Eventually, monetization becomes exploitation. Customer/consumer loyalty can be tested; but only to a certain point. There is nothing wrong with being a capitalist, and trying to make as much money as you can, but when that is all you care about...eventually you get cooked. You have seen that with both the sport of college football and the Republican Party/MAGA cult. Most … [Read more...] about Midterm Results, Anger About Decline of College Football Mirrors Each Other
Politics
Protect College Sports Act Doesn’t Really Do Anything for the Athletes Themselves
The Protect College Sports Act is a really hot topic, and almost everybody seems to have an opinion. Its goal is to create a uniform national standard for college athletics, stabilizing rules around Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, transfers, and revenue sharing. The bill passed the U.S. Senate about a month ago, in a 77–22 bipartisan vote, and it awaits action in the … [Read more...] about Protect College Sports Act Doesn’t Really Do Anything for the Athletes Themselves
Oluchi Okananwa: Maryland Star Fights for Athletes Rights, Opposes Protect College Sports Act
Maryland Terrapins guard Oluchi Okananwa started her career at college basketball's biggest brand name, Duke. The 5'10" slashing guard is an outstanding offensive rebounder and an excellent on-ball defender. Like Philadelphia 76ers superstar Jaylen Brown, she plays with great two-way versatility on the wing. Okananwa is a consensus projection to go top 10, maybe top even 8 … [Read more...] about Oluchi Okananwa: Maryland Star Fights for Athletes Rights, Opposes Protect College Sports Act
Indy 500 Takes Nationalism Up to Jingoism, and Beyond
With the 110th running of the Indy 500 coming up on Sunday, we re-publish this piece from the 102nd running of the Indy 500, in 2018. Enjoy! You know what patriotism is. You're familiar with nationalism. But you might not know what the term is for when patriotism and nationalism combine, get put on steroids and multiplied to the 10th power. That is a phenomenon known as … [Read more...] about Indy 500 Takes Nationalism Up to Jingoism, and Beyond
Most Memorable Merica, MAGA Shirts Seen at Indianapolis 500
Editor's note: as it's Indy 500 week, we're re-running this piece, originally from 2017, on MAGA propaganda present at the race track. As has been well documented, especially so on this site, the patriotism gets ramped up to jingoism and then some at the Indianapolis 500 every year. Actually take that jingoism and square it, no wait, take it to the tenth power. In other … [Read more...] about Most Memorable Merica, MAGA Shirts Seen at Indianapolis 500
Dwyane Wade Expresses the Meaning of MLK Day
As today is MLK Day, the annual holiday that honors the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, we revisit a past article, on Dwyane Wade from MLK weekend 2017 that embraces the spirit of what this day stands for. Chicago Bulls star Dwyane Wade addressed the crowd tonight prior to his team's contest against the New Orleans Pelicans. On this Martin Luther King Day weekend, Wade … [Read more...] about Dwyane Wade Expresses the Meaning of MLK Day
The Historical Link Between Satchel Paige and Martin Luther King
As today is MLK Day, the annual holiday that honors the late, great Dr. Martin Luther King, we revisit a past article, on Satchel Paige that embraces the spirit of what this day stands for. On Aug 29, 2013, the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King’s "I have a dream" speech, Keith Olbermann shared his thoughts on the connection between Dr. King’s oratory, his own … [Read more...] about The Historical Link Between Satchel Paige and Martin Luther King
Star Spangled Banner Should be for International Sporting Events Only
Editor's Note: originally ran in the summer of 2020, and we have now updated it in certain places, and re-publishing for Fourth of July or Independence Day weekend. Political Marketing was my favorite class when I was in graduate school, and many lessons learned from that course stick with me to this day. I selected jingoism, extremist patriotism and all things marketing of … [Read more...] about Star Spangled Banner Should be for International Sporting Events Only
Photos, Videos of Notre Dame Football at Juneteenth Rally
As today is the Juneteenth holiday, we're re-posting this article from 2020, covering the Juneteenth rally and demonstration staged by the Notre Dame football team that year. This is not the first time that the Notre Dame community and the Notre Dame football team fought against the ugly forces of hate and intolerance that exist in our society. … [Read more...] about Photos, Videos of Notre Dame Football at Juneteenth Rally
Pickleball Could Re-Unite, Save America. Yes, We’re Serious
In the final pages of his new book Power Players: Sports, Politics, and the American Presidency, author Chris Cilliza posits a theory that pickleball is the way to re-unite the current Divided States of America. Yes, Cillizza writes that Joe Biden's 2020 election winning campaign and the sport of pickleball espouse the same ideals and principle: everyone can contribute and … [Read more...] about Pickleball Could Re-Unite, Save America. Yes, We’re Serious