Sports Agenda for Wednesday (9/26/12)
Big Story:
We've got replacement referee fail; Miami Marlins' annual fail; Dolphins fail; no NHL; but at least the Heat are starting training camp on Saturday. Plus, I answer a question posited by Jorge Sedano on what has Roger Goodell ever accomplished?
Quote of the Day:
"We continue to recognize the greater ability of some to earn more than others. But we do assert that the ambition of the individual to obtain for him a proper security is an ambition to be preferred to the appetite for great wealth and great power." – Franklin Roosevelt
Replacement Refs/Goodell:
Yesterday, while monitoring Twitter I saw Jorge Sedano pose the question what has NFL commissioner Roger Goodell actually accomplished.
It got me thinking, especially in the light of the replacement referee SNAFU that is undermining the NFL.
Goodell has always talked about protecting the shield in everything he does (meaning he's protecting the good name of the NFL)
Usually this deals with player suspensions and other punishment handed out by the league.
Goodell became the face of the league when he started handing out personal conduct policy penalties.
While I agree with most of the penalties, it also set Goodell up to be absolutely hated by the NFL Players.
Goodell is a mouthpiece for the owners, make no mistake. His job is to them and he will always defer to them when it comes to protecting the shield.
Now that the replacement referee kerfuffle has exploded, it's turned the spotlight on Goodell again.
To me, it's finally illustrating the one thing that every commissioner is eventually known for….breaking the will of the unions.
Goodell's role in the referee dispute is the same as it was in the CBA fight last year, impose the owners will and break down the union.
He didn't find the same success as he wanted with the players, but that's because both sides didn't want to screw up a $9 billion industry.
The referees are a different ballgame and the league is willing to go with unqualified officials and bad in-game calls to get their way.
Why?
Because the fans will still come, ESPN and sports radio will continue to keep the NFL at the top of their shows and that makes the owners more money.
In the end, that's what it's all about….money, and how much the owners, who by the way are mostly billionaires, can keep from having to give the employees.
Sounds like the rest of the work world huh?
Back to my point, Goodell will be a villain the rest of his time in the commissioner's chair and that's the way the owners want it.
Think about David Stern and the NBA.
No one likes Stern except the owners. He rules with an iron fist and the owners have his back because he carries out their will.
That's what the NFL owners want and have in Goodell. He's laid down the law on the players and now the owners want even more money.
So to answer Sedano's question…what has Goodell accomplished?
He's become the league's answer to David Stern and continues to play Ivan Drago to the players' Apollo Creed ("I MUST BREAK YOU!")
As for the replacement referees, good news NFL fans….sources said they have picked up a sponsor…..LensCrafters!
Miami Marlins: (@ Atlanta, 7:10 p.m.)
My God is this nightmare not over yet?
No I don't mean the game, I mean the entire team.
From Heath Bell to Ozzie Guillen the squad is a mess and the infighting is pathetic.
Of course it starts at the top with Jeffrey Loria who is to ownership what Michael Dukakis was to presidential candidates.
Seriously, I don't want to say the Marlins are bad…but even Rick Scott's approval ratings are better.
I'd like to say more, but I can't write it in a way that can be repeated.
But hey, there's always 2013 for them to screw up right?
Heat:
Just three days left until the defending NBA Champion Miami Heat start training camp.
Thank goodness, a winning team the fair weather fans in South Florida can cheer on!
But seriously, it's good to have the Heat back on the court.
Wade will likely miss some time at the beginning of camp while recovering from offseason surgery as may Ray Allen.
It's going to be interesting to see the following lineup on the court though:
Dwyane Wade, Ray Allen, Shane Battier, LeBron James, Chris Bosh
Let's see, All-Star, All-Star, NBA Champion, Best Player In The World, All-Star
Dadgum!
