That was indeed one hell of a surprise result...

Racism doesn't win my vote... mentioning Lokomotiv on a list like this does. >>>>>

Too late, HCF. Stick to arguing the selections you've made.

I was thinking Suzy Favor Hamilton... at $600 a pop. It even maintains an athletic tie for FanNation standards... ;)

Now bostongm I can't vouch for... but Bigalke, now THAT guy is totally a ****... ;)

I concur, my friend... I concur indeed. He really is. I know from personal experience.

Oh, come on, Jim... I have the perfect counter for WHATEVER you write about Romo! I know a WAY BIGGER CHOKER...

Will they? How many people are watching hockey instead of, say, soccer or basketball in these nations? How many are watching the domestic teams in which they have invested years and decades of their fanhood? You act as though a franchise automatically gains fans in your assertions just by plunking in a locale.

You act as though you've already landed a landmark cross-continental TV deal with Eurosport and NBC Comcast, Argos... where is this going to be airing, and will the TV deal pay enough money to fund these expanded plans?

Thanks for a great throwdown, fvkasm... it's always a pleasure getting to debate!

I don't necessarily think this way. Frank Deford does, though... hence the quotation.

To answer your disagreement, Outlaw, I would assert that the reason minor-leaguers are popped so much is because they can only afford outmoded pharmaceutical technologies for which there are already developed and proven tests.

Oh, how the glory days of SoccerNation were marvelous...

I'll wait for the last argument before I vote, but this was a hell of an interesting topic, guys. I won't say more than that until Grillz gets the last one in.

I was more thinking "food, clothing and shelter"... I'm a chef by trade, at least until I can get back in school and rectify that situation. ;)

Sorry... Max Fried. Was typing too fast and crossed Mark with Max. Carry on, and best of luck, Marlins... always fun to debate with you!

I have to vote left, in terms of finding a creative compromise to the current conundrum being debated. The right's plan requires intervention on the part of an NCAA that currently has no control over the discussion.

You can argue, however, that they are underpaid relative to their peers, or relative to the value they return in terms of on- or off-field success. I understand what you're saying here, I really do... hell, I'd say you're overpaid at $140K. I make <$25K a year and I fulfill one of people's three basic human needs.

I can see that you still know how to do throwdowns, Mr. Monopoly Man, and that this isn't some instance of a new member dropping away. So would you please finish what you've started?

I can tell from the main page of the throwdown section that you still know how to do this, David... want to finish what you've started here?

Which is exactly my point... Boise State has enjoyed the services of a Gray Goose-level coach at Smirnoff prices. They're not paying Fleischmann's or Popov prices, but they're getting a hometown discount for sure. The fact that he's been offered more but chose for personal reasons not to accept the move proves that he has been underpaid. Boise can't pay Blacksburg prices, but they've enjoyed the services of a guy who could easily double his salary and contend for national titles at a powerhouse. That's the essence of underpaid... and content despite the numbers.

Further, the cost of living is higher in Boise than in Blacksburg, around 7% lower... meaning that Beamer would have to be paid $1.58m annually to be making the same relative monetary value as Petersen's $1.7m. The fact that Beamer is making $2.7m, the third-highest salary in a community that is among the least-expensive to live in within the conference, indicates he's paid commensurate value to his production. Petersen -- whatever the circumstance that has caused it to be true -- is underpaid.

(Sorry... after a week, I feel it's well within my rights to rant down here if my opponent and FanNation won't extend the courtesy of providing me with the textbox for my final argument as per the parameters of the 24-hour time limit to which both debaters supposedly agree when they enter a throwdown with one another.)