If It’s Not About The Money Then What Is It In The World Of Sports ?

If It’s Not About Money Then What Is It In The World Of Sports

Well unless we’ve all missed something when it comes to the business of sports. It’s clearly about the finances before one can go out and assemble the talent on the field of play. I’ve read the pieces of many contributors and all that they tend to opine about are the statistics and not much else.

Granted, there’s a need to assess statistics but at the end of the day before one can start to opine on the greatness of a sports franchise. One clearly needs to take a look at the structure and in particular the organizational setup in terms of the finances. The biggest misnomer there is in sports is the fact that it’s about the talent and then statistics. Before any of that can come into being , there has to be a template in terms of the financial setup of an organization. And that too, of the ownership and the subordinates in terms of the executives. If those aren’t in place then it’s hard to see how the groundwork of an organization can come into being.A case in point , is the veracity being placed with regard to statistics and the game of baseball.

The biggest fallacy I’ve read is in a piece that was recently written , wherein the writer was trying to make an argument as to the astuteness when it came to the effectiveness of Toronto Blue Jays‘ GM J P Ricciardi . The basis of the writer’s argument was around the idiocy of Ricciardi’s assembling of talent within the organization. The fact of the matter is that while the talent was there. The team has never proven to be competitive over the tenure of Ricciardi’s rein. The franchise owned by the Rogers family, has been one complete joke over the last decade. Furthermore, over the last decade the team as we know it, has done more to disassemble the franchise instead of trying to main a competitive stride or edge. They’ve not won a World Series since their back to back wins in the early nineties. Since then, it’s been nothing but sheer ineptitude. But the writer would have you believe that the franchise was on the rise. He’d be better off trying to sell ice to the Eskimos for all the sense he was actually trying to make and then some !

I’ve always maintained that a sound structural setup will guarantee success but even more so if the finances and executive talent is in place. The Toronto Blue Jays for their part seems to have moved away from that in terms of its executive setup. More so, the ownership has never been known to spend money on the talent needed to guarantee success. We always hear in baseball that the team is building for the future in terms of its roster. And that in two or three years they’ll be ready to challenge for success. Well as of late, that hasn’t really happened within the game of baseball. Parity as it allegedly is, in for all sense and purpose still about the haves and have nots. We all know who the financial powerhouses are within the game and they’ve been the dominant franchises within the game over the the last decade. The rare exception to the rule may well have been the Florida Marlins . They’ve won two World Series over the last decade. Operating, on a shoe string budget, they’ve managed to succeed where others have failed. But the biggest fallacy within the game, is to believe that these teams are operating on a level playing field. Nothing could be further from the truth. And even with the tax-sharing revenue scheme in place. The game still remains with its imbalances.

There may well be only a handful of teams within the game baseball that actually make an operating profit in the true sense of the word , without the assistance of the hierarchy of the game providing the small and mid-tier market teams with an assist. The game’s hierarchy and its owners refuse to address the issue of a salary cap. And at the same as they continue to see many of their corporate sponsors slowly decline to further involve themselves in the game. And Players’ Union seems all too indifferent to the plight that the game now finds itself in. But what is even more of a concern is that now you’ve got a handful of agents who are now driving the spiraling market in terms of salaries not only for impending free agents but also for new draft picks. Signing bonuses ,are escalating out of control.

And whilst we’re at it, can someone explain to me why it is that a complete ass such as Bud Selig feels that he can dictate the terms under which a franchise can operate and go about facilitating a new stadium ? He’s at present trying to pressurize the Tampa Bay Rays franchise by stating that they’re in need of a new baseball facility. Bearing in mind, that the franchise itself has one of the lowest payrolls in all of baseball and a fan-base that’s no more than 15,000 at best. And even in-spite of its recent success , it still struggles to fill its home venue. Selig’s edict, is that if the franchise is to stage an All Star game. Then it’ll have to avail itself with a new state of the art stadium. Furthermore, if it’s to take place, it more likely than not will have to be at the taxpayers’ expense. When, if there was ever the view that Selig has no concept as to what it takes to run a business. Then his custodianship of the game has bordered on sheer ineptitude. Within the state of Florida ,there’s an employment rate bordering on the national average of 9.5% and his mandate is that the Rays ought to be building a stadium.

Less, Selig forgets , the franchise doesn’t operate on the premise that was facilitated by the idiocy that took place in the state of New York. Wherein, Mayor Michael Bloomberg , facilitated the building of both the Yankees new stadium and that of Citi-Field through a $2.25 billion bond issue . This being the same individual who was critical of the federal government bailing out the financial and automotive industry. But then, he has the temerity to have a bond issue and then issues favorable tax benefits to both the Wilpon and Steinbrenner families. To assist them in obtaining the additional land, in order to facilitate the building of their new facilities. Somehow, not only does baseball seem to be out of touch when it comes to economic realities but so too are a number municipal, state and governmental agencies.

But that’s merely what makes this sport something of a misnomer. In terms of its unnerving base when it comes to its financial setup and lack of reality. It’s not as if the game acts with any fiscal responsibility to begin with.

One Million Years BC ……..

One Billion Years BC !

Am I mistaken but is the hierarchy of baseball as completely stupid as we’ve seen ? My biggest problem is now listening to the incoming Executive of the Players’ Union Michael Weiner trying to explain away David Ortiz’s use of supplements , which he may have used over the early part of his career.

Aaron hits 755 to surpass Babe Ruth. And though this record has since been surpassed by Barry Bonds. It still remains indelibly linked to as the mark that still has veracity. picture appears courtesy getty images/archives ...............

In all probability, we’re also now seeing a player actually accepting responsibility for his own actions. How quaint ! Is there a possibility that we’ll actually see Bud Selig actually come out and make the claim ? ‘OK I admit I knew what was going on but we had problems getting a handle on the problem from the outset’. Oh no, that ‘d be far too much to ask ! Here, we have a game that from its very inception has been clouded in controversy. Fom the days of segregation, to the era of Jackie Robinson . And then even , when former home run king, Hank Aaron, undergoing death threats upon the eve of his surpassing of Babe Ruth’s home run record.

Safe, Jackie Robinson slides into homeplate in a game played for the Brooklyn Dodgers . picture appears courtesy of mlb.com/archives/history .................. @ copyrighted material All rights reserved

Archaic, as the game appears to be on its face. In reality , how far has it come ? We’ve been told that this game is the very fabric of the American Way of Life. Well the American Way of Life appears to be redundant at present , given the economic climate at present. MLB can’t even get its own damn house in order , when it comes to its finances and the very health of its franchises. One only has to look at the fate at present of the Toronto Blue Jays, Pittsburgh Pirates , Kansas City Royals and Chicago Cubs .I’ve even read articles within the sport’s blogosphere of fans opining the great job being done by J P Ricciardi as the GM of the Blue Jays. Well if you consider, an organization merely operating on a shoe-string budget,a source of competitiveness. When your franchise bearly performs above par. Then I’d rather have you come nowhere, near a business or sport’s franchise that I’ve got under operation. Sports, is primarily a business first, with entertainment also at its core. With any success deemed from it, being merely a bye product.

To add insult to injury these are the same owners who come cap in hand to the various governments , be it at the municipal , county and state level looking for public funds to build stadiums across the country. But yet, when I hear these so called die in the wool purists of the game opine on what’s with it . Rarely, do I hear them opine on this very topic. Once again, how quaint ! Talk , is one thing, but it’s best also to at least have the facts to back up an argument.

MLB and its owners are like the members of Congress. They start to whine the moment theyfeel it necessary to do so. And furthermore, what makes their behavior all the more intolerable is that we don’t even see the kids in pre-school behave as badly as the owners or the members of Congress. But that’s merely my opinion here ! If you’ve got an opinion on the matter , I’d gladly like to hear it , or read it as a response.

The Sultan of Swat the remarkable Babe Ruth . picture appears courtesy of getty images/archives ................

Baseball for all of its virtues, is bearly out of the dark ages , in reality. I mean, one only has to look at the game’s hierarchy and how the players themselves, have gone about representing the game. It no longer has any real honor and of its heroes , we still continue to question their exploits at every level. Much like the dinosaur ,of the Mesozoic era, the relevance of the game is now on tenderhook . As it tries to find a path that’s relevant.

Under Selig’s watch the game and we’ve been led to believe, it has been appropriate, with regard to its overal guardianship. But it has been compromised by the greed of the players and its owners. And the greater crime, has been the complete subterfuge that the fans have been subjected to. And we’re meant to find something, that’s pure about this game ? On what level, if the message that’s being sent …is that’s it’s OK to cheat and then lie about it ? Well I guess, that’s indeed a lesson that we ought to be passing on to our kids then ? As if it’s not enough that we subject them to enough violence on television alongside a broken education system that bearly teaches them anything that’s worthwhile ! Well that’s something to think about now isn’t it ?

J P Ricciardi Is No Poker Player ……Infact This Guy Is Better Off Being A Local Dog Catcher ……….If That , At All

Say what you will , but the idiocy that has surrounded the Toronto Blue Jays has bordered on being maniacal and absurd. And it sure hasn’t helped that Jays’ GM J P Ricciardi seems to have priced himself out of the market. Insomuch, as his demands for his ace pitcher Roy Halladay , whom he sought to trade for a number of highly valued prospects.

Blue Jays' GM J P Ricciardi seen here at the team's home venue in Toronto. The Rogers Centre in Toronto has been home to the team. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Mark Gutteridge .....................

With the 4:00pm trade deadline having come and gone. The player now , though he can still be traded . It won’t be anywhere near the predetermined value that the team and Ricciardi would’ve have sought. He most certainly can’t be taken off waivers , given the fact that no team would be willing to undertake the player’s $10m plus salary for 2010. So now one has to ask what it was that Ricciardi’s ploy might’ve been to begin with. In terms of a really clear maneuver , the Jays’ GM seems to have not properly thought out his situation with regard to Halladay.

The unfortunate position for the fans of the Jays , this is something that they’ve seen with regard to their situation over the last decade. The team is no longer a contender by any stretch of the imagination. At (49-54) the team’s record is woeful in the AL East and the fans have voiced their displeasure. But more so, it has been directed at the general manager. Time and time again whenever, you tend to hear about a team talking about attaining prospects in order to best serve the team’s hope for the future. It’s very rare that this happens for a Major League Baseball club. My own personal thought on the matter, is that teams such as this, aren’t worth talking about , much less thinking that they’ll be a contender in the near future. The immediacy of now is what it’s all about. And in these uncertain dire economic times it is very much the last thing that a fan of big league club wants to hear ……. ‘we’re building towards the future.’

Jays' pitching ace , Roy Halladay, seen here against the Boston Red Sox. The player has a 11-4 win loss record with a 2.68 ERA , with 129 K's. All statistic leading categories for the team. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ The Canadian Press/ Darren Calabrese ............................

And now to top it all it must leave Halladay with the feeling that he’s unwanted. Come what may, he’s now in something of an unenviable situation with regard to the Blue Jays. Furthermore with the growing uncertainty as to the Jays’ financial situation . It will become imperative that the situation is resolved in an amicable way that’s mutually acceptable for all of the parties concerned. For the Blue Jays, for a team seeking to obtain the player. But most of all for the player, himself. If nothing else as the situation remains unresloved it dosn’t portend well for the future of the ballclub. Especially , given their financial situation at present. Which isn’t unlike the situation the vast the majority of the clubs around Major League Baseball .

If anything as the season progresses to what’ll be its culmination in terms of the playoffs and the World Series , itself. One seriously doubts that anyone will be of the slighest bit concerned as to the impending fate of the Blue Jays. It’s certainly not as if the hierarchy of the game has even shown the slightest bit of concern as to the imbalance that there now is within the game. Nevermind the fact that one of the most storied franchises in all of the game now sits on the verge of declaring bankruptcy. It’s been the idiots such as Ricciardi, Selig , DuPuy and former MLBPA reresentative Donald Fehr , who’ve chosen to ignore the warning signs that were clear for everyone to see.

Having One’s Cake And Eating It … Who Says There’s No Collusion In Sports ?

Unless you’ve had your head buried in the sand over the last few months. You may not have been aware that all four of the major professional sports governing bodies and the NCAA are prepared to challenge the states of Delaware and New Jersey in proposing a sport’s book gamling bill that they’re preparing in their respective legislatures.

On the face of it one might feel that MLB , NBA , NCAA , NHL and the NFL have nothing to worry about. Being as the fact that all four sports have a healthy relationship with the gaming industry , one way or another. In many cases, some of the four do , more than others. And without that relationship one could surmise that the relationship would be as such somewhat minute . Other than the fact that there are still indeed some well meaning and loyal fans to the respective professional franchises.

Gov Jack A Markell (D-Del) . The governor is seeking legislative bill to be passed in both houses whereing legalized gambling and most notably sports book betting will be allowable in the state of Delaware. However the four major pro sports governing bodies and the NCAA are seeking to challenge any bill passed by placing their own challgenge as to its legality in the Federal Court system. picture appears courtesy of afp/ Carol Hemmings ...........................

However , in light of this all each of the sporting bodies , headed by Bud Selig (MLB) , David Stern (NBA) , Gary Bettman (NHL), Myles Brand (NCAA) and Roger Goodell (NFL). For some reason each of the commissioners in question believe that should the legislation be passed it’d do more harm to the framework of sports in general . Than it would do good. I find that particular argument somewhat misguided , retarded but above lacking in basis in terms of a real argument.

Gov. Jon Corzine (D-New Jersey) . He, too, like his Democratic counterpart in Delaware would like to see a similar bill passed within both houses of the legislatiure in New Jersey. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo / Dwayne Osario ............................

Whereas over the years each of the sports in question have profitted greatly from the gaming industry and in particular the patrons wagering on the outcomes of their games. Granted that the real problem is in-fact illegal wagering and also that of the off-shore entities that the Federal Government has no jurisdiction over. But here we’re talking about two states’ governments that are proposing bills , that in large part there’d be a an agency overseeing the operations of the various entities that would seek to operate within their jurisdiction. It is not a threat to the dominance of the existence to any of the four governing sport’s bodies. But they’d have you believe that there is indeed a perceived threat to their existence. And the very fact that with this renewed effort by both Delaware and New Jersey , that there’d be some sort of mayhem caused.

Gov Arnold Schwarzaneggar (R-Ca). He now faces a budget shortfall within the state in excess of $24 billion (dollars) and the state is now issuing IOU's to pay its creditors as a way of staving off bankruptcy. The federal government's stimulus package won't even make a dent in the state's overall situation. So much for Schwarzaneggar having declared himself a fiscally and socially aware conservative. Which is it ? picture appears courtesy of afp/ Jorge Ayala .........................

Each year , tens of billions of dollars are wagered on sporting events up and down the country. And it seems to have somehow escaped the notice of these commissioners that without the chance for bettors to do this . Sports as we know it wouldn’t be the spectacle that it is. I don’t know if there’s some sort of puritanical bias behind the argument being put forth by the quintet. But I’d like to think that they’ve somehow outgrown that sort of archaic thinking and mindset. If anything , above all it’s downright hypocritical . Given the fact that a number of college as well as professional teams have marketing tie-ins with gaming establishments and casinos.

Rep. Heath Shuler (D-Nc) . The former NFL player and now Congressman opposes any such legislation that would legalize gambling and in particular sports book betting within the states of Delaware and Nevada. picture appears courtesy ap/photo/ Tiffany Warren ......................

The gambling industry in the US is worth upwards of between $30-$45billion dollars a year and employs close to 400,000 people. So to be of the belief that there isn’t some undue benefit to the government or a state agency would be redundant to say the very least. For many states across the country with the very fact that the harsh economic environment that many now find themelves. They are indeed looking to other revenue streams in order to facilitate their budget shortfalls. The state of California this year alone faces a $24bn budget deficit shortfall this year alone. Somehow the predisposition of their Governator Arnold Schwarzeneggar to blow everything up within his midst , in order to solve a problem. Well it appears that it doesn’t seem to be working as of now, for the citizens of California. Or as a matter of fact for the state employees who are being in some cases being placed on prolonged furloughs or fired from their positions.

Now as to the wish of both states to have this legislation passed. It seems even more outlandish that Congress would also seek to make its voice heard on the matter. Most suprising of all is the very fact that former NFL player and now Congressman Heath Shuler (D-NC) should come out in opposition to the proposals of both states. But it’s easy to understand the reason why , there. No lobbyist funds may have come betwee Shuler and him making a decision. But then I digress , not every federal legislator is corrupt. And the argument can also be pit forth that not every legislator is as altruistic as they’d have you believe.

Courtesy of USA Today:

Pro leagues, NCAA resist push by states to legalize betting ….

By Michael McCarthy and A J Perez of USA Today

It’s a sign of a lagging economy : American pro leagues and college and sports teams seeking new revenue through increasingly bold marketing relationships with gambling interests. It’s why team logos have begun appearing on state lottery tickets and why some basketball games have been played at casino hotels.

Now officials in Delaware and New Jersey, facing their own budget problems, say it’s time for a bolder move ,full scale legalized sports betting in states other than Nevada,currently the only place such activity is allowed. They are pushing hard to add legalized in-casino sports betting to their states gambling offerings , which include horse racing , lotteries , slot machines, and in Atlantic City – table games.

The plans are being resisted by the nation’s four major pro sports leagues- the NFL, the NBA , the NHL, and Major League Baseball- as well as the NCAA. Despite marketing arrangements that schools have with gambling, sports officials are asking a federal court to stop the Delaware effort, saying that widespread legalized betting would threaten the integrity of their sports by creating incentives for cheating and game-fixing.

That view is not unanimous among sports owners, however.

Joe Maloof, whose family owns the NBA’s Sacramento Kings and the WNBA’s Sacramento Monarchs as well as the Palms casino resort in Las Vegas, says well regulated sports gambling would help prevent such problems. cont’d ………… see below for further details concerning this article

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The test for both legislatures will be to see if the bill is passed. And then to see whether not it can withstand the challenge of a suit as to its legitimacy within the Federal Court system by the parties concerned. In this case Major League Baseball (MLB) ,the NBA, the NFL, the NHL and finally the NCAA. In large part all five have close ties to the gaming industry in some for another. But to now see them to try and deprive a state of a way formulating a revenue stream in order to stave off economic duress. Well to my mind it smacks of hypocrisy. When these are the very same entities engratiate themselves upon states and municipalities up and down the country in order to obtain lucrative tax breaks that facilitate the building of their arenas and that in effect also allows them to conduct their very business.

Something is inherently wrong here if they are indeed allowed to challenge the veracity of what both states are trying to do. No one has yet to challenge each of the five upon the basis of how they operate and conduct their businesses. But here they are trying to dictate and legislate how states of Delaware and New Jersey ought to conduct their own by seeking recourse through the legal system.

This is something that it is odious in nature . But even more it smacks of collusion and if nothing else it is also depriving the two states and its citizens their very rights govern themselves in an appropriate fashion.

What are your thoughts on this matter ? Below also is a poll that you can participate in should you choose to. I look forward to reading your comments with a keen interest as to your responses.

Why Compete ? Well Why Not ? We Try To But We Can’t ……

I know longer worry about the alleged competitive aspect that there’s said to be within Major League Baseball . OK, so one can subscribe to the fact that over the last few years we’ve seen several different teams win the World Series . While commendable it really doesn’t hide the fact that there’s still something inherently wrong with the game. Not only is it somewhat troubling , it also seems to be of no real importance to the game’s hierarchy. One would’ve thought that it’d be of the utmost importance to the the commissioner , Bud Selig .

Pirates' left fielder Brandon Moss is unable to get to the triple hit by the Milwaukee Brewers' Mike Cameron in a game played at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pa,. The Pirates, however , would go on to win the game 8-7. picture appears courtesy og ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar ..................

When looking at teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates (42-52) , one sees a team that for all sense and purpose , being competitive is no longer part of it their being , if it ever where there to begin with in the first place. They’ve become a moribund franchise within baseball and are the ‘the laughing stock of the league’ for all sense and purpose. It wasn’t so long ago that the game’s hierarchy were proposing to contract one or two teams within the game of baseball , stating that they weren’t financially viable. The two teams in question at the time were said to be the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Devil Rays , as they were then known at the time. Nowhere , were the Pittsburgh Pirates mentioned in all of this when the exercise was being considered.

Granted, both Florida franchises were struggling to gain traction as far as attendance went , let alone be competitive. But if anything , they did produce a product on the field in terms of players who were willing to actually play a competitive game of baseball. No one can subscribe to the fact that the Pittsburgh Pirate have actually made the effort to do that at all over the last decade , if not longer ! This is a baseball club that borders on inanity from its upper echelons on down. And when one looks at the standings , other than the San Diego Padres(37-58) and Washington Nationals (28-66) , you won’t find another team comparable when it comes to showing sheer ineptitude within the National League.

The Pirates' Adam La Roche (left) sits in the dugout alongside his brother Andy La Roche during the game played against the Milwaukee Brewers, yesterday. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar .......................

One can surmise that the Pirates’ struggles are just like that of any other small or mid-market team within the league. But when it becomes repetitive in nature and the same excuse is being constantly used year in , year out to absolve themselves of any responsibility for the teams lack of competitiveness. It surely begins to grate on the minds of the fans of the team and generally for the observers of the game. Not once have I ever heard the likes of ESPN’s analysts Tim Kurkjian or Peter Gammons address this very issue head on. And as knowledgeable and insightful as they both are about the game. I find it somewhat galling that they fail to address it. But their masters if anything, has both them on a tight leash , not wanting to annoy the hierarchy of Major League Baseball with anything openly critical as to how they run the game. Then , so be it !

And the Pirates under the watchful eye of GM Neal Huntington , Team President Frank Coonelly and the team’s manager John Russell have remained anything but relevant. As their struggles have become an ever present thing. Each year we’re told that they’ve got a great ‘farm system’ and that future is very bright for the team. Not wanting to burst their bubble , if that were the case , we would be seeing some semblance of that with regard to there being productivity on the field in terms of their play. Rather than there being the constant upheaval either with the team’s roster and its management strucrture.

Robert Nutting the principal partner in the ownership structure of the Pittsburgh Pirates. picture appears courtesy of afp/photo/ Michael Thompson ..................

Principal partner in the team’s ownership , Robert Nutting seems to be at a loss for words, as to how to explain the team’s ineptitude. But one would guess that as long as they’re said to be getting their part of the league’s luxury tax-sharing revenue , that’s paid out to the small and mid-market teams. Then the lack of success on the field will continue have its financial benefits off the field for the team’s partnership structure. And for the fans of the Pirates they too ,can wallow in the depths of the ineptitude being shown by the organization. Afterall , what would ownership care about them to begin with ? Just as long as they’re prepared to pay to witness the ineptitude on diamond. Then they’ll continue to conjure up and serve up more of the same.

Adam La Roche (right) is seen here alongside Pirates' manager John Russell in the dugout at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. This was prior to the announcement being made that the player was to be traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for two minor league prospects. picture appears courtesy of Pittsbugh Tribune Review/ Christopher Horner ..............

With yesterday’s spectacle of witnessing the team trade away the best player on their roster , in Adam La Roche to the Boston Red Sox in exhange for two minor league prospects in right handed starter Hunter Strickland and shortstop Argenis Diaz. Well , if anything it could be looked upon as being back to the drawing board as the team once again seeks to rebuild. But as alluded to before it’s more of the same old horse-play on the part of the Pirates’ organization.

One would have to go back to the Jim Leyland era when the Pirates had a great deal of resonance within the game. And that was when the team had on its roster Barry ‘Lamarr’ Bonds and Bobby Bonilla . In addition to Bonds and Bonilla on the team’s roster at the time there was also Andy Van Slyke , Jay Bell , Steve Buechele , Mike LaValliere , Sid Bream , Jose Lind , Doug Drabek , John Smiley and Stan Belinda. And consistency was the norm for the team under Jim Leyland, then , as the team’s manager.

The McClatchy / Littlefield reign of the nineties , wherein, the team squandered what little goodwill they had within the city. It has merely brought about an endemic process of systematic changes. The cost-cutting that took place was drastic . Payroll was cut and the team in the form that it took was barely recognizable from their heyday under Jim Leyland. And once the McClatchy family and their partner saw fit to rid themselves of the team. It has to be said, you knew you were in for more of the same. It goes to the old addage …….. the more things on appearance looks to have changed. In effect the more still, things remain unchanged. It is the enigma and the puzzle that the fans of baseball have now come to know as the Pittsburgh Pirates. They’re not about to change for anyone , anytime soon. Despite what they may appear to do , or lead you to believe otherwise.

Pirates' player Ryan Doumit heads for home plate in the game against the Brewers. Inset in the background is the Brewers' pitcher Jeff Suppan. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Gene J Puskar .................

The sad fact for baseball and in particular its fans. It is that whilst we have a hierarchy that’s merely concerned about its image. Rather than what’s best for the game, we will continue to see the likes of Pirates exist marginally on the fringes of the game of baseball. And be there purely as a source for other teams to plunder their roster and to do with as they as please. If you’re not of that belief then look around , just to see what’s indeed happening within the game. Whilst it’s veiwed as , that there’s being nothing wrong. It can’t at all be viewed as being healthy for the future of the game as we know it.

Bud Selig Would Like You To Know That He Really Cares About The Game Of Baseball ……Yeah Right !

How does Bud Selig sleep at night ? That might be the question that many of us would like to ask of the man . And though it’s not deemed politically correct to harbor ill will much less be contemptful of a person. I can’t help but wonder how much better off the game might be. Were it in-fact someone else at the helm of Major League Baseball (MLB), as its commissioner. Then perhaps we might’ve seen much more proactive stances being made to address many of the issues that’ve derailed the sport over the last decade.

Allan ‘Bud’ Selig , Commissioner of Major League Baseball, seated alongside President & Chief Operating Officer Bob DuPuy . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Roger Scott ……………..

No doubt we all have our own opinions as to what took place at the height of the steroid era . But that’d suggest collusion on the part of the owners , players and the game’s hierarchy. And then there are those amongst us who feel that Selig was powerless to do anything to stop the widespread and rampant use of performance enhancing drugs (PED’s )

And as commissioner, Selig has pronounced at no time was he aware , much less that there’d been any collusion on the part of MLB and its players, with regard to the use of steroids within the game. The fact that during the nineties he presided over the era when it was used most widespread, gives us for real cause for concern. One has to wonder what Selig and the owners were aware of at the time ? Either they knew and they were not all concerned. Or quite possibly as we’re to believe that he and the owners had no knowledge as to the rampant and widespread use of illecit substances by the game’s players. I’m of the inclination that Selig’s mind was elsewhere as his concerns had more to do with ever increasing revenues that MLB was garnering , by way of the exploding tv contracts and merchandise of MLB properties domestically as well as globally.

And as long as those coffers were being filled with the billions of dollars in revenue. Bud Selig’s concerns as to the superficiality of the steroid abuse scandals and saga had no real bearing on the game as far as he was concerned. His indifference to it all has been mind numbingly stupid ! As can be borne out by his demeanor under questioning by the members of Congress when they conducted their investigation into the scandal.

And with the game’s mid season showcase event having past. It is back to the resumption of the regular season. For many of the teams in contention, it will be about how best to gain the momentum of winning not games , but also series. Then there’s the trade deadline beckoning. Wherein the possible futures and fortunes may well lie in the sort of trades that the contending teams are able to establish.

Billionaire real estate mogul Sam Zell, owner of the Chicago Cubs' parent company , Tribune Group. Zell placed the media company into bankruptcy proceedings and now seeks to do the same with the Chicago Cubs. He states that it's merely being done to facilitate the quick and orderly sale of the baseball club. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Victor Rossum ...........

Selig , himself , remains the quintessential figure fawning over the game that he oversees. Offering up his own opinions as to the health and viability of the game. Funny , however , that he fails to address perhaps one of the most staggering events taking place within the sport at present. And no it’s not that another player has been caught ‘juicing’. If only it were that , to begin with ! It may well have escaped your notice but what’s now said to be taking place in Chicago , with regard to the Chicago Cubs and the sale of the team. It should be a warning but most of all a wakeup call as to the precarious position that many of the franchises around the league could very well find themselves in.

The Cubs and its parent company the Tribune GroupInc. are in part or about to file for bankruptcy. Whereas it’s being suggested by the club’s owner Sam Zell that it’s merely a maneuver that’ll facilitate the quick sale of the club to potential buyer Tom Ricketts .The potential buyer, Tom Ricketts is one of the co-founders of consumer brokerage house TD Ameritrade Inc. An offer by Ricketts of $900m to purchase the team including Wrigley Field and a quarter share in regional cable sports network seemingly hit a snag. As to what that snag is , no one has made it public. Despite the very fact the MLB itself is said to be closely monitoring the deal.

Tom Ricketts , co-founder of consumer brokerage firm TD Ameritrade. Ricketts’ family have tendered a bid of $900m for the purchase of the Chicago Cubs, included in the sale are Wriglely Field and a 25% stake in a regional sport’s cable network. The bid has however hit a snag. And it appears that with bankruptcy proceeding set to take effect. The deal itself could well be in jeopardy of falling through. picture appears courtesy of res publica @ copyrighted material …All rights reserved.

Wrigley Field , Chicago ,Illinois. The venue is home to the National League's Chicago Cubs. The venue will also be part of envisaged sale of the Cubs' franchise as well as 25% stake in a regional sport's cable programming network. The only potential buyer at present would appear be the Ricketts family , headed by Tom Ricketts, the co-founder of consumer brokerage firm T D Ameritrade. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ William McManus ..............

With this deal having hit a snag and one ought to bear in mind that the team was placed up for sale on the Opening Day of the 2007 season. It seems hard to fathom, how after all this time this time , a sale of the baseball club hasn’t been enacted . Whilst there’ve been no rumblings around the league concerning this very topic. It seems unimaginable that a club of the Chicago Cubs’ storied history now finds itself in such an untenable situation.

Financial stability and viability are the prerequisites to any business and business entity. That being said the business template being used by the bigger teams , seems to be working. Whereas those deemed small tiered or mid-market teams have their struggles to eke out some form of an operating profit. But we’re still led to believe by the commissioner , Bud Selig, that the game is seemingly in a healthy financial state. Perhaps his definition of a healthy financial state is great deal different from your’s or mine ?

One can now surmise that if the Cubs are prepared to use such a technique in order to facilitate an alleged business deal . Then it’s quite possible to think that any other major league franchise that deems itself in trouble won’t follow suit and proceed to go down the same path as the Chicago Cubs. Selig , for his part has merely suggested that he and his office will continue to monitor closely the situation in Chicago as it continues to unfold.

Another issue that Selig believes to be is of pressing importance. It is the building of a new ballpark for the Tampa Bay Rays . This situation takes on a troubling effect considering the state’s finances in Florida. And to be pressing the club’s ownership ne’ making demands that they needs to avail themselves of a new ballpark seems totallly out of place given the current econnomic climate in the state and across the country. The state itself has amongst the highest unemployment rates in the country. And at the same time the ecnomic climate has had a devastating effect on the Central Florida area. Seemingly for the likes of Bud Selig and his hierarchy none of this seems to matter at all.

Rays’ GM Andrew Friedman (right) seen here is seated alongside player, Evan Longoria . Friedman of late has been critical of the fans in the Tampa Bay area and their poor turnout for the team’s home games at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The front office’s angst with regard to the building of a state of the art facility seems to be on hold , given the economic climate at present. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Maty Gonzalez ……..

And whilst the Rays’ own executives have been critical of the fans of late, with regard to their failure to attend the team’s home games in ever larger numbers. The stance now being taken by Selig and that of Rays’ GM Andrew Friedman can only exacerbate the situation further by creating a chasm between the league, the minicipalities of St Petersburg, Tampa, and their respective county governments, of Pinellas and Hillsborough County.

Bob DuPuy , at the behest of the commisioner will be the league’s point man , as they seek to resurrect the project and place it within the context of being a viable working concern. In the midst of all of this however is how the financing for the facility will be raised. Will it be through a bond issue ? Or has been the norm , either a further raising of the county’s sales tax or by a bill being specially being into introduced in the state legislature.

What is becomingly abundantly clear is that Selig is willing to pick and choose the battles that he views are advantageous to his image and legacy. He wants to be seen as the man whose custodianship of the game was a wortwhile endeavor to the benefit of the fans and all of the other concerned parties. In reality however, the only parties that’ve profited in all of this have been the owners , the players and Major League Baseball, itself. The erstwhile fans have been left high and dry without a pot to piss in and a window to throw it out of !

And Selig would have us believe that he cares about the game of baseball ? I beg to differ as his only concerns are that of money and not much else beyond that !

What are your thoughts on the matter ? I look forward to reading your comments on this topic.

NB: In order to get a greater understanding surrounding the situation concerning the recent events with regard to the Chicago Cubs . You will have to read the following articles and excerpts installed below.

1) From within this very forum : The American Sports Blog

http://americansportsblog.wordpress.com

Did You Hear The Joke About The Chicago Cubs ? Stop Me If You’ve Heard It Before ? Written by Alan Parkins

Financial constraints notwithstanding . I’d like to know who’s the idiot minding the store as far as the finances of the Chicago Cubs and its parent company the Tribune Group Inc. are concerned ?

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2) AP sources: Cubs exploring bankruptcy filing…..

By Dave Carpenter , AP Business Writer

CHICAGO-(AP) The corporate owner of the Chicago Cubs is considering having the team file for bankruptcy protection as a legal step to hasten its long awaited sale, according to two people with knowledge of the process.

Tribune Co., which itself filed for bankruptcy protection in December , intends for the Cubs’ own stay in Chapter 11 to be as short as a day or two. If pursued , the filing would be done to give the team’s next owners as “clean” clean a title to the Cubs as possible-to protect them from possible future claims by Tribune creditors.

The people familiar with the process described it to the Associated Press on Monday, confirming earlier reports. These people spoke on condition of anonymity because the bankruptcy plans are not yet public.

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In order to view the pieces in their entirey , just click on the text link provided.

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Did You Hear The Joke About The Chicago Cubs ? Stop Me If Youv’e Heard It Before ?

Financial constraints and hardships notwithstanding. I’d like to know who’s the idiot minding the store as far as the finances of the Chicago Cubs and its parent company the Tribune Group Inc. are concerned ?

Ryan Ludwick and teammate Rick Ankiel celebrate after Ludwick's hit of a 2 run home run against the Chicago Cubs in a game played at Wrigley Field. The St Louis Cardinals would end up defeating the Cubs 4-2. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Paul Beaty ........................

The stupidity now being shown now borders on insanity by the conglomerate’s owner, commercial real estate billionaire and entreprenuerial mogul, Sam Zell. First a tentative agreement was in place for the ballclub to be bought by TD Ameritrade founder , billionaire, Tom Ricketts . Whilst nowhere to seen in the midst of this all is anyone from the hierarchy of Major League Baseball (MLB). But you can bet your bottom dollar should things to continue to fall south that league Commissioner Bud Selig will have something to say about this all. Especially if the speculation now circling is said to be true that the ballclub will seek bankruptcy protection from its creditors. Well specifically not the ballclub itself , but its parent company, The Tribune Group Incorporated.

Billionaire real estate tycoon Sam Zell. The billionaire owner of the Cubs' parent company the Tribune Group is seriously contemplating entering the team into Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings in order to facilitate the quick sale of the franchise. A tentative offer of $900m was made by the founder of consumer brokerage house TD Ameritrade's Tom Ricketts. The sale has now hit a snag between the two parties. picture appears courtesy of afp/photo/ Paul Hayden ....................

In light of this all , it goes to show how tenuous and precarious that the state of the game is in financially. And all of this comes on the eve of the 80th edition of the major league All-Star Game (2009), to be held at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri. To suggest that this doesn’t create something of a PR nightmare on the eve of the sport’s midseason showcase event. Well it would be to suggest that Darwin’s ‘Theory on Evolution’ was basically conceived as a stunt and was extremely flawed. This is no laughing matter at this juncture. For there’s little to laugh about concerning the envisaged bankruptcy proceedings of one of the game’s most storied franchises.

The Cubs' Randy Wells (left), Aramis Ramirez (center) and Ryan Theriot (right) plead their case concerning interference with second base umpire Dan Bellino during the game against the St Louis Cardinals . picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Paul Beaty .............................

And whilst there may well be some jocular humor concerning the Chicago Cubs’ history. The fact of the matter is there’s a remote possibility that the franchise could possibly cease to be, or for all sense and purpose be shuttered over a prolonged period, should things not be resolved amicably during the Federal proceedings in bankruptcy court. But much of this is now , but mere speculation. But the team’s owner in the guise of Sam Zell has to be looking for a speedy way to resolve this matter without MLB intervening in some form. That being said the incredulity having been shown by the game’s hierarchy over the last decade does give cause for a great deal of concern . We’ve all seen how the the game’s hierachy and owners in collusion with the Players’ Union conducted themselves with regard to the steroid issue. Much of that was akin to the actions of the three monkeys, see no evil, speak no evil and hear no evil .

Yahoosports.com :

AP Sources: Cubs exploring bankruptcy filing

By Dave Carpenter, AP Business writer

CHICAGO-(AP) The corporate owner of the Chicago Cubs is considering having the team file for bankruptcy protection as a legal step to hasten its long-awaited sale , according to two people with knowledge of the process.

Tribune Co., which itself filed for bankruptcy protection in December , intends for the Cubs to stay in Chapter 11 to be as short as a day or two. If pursued the filing would be done to give the team’s next owners as “clean” a title to the Cubs as possibe-to protect them from possible future claims by Tribune creditors.

The people familiar with the process described it to the Associated Press on Monday, confirming earlier reports. These people spoke on condition of anonimity because the bankruptcy plans are not yet public.

One person said the filing is not imminent and is not necessary in order for a sale of the Cubs to take place.

A possible bankruptcy filing is just the latest twist in the lengthy sale saga involving a prosperous but star-crossed franchise that hasn’t won a World Series since 1908.

Tribune, which bought the Cubs from Wm Wrigley Jr. Co. for $20.5m in 1981, put the team on the market on opening day in 2007, when real estate mogul Sam Zell agreed to buy the media conglomerate. But Zell has proceeded deliberately in selling off sell off one of the company’s most lucrative assets, which were not covered by the Tribune Co. bankruptcy filing in December. The recession and credit crisis have slowed the sale further.

The family of TD Ameritrade owner Joe Ricketts remains the front-runner to buy the team for about $900m , but there is no final agreement. The family and Tribune Co. are still ironing out details.

Cubs’ Chairman Crane Kenney did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Bankruptcy attorneys said the Cubs should be able to get in and out of bankruptcy court quickly, citing the General Motors Corp. case amongst others without major underlying disputes.

“They’re not looking for protection from creditors who are banging on the door”, said Paul Rubin, a corporate bankruptcy attorney in New York who is familiar with sports bankruptcy issues. “They’re looking to cleanse the entity so the buyer is protected on the back end.”

Peter Russin , a bankruptcy lawyer in Miami, said filing in court now that a deal appears close makes sense because it can help resolve any roadblocks to the sale.

It’s not clear what issues might be holding up a final agreement on a sale package that includes the Cubs, Wrigley Field and 25 per cent interest in a regional sports network.

Asked about the possible bankruptcy filing Monday , Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig said he’s been “talking to people” but “I can’t tell you there’s anything new.”

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In order to read this article in its entirety just click on the text headline above of the article inset within this piece.

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Tom Ricketts co-founder of consumer brokerage house TD Ameritrade. The Ricketts' family are behind the bid of $900m pursuing the purchase of the Chicago Cubs franchise. picture appears courtesy of res publica group @ copyrighted material .... All rights reserved ..........................

Clearly if something of this magnitude to a franchise such as the Chicago Cubs with their renowned reputation can happen. Then most definitely any franchise within Major League Baseball who might happen to find themselves in a similar situation won’t hesitate at all to follow the path of the Cubs at present. And as such it creates a dilemma for the stability of the game and that of the franchises within the game of baseball. It sends a powerful message to the hierarchy of the game.

With but a handful of teams around the league clearly showing an operating profit. And that is not to include the tax sharing revenues afforded to many of the mid-tier and small market teams. It does not bode well for the thinking that the game is in an extremely healthy state. We’re constantly being served up with a great many platitudes by the commissioner, as to the competitiveness of the game. But all too often he fails to address the economic struggles that many of the teams are said to be facing.

Beleaguered commissioner Bud Selig. The commissioner's response concerning the apparent maneuver being undertaken by the Cubs has been deafeningly silent in terms of his tomed opinions on the subject. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Matthew Hornsford ...............................

And inspite all of this we have never had a team within Major League Baseball ever open up their books for public scrutiny. But yet they tend to come to the state , county and municipal governments cap in hand looking for public financing in order to avail themselves the finest as to the state of the art facilities when it comes to a ballpark.

Somehow there seems to be something inherently wrong with the way that Major League Baseball is allowed to conduct its business. It still remains somewhat archaic in many of its rules but at the same times there are practices that border on being contemptable and corrupt.

And as of now from the ranks of the game’s hierarchy , they remain silent as to what is now transpiring with one of its most beloved and renowned franchises. One has to wonder what it will take for them to change their mindset and be completely candid with the fans , public and the press alike ? Thus far all we continue to hear are the hollow sounds of indifference from the commissioner’s office , and not much else by way confidence or truth for that matter.

As to the lovable Chicago Cubs what else can go wrong for the franchise at this juncture ? It’s not as if they’re in with the remote chance of winning the World Series this year. Or are they ? Stranger things have been known to happen. But divine intervention doesn’t appear to be even on God’s agenda. As the saying goes ‘God doesn’t like ugly !’ And at this juncture that’s indeed what the Chicago Cubs have now become , both and off the field of play .

NB Should you be interested in reading more about the Cubs. Then click unto the link provided below. There you’ll see another piece written by me concerning the franchise.

The Cubbies’ll Always Be Lovable , Win Lose Or Whatever ……..

Think Long And Hard You Fool ! Oh What It Is To Be The Blue Jays’ GM J P Ricciardi …..

One has to look long and hard when considering the mindset of the Toronto Blue Jays’ GM J P Ricciardi . I know that competing with the likes of the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and now the upstarts within the division the Tampa Bay Rays has got to be considerably painful. Never mind the fact that the AL East division , apart from being the glamor division in all of baseball. It’s also the most competitive and contentious bar none !

Toronto Blue Jays' GM J. P. Ricciardi . The franchise faces an ever tightening budget in light of the severe economic crisis that now affects all of the four major sports. Financially constraints notwithstanding Ricciardi is now said to be contemplating trading their starting ace, pitcher Roy Halladay. picture appears courtesy of afp/ Neil MacLaughlin ...................

In the mind’s eye what happens within the confines of the Blue Jays’ organization may seem minuscule when compared to the resources of both the Yankees and Red Sox. But I find it somewhat disheartening , even though I know what it is that many of the franchises within baseball are said to be going through financially. There are but a handful of clubs in all of major league baseball that actually make an actual operating profit when you don’t take into account the tax sharing revenues shared amongst the small and mid-tier market teams. But such are the ways of the hierarchy of baseball. That within this economic meltdown they’re still unprepared to address the issue of a salary cap across the board when it comes to baseball.

Commissioner Bud Selig appears to think that it’s not within the best interests of baseball to initiate such a policy. Albeit, that with what can now be deemed small but noticeable incremental decreases in revenues. The game has found itself laying off staff. But at the same time in some markets either general admission prices have been lowered, yet concession prices are on the rise. This has to be baseball’s answer to ‘robbing Peter to pay Paul’. In this case however it’s been the consumer being held up at gunpoint in order that baseball’s coffers somehow remain intact.

Blue Jays' pitcher Roy Halladay fields questions about the recent trade speculations concerning his status as a player. The Blue Jays were set to take on the Tampa Bay Rays in a series of games to be played at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, Florida. picture appears courtesy of ap/photo/ Brian Blanco ..........

Sooner or later the game’s hierarchy will have to meet and address this issue head on. But unfortunately for the owners and that of Major League Baseball itself the power of the Players’ Union (MLBPA) is so great. That they’ll be hard pressed to find the union acquiescing to any of their demands, unless the league itself is willing to make concessions of their own.

While much of what’s said to be happening can be on only summarized as mere speculation. Gordon Edes of Yahoo Sports offers an opinion on the matter. Yahoo Sports:

Compiled by Gordon Edes: Trading Halladay made sense a year ago

News item Toronto Blue Jays’ General Manager J P Ricciardi says he would listen to offers for Roy Halladay.

Comment: What if Ricciardi is a year too late ?

I know what you’re thinking : Who wouldn’t want a former Cy Young Award winner who finished in the top five in voting three other times, the pitcher who set the standard for excellence in the American League for the first half of the 21st century ?

But that’s not the issue . These are .

1) The economic landscape has changed.
Through July6, 20 big league teams were down in attendance. Six of those teams were down by 200,000 or more, including the Mets (a dip of 365,000) and the Yankees (292,558). The box office hit absorbed by the New York teams is mitigated by huge price increases at their stadiums , but nonetheless it is a trend that cannot be ignored, especially by the Mets, who also have the Bernie Madoff factor to consider.

Could the Yankees still afford Halladay ? Of course. They potentially have $38million coming off their books in four salaries: Johnny Damon ($13millon),Hideki Matsui ($13million), Xavier Nady ($6.5million), Andy Pettite ($5.5million).

But the Yankees spent $243.5 million on pitchers C C Sabathia and A J Burnett. Is it really in their best interest to sacrifice their best young prospects- and if I were J P Ricciardi my conversation with the Yankees would begin with Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes and catcher Jesus Montero – for another top of the rotation guy, especially at a time when the Yanks must begin making plans to extend shortstop Derek Jeter or think about how to replace him.

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In order to continue reading the full article in its entirety just click unto the text headlined link above.

As to Ricciardi’s alleged wish to entertain offers for his ace starter. One can only surmise that the economic effects are taking its toll on the baseball franchise. And for Halliday who has a no trade clause written into his contract. The feeling must be that he’s far outlived his usefulness to the team. Wherein they’re now prepared to listen to the right offer as far they’re concerned. The final say will be his as to his ultimate destination.But much of that will also be predicated upon the offers received by the Blue Jays for their former Cy Young award winner.

Halladay removes his cap whilst on the mound pitching for the Blue Jays against the New York Yankees in a game played at Yankee Stadium, in the Bronx, New York. picture appears courtesy of getty images/ Nick Laham .......................

Pitchers of Halladay’s pedigree don’t come along all that often. And the price to be paid will be steep for any team whose wish it is to acquire his services. As to the teams wishing to acquire his services. It may not be a long list . But I can assure you that the usual suspects will have already used due diligence when making their enquiries to what it’ll take to lure the player away.

Halladay is due to be paid $14.25m this year , with $15.75m to be paid in the final year of his contract in 2010. For the Blue Jays as an organization all they can merely do is to put a product on the field in the hope that they can somehow remain competitive. But what this suggests for the teams that happen to find themselves in the same financial situation. It is has to be said in reality all that they can hope to achieve is merely produce exceptional players only to lose them to impending free agency . Or the fact that come the trade deadline teams that are in need of a missing piece to add to their roster , can come a calling in the hope acquiring a player through a trade that’ll meet their needs.

Roy Halladay . Perhaps the best pitcher in the American League if not in the entire game of baseball. It'll be interesting to see however where he'll end up should the Blue Jays take the bait and trade the player for their desired needs. As it now stands the franchise in terms of it competitiveness is merely spinning its wheels when measured against the top tiered teams in the major markets. picture appears courtey of afp/ photo/ Gyles Coulson .............

It does also suggest that many teams are merely playing for the sake of playing , but without ever any hope of having the aspiration of playing for a World Series title. Such is the chasm between the haves and have nots within the game. That the playing field itself will be never be truly level. Some might suggest that within the game of baseball there’s a great deal of balance. The balance itself now lies in the financial acumen of the big market teams. While the minnows of the game merely now watch from afar as spectators. If that doesn’t suggest you that there’s still indeed something wrong with the game. Then just take a look at the salaries of the top ten teams within the major league and that of the bottom ten teams ? If that doesn’t suggest to you that there is a major imbalance . And that the very financial security of the game is at stake. Then we might as well have the federal government now come in and run the game. Afterall they couldn’t do any worse than the game’s hierarchy has done so far now could they ?