In The Works...

     Really?  Now that Salavat Yulaev Ufa won't be making the playoffs,Alexander Radulov comes running back to Nashville.  Apparently the paperwork for his return has already been filed.  Drafted 15th overall in 2004, Radulov has been one of Nashville's top prospects before leaving the NHL in 2008-09 season.  Arguably the best player in the KHL, perhaps he seeks comfort in fellow Russians, the Kostitsyn brothers.  Alexander had played on a team with some teammates he was not too enthusiastic about playing with who are now gone (One was mentioned on a TSN video, J.P. Dumont).
      Radulov has his last year on his 3 year rookie level entry contract (worth $980K) to complete, and coming to Nashville in the playoffs would complete it.  The NHLPA has agreed to bypass Radulov through waivers and after this season, he will become a restricted free agent.  NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly has said there are no limitations on Radulov's return.
    Predators' GM Bill Poile expressed his belief that Alex would eventually return to the NHL.  He has a desire to be the best and wants to play against the top talent.  Is Alexander Radulov really seeking to play against the top elite or is he just chasing top dollar?  Perhaps he feels comfortable returning with familiar teammates.  Many other Russian players have fled the NHL back to the motherland that have had no Russian teammates.  Some examples are Alexander Svitov and Alexei Morozov.

 Pretty gnarly, eh?

Because It's The Cup

    Last February the NHL and MillerCoors (MolsonCoors to Canadians) came to a league record deal of $375 million.  Of course this calls for a new campaign.  The last postseason campaign, "History Will be Made", was too oriented toward diehard hockey fans.  The Stanley Cup, a 120 year tradition, is recognized by many throughout different communities.  Whether an actual fan, casual fan, or non-fan, many can identify with the Cup even if they do not follow hockey religiously.  Every franchise, sponsor, and other stakeholders imaginable are responsible to launch their own promotion of this campaign. 
     There are many slogans beginning with the word "Because...".  Examples are "Because it's the Cup" and "Because in hockey, there are two half times".  The NHL wants to break even further into social media by "socializing" the Stanley Cup Playoffs.  It would be similar to what March Madness is like and their promotional campaigns.  This will appeal more-so to casual and non-fans.  During the 2012 playoffs bars will feature Stanley Cup tap handles for MillerCoors (MolsonCoors) beverages.  About 4,000 in the United States and 2,500 in Canada will participate in this promotion.  Go figure as it is the only trophy in America's top four sports leagues you can drink a beer out of.  Many of sponsor's packaging will include "Because it's the Cup" branding.  I've seen NHL branding ever since the new sponsorship.  Coors packaging in the New England features the Boston Bruins and so does Bud Light.  Stores often have Bruins logos with the Cup featured in windows. 
     The new TV campaign is broken down into four themes.  The first is "Two Halftimes" which recognizes and promotes team relationships and camaraderie in homes and bars during the playoffs.   Next is the "Where its been" showing unique places the Cup has been.  Following the many places the Cup has been brought is the "City" theme which shows how the playoffs bring communities together and lastly the "Story" aspect which demonstrates the history of the Cup.

Coke's Effort

     Coca-Cola enters its last year as partners with the NCAA and its tournament March Madness.  What was once a shocking deal, 13 years which has been estimated to cost Coke $50 million yearly for numerous rights, is about to end strongly.  Coke's efforts are still strong to push forward and market one of it's newer products, Coke Zero. 
    The Coca-Cola Company is trying to spread it's digital and social media.  With the new tablet technologies, iPads, iPhones, the Android system, etc... more people are accessible than ever before.  There are many prizes to be given away which are incentives to watch the tournament.  Prizes include tickets to the Final Four, concert tickets, and more.  With computer, television, and mobile screens, there are plenty of marketing options.  Coke has even employed top NCAA analysts on certain channels (especially those with exclusive NCAA broadcasting rights) to represent their product and the March Madness 2012 campaign.
    I've seen the efforts by Coke personally.  They are truly using all of their assets to market their product during the final four.  At Endicott College, the dining services are partnered with Coke products (Coke, Powerade, Sprite, etc...).  At certain dining venues on campus, Coke Zero is on signs and posters, with raffle opportunities to win Coke mini fridges and more. 

    

Pretty Boy

     It's no secret athletes usually give each other lavish gifts with their big-time contracts.  Athletes have been known to give cars, expensive dinners, jewelry, and more as presents.  A highly noted event of this is when Brian McRae leased pitcher Frank Castillo a convertible Mercedes-Benz after he knocked one out of the park during batting practice at Wrigley Field.  However, this gift might be the first of it's kind.
    Jonathon Niese admitted upon arriving to spring training that he received a nose job over the offseason.  Wait... it gets even better.  The whole thing started off as a joke once former teammate Carlos Beltran said he would pay for Niese to get a new nose.  The original motivation was aesthetics, however, Niese got the best of this fun.  Beltran promised to pay for the surgery before he was traded last July to the San Francisco Giants.  According to Niese, Beltran has not covered the tab, but he doesn't care if he pays for it.  The new nose has made it easier for Niese to breathe during workouts, but he is not sure how it will effect him on the mound.
    Beltran signed a two year deal this offseason witht he St. Louis Cardinals and will be making approximately $13 million this year.  Niese is one year from arbitration and earned $452,000 last year.  It would look bad upon Beltran not to carry out his promise, but at least Niese will be a more handsome stud on the mound.  Maybe we'll see more fashion-esque fun in sport.  Any ideas about the Edmonton Oilers Taylor Hall?

Jon Niese (AD/Adam Rubin)

Taylor "Frankenstein" Hall

Sports in Images - 1

I wanted to make a series of posts that depict sport in images.  Good times, bad times, bloopers, amazing plays, etc...  Here's my first one, enjoy! (If the animation doesn't work on click on the image.  Some images are not animated).

Fishing in Australia

I first discovered this back when C.C. signed with NYY

Boston Bruins Stanley Cup party tab

 

 

Mascot fail

First Ever Fantasy Sport Awards?

  
     One of the biggest growing trends in sport of my time has been Fantasy Sports.  Men everywhere obsess over it.  Friends join leagues where winners take home money/trophies, bragging rights, or simple friendly bets.  TV shows have even been created in honor of fantasy football.  The show The League is about a group of friends who play in a fantasy football league in order to win the "Shiva-bowl" and take home the "Shiva" trophy.  With the grammys that have just passed by and the Oscars on the way, there is no doubt that it's an award season.  SiriusXM's Fantasy Sports Radio (XM channel 87, Sirius 210) is attempting the first fantasy sports awards (at least the first I have heard of *shurgs*) called The Fantasies.  I would think this idea would have been thought of 2-3 years ago at least.
     The awards will air on SiriusXM's Fantasy Sports Radio (XM channel 87, Sirius 210) on February 23, 2012 at 8:00pm EST.  Unfortunately, I discovered about this rather late.  The polls are closed so no one can vote anymore nor see the who is competing for each award, but I can list the awards being given this year.  The official website features 14 awards (and another blog gives some of the players up for baseball awards):

• Fantasy Football Stud – for the best fantasy football player in 2011
• Bell Cow - for the best running back in fantasy football in 2011
• Mr. Fantasy Baseball – for the best player in fantasy baseball right now
• Albert Pujols 
• Matt Kemp 
• Miguel Cabrera
• 1st Star – for the best player in fantasy hockey right now
• The Bernie Madoff Award – for the biggest fantasy football “steal” on draft day or free agency in 2011
• The Jerry Rice Award - for the best wide receiver in fantasy football in 2011
• Fantasy Ace – for the best pitcher in fantasy baseball right now
• Justin Verlander 
• Clayton Kershaw 
• Roy Halladay 
• Hoops Hero – for the best player in fantasy basketball right now  
• Big Man on Campus – for the best player in college fantasy football in 2011
• Hot Wheel – for the driver most likely to finish the 2012 fantasy NASCAR season with the most points
• Alley Oop – for the fantasy basketball player whose value will rise the most in 2012
• Back on the Bandwagon – for the fantasy baseball player expected to be the most improved in 2012
• Hanley Ramirez 
• Carl Crawford 
• Adam Dunn
• Worst screwing – to the player who caused the most frustration in fantasy football in 2011
• Gunslinger – for the best quarterback in fantasy football in 2011

     Of those listed, let me talk about who will win.  Miguel Cabrera will win Mr. Fantasy Baseball.  He plays in the American League, he is very consistent, and he is not limited to first base (third base eligible).  Justin Verlander will win the Fantasy Ace.  This stud's mug is on the MLB 2K12 video game cover and he is the American League MVP and Cy Young Award winner.  Carl Crawford is most likely to win the Back on the Bandwagon award because the club he plays for gives him the best to chance to likely put up better numbers than the others nominees.

     I can't wait to see who wins, especially my favorite, 1st Star - the player best in hockey fantasy right now.  However, I feel there needs to be more diverse categories and awards in each sport for athletes to win.

Long Lost Twins?

Is Jim Halpert (John Krasinski) from the office secretly related to the Manning brothers?  Decide for yourself.