Archives for April 2021

By TERRY LYONS

BOSTON – One of the most amazing “fails” in the history of sports took place over the past few weeks and it will go down in the sports history books as something even worse than the XFLs (2001 & 2020) or the USFL.

The proposed European “Super League” of Futbol (Soccer for the Americans in the crowd) began and ended within a few days. The timeline was short and surreal:

• Sunday, April 18th – Super League announcement doled out.
• Monday, April 19th – The pushback from European fans became intense.
• Tuesday, April 20th – The Super League began to fall apart
• Wednesday, April 21st – The Super League was vanished, banished and apologies were issued to fans by team ownership and team presidents of the rogue Futbol clubs.
• In the time it takes to clear waivers, the Super League and zillions of dollars of potential revenue for players and teams alike, became the Stupor League – a punchline for sports start-ups forever.

As we know, or maybe for American fans – pretend to know – there are more leagues, cups and competitions in European Futbol that UFC fights on Pay-Per-View TV. They have Premier Leagues, they have FA Cups, they have Bundisligas, they have Spanish Liga, they have Copa del Reys, they have Italian Serie A and Coppa Italia, they have First Divisions in the Netherlands and Portugal and everywhere else, they have Scottish Premierships and they have UEFA Champions and UEFA Europa League.

There were Cup Winners Cups and even a Cup of Cups. Suffice to say, there are more Cups than in the Montreal Canadiens’ trophy case.

The creation of the European Super League would’ve been like skimming-off the Dallas Cowboys, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, KC Chiefs, New York Giants, the Denver Broncos and LA Rams and creating a mini-American Football (not Futbol) League of the perennial champs.

Except for what?

The fans of the Dallas Cowboys live and love their match-ups with the Washington FC and Philly Eagles. The KC Chiefs and their fans loath the Oakland Raiders and await each and every regular season match-up. The Packers live for the Black & Blue Division games between the Pack and Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings.

That’s just what happened in Europa, as fans of Liverpool, Man United, Arsenal and Tottenham went ballistic at the idea of siding up with Real Madrid and a few of the others hand-selected.

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez told Diario As of Spain the Super League “must have done something wrong” with the announcement of the project – never expecting the fans’ violent/protest reaction and the ultimate pushback from football’s governing bodies, politicians and industry sponsors. The last wiper was Perez claiming the founders will take “some weeks to reflect” on their next steps.

They’ll also need to ponder potential lawsuits and penalties from the various Leagues, UEFA, and FIFA – plus the double-down from UEFA and FIFA to bar rogue players from national competitions in the near future if they so dare to compete for an upstart new league, potentially disrupting the Futbol Gods.

For now, the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan – and the “as nyet” withdrawn Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Juventus and AC Milan – all have retreated to their corners, slouched corrected by a strong union of European futbol fans who all despise American club ownership and influences (see Liverpool and John Henry/Fenway Sports and Arsenal’s Stan Kroenke as Exhibits 1-A & B).

Of note in the failed Stupor League was the fact PSG of Paris was not in the mix and the league failed to try for an American franchise to join the club, much to the MLS’ delight, for sure.

One mea culpa came from financier JP Morgan who issued an all-out apology, saying that it “regretted supporting soccer clubs in launching a breakaway European Super League after the plan collapsed earlier this week amid intense criticism from fans and politicians.” A rep for the bank said, “We clearly misjudged how this deal would be viewed by the wider football community and how it might impact them in the future. We will learn from this.”

Yeah, until the next $Billion-Dollar deal comes along.

PGA TOUR BEWARE: The one North American-based sport totally open to the formation of a new “Super League” is the PGA Tour and the method to infiltrate is on display this weekend at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, the only match-play “team event” on the PGA schedule. Of course, the PGA has the hammer and could expel players who broke away, so the concept is a dream, but consider the fact a strong group of “Super Players” could break-away and form a Super Match League for pro golf. They would need to carve out five weekends a year (quarterly) and then one for the title (Thanksgiving in USA). Each match play tournament would be run much like the Zurich Classic this week. The four tournaments would create a “Final Four” of Match Play qualifiers (once you win a place for the Final Four, you no longer compete in the next tournament). The Super League/Final Four would be played on Thanksgiving Weekend at Pinehurst.

HERE NOW, THE NOTES: The NBA and NBA Players Association introduced the cryptocurrency pseudo-owning highlight phenomenon of Top Shot and the rest of the sports world is plotting how to follow along. … While never one to begrudge the new tech, whether it was glossy cards with authentic uniform strips inserted within instead of a strip of sour-tasting bubble gum, or the latest Air Jordans, there is ONE and ONLY ONE sports highlight I would choose to “own” and that would be Secretariat’s run at the 1973 Belmont Stakes. Everything else is playing for second place.

QUARTER CENTURY: It was 25 years ago (April 24, 1996), the NBA Board of Governors voted to create the WNBA. Not long after, Val Ackerman – currently the Commissioner of the BIG EAST Conference – was elected President of the WNBA, reporting to then-Commissioner of the NBA, David Stern. As the USA Basketball women’s senior national team prepared for that summer’s ‘96 Olympic Games in Atlanta, the WNBA signed Lisa Leslie, Sheryl Swoopes and Rebecca Lobo as its first three players and league ambassadors. … The league tipped-off June 21, 1997.

DIAMOND DUST-UPs: Not-fer-Nuthin’ but the MLB injured list is getting out of control, and its still April. In NO particular order, the following players have been hurt, on the IL and sidelined this season: Cody Bellinger, Mookie Betts, Christian Yelich, Eloy Jimenez, George Springer, Luke Voit, Lance Lynn, Ketel Marte, Jose Altuve, Max Kepler, Johnny Cuerto, Stephen Strasburg, Anthony Santander, Miguel Cabrera (no surprise), Juan Soto, Starling Marte, Anthony Rendon, Trevor Rosenthal, and Max Fried. That list places the likes of Chris Sale, Noah Syndergaard , and Justin Verlander on another page, as their injuries were documented well before the season or they’re recovering from surgery.

The Houston Astros are the only club to be hit hard by the COVID-19+ tests, and Altuve remains on the IL. Earlier, the Astros placed second baseman Altuve, third baseman Alex Bregman, designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, catcher Martin Maldonado and reserve infielder Robel Garcia on the injured list due to MLB protocol.

HOOP-HOOP, Hoo-RAY: Forward Michael Foster Jr., a five-star prospect, has signed to play with NBA G League Ignite next season, NBA G League President Shareef Abdur-Rahim announced today. Foster, ranked by ESPN as the No. 7 prospect in the Class of 2021, is the first player to sign with NBA G League Ignite for its second season. … “I’m super ready to learn the NBA game and train like an NBA player from NBA guys while playing for NBA G League Ignite,” said Foster of his decision to “go pro” rather than take the collegiate route. … A 2021 McDonald’s All-American, Foster spent his last two high school seasons at Hillcrest Prep in Phoenix, where he averaged 32.2 points and 18.4 rebounds as a senior and 26.3 points, 13.4 rebounds and 6.1 blocks as a junior. In his first two high school seasons, Foster led Washington High School of Information Technology in his native Milwaukee to back-to-back Division 2 state runner-up finishes. He earned All-State and All-Area First Team honors as a sophomore.

COMMERCIALS: Here at While We’re Young (Ideas), we’ve had enough of the “I’ve got the brains, you’ve got the looks, let’s make lots of money,” spot. Plus, The Pet Shop Boys called, and they want their tune back. … Secondly, the nice Mom who helps her adopted daughter through her first serious break-up was a nice idea for Adopt US Kids, but if there’s another airing of the “plus, he’s tagged in 400 posts,” we’re apt to toss War & Peace through the TV screen. “Good bye, Dave.”

COMMERCIALS II: In the New England region, local furniture shoppe “Jordan’s Furniture” is again offering free furniture to customers who purchased goods if any pitcher on the Boston Red Sox pitches a “No Hitter,” between August 3rd and October 3rd. If so, everything is free. … The odds are on Sox starters Nathan Eovaldi and Eduardo Rodriguez at the moment, but the chances for free stuff would improve significantly if Sox ace Chris Sale were to return in his Cy Young Award form.

A NEW SIGN of the APOCALYPSE: ESPN and Marvel announced a “groundbreaking collaboration” to launch the first-ever Marvel-inspired alternate presentation for the Golden State Warriors vs. New Orleans Pelicans game on Monday, May 3. The exclusive alternate presentation, NBA Special Edition Presented by State Farm: Marvel’s Arena of Heroes, will start at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2, ESPN+ and ESPN Deportes with the traditional game telecast on ESPN.

The latest development in Marvel and ESPN’s long history of sports content collaboration, the telecast will integrate elements from an original Marvel story and iconic characters including Iron Man, Black Panther, Captain Marvel, Captain America, Black Widow, and Doctor Strange throughout the live game, including 3D virtual characters, custom graphics and animation packages.

From the press release: “After a narrow victory over an invading alien army, the Avengers receive an ominous threat from the enemy who vows to return in greater numbers and force. The Black Panther and Iron Man quickly realize they will need more help and form a plan to expand their ranks to fight this impending threat. Recognizing the superior physical abilities, agility, and tenacity of Earth’s greatest athletes, the Avengers will hold a series of contests where the winners earn the right to train and fight alongside them as Marvel’s Champions! The Avengers will begin their recruitment with the NBA elite and observe the battle between the Warriors and the Pelicans, focusing on three star players from each team.”

That said, we LONG for the days of the late Rudolph “Spider” Edwards sweeping the Boston Garden parquet in his trademark “fedora’ hat as the lone “entertainment” for a game.

WOMEN’S ICE HOCKEY: The 2021 IIHF Championship tournament, scheduled in Nova Scotia with a start date of May 6 has been canceled due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Canada. The IIHF is looking into a new date to play the women’s tourney this summer. … Makes you wonder about the Tokyo Olympic Games?

CFP PREDICTING ALL SYSTEMS GO: “It was quite a year,” said the great Bill Hancock, the Executive Director of the CFP. “Given all the challenges presented by the pandemic, teams were fortunate to have played as many games as they did. It’s a real testament to the student-athletes, commissioners and their staffs, athletics directors, coaches, the schools’ staffs, medical personnel, and, frankly, everyone who loves this game. Satisfaction with the CFP remains high, and we can’t wait for what we hope will be a more typical season this fall.” … Hancock said the CFP intends to return to the traditional pageantry of college football for the CFP games this year. “We are planning to have marching bands, cheerleaders, mascots and the rest of the wonderful traditions at the CFP games. We are optimistic, but, of course, everything will depend on the circumstances this fall.”

HUDDLE-UP: According to newsletter, Huddle Up, sports media company Overtime almost broke the internet when they announced the launch of Overtime Elite (OTE), a professional basketball league that will pay high school-aged players $100,000 or more. That is along the lines of what the NBA and its G-League are doing with their Ignite franchise. … The key issue for Overtime was the cash needed to jump-start a pro-type league amidst the pandemic. According to the report, Overtime Elite raised an $80 million Series C round that values the business at more than $250 million.

The round included investors:

• Jeff Bezos
• Drake (musician/rap; ambassador to Toronto Raptors)
• Alexis Ohanian
• Devin Booker
• Pau Gasol

Furthermore, Sapphire Sport and Black Capital led the Series C round, with more than 25 current and former NBA players participating.

EXIT NIKE: Both gymnast Simone Biles and the estate representatives for Kobe Bryant (headed by his widow Vanessa) exited the Nike family this week. Biles signed-up for a new apparel partnership with Athleta that she says more closely “reflects her values.” Biles told the WSJ: “I felt like it wasn’t just about my achievements, it’s what I stood for and how they were going to help me use my voice and also be a voice for females and kids,” she said. “I feel like they also support me, not just as an athlete, but just as an individual outside of the gym and the change that I want to create, which is so refreshing.” … Meanwhile, a Nike spokesperson stated: “Simone Biles is an incredible athlete and we wish her the very best,” and that “we will continue to champion, celebrate and evolve to support our female athletes.” … As for Kobe Bryant, ESPN reported that “sources” noted, “Bryant and the estate had grown frustrated with Nike limiting the availability of Kobe products during his retirement and after his January 2020 death in a helicopter crash. There was also frustration with the lack of availability of Kobe footwear in kids’ sizes, according to sources.” … Vanessa Bryant added: “My hope will always be to allow Kobe’s fans to get and wear his products,” Vanessa Bryant said. “I will continue to fight for that. Kobe’s products sell out in seconds. That says everything. … I was hoping to forge a lifelong partnership with Nike that reflects my husband’s legacy. We will always do everything we can to honor Kobe and Gigi’s legacies. That will never change.”

CONDOLENCES: Condolences are in order for the family of Boston basketball prospect Terrence Clarke, a 19-year old from Roxbury who died in an auto accident in Los Angeles on Thursday night. He was in California for work-outs and auditions to prepare for the NBA Draft. Clarke played ball at Roxbury’s Vine Street Community Center, then for The Rivers School, Brewster Academy and then the University of Kentucky.

Parting Words & Music

Suggested by a column contributor. The Waterboys.