Money Players

The case against building a basketball factory

By Marc Isenberg

Sports agent Arn Tellem wrote an excellent article on the why the NBA and NCAA should not support a national basketball academy, modeled after the IMG Academies in Florida.

I agree 100% with his comments, especially in concept. Unfortunately, reality appears to be leading us down a different path. Sports have become so overdone at virtually every level that we lose sight of what's really important, which is educating the masses, not catering to a select few.

Arn's article reminded me of a series the LA Times ran on youth sports in 2000.

The three articles conveyed the passion that pushes parents to spend these huge sums to make their precious children bigger, faster, stronger. And the pain they -- and their children -- endure when their investment of time, energy, emotion, and cash produces results opposite from those intended.

Some lowlights from the 2000 L.A. Times series:

•    Many parents spend over $100,000 per child on special coaching, fitness training, sports psychologists, fees to private leagues and teams, transportation, and other expenses, largely to attract college coaches and scouts. Often the child does not win—or keep—an athletic scholarship, and that money is no longer available to pay college tuition.
•    Even some of the coaches, league administrators, and others who benefit from this spending question its excessive nature. Michael Severson, administrator of Bobby Sox Fastpitch Softball on the West Coast, says “People are losing sight of what’s important in life. . . . It’s not fun anymore.”
•    The struggle for the edge, with its increase in the frequency and intensity of practices and games, has caused an upsurge in youth sports injuries.

This "keeping sports in its proper perspective" sounds nice, but it hardly jibes with the unfortunate reality (some would say national disaster) that USA Basketball is declining. (Even if our country's basketball "decline" can be better explained by the fact that the rest of the world is improving.)

The prospect of not winning the Olympics along with giving up coveted NBA roster spots to Europeans probably means that the warnings of Arn and even NCAA president Myles Brand will go unheeded.

If youngsters in other countries are being plucked out of school at young ages to focus exclusively on basketball, should the United States say, well, we'd like to compete, but education must come before first? There's a greater force at play than ensuring our kids get a proper education. As an old Nike ad said, "You don't win silver, you lose gold." Let the games ground breaking begin.

Thoughts?

Character matters, revenue counts

By Marc Isenberg

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell took unprecedented action against Bengals WR Chris Henry and Titans CB Adam “Pacman” Jones. Henry is suspended 8 games, while Jones is suspended for the entire 2007 season. Jones’ suspension could be shortened if he meets certain conditions set by the NFL.

The most interesting aspect of the suspensions is that Goodell had the express blessing of the NFLPA and players. Typically, players associations cry foul any time the League flexes its muscle. But the vast majority of players who conduct themselves in an appropriate manner have every right to be fed up with peers who repeatedly break the law.

“Just maximize revenue, baby”
Owners know they are competing for entertainment dollars among fans. They recognize that image, both good and bad, impacts revenue. The NFL and other leagues rightfully want to protect their golden images. The public wants its sports heroes appearing in United Way commercials, not with Nelly making it rain. (Of course, these long-running ads will never be the same),

In 1998 New England Patriot owner Robert Kraft, at his wife's urging, took a stand against players with criminal records. The Patriots drafted Nebraska football player Christian Peter who had been arrested multiple times, but cut him before he ever played a down. While many supported this tough stance, it certainly was the exception to the previously unwritten rule that off-the-field legal matters were handled by the judicial system -- especially when a productive player was involved. Three Patriot Super Bowl victories later, perhaps character really does matter. (Peter still enjoyed a long NFL career with another team.)

Roger Goodell understands today's competitive sports marketplace. The image overhaul is right out of the NASCAR playbook (No, not the one that says keep turning left.) NASCAR has sold the public on the total fan experience; devoted fans reward NASCAR teams by buying anything NASCAR-related, from cars to laundry detergent to erectile dysfunction problem solvers.

The perception is the "thug life" translates into lost revenue. And, as we've seen in the Imus controversy, moral order is largely driven by pocketbooks.

Pension benefits for retired pro athletes

By Marc Isenberg

There has been a lot of attention paid recently to the retirement benefits of older professional athletes, particularly those who played pre-1980. Greg Johnson of the Los Angeles Times does an excellent job documenting the issue facing MLB and the NFL and NBA.

Larry Dierker, a former MLB pitcher, earned $125,000 in his best year. Two years from now, when Dierker turns 60, he will begin collecting $180,000 in annual retirement benefits. Dierker credits longtime MLBPA executive director Marvin Miller for educating players about the importance of retirement planning. Thanks to Miller and the players who stood strong during some long, drawn-out battles with management, the MLB pension is the "gold standard for union-represented athletes."

Older retired athletes in the NFL and NBA are not so fortunate. For example, Conrad Dobler, age 56, is eligible to receive $24,000 annually now, or he can receive $48,000 if he waits until age 62.

As Johnson's article in the LA Times points out, "Federal law requires union leaders to represent the interests of current and future players rather than aging athletes, so improvements to previously negotiated benefits must be approved by current union members — and often by the franchise owners who foot the bills."

Two of the most outspoken ex-NFLers have been Mike Ditka and Jerry Kramer. They have teamed with several NFL legends to launch the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund to "assist retired players in dire need due to the lack of adequate disability and pension benefits." Read and watch their presentation.

Since current players play an important role in directing retirement benefits of all players, there is an obvious dilemma. The question is, How much responsibility do current players have to past players? Further complicating the issue is the fact that the financial futures of current players are far from secure. The current system unfortunately pits current players against the legends of the game, which is unfair to both sides. As Babe Ruth once said, "Baseball is more than a fraternity. It is a family. And the fellow ballplayers are your brothers. In for a penny, in for a pound. All for and one for all." If there's a problem with retired players' benefits, it should be addressed by the Leagues and the unions.

The NBA recognizes the enormous contribution of the pioneers of professional basketball (See related post below). New NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell appears to be open minded on that front. During his first "state of the NFL" delivered at the Super Bowl, he said the League needs to "reevaluate to see what we can do more to address the issues and we'll do that."

Many former pro athletes did not partake in the financial windfall of playing professional sports. A few are hard pressed to cover life’s necessities. Pride often prevents them from holding their hand out. Fortunately, many former NFL stars, such as Ditka, Kramer, and Nick Buoniconti are speaking out on behalf of guys who really need financial assistance and support.

Current players should continue to fight for greater retirement and health benefits for former athletes, not just for recent retirees. All professional athletes should keep in mind that they will be active, voting members of the Players Association for just a few years. But they will be retired players for decades. Reaching back to improve pension benefits of retired players, particularly those who literally sacrificed their bodies to help build professional sports into a multi-billion dollar enterprise, is simply good business. These guys sacrificed their bodies -- and in some instances, sadly, their minds -- to make the league what it is today. They stood together though often very troubled labor negotiations, even striking on several occasions in order to improve wages and benefits not just for them, but for every player who followed. Fighting for former players sets an important precedent for future generations of professional athletes: Players take care of their own.

Resources
Mike Ditka speaks on retired NFL players in dire need of assistance
NFLPA's Retired Players FAQs
Gene Upshaw responds to retired players (Word document)
NBA Retired Players

Articles
NBA reaches out to its pioneers [Greg Johnson/LA Times]
The NFL's forgotten players [Ken Murray/Baltimore Sun]
Glory has its price: 25 years later, the heroes of the 49ers' first Super Bowl championship team weigh the costs of playing a brutal game [Ron Kroichick/'SF Chronicle]
NFL's cold-hearted stance regarding its vets is deplorable [Bryan Burwell/St. Louis Post-Dispatch]
Not much nobler than Lefty's good deed for Dobler [Art Spander/Oakland Tribune ]

NBA boosts retired players pension benefits

At the NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, NBA commissioner David Stern announced the League is improving pensions for all retired players.

Players who retired pre-1965 will receive a 50% increase in pension benefits. They will receive $3,600 per year of service compared with $2,400. Players with three and four years of NBA service will also be eligible for the higher benefit.

Len Elmore president of the National Basketball Retired  Players Association said:

"We're absolutely pleased. The league has been progressive in its generosity to do something for the pre-'65ers. There are a lot of organizations around the world who wouldn't look back 40 to 50 years at people who didn't qualify for a pension and try to do something to help them."

A lot of credit goes to Bill Tosheff, who played in the NBA for three years during the early 1950s. Not only did players pre-1965 need 5 years to qualify, but several players clocks stopped when they left the League to serve in the military. Tosheff spent years lobbying the League and PA that these years should be added back, which the NBA has done. Tosheff spent years reviewing old newspaper clips and other documents to prove that certain "pre-65ers" had enough total service to qualify for the NBA pension.

Don't tell Dicky V a secret, baby!

Interesting story about Dick Vitale talking smack about Florida's Joakim Noah (Thank you Loser with Socks via Deadspin.)

Here's what Vitale clearly said:

"I'm going to tell you what. I'd take Horford over him. You know who told me that in confidence? Billy Donovan grabbed me all alone and said the pro scouts are making a mistake. He said there's no way I would take Noah over - he said he would never say that publicly - over Horford."

College basketball's number one cheerleader is really a yenta...a blabbermouth who can't keep a secret. Hardly suprising.

No NBA exec would take Dicky seriously. I just don't like Squawkbox-banter of NBA prospects, especially since Vitale used a credible college basketball coach to build his case.

The story should have ended there, but Vitale has to get the last (million) word(s). So he called the radio show back to deny he ever said anything about a conversation with Donovan that mentioned Noah and his NBA prospects. The host then explained that Vitale is heard talking about precisely this and that it was broadcast on the air. Next strategy: Recant, baby, recant. He was just joking around with fans like he always does. Have I got a stock tip for you? Sell Joakim Noah (Stock ticker: CHAMP).

And what did Dicky V say about Donovan commenting on Joakim Noah and his NBA prospects? Never happened.

Thankfully Donovan is far more media savvy than Vitale. Said Donovan, "I'm not going to comment on something I didn't say."

Now what? The Big Lead suggests we "patiently await ESPN’s coverage of this one." ESPN's "ombudsman" George Solomon, care to comment?

Coach Bobby Knight does not like 1-year enlistments

By Marc Isenberg

Texas Tech basketball coach Bobby Knight does not like the new NBA rule prohibiting high school players going directly to the NBA. Actually he despises the rule. Said Knight, it is "the worst thing that's happened to college basketball since I've been coaching," Given that Coach Knight has verbally cataloged every bad decision in college sports for 40-plus years, take note.

So why is he so bent out of shape over guys like UT frosh phenom Kevin Durant?

Knight told Associated Press, "Because now you can have a kid come to school for a year and play basketball and he doesn't even have to go to class. He certainly doesn't have to go to class the second semester. I'm not exactly positive about the first semester. But he would not have to attend a single class the second semester to play through the whole second semester of basketball. That, I think, has a tremendous effect on the integrity of college sports."

Bobby Knight is not my favorite college basketball coach, but he makes a good point about academic integrity. But who cares? Actually Myles Brand, his former boss at IU and current NCAA president, says he cares. I am sure Brand would appreciate more big time college basketball coaches who choose academics over winning at all costs. 

Coach Knight means business when he talks about academics. But I wonder if this kind of attitude shows just how out of touch Coach Knight is. He won three NCAA Championships playing by the rules, working extremely hard, and graduating almost all his players -- and tormenting a few. But he hasn't won a Championship in almost 20 years.

Coach Knight should be applauded for his desire to win with integrity. But he has failed to grasp the new reality: We live in a society that rewards cheaters. As Jim Rome and others have said, "If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying." College basketball coaches don't even have to cheat. They just have to know how to game the system.

College coaches are paid millions to just win, baby. We can talk all day long about academic integrity, we can read the NCAA press releases on the importance of graduating athletes, we can honestly hope that college coaches follow NCAA rules and act in the athletes' best interest. But none of this matters to big shot boosters who wield great power over every coach with fewer than three  championships.

Even the new NCAA reform which ties scholarships to graduation rates will not deter college basketball coaches from their own equivalent of scoring a supermodel (an almost clean, yet appropriate visual). Great looking players like Kevin Durant and Greg Oden are likely off to the NBA after one season in college basketball.

Is this exchange a deal with the devil? An NCAA Championship in exchange for a few negative articles and perhaps losing a 13th scholarship? This year's Carmelo Anthony straight up for next year's 1.7 point per game role player?

Hook 'em horns!

Related article
Dick "Hoops" Weiss on "one-year wonders."

© 2007 Marc Isenberg. All rights reserved.

Hating (and loving) Tim Hardaway

By Marc Isenberg

Last week John Amaechi announced, er published, he is gay. This turned out to be a spot check for our nation to see if we're okay with the subject of homosexuality. Most passed. A few were stupid enough to express their true feelings. Tim Hardaway let it be known: "I HATE GAY PEOPLE."

There are places in our society, unfortunately, where comments like this are still acceptable..like at a KKK rally, for example...assuming Tim kept his hood on. Of course, Dave Chappelle, who reappeared courtside at last night's NBA's All-Star Game, already did this bit.

Hardaway apparently never saw the connection between hatred of gays and African Americans. Blacks were banned from many professional sports leagues and denied entrance into many schools simply because of the color of their skin. Now Hardaway would like to impose a similar ban on gays. Hardaway should be reminded that every million that he ever earned in his NBA career is the direct result of our society coming to its senses that equality and tolerance mattered.

Related articles

Hardaway has offered his apologies.
David Zirin on reactions to Amaechi.
Mitch Albom on homophobic locker rooms.

UPDATE: ESPN.com columnist Mary Buckheit writes her "coming out" column, even if she swore she never would.

This is a University of Arizona and Tim Hardaway fan.
Guess he felt safe that no one would clock him.

Be Like Mike and Thabo

Last week I chalked up  negative comments made by Ty Thomas regarding his participation in this weekend's NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie mistake. Sam Smith, famed Chicago Tribune NBA writer and author of The Jordan Rules, has observed Thomas first hand and offers a different opinion.

"[Thomas] has been often rude and condescending to the team's staff and the NBA. He often acts like he has little time or interest for anyone but himself...[H]ere was a player appearing to confirm just what many believe, that the NBA is composed of a wandering band of ungrateful thugs who are selfish, spoiled brats just in it for the riches they can gain. My experience over the last quarter-century is that is not true, that the vast majority of players, despite the occasional Rasheed-ish or Fortson-esque outburst, are decent people who truly appreciate and treasure the game."

Smith then tells the story about Bulls rookie Thabo Sefolosha, whom Smith descibes as "a wonderful young man."

"After games, the players are ripping off tape and dirty clothes, tossing them into a big basket or tub for good-natured equipment man John Ligmanowski to dispose of or clean. Despite the fact they are supposed to be some of the best marksmen in the world, Ben Wallace excluded, the clothes and tape rarely seem to hit their mark. Everyone gets up and leaves. But Sefolosha went over to pick up his clothes or litter and deposit them where they belong. He apparently didn't want to make more work for Ligmanowski."

Should Sefolosha ever find himself involved in any kind of controversy, the media will, I am sure, give him the benefit of doubt, rather than presume immediate guilt.

The media's job is to report. But before they report, they observe. Writes Smith:

"This is one of those things you hear at parties from reporters, the stuff we don't write. See, we are not as bad as advertised. In fact, we try to write about the games and try not to embarrass the players. We really are more guilty of romanticizing the players than tearing them down."

Financial end-arounds (updated)

On Febuary 12, 2006 Kirk Wright was ordered to pay nearly $20 million as part of a default judgment by the U.S. District Court in Atlanta. This would be great news if Kirk Wright had this kind of money in his accounts. Wright fraudulently provided investors with reports claiming his International Management Associates funds had over $180 million in assets. But when he was finally busted, there was less than $500,000 accounted for.

Here's an I wrote last year in the Sports Business Journal on personal finance and professional athletes.

Pro athletes must use caution to avoid financial runaround

By Marc Isenberg
Published August 28, 2006: Page 13

When the infamous Willie Sutton was asked why he robbed banks, he said, “Because that’s where the money is.” If Sutton were alive today, perhaps he’d target professional athletes. Instead of his risk-taker’s bravado, he could steal millions from unsuspecting pro athletes with simple razzle-dazzle and lies.

While professional athletes are among the most financially fortunate members of society, they are also among the most vulnerable. Young, financially inexperienced and often surrounded by yes-men, professional athletes are magnets for scam artists.

Kirk Wright, founder of hedge fund International Management Associates, is the latest to be accused of defrauding current and former pro athletes. From 1998 to 2005, which The Wall Street Journal points out included the worst bear market since the Great Depression, Wright reported average annual returns of more than 27 percent. The returns apparently were fabricated. The Securities and Exchange Commission estimates that Wright, who was arrested by FBI agents in Miami on May 17 and faces 21 counts of federal mail fraud and three counts of securities fraud, bilked investors out of at least $115 million. <Read full article in PDF file> 

For the love of money

By Marc Isenberg

Chicago Bull rookie Tyrus Thomas was fined $10,000 by management for making insensitive remarks about

A) Jews
B) Homosexuals
C) People in Louisiana who talk funny
D) The NBA Sprite Slam Dunk Contest

Answer is of course D.

Here's what Thomas said:

"I'm just going to go out there, get my check and call it a day." He added, "I'm just into the free money. That's it. I'll just do whatever when I get out there."

Does that qualify as inappropriate?

Bulls GM John Paxson (My absolute favorite Bulls GM in the last 20 years) thinks so.

"This fine is an appropriate response to the remarks Tyrus made concerning his participation in the slam dunk contest. It is a poor reflection on Tyrus individually and a poor reflection on the Bulls organization, and I am certainly disappointed. The league office has chosen Tyrus to participate in one of its All-Star events and that is an honor that should be accepted with humility. I spoke to Tyrus this morning and am confident he understands that he made a mistake with his words and that he also understands the importance of representing the Bulls and the NBA in a positive way."

Using this standard, imagine how much Michael Jordan would have been fined when he originally refused to wear the Reebok sweats at the 1992 Olympics -- and the tongue lashing Jerry Krause would have given. (Actually, imagine silence.)

It is important for players and management to publicly support All Star Weekend, including the dunkfest. That often means speaking in cliches that come directly from The Approved Script for Professional Athletes. In Ty Thomas's case, I don't see anything wrong with declaring that he is motivated to participate by money. Thomas shouldn't have made these comments to the media, but the offense hardly seems worthy of a public scolding and $10,000 fine. Thomas should probably pay it and move on.

NBA Slam Dunk "Contest" or entertainment
This is not a contest, especially since it's judged by celebrities. No one should get that worked up over this, including management, basketball purists, and media. The Slam Dunk Contest is for fans, mostly kids, who want to be entertained. Not that a Slam Dunk Contest is all that entertaining. Dunks we see today are all derivative of something already done by Michael, 'Nique, or Doctor J. Doesn't  matter. We still watch, just like we celebrate Christmas (technically I don't) even after we learn that Santa really doesn't come down the chimney.

© 2007 Marc Isenberg. All rights reserved.