L.A. Pride is a true sports enthusiast.  A former youth, and division II assistant basketball coach, who studied the martial arts, he enjoys and follows all sports, even hockey.  His quick wit and insight brings a fresh view to the world of sports. You may not always agree with him, but you will enjoy his highly opinionated thoughts.

Is it me …

Or are the NFL labor talks ridiculous, billionaires arguing with millionaires over money. Both sides looking for a bigger share of the pie.  And regardless of who wins, Fans lose, because that’s who will ultimately bear the cost of their negotiations.   Ticket prices will rise, parking fees at the stadiums will rise, that $4.75 hot dog  will now cost $5.35, that watered down beverage of choice,  will now have more water and cost an additional dollar, etc, etc, etc,.

The owners also want an eighteen game schedule, two additional games per season.  They want to play two less exhibition games, which they lose money on, and add those games to the regular season, which makes a profit.  (How many games can the human body realistically play in a season?)

This would also require a larger roster/payroll, thus reducing their profits.  The players want a larger share of the profits, but a larger roster means that each player must take a smaller cut.  So both sides suffer, unless, of course you raise prices and pass the cost on to the fan.   Now both sides are at an impasse, and we have a lockout, and everyone is scrambling to get to court to sue someone.   Enough…

Because it is the fan who will foot the bill, I suggest that both sides submit to binding arbitration, in front of a committee of fans.  Let us decide how to divide up the money.  Regrettably the meetings will have to take place after 5:00pm because we work year round at real jobs earning a living and can’t afford to miss a day because of the high price of gas, food, clothing, etc…

Is it me…

Or has College Basketball figured out the perfect scheme.  March Madness is set to begin.  It has a great format; the best college teams in the country get together and decide a champion.  One and done, if you lose, your season is over and you go home.  Winners live to play another day.   But even before the tournament, you have a mini tournament, your conference tournament.  You get to play the teams you have been playing all season for the right to go to the big tournament.  And the conferences make money by charging admission to the games.   It’s a live or die situation because a lower seeded team can get hot and screw things up by winning the conference tournament, and “stealing a bid” to the big tournament.  Which is bad news for the teams that are sitting on the bubble, i.e., not sure if they are getting in, because the heavyweights in the conference, are invited whether they win the conference or not, after  a lower seed has been invited, as conference champ- There are a limited number at large bids available and now a heavyweight must take one.  It’s perfect if you’re heavyweight you get to play in the big tournament regardless of what happens in your conference tournament.  Please note that this only applies to the big conferences.  Some conferences are considered one bid conferences and only the winner of the conference tournament   gets to go the big one.     The Ivy League, the smart schools (but they are not so smart when it comes basketball economics, i.e., making money) don’t have a conference tournament.  The regular season champ goes to the big tournament and the other schools are usually not invited, so they stay home and go to class, I guess that’s why they are so smart in other areas.  This is an interesting idea; the games you played all season actually count for something.  What next, student athletes?

That said, let the games begin.  68 teams will play down to one team,  and a champion crowned.  I know you’re upset about your team’s seeding, where they are playing, and who they are playing (my beloved Tar Heels, are playing LIU, a local favorite from Brooklyn).  FORGET it, fill out your brackets and enjoy March Madness.  (Remember there is always a 5/12 upset.  Well most of the time.)

Go Tar Heels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it me…

Or did LeBron read my column last week and decided to stick it to me (and Kobe)?  You still have to beat the good teams, but I feel you LeBron.

Is it me…

Or did my Ghosts do it Sunday.  Section 4 state champs.   Congratulations to Coach Griles, his staff, and the Paterson Eastside players.

Go Ghosts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!