the Super Bowl. I love the game, the excitement, the commercials, and especially the parties. Parties are what makes the super bowl so fun and memorable. I know my parties I am refering to are low key friends and family parties but still, parties are the heart and soul of the big game. I have done countless amount of blog entries and almost all are intertwined with this failing economy. It is remarkable to see how much an economy can affect so many people, situations, and organizations. It is crazy that such a large frnachise such
as the NFL and how one of the biggest broadcasts on television is going to be affected by the economy. You look at Playboy and Penthouse which have so much money are laying off their parties, That says a lot alone. Even sports organizations such as Sports Illustrated had to cancel parties. It baffles me. The Super Bowl will be fun none the less but parties are needed. SAME PARTIES; NEW ECONOMY!
