Inside The Book

Living a Little Boys Dream in LA

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 00:50:00 +0000

As a young kid from Raleigh, NC I was always a huge follower of the game of basketball. I collected, sold and traded player cards as well as dominated my friends all the time on the court in and after school; mimicking players from Jerry Stackhouse and Vince Carter to Kevin Garnett and Kobe Bryant. Whether it was my NCAA team, the UNC Tarheels or the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers, I had my teams and players who garnished my full support and ultimately made a fan out of me. Over the last five months I’ve lived in Hollywood, CA I decided to make it a daily objective to live out my dreams.

In fact, one of my life long dreams was to attend a Los Angeles Laker game. I speak in past tense because this week I got the opportunity to check it off the old bucket list. Ironically, I attended the game where the Lakers played North Carolina’s own Charlotte Bobcats. However, it was not an impressive performance by the away team, with Charlotte losing 106-73. Kobe had 24 points and Andrew Bynum was a ferocious beast inside the paint all night, grabbing 11 rebounds while solidifying his place as the leading All-Star candidate at the Center position.

Although I watched the game I was marveled by the arena and its ambiance of greatness, the banners, the coaches, the players the history and especially my tickets. Thanks to Stubhub.com I sat approximately 10 rows from the court. I could not believe I was sitting right next to major media analysts and journalists like, CBS’s Jim Hill and ESPN’s J.A. Adande. As an aspiring writer and journalist it was as if I caught a glimpse of where I shall be some day.

The interesting thing is that I did not think about going to the game until I took a look at some of the player’s season stats on NBA.com in an effort to cast my vote for this month’s All-Star Game. While browsing the web I was prompted over 5 times by numerous companies to buy tickets for the next home game. At first, I did not pay any attention, but after a while the digital marketing took full affect over my impulse, and for about three days all I could think about was whether I was going or not.

The price for the tickets was the major concern for me. Luckily, I clicked on about three to four ticket sites to research the seating location before making my decision. After purchasing my tickets I was asked if I wanted to share my purchase on facebook. In my opinion, this was in an effort to make my friends jealous or build their impulses as well to generate likes or future business. Because I’m such a nice guy I decided not to rub it in. Instead I figured I’d blog about it. Until next time folks.

Video Source:

LA Lakers vs Charlotte Bobcats Full Highlight Jan, 31 2012 [video file] Retrieved

from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iXj1cFWXMWo

Wake Up! Wake Up!…The Tebow Nightmare is over

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 17:15:00 +0000

For a majority of the NFL season it seemed like Tebow was favored a bit more by the Lord than everyone else on the planet. His story is more “reel” than “real”. His whole legacy is something out of a Best-Picture winner at the Golden Globe’s. This guy was the third string quarterback who rose to starter after much hype by fans and the media. The team even released their starter, Kyle Orton to justify making a decisive change at the position.

No other third string quarterback comes to mind as one of the league leaders in Jersey sales like Tebow. This guy brought so much money and attention to the league and the Denver Broncos franchise. The funny thing is that all that’s good about him as a person and a player does not solidify a starting role as QB next season. The Broncos ended their season by getting the ‘smackdown’ laid on them with a 45 to 10 loss to the New England Patriots. Although they ended on a sour note, the team did win their division and they also won their first playoff game in over 5 years.

John Elway has a major project on his hands for next season. As the team manager he must ensure the team continues to progress. If they are going to run the ball as much as they did this season, next season, I doubt Willis Mcgahee is the answer at running back. I would not be surprised to see them take a running back in this year’s draft. Brady Quinn is a free-agent and the chance at a high draft-pick had been diminished by the success of this season. These two issues both work in Tebow’s favor for solidifying the starting role next season; Although, Elway clearly cannot be happy with a 47.1 completion percentage and low QB rating.

Tebow has got some work to do to call himself a conventional quarterback. There have been many running quarterbacks in the NFL but none more polarizing than Tebow.

Much of the reason behind his legacy extends far beyond his play on the field. Kordell Stewart mentioned on ESPN that it’s because he’s white that he gets the opportunity to put up such bad numbers. Stewart maintained that he and many other black quarterbacks had to play multiple positions, like Cornerback or Wide Receivers; before they were trusted enough to play quarterback. Even Brian Urlacher and many other players expressed that Tebow was more of a running back, than quarterback.

Despite the story behind the man, the point is I am so happy this nightmare is over. I was getting sick of hearing Skip Bayless and other analysts talk about the same person every single day on every single show that ESPN broadcasts. I’m an avid fan of the network and I must say I was disgusted and perplexed by so much Tebow coverage. At first I was rooting for the guy, but after all that hype on him, I became anxious to wake-up from spell the media once again placed over me and every other fan of the Lord’s work.

We got the truth but...Does anyone Care or Pay Attention

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 20:17:00 +0000

It’s amazing how much people allow to happen right under their noses. Whether it comes from entertainment, religion or the political industry, it sometimes seems people have been purposely psychologically manipulated by the same systems put in place to educate, entertain and govern them.

Call them conspiracy theories or whatever you want, many of the stories that depict the full details of many new developments in our society go heard by a few, instead of by the masses. Remember Kennedy’s speech on corruption and secret societies, building 7, the Eddie Long situation, or even who really killed Biggie and Tupac. There’s so much apathy in the minds of many viewers. It is as if most people just do not know that so many stories go untold or are hidden in plain sight by the mass media.

It takes great control, team building, budgeting, and execution to pull off not telling the truth or the full story. Sometimes I wonder is the communications industry much like ‘the mob’. It’s like the owners of major broadcast stations have to be involved in lobbying and backing politicians and celebrities on some level. Even Keith Olberman was attacked and suspended on this issue. Not to mention the hero worship that takes place when a new movie by Brad Pitt, or Tom Cruise comes out and how the rest of the world takes a backseat to its issues to enjoy the latest project from Tinseltown.

These may be my opinions but as a human it is as if viewers and consumers share more of an apathetic approach to industry news that may disrupt or cause them to question their opinions on the world around them.

Most notably, politicians are known to illustrate this behavior; for instance, the NDAA’s (National Defense Authorization Act) unpopular support amongst civilians but heavy support in Washington D.C. It is signed and confirmed by the president that American civilians suspected of terrorism or any action or expression the federal government deems a threat against their agenda, may be investigated and ceased and detained without warrant or access to any trial at all. This strikes me as such a major issue while most people are thinking about what new song their favorite artist will drop next or which team will win the next big game.

If you are the person who feels like the only one paying attention, you are not alone.

Once Upon A Time I loved a show

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 00:52:00 +0000

I must admit I am a fan of ABC’s new show Once Upon A Time. The show is about many fairy tale characters we know and love and how the evil which has trapped them in an alternate realm (today’s society) where they have forgotten who they were and from which they came; All because Snow White stole the witches happiness. How and why has yet to be determined, however, the show is developing the premise and the characters of the show on a consistent basis. I must say my favorite thing about the show is the acting. I am always surprised at how deep into the character many of the actors go. For instance, the wicked witch has the most believable negative attitude I have seen in a TV sitcom or series in quite some time. She makes me hate her with passion on some episodes and on others I fall in love with her dark sadistic tactics and tone.

Most of my guy friends ragged on me and made fun until they saw the show for themselves. After that they were hooked just as I was. In fact, my friends and me found out about the show through watching Monday Night Football. I guess since Disney owns ESPN and it is also an ABC affiliate, the station was running recurring 30 second commercials during the football games to generate a buzz and recruit the adult male demographic. In this case the marketing through sports was successful. The show comes on Sundays at 8pm Eastern Time and for some reason I’m always too busy. To be honest, I DVR the show and when a game is on that I do not want to watch because one team is overmatched or just getting blown out, I flip to the show and catch up on what I missed from the previous week. However, if they were looking to appeal to the average sports fan that watches Football, then they were successful in recruiting me.

Madden NFL 2012 Review

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 21:16:00 +0000

In the event you are looking for an alternative to first person shooter, or adventure games, Madden NFL 2012 would prove to be a wise choice. For starters, as far as the experience you get from viewing the standard gameplay is concerned, the graphics and color detail are nearly next to real life. Not too much has changed as far as game controls. However, kicking the ball for field goals and extra points may be an initial challenge for beginners. For the most part, to maximize the games full capability it requires awareness, timing and overall, patience. You’re not just going to play this game once and call yourself a master at it. In fact, the computer IQ is another thing this game has going for it. I’ve played the game since I was 12 and long gone are the days where you could do a HB Draw up the middle for twenty yards every down. I mainly play it on the Playstation3 Console but the XBOX360 version is mainly the same.

Overall I give the game a 9 out of 10 rating. There’s not too much more they could have done with it. Much of the games foundation is nearly set in stone each year. The game is one of the most consistent marketing and sponsorship tools for the NFL. It generates interests and informs fans on every facet of the teams and players associated. The endorsement of John Madden by Electronic Arts, helps gamers and fans of the NFL continue to identify with the Hall of Fame coach and long-time NFL analyst, years after he retired.
The main updates and changes usually consist of roster shifts like trades and free agency. I like to update and save the rosters according to the changes that have taken place in real like. So if a player is cut from a team, I remove them from the team’s roster and save it before playing. This is a major factor for experienced gamers who want to level the playing field in an exhibition or season mode. In fact, there are various modes where you can create players, playbooks, and teams, for the sake of developing a dynasty in the games dynasty mode, which stretches over the course of 20 years.

In the end if you are looking for something to jolt the old competitive spirit then this games for you.

The Media: Is it Truly Objective and Legitimate in its Coverage of Sports?

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 08:43:00 +0000

In light of recent technological advancements in mass communications, media rights and credentials have undergone a facelift in the sports industry. What I mean is the image, integrity and objectivity of the press is long gone. Although there are traditional journalists and media professionals out there, they are no longer the rule but perhaps the exception. In an era where sports bloggers are allowed clearance into locker rooms, and team meetings, it is not uncommon for integrity and the facts to be dismissed on behalf of more hits on a web page or more twitter followers. Today, many reporters and journalists do not perform the task of confirming the accuracy of their sources. In fact, many of them even make up false rumors about a team or player just to get attention from fans, and colleagues. For example, the Mike Wise twitter rumor that took place in 2010. Ken Fang writes, “

[Mike Wise of the Washington Post thought it would be a good idea to put some fake news on Twitter just to see the reaction. The idea according to Wise would be that other reporters would fail to vet his Tweet and he would be able to say, “I told you so.” The only problem that while other reporters did quote his Tweet, Wise eventually revealed on Twitter and his DC radio show that he made the whole thing up] (2010).

Although, Wise winded up with egg on his face in the end, this speaks volumes as to how easy it is to manipulate the press and discredit its integrity. With the use of twitter, facebook and other social media outlets the media has ran into a situation where teams are beginning to question how viable of a commodity they are to them. Dallas Mavericks Owner Mark Cuban, illustrates this view of the press in a recent blog post,

[I’m going to make this short and sweet. In the year 2011, I’m not sure I have a need for beat writers from ESPN.com, Yahoo, or any website for that matter to ever be in our locker room before or after a game. I think we have finally reached a point where not only can we communicate any and all factual information from our players and team directly to our fans and customers as effectively as any big sports website, but I think we have also reached a point where our interests are no longer aligned. I think those websites have become the equivalent of paparazzi rather than reporters] (2011).

With many new stadiums and arenas built with luxury press boxes, teams are always interested in justifying their expense by allowing more credentials for the media. In my opinion if teams have a negative outlook on bloggers and reporters than they should not go out of their way to legitimize them. Many credentials are given to reporters and bloggers alike without any distinction or separation of the two professions.

[Credentialed bloggers usually enjoy the same access as a newspaper or radio reporter on a game night: a seat in the press box, fresh popcorn and access to the teams' dressing rooms for postgame interviews. They cover the game, pass information to their audience, and have done so for the last several years without many incidents of unprofessional behavior, despite approaching the coverage from a fan's perspective] (Wyshynski, 2011).

In the end credentials in the media are not what they used to be. My opinion is that teams and organizations should thoroughly choose and legitimize which reporters and journalists give them the most objective analysis. Regardless, whether they write for a blog, TV network, radio station or newspaper.

It's Bigger Than Football...It's Bigger than Legacy.

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 20:17:00 +0000

Recently, Penn State University found itself on the other side of "honor with success". It has been reported that over 12 years ago sexual acts with a minor by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky, were conducted and witnessed. Which resulted in the abuse of eight boys over a 15-year period starting in 1994.

This is a major issue in sports and by far one of the biggest tort violations in history. Formally, torts are civil wrongs other than breaches of contracts for which the remedies are typically, but not always, monetary compensation. When someone commits a "tort," they have violated a non-negotiated, societal rule (http://www.lawpreview.com/index.php/Torts/). It is perceived that the humane thing for anyone to do in a situation of sexual abuse or misconduct is to call the police and relieve the employee of their duties.

Under the Clery Act, colleges and universities must disclose criminal offenses on campus each year. Instead Penn State went up the chain of command in which coach Joe Paterno was notified and then he told his Athletic Director and the School President. As a result, instead of notifying the authorities, the school remained tight-lipped about the incident and years later Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and Gary Schultz, the school’s vice president for business and finance, were charged with perjury and failure to report the allegations. Curley and Schultz each face up to seven years in prison if convicted.

I remember when I was growing up my mother would always say “what happens in the dark will eventually come towards the light.” Meaning you can’t rely on keeping something a secret or hidden for too long without it exposing itself as the cause or definitive action which defines your moral character. After over 50 years of coaching at Penn State, it is sad that Joe Paterno’s legacy will potentially be defined by his unwillingness to protect the victims in this case. Parents around the world put their trust in that man and that institution and Instead he protected what he thought was the best interest in the university. Look what happened as a result of that. Players are already de-committing to the school and many parents are in a collective uproar. I am sure civil liabilities cases may soon follow this disappointing and shameful event. As far as Paterno, he has acquired legal defense, but the shame of his reputation may prove far more damning in the end. In my opinion, this is the biggest legal issue in sports to date. Along with the loss of scholarships and revenue a reputation of honor with success has been stripped from the university. This story is bigger than football and it should touch the souls of each human being. We have a responsibility to ourselves to not condone these acts and to prevent them from presenting themselves again in the future.

C'Mon NCAA, Pay to Play

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:36:00 +0000

I will admit I love playing video games as much as any other gamer. In fact my favorite genre is sports gaming, particularly games created by EA Sports. My all time favorite is John Madden Football. The game that is runner-up to that one is NCAA Football. Though both games deal with the same sport, it’s not surprising that many of them do not pay the players for the right to use their name and likeness.

This creates a major problem for many current and former players of college sports who feel that they should be compensated fairly for the use of their image and legacy. Ed O’Bannon former UCLA forward who helped lead the school to a national championship in 1995, is one player who’s currently involved in a suit with the NCAA about this very thing. In 2009, O’Bannon filed a class action lawsuit seeking to stop the NCAA from licensing the images and likenesses of former college athletes in DVDs, photographs and other products.

According to the lawsuit, the NCAA has improperly benefited from using former Division I football and basketball players’ images even after they stopped playing and seeks an injunction to stop the practice.

It also seeks damages and an accounting of the money made by the NCAA from past licensing. In addition, the lawsuit says the NCAA has violated antitrust laws by not allowing athletes to negotiate their own licensing deals.

In my opinion, this is an unfair move by the NCAA to make even more money off the backs of student athletes. To be honest, many players are not even graduating from many of these sports programs. Instead they are usually on the team for one or two years then it’s off to the pros. Considering that trend, one has to ask how much is the education they are getting actually worth, if they can easily choose getting paid over sticking college out for two or three more years.

If the players for top-notch NCAA teams are not going to get paid per game, I believe they should at least be able to market their image and likeness to the public. It’s as if the NCAA is trying to own these guys completely. I’m talking mind body and soul. These players’ pictures, and legacies are being sold over and over and they cannot make a profit off of it. No wonder you have situations like you had at North Carolina, where players received benefits and most recently the Terrell Pryor tattoo and memorabilia debacle at Ohio State. My heart goes out to these guys and I’m in full support of their right to fight the NCAA on this particular issue. Some players can’t even pay their phone bills or car insurance on their own. It’s a violation if they receive money or favors to help finance such things.That is a crime if you ask me, to bind a person to one entity with the sole promise of a free education makes me shake my head in frustration as to how many can think players are getting a fair deal by the NCAA.

A Chit Chat Interview with James McQuage

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 16:41:00 +0000

I recently interviewed James McQuage for about 45 minutes in an effort to gain further insight into the sports and media production industry. I chose Mcquage for this interview due to his background in sports broadcasting. He is an experienced professional with expertise in video editing. In fact, he was once the lead editor for the WHIO-TV news in Dayton, Ohio. Currently, he is in his second year with ESPNU working as a production log editor or logger for many of their collegiate sports events.

A graduate from UNC-Pembroke, James and I attended the same university and both received bachelor’s degree’s under the same major department, Mass Communications. He is an active freelance videographer and editor. McQuage also completes projects for colleagues, friends, and family who all seek his highly recommended editing skills. Before I started asking questions, we took a moment to reminisce about our history together. I told him that it was great to see him doing what he loves to do. When we were in our senior year, James was excited to get into the professional broadcasting industry. In fact, he was interviewed by ESPN that year for a similar position to one that he currently holds; we both found it to be a bit ironic. Now that time has passed and my own interest in working in sports has increased dramatically. If possible I would also like to join him someday at ESPN. It is this reason for which I told him I wanted to ask him questions that specifically pertained to his experience in the industry so far. The topics I wanted to include revolved around his passion for his job, his interests in sports, as well as his day-to-day operations and professional outlook.

The first thing that I wanted to know in the interview was, “What personal qualities are important to being successful at your profession?” Mcquage answered, “Time awareness is vital to logging a live game. Being punctual, I guess, is a better way to say it. The atmosphere is very social so blending in is also important quality a candidate should have. ” I asked him “On a typical what do you do at your profession that enables you to meet your company’s expectations of your position?” To which he answered, “Its great because on a regular day, all I have to do is watch ESPN and keep an eye on college sports. Know how to say someone’s name is important.”

At this point I was excited to learn more about his profession and what part of his job did he find most satisfying and what parts were most challenging? James mentioned, “With sports entertainment I think the most satisfying is the most challenging. I mean there is nothing like logging the big game, being in charge of keeping ESPNU updated, so they can have the fastest turnover of highlights and replays as any other station. It is stressful but its great.”

Although the economy is in a downward spiral, I wanted to know how his company and his position were affected by it and what was his outlook for the future? James replied, “The current economics is great for sports. More folks are at home watching sports and our rating have never been higher. We are the fasting growing branch of ESPN. We will be adding more logging station, which consist of 3 monitors, 2 computers, high definition recording station, also including the software. We have recently updated to a new Avid Assist, which gives us a quicker turnover time from live game time to Avid live recording feed. The turnover is quicker by 5 seconds. I can only suspect our turnover time will get better which will make us ever faster with the replays, and live cut ins.”

At this point the interview was coming to a close and it was time for him to return back to his job. Before letting him go I proceeded to ask him one last question, which was, what special advice would you give a person entering this field? With a short sigh and chuckle he answered, “To be a logger you have to practice. I would say start off by writing the main players of each play over 10 yards in a football game. The main things are Who, What, and how long. Also, note the time of the game in which it happened the better you get, note the time of day it happened. Our recordings are live so we record on the time of day.”

Ultimately, I felt like the interview was a success one. It left me with more of a respect for his position and others that are behind the scenes at ESPN.

Social Media Analysis: Stephen A. Smith

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 13:31:00 +0000

Stephen A. Smith is a sports journalists for ESPN whom I have had an interest in working with for over 5 years. I find his analysis of the NBA and NFL entertaining and informative. Through the use of social media outlets like Facebook and Twitter, it is easier to stay on top of what's next from him professionally. He has a twitter account which he updates daily with at least a tweet or two to fans, players and colleagues. In this video I analyze his social media presence over the internet and offer a few opinions on how I could be of use to his career.

How's Sports Holding Up Despite A Down Economy

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 17:15:00 +0000

It is not uncommon these days for sports teams to struggle making money. As a country, we are in a recession, some might call it a depression but nevertheless many people are still supporting their favorite teams. In a recent article by Charles Davidson, Atlanta Federal Reserve Staff Writer, he mentions many ways how the sports industry still accumulates a heavy fan following, despite the down economy. However though loyalty still remains for some pro teams and major universities, teams and schools in smaller markets are hit harder by the economic downturn. This paper will shed light on Davidson’s information as well as offer some creative ways teams can attract fans.

According to Davidson (2009), “Sports as an industry, especially the most high-profile leagues and franchises, is weathering the downturn comparatively well. Even as unemployment has risen dramatically—more than tripling in Florida, for instance, from July 2006 to July 2009—many people are still spending at least some money on sports”. In the south football is a passionate and emotional release for many fans. In 2008 five Southeastern Conference schools brought in a collective $303 million dollars. Which resulted in ESPN and CBS paying the conference a 3 billion dollar deal to broadcast their games on their networks over the next 15 years (Davidson, 2009). Concluding that despite a crippling economy, people still want to see and support their favorite teams.

Although success still looms for some minor league and pro teams, many others have not been so lucky. The Jacksonville Jaguars experienced blackouts for some of their home games due to them not selling out prior to kickoff (Forbes, 2009). After 22 years of existence the Arena Football League folded altogether in 2009 (Davidson, 2009). Even Nascar and stock car racing have experienced the effects of the economy. According to Davidson, high fuel prices and rising unemployment have caused racing fans and automotive industry sponsors to cut spending (2009).

However, despite the rough situation many teams find themselves in financially, some have weathered the storm by implementing new and creative ways to generate income and sustain their fan loyalty. Even during a lockout scenario like the NBA is currently facing, teams find it important to continue to market their team brand in an effort to combat the apathy a typical fan may experience during tough business negotiations. For example, this year the LA Lakers ran a campaign on their website in which all their team jerseys were on sale for 50% off the regular price. This was a marketing idea sure to attract the eyes of die-hard fans but also a mechanism to accumulate merchandise dollars despite games not being played. In some cases joint ventures in which the state allocates funds through sports teams in an effort to stimulate the industry as well as the local economy are established. In Davidsons article he writes that,

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami this summer agreed to use hotel room taxes to finance the majority of a stadium for baseball's Marlins that will cost—after paying off bonds over 40 years—about $2.4 billion. Officials broke ground on the new ballpark in July.

That same month, Louisiana's state government finalized a deal to help keep the Saints in New Orleans through 2025. That arrangement includes spending $85 million in state funds to renovate the team's stadium, the Louisiana Superdome, and leasing space for state agencies in a New Orleans office building owned by Saints owner Tom Benson (2009).

Despite state efforts to assist in drawing fans to sports teams, the franchises themselves should offer more affordable ticket options for their fan-base. Teams having economic troubles should not continue to offer high-priced game tickets and food prices that further hurt the customer. Instead they should implement more options for fans that are affordable. A layaway plan for tickets prior to the season is a good idea for those who are interested in holding season passes (Lefton, 2008). Another way to boost fan attendance could be re-arranging the food menu into meal options instead of itemized or a la carte items. For example, one hotdog may cost $5 and a soda may cost the same at some sporting events. Instead of individual food purchases, it may make sense for some teams to throw in fries or some other item to complete a possible $10 meal deal.

In the end the teams should continue to find new and creative ways to market to their fan-base in an effort to sustain their loyalty. Although many people are passionate about their teams, it should not be ruled out that as a country we are all facing tough economic situations. Without teams sharing an initial empathy towards the fan on an economic level many of them may find themselves cutting back or folding altogether.

Sources

Davidson, C. (2009). Sports Still Draws Fans Despite Recession. Retrieved from

http://www.frbatlanta.org/pubs/econsouth/econsouth_vol_11_no_3_sports_draw_fans.cfm

Lefton, T. 2008, December 3. Saints Offering Season Tickets with Six Month Layaway Plans. Layaway Sports. Retrtieved from

http://www.elayawaysports.com/news/saints-offering-season-tickets-with-six-month-layaway-plans/

NFL Team Valuations. 2009, September 9. Forbes Online. Retrieved from

http://www.forbes.com/lists/2009/30/football-values-09_Jacksonville-

Jaguars_306892.html

Posner, R. 2011, August 23. Let’s be Honest: We’re in a Depression, Not a Recession,

And There’s No End in Sight. The New Republic. Retrieved from

http://www.tnr.com/article/economy/94055/posner-recession-

depressions-entitlements

The Bargainist. 2011. Lakers Store coupon-50% off jerseys. Retrieved from

http://www.bargainist.com/deals/2011/10/lakers-store-coupon-50-off-jerseys/#b

No Story Shined Brighter than the Dogfighter

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sat, 01 Oct 2011 15:29:00 +0000

“The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”

Over the last ten years there have been numerous sports stories that attracted attention and spawned emotional reactions from people all over the world. For example, LeBron James signing with the Miami heat, (which had fans burning his jersey and sending hateful messages on twitter) or Reggie Bush returning his Heisman trophy to the NCAA. In my opinion the biggest story of this decade is the Michael Vick Dogfighting incident. Before I reminisce on the heartbreak I felt from this poor choice one of my childhood icons made, I would like to embrace his present. For that is exactly what he has been to NFL fans since his release from prison in 2009. Vick won the comeback player of the year award and was recently runner up to Tom Brady in Offensive Player of the Year votes last season. In this year’s offseason he added a new 6 year 100 million dollar contract with the Philadelphia Eagles to his legacy.

However, his fall down the sports icon mountain was one of pure uncertainty and disdain amongst his character image. In 2007, he was one of the highest paid players in the NFL, and he had just come off a season where his former team, the Atlanta Falcons came just a game short of reaching the Super Bowl. Though he had plenty to celebrate on the field, it was his off the field dogfighting ring, which led to him becoming one of the most hated sports icons of the decade.

He wasn’t just some run in the mill dogfighter who occasionally let his pet pit-bull square off in battle, but rather he was what they call in that sector, “One of the big boys”. A guy who contributes a large amount of money towards the bets placed on the fights. When asked how many dogs he was responsible for fighting Vick told ESPN he was responsible for training and fighting an estimated 2,000 dogs. Not to mention the results of his case revealed he and a couple of his partners killed underperforming dogs by a range of methods including hanging and drowning. In the end Vick served a 23-month prison sentence for his role in the incident.

This was the hugest sports story of the decade due to his loss of steady income, endorsements, two football seasons, friends, fans, pride and influence Vick had over the generation. It is also a huge story due to its humanitarian outcome. Not only did he accept responsibility for his actions and pay his debt to society, but, he also contributed time to the humane society after his release, this in an effort to end dogfighting nation wide. Overall, people got the chance to witness the villain become the hero. In the end, I am proud to say I am a fan of Michael Vick and may his story continue to unfold for the better.

Other Sources:

“The Biggest Plays in Sports Business”

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/179439-examining-michael-vicks-dogfighting-2009-edition

Negativity in Negotiation

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 19:09:00 +0000

In the entertainment industry there is always a host of potential actors, directors, managers, musicians and producers all jockeying for an opportunity to work in their respected fields. Recently, I had an opportunity to speak with a committed and active actor in Hollywood, California. Raleigh native, John Okonkwo has appeared in music videos such as Miley Cyrus’s “I Can’t Be Tamed” and also made appearances in the TV shows, CSI Miami, and NCIS. In this line of work it is not uncommon to encounter multiple scenarios in the negotiation process that may affect the outcome. One scenario in particular is dealing with negative emotions when making a deal. I asked John about how these emotions play a part in his industry and how they impact the negotiation process.

Me: How does negativity play a part in your negotiation process as an actor?

John: Aww man there is always some negativity around at all times, you just have to try and stay away from it and call it out when you experience it. Many people act like they want you to succeed and be a part of their production, but don’t get it twisted, everyone is not your friend or colleague. Some people try making deals with you even though they know it will fail or fall through, simply because they need a scapegoat.

Me: What are some of the dirty tricks you have experienced in the entertainment industry?

John: Well man, that’s a broad questions because I done seen a lot dude. When I first got into the business I met many people who were producers, musicians, directors and writers. Don’t get me wrong we all are in this industry to do what we love but we are also here to get paid too. I lot of people try to get you to do stuff for free in order to enhance their reel and leave you on the hook for a favor to return. I try to stay away from people who want to do stuff for free with me because you never know their motives. I done seen people do webseries, game shows and movies without anything to show for it. I’m just saying man that will not be me.

Look for John in more entertainment productions to come. He currently is auditioning for work in some of 2012’s upcoming blockbuster films. I wish him good luck on his journey.

Click To learn more dirty tricks.

Summer Movie Review 1

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 15:49:00 +0000

So far this summer I have seen my share of movies. However, in this article I will only focus on three. Stay tuned for more reviews!

It is always interesting to see what re-makes will capture the essence of mixing the old with the new, as well as, what new life concepts have mirrored themselves on film.

Let’s start with the the remakes:

Rise of The Planet of the Apes is next on my list of movies to go see. From Charlton Heston’s character George Taylor’s famous line “Take your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape” to that weird romance between Mark Wahlberg and Estella Warren. This film franchise is sure to creep its audience out once again. The 2001 Tim Burton film received terrible reviews but still managed to make over 178 million at the box office.

Final Verdict:

Though I have not seen it yet, I’ll be honest my expectations are low for this second remake. Do not go in with High Expectations for a transcending film that will revolutionize the generation, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is not that. To be frank, It’s more like that Amusement Park experience where you want to ride something you are familiar with before taking on what’s brand new and exciting. Like the Wayan’s World rollercoaster at King’s Dominion, it’s nostalgic, a bit cheesy but ultimately a safe pick to get you started for your day’s amusement or entertainment.

Critiques of What I Seen:

Comic Book Movies:

It started this summer with X-Men: First Class:

This was a entertaining and enlightening film that ultimately was a pretty good pre-quel to the, Marvel Comic franchise. This film gave you a look back at a young Professor X and Magneto and how they worked together to establish the first school for mutants. For the most part the acting was pretty good. For all you guys out there, Zoe Kravitz will definitely satisfy your eye-candy cravings. Overall Grade=A-

Thor:

I really enjoyed this film. The acting was along the same lines, as Iron Man. Which isn’t bad considering there was a different director for this film. Jon Favreau directed Iron Man But needless to say the film does satisfy the urge of its audience. In the film, we are introduced to Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, (Star Trek)
and learn his upbringing in this one. There is some action to satisfy the need for the film but more backstory to set up a sequel. Anthony Hopkins plays his father the King, who banishes his son Thor to earth. The reason behind his banishment is what fuels the story. If you are not a comic book fan or you did not like Iron Man, then you will not like this movie. However, if you are a fan of the films, definitely add this one to your repertoire. Overall Grade=A-

Stay Tuned for more Critiques from InsideTheBooK. Up next is Cowboys & Aliens, Crazy Stupid Love & The Green Lantern.

It's Time I Get to Know Kreayshawn

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 23:46:00 +0000

Who is Kreayshawn? That’s what I was wondering when I saw a Youtube pop-up ad for her new music video “Gucci Gucci”. I must admit at first glance I was like, “Ahh hell here we go, another over the top gimmick”. It turns out after watching the video, I like it just like the other 8.9 million people who have viewed the video. I really liked the part when she says “I’m rolling up my catnip and S*****n in your litter”. It’s a very catchy flow and I appreciate her rapping about how such material things, like Prada and Gucci are basic. This song is a nice anthem for young hip hop girls today.

Honestly, she is a breath of fresh air! She is one of the answer’s to my previous post, “Hip Hop, Where is my lady”. The Oakland native takes her image seriously and really wants to make a difference and inspire women. Though she respects other female artists, like Nicki Minaj, she doesn’t always agree with their message. As she mentions in a recent article, “No disrespect to [Nicki Minaj] because she’s got talent. But when it comes to inspiring young women, her message is to be a Barbie—to be plastic, to be fake, to all have blonde hair.” This type of response makes me lol! I appreciate her being honest and true and not being fake. Some are even calling her the latest controversial white rapper.

Despite how some may feel, she is on such an inspiring road for many to behold. I wonder if she even knows it. We shall see only time will tell. Her music resonates with me a great deal. I dig her originality and willingness to just be creative and raw. Like when she was rocking her Fred Flintstone hoody in her first video “Bumpin Bumpin”. Not everyone can do that and get away with it. Definitely a sought after artist rumor has it she has signed with Sony and Columbia for deals of over a million dollars. Whatever the truth is she is hot commodity in the industry today. She is a fresh new face making a lot of noise.

Even Lil Wayne, has taken notice as he rapped on the “Gucci Gucci” beat for his new mixtape. Although his hook and verses just totally blow away the substance of the original song, Wayne fans will still love it.

Shaking My Head at this Ignorance-Wake Up People!

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 14:08:00 +0000

What’s up with corporate institutions supporting both sides of the political spectrum? Most people choose not to believe it or see it but Democrats and Republicans are managed, advised, and financially backed by many of the same people. It is so funny and sometimes disappointing and irritating how the average person does not know what their leaders, especially those in government are up to. Truthfully, some would rather not know and just live their lives in ignorant bliss until the dookie hits the fan and it comes to their front door.

This NewsCorp hacking situation has me in an uproar. I mean come on people, Obama sends troops to Libya without congress approval, now we find out this guy is News Corps leading recipient of donations. Really, Really? This does not strike anyone as odd? Hum I guess I’m comfortable with being the only person that reads, listens and interprets information. Oh not to mention News Corp is the same company that donates to other republican candidates like, Sarah Palin. We are talking about a company that is the parent company of many media outlets including The WallStreet Journal, The New York Post and Fox News.

I wonder sometimes with corporate interests owning and controlling all our news where the balance lies? As a journalist or reporter it seems like the more you cover sensational topics like Casey Anthony, The Royal Wedding or who just called who the N-word and others, the longer you stick around in your career. It was once about the research, it was once about the truth, it was once about having credible sources, and ultimately about informing and enlightening the people collectively. Now if you cover what’s going on inside and find out the truth about major figures in government or business they want to kill you or discredit you through the media and warp the public into believing ridiculousness about you.

Just take a look at what happened to the whistle blower and key witness to this News Corp phone hacking debacle. This guy is now dead and police say there was no foul play and its not suspicious at all. Wow! The world is truly ran by a MOB and if we collectively continue to go for it, do not be surprised if you or your loved ones end up sleeping with the fishes.

Success Talk From John Wooden

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 19:08:00 +0000

An inspiration to many worldwide, Coach John Wooden laid a foundation for what is truly success. The former UCLA Basketball Coach is a champion multiple times over. To paraphrase his own words, Wooden never “ceased trying to be the best he could be”. I watched this clip from Ted.com where Wooden spoke to an audience on the definition of success.

Just his resume alone inspired his listeners. He was the coach of Hall of Famers such as Lou Alcindor (Kareem Abdul Jabbar) and Bill Walton. Oh yeah and lets not forget the guy won over 10 championships. Not to mention he was 98 years old when he was giving the speech, so it made his words that more precise and real because of his life experience.

Using old stories of past experiences in his profession, he was able to reflect on what decisions made him the man he was. Tossing a few jokes here and there within his speech enabled him to get a laugh from the audience and show them that he’s not always so serious or egotistical. Rather more wise in his approach.

His ability to create his own definition for success was carved out of his experiences as an English teacher. Wooden was against using the grading system of A, B or C to measure a person success. He did not feel it was an accurate measurement of how successful a person was, in the clip he says,“I wanted to come up with something that I hoped could make me a better teacher, and give the youngsters under my supervision -- whether it be in athletics or in the English classroom -- something to which to aspire, other than just a higher mark in the classroom, or more points in some athletic contest.”

Through this adversity, Wooden was able to carve out his definition of success that he described as, “peace of mind attained only through self-satisfaction in knowing you made the effort to do the best of which you're capable”. These are words from a legend I have admired all my life. His “7 point creed”, and Pyramid of Success, involve principles I also try to live my life by and instill in others. Ultimately, this speech helped me develop a deeper understanding of what John Wooden meant to people in general not just basketball fans. I remember when I was a young athlete his name was always mentioned in many practices, and sports lectures. However, through living out my own life and gathering my own perspective I have found that Wooden’s life overall has so much of a deeper meaning to it than just basketball. By applying his definition to my life I can better determine what I am capable of and where I am likely to succeed. His life and what he stood for and lived by are a solid blueprint for what is success.

A lesson on Piracy and Industry Sales Value

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sat, 02 Jul 2011 15:12:00 +0000

The RIAA has resources that help explain the piracy issues facing the industry as well as offer sources that help you obtain legal content. Inside its Legal Music Services tab is a list full of online music retail stores. There are millions of legal downloads available from sites like Napster, ITunes, Pandora and AOLmusic. This provides a source for people to go to for music without the fear of being sued for illegal downloading. Ultimately, the sites are licensed by major record-companies to ensure legality and to make sure the money stays in the family.
It’s no secret the music industry is losing money to piracy. I remember when I had a computer with a CD burner, which I would use to burn copies of music I downloaded onto writable Cd's for all of my friends. Little did I know that I was infringing on industry copyrights. Like many I could have lost everything I have before I even got anything. The same is true for most people; many of them do not know how piracy impacts the industry.
The RIAA does a good job of clarifying what Piracy is, who is affected most by it and what are the laws for it within its Piracy tab. It is astounding how much of a decline has resulted within the industry. Although digital sales are outranking the traditional compact disc, according to the RIAA the music business has increased its digital revenues by 1,000 percent from 2004 to 2010. However, digital music theft has helped the overall global market decline of around 31 percent in the same period.
NPD reports that only 37 percent of music acquired by U.S. consumers in 2009 was paid for. These are necessary numbers to pay attention to. If you do not know the laws, this association is there to help you understand. With the data on public record it makes it easier for everyone to recognize the problem and not just dismiss it as hearsay.
As an artist these numbers scare me a bit. I wonder how I will compete in an industry where there are more people working than it is money to pay them. This is a reason why many artist pursuing there careers independently never merge with the record companies. They have multiple ways to sell their music but yet they’re not making money fast enough. Digital downloads hurt the value of the industry too. The impulse of the consumer is not as high for an album as it would be for a single they can download off the Internet. Ultimately, it seems like the RIAA has taken efforts to help re-establish the value of the industry. Educating its consumers on a major industry issue could prove helpful overtime.

Really? Rick Perry for President? Huh?

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Sun, 26 Jun 2011 17:58:00 +0000

The GOP presidential candidate race is one of hypocrisy and hilarity. I'm all for Ron Paul getting the nod, my views seem to match up with a lot of his. Though he may not when the nod I am sure he will enlighten many people to subjects not normally discussed. Like auditing the fed, closing our borders and pulling out of our wars.

Then there's Newt Gingrich, Herman Caine, Mitt Romney, and two of America's favorite narcissists, Sarah Palin and Donald Trump. Aside from providing the media with sensational story lines like Obama's birth certificate or a new book release, many of these candidates do not stand a chance against the man Rush Limbaugh is begging to run, Ex-Texas Governor, Rick Perry.

Oh yeah, this guy is exactly what we want in a president. A flip-flopper, I mean come on he was once a Democrat and Karl Rove convinced him to change to Republican. Really, Karl Rove was your saving grace or seed of enlightenment. All I can say is SMH um um um. The text generation feels me. But really, Rick Perry? huh? This guy is just your regular dictator who bows down and sucks the teet of more power and control. As do many who attend these Bilderberg meetings like governor Perry. He says he's not running but we shall see. Do not be surprised if this guy is your next President. With the way everyone just bows down to the guys in the suits, I am sure Governor Perry can coerce the people into anything, as he did in Texas with that anti-cancer vaccine. Some people died as result but that doesn't stop people from placing him on their top list of leaders.

But it seems this is what we want or expect of the people who run our country. It is as if bad leadership is the status quo. People need to stop respecting the position of the leader and start analyzing and judging the leaders actions and integrity. A good sound bite is not worth 4 or more years of hypocrisy and unethical decision-making. Come on really? It's as if politics really is Hollywood for ugly people. All this propaganda and cover-up it's just ridiculous. I'm all for a real candidate like Ron Paul. However, he can't be the only one. More people should take the steps to conduct research and be bold in their society.

I tell you is there anyone out there who has integrity that is not laced with evil. It's so disgusting that so many professionals and leaders are continuing to put corporate and government interests first instead of the people. There are real issues here in America, instead of getting rich off of discussing and arguing about them we should try solving them and bringing forth enlightenment.

Hip Hop, Where is my Lady?

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 00:03:00 +0000

Where is My Lady?

When listening to hip hop music today one can’t help but wonder sometimes, where the “Lady” went? Long gone are the years when female MC’s like Queen Latifah, TLC or MC Lyte dominated Hip Hop culture. These women and others represented the face of women in urban environments and encouraged them to be a lady, stick together and stand up for what they represent. At one point, it was ok to tell the masses of women that you are not a bitch or a ho. Now it has become socially acceptable to be one. With mainstream artists encouraging more sex, same sex behavior, drug use and other irresponsible acts, it makes it hard to consider the new Female MC a lady.
To some there is a misconception of what a lady is. Many think the definition of a lady is a polite female who thinks of herself to be good or better than others. Though not entirely false, however, I maintain that most of the time a Lady typically is representative of the decency of her gender. Call it the counterpart to a gentleman or the female equivalent of a Lord. A Lady exudes things like order, confidence, enlightenment and tranquility. These are all traits that we see in a lady but can’t touch. The intangible characteristics are the things that empower a lady. It is unfortunate that today our female MC’s encourage the opposite in their gender.
It’s as if women have liberated themselves too much. What I mean is there is no unity involved that upholds or conserves their values and traditions. It’s as if they’re bounded by false liberation and their mirage of endless opportunities, incapable of truly seeing themselves for who they truly are.
Years ago they (female MC’s) did not want to see themselves being represented as uneducated, promiscuous, bi-sexual, or drug addicts. Nowadays that is more the exception than the rule. The first person women look to for advice on how to be a lady are there mainstream leaders. How can Nicki Minaj, today’s leading mainstream female MC show other women what they should value. With songs that depict women as the opposite of a lady, it’s as if there is nothing to value or nothing to conserve.

By being so open and free figuratively and literally, they now have nothing to hold on to; in some cases not even their mind, body and soul. Long gone is the female MC who liberates the mind, and the spirit of her gender. Where has the lady gone? As a hip hop fan I miss her and I wonder will she ever come back.

http://www.hiphoparchive.org/prepare-yourself/women-hiphop

Memorial Day

noreply@blogger.com (BookT) — Mon, 30 May 2011 23:48:00 +0000

I love Memorial Day! It's always a great day when you gather with someone close in your family or friend circle to socialize and eat, eat, eat! I fill like my stomach is about to bust from all of the grilled food. I'm not just talking grilled chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs but corn, asparagus, baked beans and more. Wow, the goodness of Memorial Day is always a delight to my stomach. Not to mention it is also a great day to remember those who served. For if it wasn't for their sacrifices many of us would not share the satisfaction of enjoying the day off.