The Republic of Sport

chapmaja@yahoo.com

chapmaja@yahoo.com's Comments

Posted Wednesday November 11, 2009, About: Almirola sues Earnhardt Ganassi

I think, depending on the wording of the contract, he likely not only has a case but will win a case against the ownership group.

Contract law is a funny thing. An article like this doesn't give much in the way of specifics, but I'm willing to guess that the claims against the ownership will be

1) They are required, by the contract, to pay Aric a certain buyout clause if they break the contract

2) They are required, by the contract, to make an attempt to find sponsorship for the car.

3) They are required, by the contract, to provide a ride for the NASCAR Cup Series, with a certain amount of pay per race.

I suspect, based on the threat of a lawsuit, that the ownership is not making any attempt to find sponsorship for the race team, is not paying the salary/buyout that is promised, and they may even be prventing him from attaining work driving for another race team in the Cup Series.

As I said, contract law is a funny thing, and based on previous cases in NASCAR invovling contract law, I think there is a good chance he will win this case.

This case, plus the Sadler case, are in no way, shape or form similar cases to Mayfield's mess. That was a lawsuit filed based on the legality of NASCAR's drug testing policy under both State and Federal Laws and Guidelines. That was not a case of contract law between two parties.

Posted Wednesday November 04, 2009, About: Oregon wants Blount reinstated

Could that be because the one game they lost was against the best team that played this season? I don't think USC is all they are cracked up to be this season. I don't think anyone else in the Pac 10 is that good. In fact I honestly think this is the worst season of college football I remember, a perfect year for Boise St and TCU to make a run at BCS spots, and for Notre Dame to get back to the BCS hunt. Granted I still don't think ND deserves a BCS bid, they lost to Michigan, which isn't saying much since we've tanked.

Posted Wednesday November 04, 2009, About: Did Flames cut in line for H1N1 shots?

I am going to defend the organization and the Health Department in Alberta on this. Why?

What group of people is most likely to be travelling to and from Alberta? The common person of a team of hockey players that goes all over N. America.

Due to the travel, it is fair to say that the team may have an increased risk of brining the H1N1 virus back to the area where it can spread. It certainly will arrive anyway and most likely has, but why not vaccinate the most likely people to bring it back first.

Posted Tuesday November 03, 2009, About: Drivers complain about boring Talladega races

I disagree. The fans don't hate Dega, the drivers don't hate 'dega.

What the drivers and many fans hate is what it has become not of the facility but of the race itself.

Gone are the days when there would be good racing, sling shot passes and high speed action on the track.

All of the drivers would love to be racing on the track, not driving single or double file for 500 miles.

It wasn't that long ago that Kenny Wallace and Dale Earnhardt went from 17th and 18th to 1st and 2nd in the final 4 laps of the race at 'Dega. OK, it was 2000, but it wasn't that long ago.

NASCAR does need to find a way to make these cars as safe as they are today, but also actually make them race. There has to be a way to slow the cars down, but yet put the cars back into the control of the drivers at the same time without making 40 car packs to run around the racetrack.

Maybe it is time to see what these cars can do with less restrictor plate affect and maybe more aerodynamics. NASCAR needs to look at finding a way to make good racing, but

Posted Sunday November 01, 2009, About: Ex-Dolphin: Ginn's an embarrassment, coward

Here is just a wild thought. They are calling him a coward for running out of bounds, but I think he may be doing something right. How many of those old time football players who didn't run out of bounds are fighting the NFL and the NFLPA for compensation for the beating they took playing the game. Running out of bounds may not be the cool thing to do, but it sure saves wear and tear on the body. I doubt when Ginn is 60 he will be walking with a cane like many of the "old time" players have too. I wonder if walking with a cane is cool for a 60 year old.

Posted Sunday November 01, 2009, About: Pac 10 commissioner to meet with Blount

I have felt strange about this entire mess since it happened. Should he have been suspended the entire season? At first I agreed with most people saying yes. However the longer the time period since it happened, the more I think it should have a been an indefinate suspension to less than 1/2 the season (6 games), with criteria in place for him to be able to return. From what I have heard, he is doing everything that he needs to do both in school and in practice with the team. I also felt, and still feel he should have been charged with assult for the punch. I understand things happen in the course of a game, but this was not in the game, it was after play had ceased for the evening.

One thing many may not be aware of is the fact Bliunt may, in some ways be responsible for the improvements made by Oregon's defense since the incident. He has been working at practice and as I understand it, has been doing very well in practice helping run the opposing school's offense. Most defenses don't get to see a player the caliber of Blount in practice. I think his practice performance may have something to do with the way the defense has been able to handle some of the better backs in the Pac 10. It is obvious the offense is doing ok without him, but maybe, just maybe, this entire mess may be what gets Oregon this Pac 10 title.

Posted Tuesday October 27, 2009, About: Montoya complains about Gordon again

I think the problem with JPM is that he tries racing stock cars which are designed for bumping and banging, but still has the attitude that he is in openwheel car which is basically contact free racing (if you want a good finish).

He has turned out to be a good driver, not that I'm shocked, but I agree with the posters that say he needs to roll with the punches a little more. He is an aggressive driver, but not overly aggressive to the point of wrecking people like Pee Wee has been known to do (even though Pee Wee has been better lately, maybe because he isn't racing for wins).

Posted Tuesday October 27, 2009, About: Andretti defends NASCAR's decision

Do you mean what should be a caution flag on the first lap, should also be a caution flag on the last lap. What an idea.

Posted Tuesday October 27, 2009, About: Andretti defends NASCAR's decision

Here is a simple solution to handle these type of problems. Two rule changes.

Get rid of the idiotic rule they have that the race will finish under cuation if the cuation flag comes out after the leaders takes the white flag. If the caution comes out at any time after the white flag, but prior to the leader taking the checkered flag the races will finish under a green white checkered finish.

Also, get rid of the rule limiting the green white checkered finishes to one attempt.

The only way the race should end under caution is if the indicent has occurred after the leaders finish the race, but prior to the rest of the field finishing. At that point the caution only affects those who finishes behind the leader and doesn't affect the race winner.

Posted Sunday October 25, 2009, About: Will Big 12 realign divisions?

I agree with the comments about losing Iowa St and adding a team. I just don't know if TCU is the school to add. It would be either TCU or Utah.

A conference needs to look beyond just football and look at all spots. Is TCU a quality enough overall program to add to the Big 12? What about Utah.

Last season TCU was 47th in the Directors Cup Standings last season while Utah was 51st.

I think one of those schools would be a good Big 12 addition.

I think Iowa St would be a good addition to the Big Ten as well, both from an overall athletic department standpoint and a geographical standpoint.

Iowa St was 58th in the directors cup last season.

Posted Friday October 23, 2009, About: Fired CEO planning Dodgers coup

I think the legal community has a very different opinion. The firing will be it's own issue, but under my understanding of California law (from having relatives divorce in California) when the divorce gets finalized, she will own half his share of the ballclub and all real estate associated with it. The reason is that the club, property and everything related to it are consider marital property since it was aquired after they were married.

I think what will end up happening is one side will buy out the other's share and take full control of the team., but since apparently the purchase was done by taking on significant debt will there be enough money to make such a move?

I agree with the posts that say this will get very ugly.

Posted Friday October 23, 2009, About: Schwarzenegger may help 49ers, Chargers, too

I would say maybe the NFL just needs to expand to LA, but given the current numbers of teams I think expansion would be a bad idea. 32 teams is too perfect a number for scheduling purposes to mess with.

I think Jacksonville and Buffalo are the most likely teams to move to LA. I don't think the Chargers would move back north. Remember they were the LA Chargers when they started before moving to San Diego for the second year.

I don't think the Raiders will move again, the reason being simple. I don't think LA wants to deal with Al Davis again in any way, shape or form, including buying a team he formally owned and having it moved to LA.

Honetly I don't see any teams that are really solid contenders to move to LA. Buffalo is pretty well entrenched in the Western New York area and that now includes the Toronto area as well. Jacksonville mighr eventually move, but I think San Antonio would be a better location for a move.

Expansion might be the best move for the NFL if they really want to ge into the LA market, but if that happens, you really would need to add another new franchise as well for scheduling purposes. Who would you add?

Looking at the Combined Statistical area information from the Census, the largest areas without an NFL Franchise other than LA are Portland, Oregon and it's surrounding area, then the San Antonio area and finally Las Vegas. Vegas will never get a team due to gambling issues.

One other area I've heard mentioned if the Grand Rapids, Mi area. I think that would be a rough go however because it sits in between Lions, Bears and Packers areas. The lack of a Division 1 college football program however might make it work a little better than people would expect.

Posted Thursday October 22, 2009, About: Jordan's son may cost UCF millions

Will they be able to bring in enough money to cover what they will lose from the contract? I would guess no. How much are tickets for UCF games? UCF has a total of 16 home games on the schedule for this season. They play in a 10,000 seat arena. Last season they averaged 4390 in attendance. If they sell out each game this season, they will sell 89760 more itckets than they sold last season. The problem is UCF hasn't changed on big policy. Students get in free. At least 50% of the new admissions to games would likely be students, meaning now only 44880 tickets would be sold as new sales. Ticket prices for games range from $5 to $17 dollars. That means the absolulute most UCF would bring in from tickets would be $762,960. I'm not a match major, BUT 1.9 million lost and only 762960 gained still comes out with a net loss of $1,137040 in loss for the program. Unless UCF has a really good way of making up 1.1 million, they will be making a huge mistake in this mess.

Posted Thursday October 22, 2009, About: Jordan's son may cost UCF millions

I think my comments will be similar to others posted already.

If this kid was so good, why is he playing at Central Florida, not Florida? This kid has done nothing to be allowed to demand that he wear a certain type of shoe. You have to earn that privlage, which he hasn't.

The most intereting thing to see will be how much Adidas actually sues UCF for about this. Allowing him to play in Nike shoes would be a clear violation of the contract. Adidas is in a no win situation on this as well. It will be a clear breach of contract if he wears Nike. If Adidas doesn't pursue this, they could be opening up a floodgate for other "players" to argue they can wear what they want. Also, this could end up costing UCF much more than 1.9 million per year. Remember if he stays all 4 years that is now 7.6 million dollars in contracted money. (Depending on when the contract expires, which could be 1 more year or 10 years). That is just the possible monitary damages that could be won by Adidas. When you include the legal fees, the legal fees for Adidas (which UCF would have to pay when they lose), plus any additional damages, it could be much closer to 10.0 million if this drags on over 4 years or longer. I don't think anyone expects this Jordan to be a 1 year wonder and be in the NBA draft in the spring do they.

Posted Tuesday October 20, 2009, About: NHL concerned with goalie interference

In response to the comments about actions goalies take on other players. Officials need to start calling the slashes and hooks from the goalies as well. If a player is going to be protected by rule, he needs to not bring those actions on themselves by slashing, hookig or spearing opponents legally playing in front of the net.

Posted Tuesday October 20, 2009, About: NHL concerned with goalie interference

I agree that something needs to be done.

Here is my proposal as an NHL fan, not as a fan of any certain club invovled with the GI dispute (I am a Wings fan).

If a player makes contact with the goalie while he is in the goal crease area that player shall be penalized two minutes. The the goalie comes out of the crease area and the contact occurs as a result of a natural effort to play the puck, no penalty shall be called. If a goalie is outside the crease and a player makes intentional contact with the goalie, a 2 minute penalty shall be called. If the goalie is in the crease and a player makes intentional contact with the goalie, a 4 minute double minor penalty shall be called. If a player makes an intentional run with the intent to injure the golaie, a 5 miunute major and game misconduct shall be issued, no matter the location of the goalie.

Being out of the crease shall be define as any place outside the goal crease area either in front of or behind the net.

If the goalie goes behind the net to play the puck a player may make a play on the puck, even if it results in contact with the goalie, but he may not play the goalie (check the goalie).

In addition, a player who intentionally causes contact with a goalie, which then causes a fight (as defined by one of more fighting majors) to be handed out shall be assessed a 2 minute insitgaotr penalty in addition to the penalty for goalie interference and shall be assessed a minimum of a 10 minute misconduct.

Posted Thursday October 15, 2009, About: Too many Frances in Hall of Fame?

I have no problem with any of the 5 that were elected into the HOF.

France Sr built NASCAR from the ground up. France Jr turned NASCAR from a regional series into the most specator sport in America. Both of those men deserved to be in.

Petty and Earnhardt both deserved to be in.

I would not have put Junior Johnson in ahead of Pearson personally.

I think both Pearson and Jubnior Johnson deserved to be inducted in this class however, along with a few others. A 5 person class is too small for a sport with a 60 year history. When the baseball Hall of Fame opened it included a class of 25 people.

When the football Hall of Fame opened it had 17 members in the first class.

Why does NASCAR think it is in any way smart to include only 5 people in the first class.

My personal opinion is that the HOF class should have included between 10 and 15 individuals with the 5 elected joined by DW, Bobby Allison, David Pearson, Lee Petty, and Fireball Roberts.

Posted Tuesday October 13, 2009, About: Robinson may start for Wolverines

I don't know the result would have been different had RR put Tate back in at QB. Michigan would have had a guy with a concussion trying to throw or a guy that throws like he has a concussion. Either way the odds weren't good.

Looking back now it is obvious when Tate got dinged. He threw a few passes after that and all we off the mark I think.

The good news for Michigan is they should be able to get Sheridan plenty of PT this week and still beat the powerhouse Delaware St. on Saturday. Heck do we even need to play any of the first string players and risk them getting hurt (including Denard).

Posted Thursday October 08, 2009, About: Tigers victim of blown call?

Did the blown call hurt? Yep. March than had to publically state he saw the replays and they were inconclusive? Inconclusive my white rump. It is clear the ball hit his shirt on the replays. Only a blind man would miss that.

With that said, the call hurt Detroit but it did not cost the Tigers the game nor the AL Central title. The Tiger's made several mental and physical errors in that game which cost them the game more than that blown call. Letting at worst a single get by for triple may have cost them the win. Not scoring a single run with runners on 1st and 3rd and nobody out cost them the game. Questionable managerial decisions cost them the game. Not being able to put the ball in play with the bases loaded in the top of the 12th, after the missed HBP call cost them the game.

Then there is the fact they couldn't win 1 more game against the White sox, Twins or Rpyals in September. Detroit should have had the Central Title locked up in that 4 game series with Minnesota in Detroit. In the game vs the Twins on Tuesday afternoon to open the 4 game series they lost 3-2 in 10 innings. In the 9th inning they had a runner at second and 1 out, didn't score the game winning run. They left 10 on base in that game, including several RISP.

To say one call in 163 games cost Detroit is foolish. In reality Detroit shouldn't have been in this position. Let's give Detroit credit for staying close all season when the talent level and play really shouldn't have had them in game 163. Let's also give the Twins credit for what really was a great comeback considering the number of injuries they faced this season. The Twins won 17 of 21 to end the season. That's hard to do healty let alone with a lineup of pickups and trades just designed to get through the season.

Posted Friday September 18, 2009, About: Did Wolverine throw punch at Irish?

I haven't seen the replay of the incident in question. I don't agree with the comment by RichRod, but at the same time, if we are having to scrutinize the replays to see what may or may not have occurred was it really as big a deal as some people are making it out to be.

There were a lot of things that happened post-whistle in that game that could have been called on both teams. Saying that if the officials saw it they could have called it is an idiotic comment, but at the same time. If it happened and was so obvious, the officials should have seen it. (Granted we are talking about officials, so we need to take it for what it's worth).

Without seeing the play I can't comment, but there is a different between pushing a guy and the hands getting up near the helment and punching an opponent. If it was a punch he certainly does need to be suspended, but that would likely come from the Big Ten office. Since the Big Ten has not taken action I am inclined to think this is much ado about nothing.

Posted Friday September 18, 2009, About: LSU pays big to end Tulane series

Here is what I have as the non-conference schedule for next season for LSU.

9-4 @ Tulane

9-25 West Virginia

11-13 Southern Miss

Right now I only see 11 games on the schedule for LSU in 2010. they don't have an opponent listed on 10-16.

When will they be playing North Carolina? Will it be in place of Tulane in the season opener or will it be in October in between @ Florida and @ Auburn? For LSU's sake I hope it would be replacing Tulane.

Also, LSU is a big name enough program that they should be playing 7 or 8 home games per season. They play 4 home SEC games per season and 4 road SEC games per season. If they play a top level opponent, they can travel, such as to Washington (BCS Conference opponent), then play 3 more home games.

Look at the schools who are traditionally at the top of the rankings. How many times does Michigan play away from home per non-conferenc schedule? At the most once. This season they play all 4 non-conference games at home. Some years, when the schedule includes a decent BCS conference opponent, they will play away from Ann Arbor against that team, but they play ND at home those years.

Michigan makes more money paying schools like App St to come into Ann Arbor (ok and WMU, EMU and other non-BCS conference opponents, than they do traveling to away games. LSU has a stadium to do that. They have the stature as a program to do that. Playing at Tulane does nothing finacnailly for the program.

Tulane makes out great in this as well. They get $100,000 per game, plus they get to schedule some BCS conference opponent that will blow them out for $600,000 per game those years.

Both sides win with the breaking of this contract.