NFL is king
Good morning, all! I hope your week is going well!
You have to hand it to the NFL. For a league that plays so few games, it has managed to generate publicity 24/7, 365 days a year. Thursday marks the start of the annual league draft. What used to be a gathering in a New York City hotel ballroom on a weekday morning has blossomed into an annual event, televised in primetime on several networks, including ABC’s over-the-air network. The draft has become so big, not even the President of the United States dare give his primetime, invitation-only address in the Congress opposite the event. He is speaking tonight, although more eyeballs will probably be on the draft-eve speculation. You can even bet on the draft - these days you can bet on anything sports-related it seems - as some sportsbooks are crafting book on how to wager on draft picks.
It used to be once the baseball season ended, that sport still managed to generate publicity with news, trades, speculation, etc. in what became known as the “Hot Stove League.” Of course, that was a throwback to another century, when in the dead of winter, baseball fans in the hinterlands would gather around the general store’s potbellied stove and talk about the upcoming season. Baseball has nothing on the NFL and for that matter in the south and west on college football, when it comes to generating discussion, when the games are not played.
Whether it be football, baseball or you name it, in this app-driven, website, smartphone, tablet era, content is king, and nobody does it better than the NFL, where it is professional football season all year long. Enjoy the draft. I know I will.
How to settle extra innings
Starting last season, MLB is now settling extra inning games by beginning an inning with a runner at second base. Well here is a new twist; the Pioneer Baseball League, an independent professional league, will decide tie games after nine innings with a home run duel. Called the “Knock Out” rule, each team will pick a hitter to receive five pitches. The most home runs hit determines the winner of the game. If the outcome is tied, after the first round, they will go to a second round, etc.
How about Esports?
Forget about mid-major universities wondering whether it is financially viable to continue operating their athletic programs at the Division I level, some schools not only have Division I sports, but have added Esports programs. In other words, playing the computerized version of sports. Michigan is the latest university to upgrade Esports to the varsity level. That means scholarships and everything. Perhaps the Esports movement might lead to the creation of a new Saturday afternoon program: “Wide World of Esports.” Hey, I tried.
Enjoy your Wednesday and thank you for your support!
SPORTSCASTER DAN