"Buzz" Hargrove Resigns As Interim Ombudsman of NHLPA
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — THIS IS BREAKING NEWS… NHLPA interim ombudsman “Buzz” Hargrove has resigned effectively immediately. According to Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal via Twitter, Hargrove said, "Under current circumstances, I can not perform duties of ombudsman." There had been several reports, including this one from TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger via Twitter, that Hargrove was going to be voted out of the position and that Hargrove was going to resign before that time. Today may have well been that move, although Hargrove said, "I had no worry of being forced out." Hargrove said surveillance by the NHLPA’s review committee made it impossible to carry out duties outlined in ...

Extended Musings on Whether MLB Needs a Salary Cap
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — In 1995 the New York Yankees payroll was $58 million….. Maury Brown’s piece “Reasons for Not Having a Salary Cap in MLB are Numerous” delved into the complicated issue of the mighty salary cap. Which, after a Yankee 27th World Series, has somehow become an all-knowing, all-powerful and omnipotent force. I can’t help but agree with Brown’s assertion that the problem is well diagnosed, but solutions have been virtually non-existent. Brown’s solution is to implement a cap floor and a dollar-for-dollar revenue-sharing. Both viable suggestions, but neither is without flaw. The cap floor, in theory, would force franchises like the Florida Marlins or Pittsburgh Pirates to spend luxury tax dollars on players rather than on, well, ...

Dan O'Dowd Voted By Peers as MLB Executive of the Year
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Colorado Rockies executive vice president and general manager Dan O’Dowd was voted Sporting News’ 2009 Major League Baseball Executive of the Year by a panel of 31 MLB general managers and assistant general managers. He was presented with the award Monday night at the MLB general managers' meetings in Chicago . O’Dowd’s Rockies finished 92-70 and won the National League Wild Card. The 92 wins were a franchise-best, two more than Colorado won in 2007 when it reached its first World Series. The Rockies ’ turnaround was among the best stories of the 2009 season. After an 18-28 start, O’Dowd fired manager (and good friend) Clint Hurdle, replacing him with Jim Tracy. O’Dowd called the decision to fire Hurdle the most agonizing move ...

Pronounced Cracks in Baseball’s Glass Ceiling
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Kim Ng has been key in helping break through baseball's glass ceiling for women. Wayne G. McDonnell, Jr. is a guest contributor to The Biz of Baseball. See other submissions by him within the Articles and Opinions archive. Dr. Donna Lopiano, renowned scholar on gender equality in sports, recently gave a lecture to a group of sports ...

Ichiro, Torii Hunter Win 9th Consecutive AL Gold Glove Awards
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Ichiro wins his 9th straight Gold Glove award Rawlings Sporting Goods recently announced the 2009 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners for the American League. “Since it’s creation in 1957, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award has been bestowed on some of the greatest defensive players the game has ever seen and this year is no exception,” said Mike Thompson, ...

Outgoing MLBPA Exec Dir. Donald Fehr Could Become Advisor to NHLPA
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Donald Fehr, who spent 26 years leading the union for the Major League Baseball players could soon become an advisor to the players union for the National Hockey League. According to Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal/SportsBusiness Daily, NHL player reps voted in support of allowing Fehr to assist the NHLPA in finding new a Exec Dir, among other things, on a conference call Sunday night, but there were not enough players on the call to establish a quorum, sources said. Mullen added that, “The 30 player reps who make up the Exec Board, the governing body of the union, now have until tomorrow evening to vote, as the constitution allows reps to send in votes to the union by e-mail or other means within 72 hours of a ...

Larry Johnson's Troubled Timeline
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — The Kansas City Chiefs released troubled running back Larry Johnson Monday, ending his tenure of controversy and unfulfilled expectations.  The move will cost the Cheifs $2.14 million if Johnson clears waivers.  Johnson had three years left on the five-year contract he signed in 2007.  If he stayed, Johnson would have earned $22.5 million over those three seasons. Here is a timeline of Johnson’s career and events leading up to his release: 2003:  Larry Johnson drafted by 27th overall by the Chiefs after finishing third in Heisman voting. 2003:  Johnson arrested on felony aggravated assault charges for waving a gun at his girlfriend and was sentenced to probation 2004:  Johnson has conflict with head coach Dick ...

Selig Discusses Instant Replay, Economic Parity, More, in Hour Long Interview
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Commissioner Selig gave, what might have been, his more broad reaching interview ever, on MLB Network’s "Studio 42 with Bob Costas" (Next showing, 4:30 a.m. ET). Selig discussed a number of topics, including the postseason ending in November, the use of instant replay, parity in the league, a possible best-of-seven Division Series, and more. Here are some excerpts: On the postseason scheduling and the 2009 season finishing in November "I'm not comfortable because I really loathe going into November, worried about it a long time. We've talked about it and quite candidly the alternatives are not many in this regard. I know people complain about the schedule and we do have off days. We don't know in March how many ...

Hudson, Rollins Highlight National League Gold Glove Winners
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Jimmy Rollins wins his 3rd Gold Glove award Rawlings Sporting Goods has announced the 2009 Rawlings Gold Glove Award Winners for the National League. “Since its creation in 1957, the Rawlings Gold Glove Award® has been bestowed on some of the greatest defensive players the game has ever seen and this year is no exception,” said Mike Thompson, Rawlings ...

From Griffey to Pedro: What The "Old Men" of MLB Make
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Ken Griffey, Jr.'s extension is but one for the "old men" of Major League Baseball The Seattle Mariners and Ken Griffey Jr. agreed Wednesday to a one-year contract for a base salary of $2 million. The soon-to-be 40-year old can earn more through incentives. With Griffey Jr. resigning, here’s what other aging free agents such as Jason Kendall (36-years old), ...

Source: Riggleman to Be Named Manager of Nationals
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — UPDATE 1: According to MASN, Riggleman is expected to fire part of the coaching staff. The report also notes that Bobby Valentine was never seriously up for consideration for the managerial opening. He held the title of "interim" manager with the Washington Nationals from July 12 until the end of the season, but according to sources, on Thursday, Jim Riggleman will be named the new manager of the ...

A New Beginning Continues In Oregon’s Second Season
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — University of Oregon's PK Park The Oregon Ducks are preparing for the second season, one that shows promise despite a 14-42 record. A record like that is a failure for some, but for the Ducks, it is a success. The University and Eugene were without Division I baseball for the past 28 years. That is until last season. Their record may not show it, but they ...

Gov. Paterson, and Yankee Tickets Bring Up Ethics, Sports, and Politics
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — New York Governor David A. Paterson attended a World Series game with four others, including his son. and three others, initally, without paying the Yankees for them, bring up questions of sporting events, politicians, and ethics. Sports and politics have always had a symbiotic relationship, from the ancient times of the Greek Olympics to the ...

The NHL Works to Address Head Hits
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — The "Mark Messier M11" helmet may be one method to try and reduce concussions in the NHL The National Football League drew attention recently over concussion research which found that players have a higher likelihood of developing long-term problems. But, the NFL isn’t the only professional sports league putting emphasis on protecting its players against head ...

Portland 104, Minnesota 84
Bust a Bucket - A Portland Trail Blazers Blog — BOX SCORE How much can you really take away from a game like this? I could talk about how good Oden looked when Al Jefferson wasn’t sneaking around him for buckets. But it’s the Timberwolves. I could talk about how that two point-guard lineup was pretty nifty again. But it’s the Timberwolves. Portland is working towards becoming a very good team, Minnesota is a mess. That pretty much sums it up. Since moving to Minneapolis last summer I’ve talked with a fair amount of Timberwolves fans when I could find them. They are hurting. They still talk about the Roy trade. Most of them condemn the Mayo for Love deal. (One of the lone Love supporters I found turned out to be Travis Diener's cousin. This has nothing to ...

Yankees World Series Merchandise Sales Pacing at Second-Highest Ever
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Yankees World Series merchandise is flying off the shelf at a rate that should make it the second hottest World Series seller of all time, ranking behind only the '04 Red Sox With the Yankees winning their 27th World Series, the Bronx Bombers aren’t the only ones celebrating. Sales of Yankees World Series merchandise sales are ...

Mitch Jones, Shelly Duncan, Randy Ruiz Highlight Topps Triple-A All-Star Team
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Mitch Jones, who claimed the Joe Bauman Trophy as Minor League Baseball’s top slugger, and International and Pacific Coast Most Valuable Players Shelley Duncan and Randy Ruiz are among the players selected to the Topps Triple-A All-Star Team. The best performances in all Minor League Baseball classifications are again being honored by the Topps Company of New York, N.Y., in conjunction with Minor League Baseball. Randy Ruiz (32) of Reading, Pa., hit .320 with 25 homers in winning Most Valuable Player honors in the Pacific Coast League. The Las Vegas 51s first baseman led Triple-A with 106 RBI and 70 extrabase hits and finished second in the classification with his 41 doubles. The Toronto Blue ...

Costas Interview with Ernie Harwell: "This will be my last World Series, I think"
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — MLB Network’s Studio 42 with Bob Costas will debut an interview with longtime Detroit Tigers play-by-play announcer and Hall of Fame broadcaster Ernie Harwell on Tuesday, November 17 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Throughout the interview, Harwell, 91, discusses his 55-year career in broadcasting with the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers, as well as the incurable cancer he was diagnosed with in September 2009. At the interview’s close, Harwell recites the speech he gave upon being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame on August 2, 1981. A preview of the interview, which will re-air on November 17 at 10:00 p.m. ET, can be seen here. Prior to the interview, MLB ...

NHLPA Votes to Create Two Committees, Approves Donald Fehr to Assist in Exec. Dir. Search
The Biz of Hockey :: The Business of Sports Network — Outgoing MLBPA Executive Director Donald Fehr has been approved by the NHL players to assist in the search for a new Executive Director for the NHLPA. He is doing so, gratis The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced that the NHLPA Executive Board has voted to establish two committees.  The first ...

NHLPA Votes to Allow Donald Fehr to Assist in Constitution, Exec. Dir. Search
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Outgoing MLBPA Executive Director Donald Fehr has been approved by the NHL players to assist in the search for a new Executive Director for the NHLPA. He is doing so, gratis The National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) today announced that the NHLPA Executive Board has voted to establish two committees. The first committee ...

Listing: 210 Potential MLB Salary Arbitration Players for 2010
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — The Biz of Baseball has been updated with new data pertaining to salary arbitration for 2010. The MLB Players Association late yesterday released a list of 210 potential players that could file for salary arbitration. A player with more than 3 but less than 6 years of service time can file for salary arbitration. There are two exceptions to this rule that was collectively bargained: Clubs can offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.  That deadline is Dec. 1. The last day that those players that were offered salary arbitration can sign with their former team is Dec. 7. Last year, there were two such players: David Weathers of the Reds and Darren Oliver of the Angels. A player declared as a ...

5 Things From the NFL At Mid-Season
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — Each NFL season takes on an identity. Seems you can look back and say, “That was the year of the…” As the 2009 season reaches its half-way point, there are a number of different identities this season has taken on. Think Favre. Think Wildcat. Think disappointment. With this in mind, here are five things –from the business side of the NFL- to look for in the second half of the 2009 NFL season. 5) Fines – Chad Ochocinco’s $20,000 fine for pretending to bribe officials with a one-dollar bill was just the icing on what is becoming a novelty-sized cake of fines in the NFL this season. Sure, all the fines go to charity, but the murmurs of the NFL office taking it to far are getting louder. Here are some of the more high-profile fines ...

Creighton Bluejay to Play at TD Ameritrade Park, Home of College World Series
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Creighton University and the Metropolitan Entertainment & Convention Authority (MECA) have reached an agreement for the Creighton Bluejay baseball team to play its home games at TD AMERITRADE Park Omaha. The MECA board approved a 10-year lease agreement with Creighton at its Oct. 27 board meeting. (See more images of the new TD AMERITRADE Park Omaha) Under the lease agreement Creighton will play some home games in 2011 and all of its home games in 2012 at TD AMERITRADE Park Omaha. This includes Missouri Valley Conference games and annual games against in-state rival Nebraska. Creighton games will be part of the TD AMERITRADE Park Omaha suite and club seat packages. MECA Board Chair Gail Werner-Robertson said ...

BBWAA Awards Begin Today with ROY Awards
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Chris Coghlan of the Marlins is seen by many as having a good chance of winning the NL Rookie of the Year award. At 2pm ET today, an annual rite of passage kicks off as the Baseball Writers Association of America (BBWAA) doles out their selection for the American and National League Rookie of the Year. Cutting ...

Andrew Bailey, Chris Coghlan Win Rookie of the Year Awards
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Andrew Bailey Wins AL Award Oakland right-hander Andrew Bailey, who emerged as the Athletics’ closer in his first major league season, was voted the American League winner of the Jackie Robinson Rookie of the Year Award. Bailey, 25, was listed first on 13 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city, second on six and third on five to score 88 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. Bailey’s 26 saves were far and away the most among AL relief pitchers, since no other reliever in the league had more than two. His 1.84 ERA was also the best among AL rookie pitchers. Bailey had 24 walks and 91 strikeouts in 83 1/3 innings in which he allowed only 47 hits. Opponents batted .167 against Bailey. Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis ...

Jon Gruden Signs Mult-Year Extension with ESPN
The Biz of Football :: Part of the Business of Sports Network — Jon Gruden has signed a mult-year deal with ESPN to remain as an analyst. THIS IS BREAKING NEWS... Jon Gruden, who joined ESPN in May as a Monday Night Football analyst, has agreed to an exclusive multi-year agreement with the company. Gruden has made a commitment to remain with ESPN. Financial terms of the multi-year ...

MLB Owners Meetings: Extra Innings Blackout Update #8,265
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Tomorrow, MLB’s 30 owners will begin holding their final set of meetings of the year at the Chicago O'Hare Hilton, the same location that MLB’s general managers just recently met at. What to expect out of the two days of meetings? For you fans, possible lower ticket prices, which is good news. Beyond that, not much. The agenda will be light with the focus being the economy, economy, economy. That translates to ticket prices, what has been working (and not working) for the clubs during the recession, and well… not a whole lot more. For those that keep hoping that the blackout territories for MLB Extra Innings will be addressed, that doesn’t appear to be on the horizon. And, for those that wondered whether in-market streaming of ...

Zack Greinke Overwhelming Choice for AL Cy Young Winner
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — After yesterday's controversial selections of Bailey and Coghlan for AL and NL Rookie of the Year awards, the BBWAA members hit a homerun after an easy pitch to the plate, regardless of his team's place in the standings. Zack Greinke of the Kansas City Royals was an overwhelming choice for the American League Cy Young Award despite posting a victory total that matched the lowest for any winner in either league among starting pitchers in a full season. Pitching for a team that was next to last in the AL in average runs per game, Greinke compiled a 16-8 record with a 2.16 ERA. No AL starter had won the Cy Young Award without winning at least 18 games. Greinke fell two victories short ...

Jim Tracy, Mike Scioscia Named Managers of the Year by BBWAA
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Jim Tracy, who took over the Colorado Rockies in late May when they were in last place and led them to the National League wild card, was named NL Manager of the Year in balloting by the BBWAA. It marked only the second time a manager hired in mid-season was honored. Tracy joins Jack McKeon, the 2003 winner with the Florida Marlins. Tracy, 53, was listed first on 29 of the 32 ballots submitted by two writers in each league city and was second on two for a total of 151 points, based on the 5-3-1 tabulation system. No manager was named on every ballot. The St. Louis Cardinals’ Tony La Russa, a four-time winner, received two first-place votes and finished second in the balloting for a record sixth time. The other first-place vote went to the Los ...

Pair of Phillies Prospects Part of Topps Double-A All-Star Team
The Biz of Baseball :: Business of Sports Network — Classification ERA leader Travis Wood and Topps league Players of the Year Chris Carter and Desmond Jennings are among the ten players selected to the Topps Double-A All-Star Team. The Philadelphia Phillies are the only MLB organization with more than one player on the squad. The best performances in all Minor League Baseball classifications are again being honored by the Topps Company of New York, N.Y., in conjunction with Minor League Baseball. Chris Carter (22) of Las Vegas, Nev., hit .337 with 24 homers and 101 RBI for the Midland RockHounds. The Texas League Player of the Year led the circuit in doubles, runs, on-base percentage, extra base hits, walks and slugging percentage. Carter also led league ...