Good morning, all. I hope your week is off to a terrific start.

My apologies for missing last week’s newsletter. I was summoned at the last minute to broadcast a women’s basketball game. I have had an enjoyable time this winter, broadcasting several women’s and men’s basketball games for the University of Massachusetts and University of Hartford. Basketball play-by-play and commentary have always been a passion of mine and to be able to renew that passion has been a real joy. Besides, I could not pass up publishing a newsletter when today’s date is 2-22-22.

What’s up with Phil Mickelson?

Other than the trade websites and an occasional MSM mention, Phil Mickelson’s effort to “reform” the PGA Tour has not received much attention. But make no mistake, the golf world is riveted.

In case you missed it, huge money from Saudi Arabia is backing a Super Golf League headed by golfing great Greg Norman. Mickelson believes with new television revenue flowing into the PGA Tour coffers, the players should be sharing in the spoils. He accuses the tour of “obnoxious greed.” As of now, players gain their paycheck by where they finish in a particular tournament event. Yes, there are endorsements, etc. The Tour has even created a revenue stream to stop a possible exodus of superstars to the proposed Super League. But that is not enough for one of the game’s all time greats.

Meanwhile, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has threatened a suspension and lifetime ban for any player who leaves for the rival tour. The Tour players are also split. Brooks Koepka has told Mickelson what he could do with his golf ball. Justin Thomas expressed his support for the Tour and Tiger Woods isn’t going anywhere.

Woods and Mickelson have always been this era’s Palmer vs. Nicklaus rivalry. The two seemingly have an uneasy truce, but Tiger was effervescent in his praise of the PGA Tour this weekend, while serving as host of the Genesis Invitational. He even seemed to go overboard on all things PGA Tour in an interview on CBS with Jim Nantz and Nick Faldo; sort of a not-so-subtle way of pointing out how much respect he has for the Tour as opposed to Mickelson.

One doesn’t know how this will all turnout, but it appears Mickelson and the PGA Tour could be headed for a divorce and most divorces usually turn out ugly.

My baseball prediction

As you read this, Major League Baseball’s lockout of players continues. Pitchers and catchers were supposed to have reported by now. Instead, exhibition games through Mar. 4 have been canceled. Owners and players were scheduled to resume negotiations in person on Monday in Jupiter, FL. Owners promise to meet face-to-face all week long in hopes of forging a new deal.

Will it happen? Call me the eternal optimist but I believe by week’s end there will be a new agreement. Why? I will go back to my last newsletter. The television programmers need content, and even though it seems baseball, these days, is becoming an acquired taste, there is nothing like live programming. So mark me down for a deal by week’s end.

That stated, what should be of more concern is the situation in Europe. It is staggering to me that in a recent poll, 90 percent of those surveyed could not even identify where Ukraine is located. In other words, many people, living in their own bubble (Not a criticism here just an observation.) have no idea that the world is facing, in my opinion, its gravest crisis since the late 1930s, when Europe and the globe were on the precipice of a World War. If the unimaginable happens, even the 90 percent not paying attention will be staggered. Death and destruction, explosive energy prices, food and material shortages (already prevalent) and worldwide cyberattacks, including here in the USA, will relegate sports and other entertainment - reliant on infrastructure and disposable income - to the dustbin of conversation.

And on that note, thank you, as always, for subscribing to my newsletter. Have a great week and pray for peace.

SPORTSCASTER DAN