Sports gambling, wagering and gaming have been around for a long time and have moved into the mainstream from behind closed doors in recent decades.  However, unlike casino gambling that governments have embraced over the past 20-30 years, there is an affect on other institutions, namely the professional and amateur sport ranks.  Certainly the lessons of the Chicago Black Sox scandal, Pete Rose, Tim Donaghy, and Rick Tocchet show that gambling has a corrupting influence on sports.  While regulating it at the sports level seems like the solution, rules banning it were in place for all the above examples.

Placing the government in charge of sports gambling is a risk in itself.  Not only have they allowed $200 million in false winnings to be collected in their lottery games, but have made mistakes on their existing Pro-Line sports wagering business (I can only find this anecdotal reference to a $900,000 soccer mistake).  There is also no evidence that the government act responsibly with the billions they raise from gambling today.  Additional billions will increase the income statement for the provincial coffers, but the money will not be targeted to any specific social infrastructure area to benefit all.

Finally, there is a social cost to increased gambling.  Moral issue aside, the advent of casino gambling and VLT’s in Canada brought increased gambling addictions.  This in turn has increased the theft and fraud of businesses, charities and governments as well as personal bankruptcy.  When the government tells people to start practicing their happy dance for their sports wagering, how many more will be caught up in dreams of hitting it big?

I see that real government sports book will eventually come.  They will not resistant to ignoring a new revenue stream.  I am satisfied with small charity games and the lottery sports offerings available today.  Adding betting on individual games will only cause problems for sports and that is what is most important to me, not the side wagers.

Take the cited Santanio Holmes touchdown as an example.  Instead of an official making a call on the field, we were subject to minutes of review which broadcasters fill with speculation if there was a hair-width of space between one foot and the ground.  It was obvious to me that the official made the best call with the visual information available and the time on the review was unnecessary.  Since this was not a blatant blown or missed call by an official, the review process actually suppresses the celebration as well as delaying it.  I appreciate my memories pre-replay of many touchdowns scored late or last minute goals where you knew it counted if it was not immediately waved off.  I would not trade catches waved off or goals disallowed for teams I supported if it meant replacing it with a long drawn out review process.

Regarding The Atlantic article on NFL broadcasts, it shows to many Canadians the NFL broadcast production is not just about the quantity of cameras, technology and money they throw at it.  The whole televison crews are specialists for broadcasting football, from the camera operators to directors to the commentators.  Using all specialists for their broadcasts is easy not just because of the money in the television contracts, but because of the economies of scale.  In Canada, in an eight to ten team league, and one or two broadcasters you are not going to to see the hours of coverage needed to develop specialists.  It shows in the camera work and direction of CFL games.  It was worse when the CBC had the broadcast rights as their camera operators from across the country would work across all kinds of genres, from sports to news.  Hockey on the other hand does not require as much skill to broadcast.  Nothing has worked better than the pan up and down the ice method that has been in use since the first televised hockey broadcast over 50 years ago.

The Super Bowl is notorious for producing less-than-entertaining games yet the hoopla and growth continue to rise.  The ability to market the day to the masses and attract viewers who have little interest in the NFL during the season is commendable from a marketing perspective.  The game has become so secondary however, and that can not be good for the sport.  A number of people asked me if I was watching the Super Bowl this year.  When I replied negatively and they positively, I inquired to their reasons since many were non-NFL fans, if not non-sports fans.  The resounding answer was the commercials.  Really, the commercials.  Now I view commercials like the flu, something to avoid.  Commercials have become despicable in their methods in manipulating people’s thoughts about what they need, which has led to some of the issues we are facing now.  Some people don’t see commercials as such (even arguing the whole economy would collapse without them) and find entertainment in them.  To spend five or six hours on a Sunday to see a few 30 second clips when they could see the highlights on the news channels or YouTube the next day if they wished seems very wasteful to me.  Surely commercials are not that high on the entertainment scale.  The entertainment value of the sport has been eclipsed by just entertainment in general (and if it is on TV, it must been entertaining!).

Many of those watching the Super Bowl on television will be there for the commercials, the half-time show, the party and the approval (I’m American, Hollywood because I watched the game all the Americans, movie stars watched!) and will have no idea about the players, the teams or even how the game is played.  It has become a sad reflection on our society, and in Canada, an example of the cultural influence of the US on us.  Interest in their football championship would be one thing, but a mass audience to be spoon fed thousands of corporate messages to buy more, need more, want more is the wrong kind of cultural influence.  I think Canadians should think about what they could do with that time and not be sheep for the sake of being sheep.  The only American approval that comes with watching their biggest game is in your mind, otherwise it does not exist.  There are other days and ways to gather with friends.  You may find other ways to connect with people without the television pumping messages at you.

I have not yet added forum rules to the site, but I do have some. First, please keep it clean. This is a family site. Second, please avoid defamation of character, whether it is someone you know, an athlete or anyone else. These forums are for constructive discussion, not anonymous attacks on people. Finally, keep it on topic. As moderator I reserve the right to delete or edit any post which does not meet with with the site standards.

If you think I’ve missed a forum topic that you would like to see, let me know and I will consider adding it.

10 – The Natural

Could have been better, with one part authenticity, and two parts unbelievable. The custom made Wonderboy bat and exploding lights are terrifically spoofed in The Simpsons “Homer at the Bat” episode.

9 – Space Jam

The Looney Tunes make this movie, otherwise basketball does not make it on my top 10 list. Bill Murray wasn’t bad either.

8 – Bull Durham

Who knew the minor leagues were funny? I liked the baseball stuff in this movie, but some of the slow off-field parts bored me.

7 – Happy Gilmore

Hockey meets golf. Now a CBC June staple. The Price is Wrong, Bob.

6 – Eight Men Out

In Eight Men Out, Shoeless Joe Jackson is a slow, illiterate, naive kid who can really play baseball. In Field of Dreams (see below), he is Ray Liotta.

5 – Major League

Wild Thing. And who doesn’t like the story of a sad-sack baseball team making good?

4 – Rudy

Being five-foot nothing, a hundred and nothing, I relate. Well, not to the part about getting beat up on the taxi squad of the Fighting Irish, but the other part.

3 – Slap Shot

Can never be outdone. Made the list as a “funny because its true” comedy. Hockey will never be the same as 1970′s minor league hockey.

2 – Remember the Titans

Pretty powerful overcoming odds, teamwork movie. Replaced Rudy in second spot. Did they really win it on a trick play?

1 – Field of Dreams

Made me believe in the power of baseball for a while. This was close, Field of Dreams is close to losing my top spot.

Close, but no cigar

• Bad News Bears series (original 1970s) – Made me laugh as a kid.
• The Rocky movies except Rocky Balboa, which I haven’t seen.
• Ali – couldn’t make a boxing move part of my Top 10.
• Raging Bull – again with the boxing, and less about the sport than about the person.
• A League of Their Own – Quaint, but not deserving of the Top 10.

Dishourable mentions

• The Mighty Ducks and D2: The Mighty Ducks and D3: The Mighty Ducks – only seen parts of the first. Disney named their team after this only to abandon the NHL 10 years later? Couldn’t someone see what kinda poor marketing strategy that was?
• Youngblood – Ewww… just thinking about it.
• Slap Shot 2: Breaking the Ice – Haven’t seen it, but why? Why would you make another?

As you can see, I need to catch up on my sports movies. What, no We Are Marshall, Gridiron Gang or Invincible? Or The Big Green or Miracle or The Rookie? Or Prefontaine or even Chariots of Fire? Sorry, haven’t seen them. Reviewing what is out there for sports movies made me even consider what qualifies as a sports movie. Do movies about sport playing animals like Air Bud and Ed qualify? What about cheerleading movies, or bowling movies? Where is the line exactly?

Perhaps something I have not seen could take the number one spot. Straighten me out with a comment about movies I have missed that deserve to be in the Top 10. I’ll add your recommendations to my “To Watch” list.

#6 – Glory Days by Bruce Springsteen

Though only indirectly about sports, Glory Days covers the reminiscing many a person has done as they grow older and they realize their best days are behind them, whether in life or in the batter’s box.

#5 – Cheap Seats by Alabama

Baseball gets more than its fair share of songs, possibly because America’s pastime lends itself to story songs. Cheap Seats is an ode to minor-league ball, outfield bleacher seats and ballpark concessions. Celebrating the fan experience, this one knocks it out of the park.

#4 – Big League by Tom Cochrane

A tragedy set to music, Big League is set apart as a serious song that rocks. The story of a talented player who is cut down in a car accident before his chance to play professionally strikes a tone with all Canadians and many Americans who identify the song with football.

#3 – Centerfield by John Fogerty

A song about riding the pine and itching to get on the field is familiar to many who have played any ball in there life. Just try not to sing along:

Oh, put me in, coach - I'm ready to play today
Put me in, coach - I'm ready to play today
Look at me, I can be
Centerfield.

#2 – Talkin’ Baseball by Terry Cashman

The baseball anthem that has filled many a rainout broadcast is a short history lesson on baseball. With multiple versions now recorded for various teams, you can learn a lot by listening to them all. Talkin’ Baseball was even adapted as Talkin’ Softball for the end credits of The Simpsons episode “Homer at the Bat”.

Well Mr. Burns had done it,
The power plant had won it,
With Roger Clemens clucking all the while,
Mike Scioscia's tragic illness made us smile,
While Wade Boggs lay unconscious on the barroom tile...

We're talkin' softball...
From Maine to San Diego.
Talkin' softball...
Mattingly and Canseco.
Ken Griffey's grotesquely swollen jaw.
Steve Sax and his run-in with the law.
We're talkin' Homer... Ozzie and the Straw.
(repeat)

#1 – Fifty Mission Cap by The Tragically Hip

This song is really not about sports at all, but about a hockey card. Using the card, The Hip masterfully tell the story of Bill Barilko, who scored the overtime winning goal in Game 5 of the 1951 Stanley Cup Final to clinch the trophy for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Barilko disappeared later that year in a plane crash. The Leafs next won the Stanley Cup in 1962, the year Barilko’s remains were finally discovered in June. The song weaves the story so much better and has built Barilko’s legend in another generation’s eyes.

Bill Barilko disappeared that summer,
he was on a fishing trip.
The last goal he ever scored
won the Leafs the cup
They didn't win another until 1962,
the year he was discovered.
I stole this from a hockey card,
I keep tucked up under
my fifty mission cap, I worked it in
to look like that

There you have it. I would be hard pressed to come up with many more sports related songs to expand this list, but there must be more. I purposely restricted this list to sports related songs, eliminating team fight songs, Stompin’ Tom songs, and anthems that are associated with sports like the ever present Queen hits Another One Bites the Dust and We Are the Champions or Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’ which was used in the 2005 Chicago White Sox run to the World Series Championship. What are your rankings and what songs have I missed that deserve to be in the top six?

NFL Slates Games for Foreign Soil

The NFL announced this past week that it will hold two regular season contests at neutral sites in Mexico, Canada and Europe annually starting next year, although the earliest Canada could receive a game would be 2008. No specific sites have been selected and it is possible that Pacific Rim countries will be added to the list after next year’s exhibition contest in Beijing, China. NFL owners will be compensated for the loss of a home date and all teams will cycle through neutral site games every sixteen years, although the program is only committed until 2011.

The immediate reaction of many is that this is a forward step for Toronto bidders for an existing or expansion franchise. This does not seem to be the case. The CFL issued a press release on the announcement which confirmed the CFL and NFL continue a good relationship and the NFL believes the strength of the football in Canada requires a healthy CFL. A game for Canada has been pushed to 2008 at the earliest due to the presence of the Grey Cup in Toronto in 2007. Also, no specific sites, only countries, were named by the NFL, meaning Toronto may not be an automatic for getting the first game (or every game) when larger 60,000+ seat stadiums exist in Vancouver, Edmonton and Montreal. Since gate revenue must be compensated to the clubs losing the home date, the greater number of seats could be a factor. Considering the NFL’s first regular season experiment in 2005 attracted over 100,000 fans in Mexico City, it is not even likely Canada will receive a game every year, let alone Toronto, with our 60,000 or less seat stadiums.

As the NFL seems to be very considerate of CFL requests when it comes to business in Canada, I would hope the CFL could influence the date of any games in Canada to occur after the CFL season. If after the season is not possible, then certainly early in the NFL season (September) is much better for the CFL than deflecting attention from the CFL during the stretch run and playoffs. If the CFL is accommodated in this way, then I believe this bodes well in the future for the NFL not overwhelming the CFL in the Canadian market.

The plan for neutral site games including sites in Canada sounds like a way for the NFL to satiate fan demand for the NFL in Canada without moving a team there. Expansion is not likely in the NFL considering where they want to go (Los Angeles) and the need for two owners and two teams for balanced conferences. I totally believe that any attempt to buy an existing franchise and move it to Toronto will be met with severe resistance, as the fellow owners see no positives to such an arrangement and many negatives. This plan is a way to meet some demand in Canada, show the weaknesses to achieving a permanent franchise and maintain a relationship with the CFL and grow football in Canada.

CFL Notes

Everybody is coming out with their CFL Grey Cup odds. While the B.C. Lions are heavy favourites, and I agree, but I also take into account how hard it is for favourites to win the Cup. I certainly would not rule out whoever comes through the East to put up a good fight against any Western opponent. Playoff time also brings out comparisons of past match-ups. Unfortunately, history has a way of not repeating itself, so hopes of your team making a run just as they did when they were in this situation back in whenever are just hopes.

Watch the Grey Cup on your cell phone. The teen demographic just went through the roof.

The results are in. CFL officiating still stinks. More at eleven. (We will have more on this in a future article.)

Now that old, conservative Hughie has left the building, LeLacheur reveals new plans to grow the Eskimos organization. This may be the harbinger of a struggling Edmonton franchise. If they burn through their capital, install artificial turf, and grow the organization (read more employees, investments outside football) when all they need is to focus on the football business, Edmonton could soon become a poor cousin of the league with nothing that makes them the model franchise they are today.

Does this Ricky Williams article title sound sarcastic or is it just my pessimistic nature? I think by these articles Ricky has worn out his welcome in Toronto, and I do not know why. He did not meet the media expectations, but the problem there was in the expectations.

Campbell calls out CFL owners on Tom Wright situation. Should not Campbell have done something long ago at the league level to correct the commissioner confidence vote when he wielded the power? All the clubs are to blame for leaving this rule on the books during eight franchise times. It was not because it was unimportant; it was because they thought it might be to their advantage one day.

The Eskimos are already planning a rebuild, and are looking to the free agent market for next year. First on their wish list is a ‘Rider DB.

Other Sport Notes

Against all odds, bartender collects over $400,000 on Pro*Picks lottery picks. While the payouts are not so large, we have more fun at Overtime Central.

The St. Louis Cardinals win the World Series. They are now the second most World Series winning franchise, behind only the New York Yankees. That does not explain why the baseball playoffs were so boring this year. I usually will catch the last few innings of a few games where the score is close and someone will come back or something. This year I never bothered to watch anything, there was no drama.

With steroids raising there ugly head again after the San Diego Chargers’ Shawne Merriman was suspended for four games (now under appeal), Stephen Brunt weighs in on a double standard. Brunt has been known to pontificate about how steroid use can get politicians (and purists) up in arms about the game, but it does not stop fans from going through the turnstiles. His basic theory is that fans do not care if their team’s players are juiced or not. In fact, they may be more concerned if their players are not taking every advantage available to them. I do not think this is the case. First, there has been no major number of players testing positive in anti-doping testing. The NFL and NBA suspend more players for illegal drugs than they do for steroids. If a large number of players were caught, affecting teams and displaying a larger problem than what is apparent now, fans may be more vocal. Second, when one Charger is caught cheating with performance enhancing drugs, do you really expect the seats to be empty the next home game? Should the remaining 59 players be painted with the same brush with no evidence? By the next season, all is forgotten, which is a trait in our society relied upon by politicians and corporations. Finally, with the size of fan bases of many sports, for every fan that stays home or turns off the TV, there is another ready to take his place, who has not been able to get in the door previously. I know players circumventing the system, both in amateur and professional sports, offend me. I have little influence, however, since I do not attend or watch the leagues with the most drug controversy surrounding them. Am I on an island here?

Mystery Ottawa Bidder to Return?

Based on media reports of statements from the remaining two CFL franchise bidders, it seems that they are unlikely to bring Jeff Hunt into their groups. This has led to speculation that another group or individual has inquired about the possibility of putting in a late bid. The feeling is that a delay to the process would not hurt anyone and the CFL may allow another bid if it gets Hunt back into the mix. All we know for now is Hunt is on the sidelines, excited about the opportunity and wanting to get back in while the remaining two bidders have presented their proposals to the CFL.

CFL Notes

Elliotte Friedman nails Danny Barrett in his Loyalty To A Fault commentary.

Ricky Williams handles another set of questions on a road trip. Why do reporters still ask questions they will never get an answer to? Seems to me many questions Williams would not avoid are left on the table. Ask him about his youth, influences, his travelling, something besides comparing the CFL and NFL.

In case you missed it, the Edmonton Eskimos will not qualify for the playoffs for a 35th straight year. Finally, after a lot of excuses this year, an Eskimo admits they are not a good team.

The Ottawa Citizen’s Matthew Sekeres covers Jesse Palmer’s return to Canada and gives a glimpse into his life and personality.

The Blind Eye

Jason Kottke has written a couple posts about the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. The first focuses on the race and class aspect of the book, the second on the football aspect of the book. (Go read those short posts to get an idea of the book’s breadth.)

After reading the New York Times article “The Ballad of Big Mike”, the book does sound intriguing. Covering many aspects facing sports these days, but especially American football, this type of behind-the-scenes view will disturb many people. I think the topics such as exploitation of children and the building of super-athletes are issues that need to be addressed in all sports, from amateur sports to the professional leagues. What ever happened to the players with the natural skills, not with specialized Universal Soldier training, being the athletes of the day? Were the days of lore in baseball, football and hockey with regular Joe athletes that bad? I realize it just comes down to winning and the competitive advantage, which escalates into performance enhancing drugs (steroids and the like). Is that what we really want, and if so are we willing to turn a blind eye?

NHL Business – Worse Than Before

The NHL is not out of the woods yet. I can see the product taking a step backwards on the ice this year. Off the ice, the new labour agreement may have created more problems that are solved. This past week Philadelphia’s GM Bobby Clarke signed Group 2 free agent and 10-goal scorer Ryan Kesler to a $1.9 million offer sheet. The Vancouver Canucks were forced to match the offer or receive only a second round draft pick in return for three years investment in a first round pick. Speculation is that Clarke put forward the offer sheet knowing Vancouver would have to match, therefore using up more than three times what the Canucks qualified Kesler at and leaving them close to the $44 million salary cap. Over paying Level 2 free agents can only lead to inflationary contracts in arbitration for developing and utility players.

Earlier, the New York Islanders signed goaltender Rick DiPietro to a 15-year contract worth $4.5 million per year. This contract will take DiPetro to his 40th birthday. The length of the contract and the fact it starts and ends by overpaying DiPetro makes it look like a bad deal. Even if DiPietro develops into a top goaltender, this deal makes him un-tradeable, even if salary caps rise, due to the length of the deal. It looks very likely like a unique way to circumvent the salary cap by providing a known value for a goaltender for the next 15 years. The only problem is that if DiPietro gets hurt or otherwise fails to become the Islanders top goaltender, the Islanders will be carrying an additional burden of his salary for years to come. Start making many of these deals and a franchise could be on shaky ground if they guess wrong.

CFL Franchise Interest

Apparently David Asper is one of three prospective buyers of part of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. There is a trio of bids to return a franchise to Ottawa, all seemingly successful, smart business people. Funny how successful business people want to put their money into CFL franchises. Makes you wonder if the information that no franchise actually turns a profit is true. If you factor in who is not bidding then you may change your mind. The fact that the CFL could not encourage Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk to submit a bid may reflect more accurately the profitability of a CFL franchise, if only in Ottawa.

A review of the groups making bids for an Ottawa franchise shows that Jeff Hunt makes the Golden Gate group the favourite. Not only are his local connections key, but they seem to have the right attitude, understanding that they have to attract new fans to succeed rather than assume the base CFL fans in the Ottawa area will be enough.

CFL Salary Cap Brings on New Complexities

Interesting how a real salary cap makes the CFL team salary structures a little more transparent. First Wally Buono discusses letting players go after this year due to their salary structure. Next Roy Shivers defends the contract binder he left in Regina. Shivers is right. He was let go less for the salary expenditures (almost $600,000 in inherited dispersal draft salaries) than for the fact he was not likely to renew for another year with a majority players entering free agency, leaving any incoming GM in a tight pickle.

CFL Notes

Pigskin Pete to retire. Apparently, there will be another Pigskin Pete. The tradition will continue.

Corey Holmes is placed on the trading block before he is re-signed for three years.

Jesse Lumsden signs 2-year plus option contract with Ti-Cats. Getting some playing time will certainly help him refine his game and establish a professional reputation. With Holmes signed, will Josh Ranek be shopped around in the off-season?

‘Riders bring in Yo Murphy. I am a big believer of bringing in solid veterans late in the year when the playoff push is on. Let’s hope Murphy can add some leadership.

The Bachelor attracts some media interest. Jesse Palmer brings more next-great-Canadian-quarterback hype than I thought. QB‘s explain adjustment process for Palmer. Nice to see a reporter talk to almost every QB in the league for an article.

Ricky Williams to return to Argo line-up and sets goal to take Toronto to the Grey Cup.

Obvious observation that byes will be gone if Ottawa does not return next year. Giving two byes per team when you have a balanced schedule results in the mess we have this year.

Esks get testy, death watch begins. Gass should be suspended. His kick was up there with the worst I have seen in the CFL. Update: Gass fined for kick. Double-standard lives on.

Other Notes

Backup punter Gillooly-ed competition. They have backup punters?

Toronto reporter takes up Jim Hunt’s $50 bet with Paul Godfrey. Finally a realist in Toronto. I will take that bet as I am sure the NFL will not move into Toronto in my lifetime.

Gambling websites can be dangerous (Overtime Central the exception).

Silvertips’ Constantine suspended for excessively punishing players. Treat players like circus animals and expect them to perform like robots.

As some of you know, my chosen profession before I went abroad was that of a hockey coach. I thought I would share a recruiting story with you.

After my initial season as assistant coach with the Battlefords’ North Stars, the head coach couldn’t come to terms with the club, leaving the head job open. While the board searched for his successor, I was named interim General Manager for the summer (later I was hired as head coach / GM).

Previously in the spring, the Lebret Eagles team folded and there was a dispersal draft. My predecessor selected a Regina player whom eventually decided he didn’t want to play in NB and would rather play closer to home as a 20 year old. So, while I still held the interim position, I made my first SJHL trade.

As the team was heading into the next season with only one goaltender, I tried to address the situation by swapping the disgruntled winger for an 18 year-old goaltender from Regina who was on the protected list of the Notre Dame Hounds plus a young defenseman as well.

After officially getting the head job, I began phoning the players in the system selling the attributes of the Stars program. Later in the summer, I chose several players to meet in person in order to complete the recruiting process. The head scout and myself sat down with the goaltender in a Northwest Regina restaurant and felt pretty good about landing the kid as he seemed quite interested. He had the opportunity to go to a WHL camp first, but we were confident that we would see him after a week or two in the dub.

Upon being released by the Brandon Wheat Kings, this goalie never made it up to NB. After he was cut, he was discouraged as a hockey player and decided to put more effort into football. His name was Jon Ryan. He is making his NFL debut as a punter with the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

[Ed. - Ryan played for the University of Regina Rams and was selected by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 2004 CFL Draft. He played the 2004 and 2005 seasons with Winnipeg, setting a CFL punting average record in 2005, before signing with Green Bay this January.]