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With all things money driven, the New York Jets have decided to take advantage of the NFL rule that allows teams to sell sponsorship on their practice jerseys. Next thing you know player jerseys will look as cluttered as the NASCAR sponsorships. Or better yet include ad space that each player can generate revenue individually. Can anyone say Ocho Cinco Energy Drink? Currently the NFL is keeping tight reins.
“The NFL wants to be certain that the brand you’re associating with meets the high standards of the league, so there are controls,” the Jets executive vice president of business operations, Matt Higgins, said. “There’s no desire to NASCAR-ize the jerseys, so there’s only one allowed at a time.”
All of these revenue based decisions come with more then just simple ramifications for the team or sport. Although the patches can be no larger than 3 1/2-by-4 1/2 inches and has been limited the Jets training camp jerseys will now adorn the New Jersey based heath care provider, Atlantic Health, that owns the naming rights to the Jets training facility already.
One of the biggest surprises of 2008 was Aaron Rodgers, the first new QB for Green Bay in more than a decade. Rodgers posted some amazing numbers, and solidified himself as the future of Green Bay. The Packers had long been a perennial playoff contender with Favre at QB, and it seems again the team will soon be moving into the limelight. The Packers have some real talent on the team, and Rodgers is just the beginning. Greg Jennings was a force to be reckoned with at WR in 2008, with 80 receptions for almost 1300 yards, and 9 touchdowns. Jennings is expected to post even better numbers in 2009. The Packers defense is also looking much better, and first round pick Clay Matthews looks to make an immediate contribution at OLB. In addition, cornerback Charles Woodson is always a danger in the backfield.
The Packers might not win the division in 2009, but the team is almost guaranteed to have a better record than it did in 2008. The Packers have a young and talented team that will be one to watch in future generation. Packers jerseys featuring Favre are a thing of the past.
Veteran defensive tackle La’Roi Glover makes his move final move, announcing his retirement after 13 NFL seasons.
His noteworthy career encompassed a number of teams, starting with his initial 1996 NFL draft into the Raiders organization and included a number of seasons played for New Orleans and Dallas before finishing out his playing days with the St. Louis Rams.
“I’m blessed that I was able to play this game that I love for so long. It has been such an incredible journey. The players, coaches, and front office staff in the cities I’ve played have all given me so many great memories,” said Glover with Monday’s announcement. “I still love the game with the same passion I had as a young player in high school, so I plan to always be attached to it in some way, whether commentating, working in the front office, or scouting. But who knows what opportunities await in the next chapter of my life.”
Affirmative action may in fact be more of a less cordial and well known term when describing what the NFL extended the policy that requires NFL teams to interview at least one minority when interviewing for senior football operations, general manager, executive vice president or other related staffing position.
“The discussion at the league meeting identified the strong reasons for taking this step, which in large part simply confirms a recommended practice that clubs have voluntarily embraced,” Goodell said in a written statement released by the NFL. “The recommendation also recognizes that this process has worked well in the context of head coaches, and that clubs have deservedly received considerable positive recognition for their efforts in this respect.”
Previously it was only necessary for a club to interview at least on minority when considering a new candidate for a head coach position. This has been widely known as the Rooney Rule after Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney and chairman of the league’s workplace diversity committee made steps toward encompassing minority interviewing requirements.
In a follow up to the NFL’s hypocritical stand on pro football gambling, NFL owners voted 32 to 0 in favor of allowing teams to sell the licensing rights for their logos to state lotteries.
Reportedly the Patriots and Redskins, followed by the Ravens and Texans whom have already reached such agreements with state lotteries on lottery tickets that feature the team’s logos, with others set to follow suit.
With state lotteries designed to benefit the interest of state funding, NFL teams look to cash in on the opportunity to increase revenues. It is also a benefit to state lottery as they expect to piggyback the NFLs fan base in order to improve the decreased state funding as a result of current global economic downturn.
Director of the Maryland Lottery, Buddy Roogow, said, “I’m thrilled about this unprecedented partnership linking two Maryland icons. This is an excellent affiliation for the Maryland Lottery, and I’m looking forward to collaborating with one of the most beloved teams in the NFL.”
Giants 1991 Super Bowl superstar failed to appear for the third time in federal court for sentencing associated with money laundering and bank fraud charges. After which he was expected to surrender and receive 7 1/2 to 9 1/2 years in prison.
Federal prosecutors in Florida and New York said Ingram was caught in a sting for cashing $300,000 in phony checks, and laundering another $200,000. He had pleaded guilty back in 2005 stemming from a narcotics deal that turned out to be undercover agents passing along marked proceeds.
“I’ve done a lot of things wrong,” Ingram said at his sentencing. “I’m an imperfect man.”
A slight understatement considering the NFL players rap sheet that goes back 23 years and includes seven previous convictions. Apparently he wasn’t going down until he was later caught in Michigan after a month long run from authorities. The arrest came just before the start of his son’s biggest game, the Sugar Bowl matchup between Utah in which his son’s team, Alabama had lost 31-17.
Former Kansas City Chiefs executive Carl Peterson smells the newly obtained position of USA football’s chairman, an independent nonprofit - national governing body of youth football, replacing the late Jack Kemp.
The organization hosts more then 100 football events, geared towards instructing coaches, players, game officials and providing resources for youth football. Overall the league is designed to build and shape potential future NFL players consisting of coaches, officials and commissioners throughout every state in the country.
With over 20 years of NFL experience under his belt, he collectively saw the Chiefs whom only saw one playoff appearance in 18 years, building them into the most winningest team in the 1990’s, including six playoff appearances.
Now joining the likes of USA Football board members such as NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and players’ association chief DeMaurice Smith
Drive a Bently, Drive Drunk, Have deep pockets and NFL fame to boot, you may just get the boot…set aside.
Family members of Mario Reyes will spend the rest of their lives without a husband and father. 59 year old crane operator Reyes was simply heading across the street to catch the bus home from work around 7:15 am.
It is however more then just a simple 30 days - it is 30 days that is merely an inconvenience, possibly two years of house arrest following eight years probation for freakin manslaugher. With that being said, he does get to continue breathing. Stupid decisions happen including accidents involving people’s lives and their love ones, but how bitter sweat is the conclusion when you have the money to make a deal.
The jaywalking technicality has a huge factor in the deal but it goes to show that the court system can be outbid by the acceptance of greed. Surely a hard decision for any family, after all the loved one is gone and the struggles could be gone but the undisclosed amount of money paid in order for the family to refrain from filing a civil suit sheds light on humanities end result.
In the name of opposition to sports betting the NFL’s stance on sports betting is quite clear.
“If sports betting becomes more prevalent through state-promoted schemes, it will inevitably lead those gambling fans to question whether an erroneous officiating call or a dropped pass late in the game resulted from an honest mistake or an intentional act by a corrupt player or referee,” NFL spokesman Joe Browne told the Wall Street Journal.
Yet recently the NFL has been allowing teams to sign licensing deals with state lotteries. The NFL is apparently worried about perception and this supposed regulated format of football betting would be better then the likely illegal opposition. It is however more likely that the NFL is looking at the $8 billion in revenue the league will earn by allowing the teams to sell their logos to state lotteries.
Yet another player’s career is going to be left in the hands of NFL commissioner Roger Goodell despite what Plaxico Burress’ lawyer and agent may say about him playing next season.
“I do not see any reason why he should not be able to play this entire season,” said the lawyer, Benjamin Brafman.
The league has specific rules outlined in the NFL’s personal conduct policy and it is up to Goodell to enforce this policy and a players privilege to play, however, his decision will most likely be decided after his legal process has taken its course before any action is taken against Burress.
“We are also confident that the NFL will not have grounds to discipline Plex until after the adjudication of his case after this season. We are hoping to have a deal in place with a team for Plex before training camps start.”
