Here are the top fights of 2013 for Paul Bissonnette:  Pick your favorite from the ones I could find!  Biz joins Roc and Grose at 4:30 to discuss playoffs and his best fight of the year.

From what I can gather (more info after Tuesday) here are the prominent guys who make up the Renaissance Sports and Entertainment:

Mr. George Frederick Gosbee serves as Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer at AltaCorp Capital Inc. Mr. Gosbee also serves as Advisor to the School of Public Policy at the University of Calgary. Mr. Gosbee served as the President and Chief Executive Officer at Macquarie Tristone. He served as President, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer at Tristone Capital Inc. He served as President at P2ES Holdings, Inc. He founded Macquarie Tristone in ... September 2000. Mr. Gosbee served as the President at Tristone Energy Services, Inc. Mr. Gosbee served as Managing Director at Newcrest Capital
Inc. Prior to that, he served as the Managing Director at Peters & Co. Limited. He serves as Chairman of Macquarie Tristone. Mr. Gosbee serves as a Vice Chairman of Alberta Investment Management Corporation. He is a Director of the National Ballet School Foundation. He has been a Director of TMX Group Inc. since July 19, 2012. He served as a Director of Old Carco LLC since July 5, 2009 and Chrysler Group LLC from July 2009 to September 2011. He served as a Director of North West Upgrading Inc. He is on the Board of several organizations including Alberta Economic Development Authority, Business Competitiveness & Diversification Committee, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, Edge School, and Chairman of the Alberta College of Art and Design. In 2004, the Globe and Mail named him one of Canada's Top 40 under 40 Leaders and was named one of the Top 50 Most Influential Albertans by Alberta Venture magazine. Mr. Gosbee sits on numerous corporate and charitable boards. Mr. Gosbee holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Calgary, where he specialized in Finance.

Drive and ambition have propelled Anthony LeBlanc to the top of the business world, and he is now becoming a prominent figure in the sports world. A willingness to push himself has been one of the traits that has allowed LeBlanc to succeed. He was born in Baie Comeau, Quebec, and moved to Thunder Bay when he was ten. As a child, he loved playing sports and following the Montreal Expos and Quebec Nordiques. “I grew up in a family where sports dominated our lives. My father was an avid hockey and baseball fan, and my brothers and I played pretty much every sport we could.”

Anthony Leblanc attended Lakehead University where a fascination with politics led him to earn an HBA in Political Science in 1993. After university, he landed a sales job with a small New Brunswick cell phone dealer. His decision to concentrate on cultivating government clients provided valuable training for his later career. From this position, LeBlanc moved on to sales and marketing jobs with Ottawa-based software giant Corel Corporation and then the Giga Information Group, an e-business consulting company. In 2000, he was hired by Research in Motion (RIM). LeBlanc’s time with this wireless communications firm and creator of the BlackBerry Smartphone coincided with its dramatic growth and
near domination of the smartphone market. Through his savvy and expertise, he rose to the position of Vice President of Global Sales and expanded the government sector of the BlackBerry market to 10% of its total sales.

After eight years with RIM, Anthony LeBlanc wanted the autonomy to pursue his own ventures. His lifelong enthusiasm for sports spurred him to form Ice Edge Holdings, a partnership dedicated to bringing major and minor league hockey to Canadian markets. LeBlanc is using negotiating experience gained in a bid to purchase the NHL Phoenix Coyotes, in his quest to bring sports franchises to Canadian venues. He has long been committed to bringing semi-professional hockey to Thunder Bay, which he sees as a way to foster tourism and economic revitalization. He also remains involved in our community through his work on Lakehead University’s Board of Governors, spending part of the year at his home in Thunder Bay. In addition to his sports enterprises, he is investigating real estate and restaurant deals.

Anthony LeBlanc’s willingness to take risks and to follow his passions has raised Canada’s profile in the business and sports arenas. He has also taken on an advocacy role as a member of the Canadian American Business Council, an
organization aimed at strengthening trade between Canada and the U.S. In the future, LeBlanc’s love of a challenge and his leadership abilities may see him make his mark in the political realm.

Daryl Jones is the Chief Operating Officer of Ice Edge Holdings, LLC and has served as the group's public spokesperson.  Daryl is a native of Bassano, Alberta and played collegiate hockey at Yale University under former U.S. Olympic Coach, Tim Taylor. Prior to Research Edge, Jones was a Research Analyst with Onex Corporation, Dawson-Herman Capital Management and J.P. Morgan. He has a BA in Political Science from Yale University and an MBA from Columbia University. Prior to joining Hedgeye Risk Management, Daryl was the Sector Head for Basic Materials at HIG Capital’s hedge fund, Brightpoint Capital. At Hedgeye, Daryl covers commodities, geo-politics and major asset classes outside of equities.

Avik Dey is President & CEO of Remvest Energy Partners LLC, a private investment company he founded in 2011.  Remvest is currently focused on energy investments and commodities trading in Latin America.  Mr. Dey has been active in the global energy sector since 1999 with experience across three distinct industries (exploration & production, investment banking and private equity). Previously, he was a Founder and Chief Financial Officer of Remora Energy, a Private Equity backed E&P company that was successfully divested for US$350 million during 2011.  Prior to starting Remora, he was an Assistant Vice President for First Reserve Corporation, the world’s largest and oldest private equity firm focused exclusively on the energy industry. While at First Reserve Mr. Dey was directly involved in $1.6 billion of equity commitments and $3.9 billion of investment realizations.  He was also part of the global energy group at Deutsche Bank Securities in New York. Mr. Dey started his career working in multiple Finance, Planning and Business Development roles with EnCana Corporation based in Calgary, Canada.  Mr. Dey currently serves on the Alumni Advisory Board at the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.  In addition, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Young Professionals in Energy organization and the RBC Investing in New Canadians Program. Mr. Dey holds a Bachelor of Commerce in  Finance from the University of Calgary.

The Great Drop Debate: Tiger Woods was accessed a two-stroke penalty on Friday and it created a bunch of controversy in the golf world.  BUT, did he even deserve the two-stoke penalty?  Was it a violation at all?  If he didn't talk about his shot with ESPN would we be even be talking about it?  The Augusta Chronicle on Sunday printed two photos by staffer Michael Holahan of Woods' two chip shots from the 15th fairway. The first hit the flagstick and rolled into the water, forcing Woods to take a one-stroke penalty and then drop his ball "as nearly as possible" to his original location.  The Chronicle circled various divots in the 15th fairway to show Woods' second shot was in almost the exact same location as the first.  While the photos may not be conclusive evidence and they will no doubt be picked apart.  Roc

One note:  The camera shots we have all seen were never from the same spot -meaning the ESPN camera man shot the first shot and second shot from slightly different locations.

Golf Show 4/3/13 -Per Spencer Tatum Fitness Director Village Clubs

How to improve your golf swing?

1.  Set-Up:  This must be correct.  You golf swing set-up needs to be in athletic stance.  Where people most the biggest mistake is they are bent over at the spine and not waist.   If you are set-up is off, you will not be able get full rotation and will lose distance in your swing. 

2.  It is all in the hips.  Your hips must be strong to create an anchor and to create power/distance.  You must be able to anchor yourself to the ground to create full rotation in upper spine or Thoracic Spine.  You must also be able to generate force from the hip.  The hips are the first action after to back swing to create power.  Power hips are the driver of the distance.

3.  Mobilize the Moblizers.  One of the biggest challenges with golfer is lack of Thoracic spine mobility or upper back.  This is where the rotation needs to occur.  If your upper back is not mobil, you will have lower back pain or shoulder issues and lost of distance in your drivers.

4.  Be an athlete.  It is important for golfer to cross to train to be able to transfer force.  I like doing agility ladder with golfer for them understand how to transfer force from right side to left side.  Also, the better athlete that you are then the better golfer you will be. 

5.  Have a coach.  As you fitness improves, you need to see you golf coach.  You getting a new engine and you have know how to use it.  You adding horse power and now you have know how to use the power that you are creating. 

According to LA Biz: Southern California investment executiveDarin Pastor has formed an “exploratory committee” to look into buying the Phoenix Coyotes hockey team and keep it in Glendale, Arizona.

Pastor, CEO of Irvine-based Capstone Affluent Strategies, issued a press release Friday saying he and some business partners were looking into buying the Coyotes from the National Hockey League.

Capstone is a private wealth management firm and has an office in Phoenix.

Pastor is a former Prudential Insurance andJPMorgan Chase & Co. Inc (NYSE: JPM) executive. His grandfather and great uncles once owned a minor league hockey team in Buffalo.

Pastor’s Good Friday press release on his possible interest in the team comes after reports from Fox Sports Arizona and ESPN that Canadian investment banker and energy executive Greg Gosbee could also be looking at buying the Coyotes. Past Coyotes suitors — Matthew Hulsizer and Ice Edge Holdings LLC — could also still be in the ownership mix.

The Coyotes have been owned by the NHL since a Chapter 11 bankruptcy purchase for $140 million in 2009.

A number of other potential buyers have looked at the Coyotes and either not pursued them because of the team’s financial losses or not had the wherewithal to finalize a purchase.

The clock is ticking on the Coyotes future in Arizona, and if a sale is not brokered soon the NHL is likely to sell the team to an owner who will move the team to another city. Quebec City and Seattle top that list though markets such as Las Vegas, suburban Toronto, Oklahoma City and Portland, Ore. could also been in the mix.

Here’s Pastor’s press release on his Coyotes interest:

Darin Pastor, founder and CEO of Capstone Affluent Strategies, has formed an exploratory committee of seasoned investment bankers and other related sports entertainment advisors in an effort to acquire the Phoenix Coyotes of the National Hockey League.

Pastor has reached out to Mike Nealy , President, Chief Operating Officer, and Alternate Governor of the Coyotes, directly to express interest in purchasing the team.

“Hockey is in my DNA,” Pastor said. “My family has enjoyed a love affair with the sport for over three generations. When we saw the prospect to get involved with the NHL and purchase the Coyotes, it was like a dream come true.”

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Pastor has been around the sport of hockey for his entire life. In 1956, his grandfather and great-uncles bought the Buffalo Bison Hockey Club when the previous owner threatened to move the team, and under their guidance, the Bisons improved dramatically, winning the Calder Cup in 1960, 1964, and 1970. Buffalo’s roster featured many future NHL stars and quickly became one of the hottest tickets in the league, with an average attendance of over 10,500 per game. The Pastor family sold the Bisons in 1971 shortly after the franchise joined the NHL as the expansionBuffalo Sabres.

“If we have an opportunity to acquire the franchise, we will do everything we can to make sure it stays in the great city of Glendale and continues to enhance the Phoenix metropolitan area.”

If approved by the league’s Board of Governors, Pastor’s group would have controlling interest of the team and seek to keep the franchise in Glendale. 

The Coyotes have been run by the NHL the past three seasons, since the team went into bankruptcy in 2009 under former owner Jerry Moyes . Despite their financial issues, the Coyotes have remained competitive on the ice, reaching the Stanley Cup Playoffs each of the past three seasons and advancing to the Western Conference Finals for the first time in franchise history in 2012.

Capstone Affluent Strategies, a wealth management firm located in Irvine, Calif., has an office in Phoenix as well as 11 other cities and maintains a principle of supporting communities that serve its clients.

Press Release: The Fan AM 1060 (KDUS) and NBC Sports Radio announced today a partnership that will blend NBC’s riveting national sports programming with The Fan’s local, thought-provoking shows to make the new NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 one of Phoenix’s most reliable sources for sports news, hard-hitting discussions, engaging interviews and an in-depth analysis of professional and collegiate sports.

Beginning Monday, April 1, AM 1060 will add NBC Sports Radio’s The Brian Kenny Show and Under Center with McNabb and Malone (with Donovan McNabb and Mark Malone) to its weekday schedule of shows. Arizona sports fans can tune in Monday-Friday to hear colorful commentary on the most up-to-date sports news and controversy. The new schedule follows:

(Arizona Time – Monday through Friday)
6 a.m. to 9 a.m.        The Brian Kenny Show (with Brian Kenny) 
9 a.m. to noon          The Sportszone with Bob Kemp (local)
Noon to 3 p.m.          Under Center with McNabb & Malone (with Donovan McNabb and Mark Malone)
3 p.m. to 6 p.m.        AZ Sports Talk with Roc and Manuch (local)

Evening programming will vary and weekend programming will be a variety of sports depending on the season. The radio station will continue to carry NFL, NCAA football and ASU baseball and women’s basketball. Angel Velasquez, AM 1060 program director and executive producer, expects listeners to be pleased with the new live shows.

“Our new partnership with NBC gives passionate sports fans more reasons to tune in to AM 1060. This new programming not only makes AM 1060 more competitive in our market, it brings powerful personalities, like Donovan McNabb and Mark Malone, to our backyard,” Velasquez said. 

Local on-air sports personalities Bob Kemp, Mike Muraco and Dan Manucci are equally excited about the new line-up and entertaining lead-ins to their shows.

About the Shows:
The Brian Kenny Show
Considered one of the best interviewers in sports media, Brian Kenny goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in sports.  Also known for his adept skill as a “numbers cruncher,” he goes beyond the scores and delves into the data, breaking down the analytics of the games.  Kenny brings intelligent sports conversation to the table, with in-depth analysis and insight 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. Arizona time on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060.

The Sportszone with Bob Kemp
There’s plenty of good reasons to tune in to NBC Sports Radio AM 1060 weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Besides his more than 30 years of award-winning sports broadcasting and newspaper experience, Kemp was the National Sports Talk Show Host of the Decade (2000-09) by Sports Illustrated following his time at Sporting News Radio and AM 1060 in Phoenix. He is a member of the American Sportscasters Association (after being invited by Dick Enberg), and also part of the College Football Writers Association of America and College Basketball Writers Association of America. Kemp has worked at AM 1060 since July 2002 following 11 years as a national syndicated host for Sporting News Radio (previously One on One Sports and Sports Entertainment Network). His hard line approach, in addition to the Sports Illustrated recognition, has been praised by the Los Angeles Times, New York Newsday, the Boston Globe, the Arizona Republic and numerous other publications and web sites. Kemp made the switch to radio after nearly two decades working at newspapers, including positions as sports editor of The Courier in Prescott and sports writer for the Tucson Citizen. He was honored nationally by the Amateur Softball Association in 1988 for best coverage of a national tournament and was named Arizona Media Person of the Year in 1984 by the Arizona Interscholastic Association. 

Under Center with McNabb & Malone
Under Center with McNabb & Malone is an all-sports show that leverages the unique perspective of two former NFL quarterbacks, both of whom have also played multiple sports at high levels and can break down the daily headlines -- from on-the-field competition to locker room dynamics. Donovan McNabb and Mark Malone captivate listeners with engaging and entertaining sports talk enhanced by personal stories, anecdotes, and upfront opinions.  Tune in from noon to 3 p.m. Arizona time on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060.

AZ Sports Talk with Roc and Manuch
Get the latest sports news and commentary from Mike Muraco, aka “Roc”, and Dan Manucci during drive time from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Arizona time on NBC Sports Radio AM 1060. The conversation gets lively as this dynamic duo tackles all of the day’s sports news in an insightful, entertaining and engaging format. Co-hosts of their show (formerly Calling All Sports) since 2004, Roc and Manuch have an extensive background in sports:

*Roc (Mike Muraco) brings more than 20 years of experience in the sports industry to his radio commentary. A specialist in sports marketing, media and public relations, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Sports Industry and Master’s degree in Sports Administration from Ohio University. He has worked in professional and collegiate capacities with stints with the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Fall League, Phoenix Firebirds, Oakland A’s and the University of Pennsylvania. He also volunteers on numerous organizations including the Fiesta Bowl, Insight Bowl, National Football Foundation, and Every Kid Counts. He was recently named executive director of the National Football Foundation for the Valley of the Sun Chapter and he serves as president of On Air Sports Marketing.

*Manuch (Dan Manucci) is a long-time Arizona resident and graduate of Tempe McClintock High School and Mesa Community College. After earning a football scholarship to Kansas State University, he led the Big 8 in passing his senior year and was named 1978 All-Big 8 Honorable Mention. Manuch was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the 5th round in1979 and played QB for the Bills in 1979-80, Toronto Argonauts in 1981, Arizona Wranglers of the USFL in 1983, and played with the Buffalo Bills replacement team of 1987. He started his broadcast career in 1992 hosting the Arizona Cardinals pre-game and post-game shows and remained a part of the Cardinals broadcast team for 11 years. He has also been a part of the ASU Sun Devils radio and TV football broadcasts. He is involved with the local NFL Retired Players Association, serves as the former executive director of the National Football Foundation for the Valley of the Sun Chapter, and he supports numerous charities. 

Beginning on December 15, the bowl season begins – over 23 days, with 35 games, 70 teams,1,400 television hours, 16 states, with over  $280 million in payouts to the participating schools and conferences, and a  regional economic impact of well over $1.7  billion. 


  


1.How did we  get to where we are?
Big names today, less so in two years:Anderson & Hester; Richard Billingsley;  Colley Matrix; Kenneth Massey; Jeff Sagarin; and Peter Wolfe.Those six computer programs comprise the Computer Rankings Percentage. Last year
the Louisiana State-Alabama selection formula was the closest ever (86-thousandths of a point).This year, Notre Dame vs. the “SEC Southeast semifinal.”The selection two years from now will be handled by a “March Madness-like  super committee.”The more things  change, the more they remain the same.
  
We think we have controversy now: the writers and coaches have been voting for  the respective national champion since 1954, and there has been a “split vote  co-champion” 11 times. The national championship vote was split between the coaches and writers 11 times since they  began voting for the national champion in 1954.The Bowl Coalition began in 1992, and the Bowl Alliance attempted to  improve that system three years later.The current
Bowl Championship Series had its beginning in 1998.Ironically, the Swiss conglomerate ISL proposed a 16-team college football playoff around that time.Colleges immediately rejected the proposal, though the $350 million annual payout would have been twice the amount paid for  each of the first 10 years since the beginning of the BCS. 
 
2.Is it “mediocrity” or is it “parity” for this year’s bowl  games?
Yes.The 35  bowls and 70 teams reflect college football scholarship parity, but also some  interesting matchups.This
year’s 70  teams have a total record of 584-267; last year was 273 total losses; 257 the  year before).There are 12 teams at 6-6  this year, compared to 12 last year.Overall, 28 of the 70 teams have five or more losses.Georgia Tech (6-7) plays Southern California  (7-5) on December 31 at the El Paso Sun Bowl (the only CBS game). There have  been four other teams who have gone to bowls with losing records:UCLA last year; 5-6 Troy State in 2001; 4-6  SMU in 1963; and 5-6 Williams & Mary in 1970.Here’s a bowl “blockbuster”:6-6 Pittsburgh vs. 6-6 Mississippi in the  BBVA Compass Bowl (January 5 in Birmingham) – at least it is only two days  removed from the BCS National Championship.

3.What about  corporate involvement this year?

Three bowls this year have new corporate partners.What was the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando is now the Russell Athletics Bowl, featuring Rutgers and Virginia Tech.Tempe’s Insight Bowl is now the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl with Michigan State and TCU.Finally, the three-year-old TicketCity Bowl has partnered with  PlainsCapital Bank and is going by the name Heart of Dallas Bowl.This year, 12 corporations “hijacked” the  bowl name, replacing it with their own (Beef O’Bradys, Belk, Chick-fil-A, for  example).

4.How do the 35 bowls help regional tourism, etc.?
 
3 games in current MLB stadiums; 15 games in current NFL stadiums; 8 games in  markets without a pro team; 10 games in  stadiums w/ CFB as primary tenant.  *Last year,  there were 4 games in baseball stadiums, but the Marlins moved out of Sun Life Stadium

 Overall, 16 states (including the District of Columbia)  have become directly financially involved in supporting their bowls,  understanding that over $1.75 billion in economic impact is generated by the  respective regions.Florida leads the  way with seven; Texas has six; California has four; Louisiana three; Alabama, Arizona, and Tennessee with two each; New Mexico, Idaho, Nevada, New York, North  Carolina, Michigan, District of Columbia, and Georgia with one  each.

5.How do the  conferences and schools fare this year?

Very well.Overall, the 35 bowls pay a totalf over $280 million to conferences  (who distribute the revenues based on their own individual formulas).This compares to approximately $281 million  last year.As for the BCS games, their  payouts approximate $192 million.

6.In summary,  are there too many bowls?

Absolutely not.Cynics argue that the “niche bowls” serve little “useful purpose.”They ignore the big picture in four  ways:

First, the 35 bowls produce 70 schools with an  opportunity to participate in the post-season at a significant  level.Overall, nearly half the Division I teams  have the privilege of participating in post-season bowl games, a
far  greater percentage than the approximately 20 percent that are selected in the  NCAA championships in other sports (22 percent in baseball; 20 percent in men’s  and women’s basketball; and 24 percent in men’s soccer).

Second, as for television, Scarborough Research  initially reported three years ago that adult bowl game viewers are among the  most prolific buyers – 20 percent more likely to bank online, and 28 percent  more likely to have a money market account.Given this, get set for over 1,400 hours of bowl coverage this year.

Third, Corporate America loves the exposure.Joyce Julius & Associates consistently  reports that bowl titles are among the most successful corporate investments  through a sports calendar year.The last  time the national championship was played in Miami, FedEx enjoyed nearly $256  million worth of exposure as part of its national championship.As Corporate America spends at least $7.2  billion to pay for sports tie-ins of all kinds, bowl titles potentially offer  the most efficient and effective buy.

Finally, the economic impact for the host region is  significant.The UCLA Anderson School of  Management suggested that the Rose Bowl and Tournament of Roses Parade impact exceeds $200 million annually.The other  regions across the country experience at least a $50-$60 million impact from their respective weeklong festivities.At a minimum, at least $1.7 billion of economic “stimulus” impact from 35 “major events” around the country from December 15 through January 7 – Let the Games  Begin!

Thanks to the Sports Professor Rick Horrow - www.twitter.com/rickhorrow.  Watch Sportfolio on Bloomberg every Wednesday night.

The Big East is a joke!

Now with Tulane and East Carolina on payroll the Big East is now up to 14 football schools as of July 1, 2015.  No Syracuse, Rutgers, Notre Dame and Pittsburgh all departing.

Boise State, UCF, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Houston, Louisville, Memphis, San Diego State, USF, SMU, Temple, Navy, ECU, Tulane.

Geography it makes no sense.  I wish the NCAA would just get to the Super Conferences.  I wonder if they are going to change the name.  It has five southern schools, two western schools, three sort of midwestern/sort of eastern schools, three northeastern schools, and one eastern school.

The geographic difference between its two furthest schools, the University of Central Florida and Boise State, is about 2,200 miles. If we were to use Boise State, UCF, San Diego State, and UConn to create a boundary for the land the Big East encompasses, it would cover approximately 1.96 million square miles, which is 52% of the United States.

Nuts.  Thanks to www.sportsgrid.com

2012 SPORTS TURKEYS OF THE YEAR – BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY
(no particular order)

Gary Bettman, NHL clueless commissioner:  The NHL owners have declared a lockout of the NHL Players’ Association. The Bettman-led NHL owners want to reduce the NHLPA’s previous guaranteed share of 57 percent of hockey related revenues. The league has already missed out on two of its highest-rated events of the year-Black Out Friday game and Winter Classic.

Lance Armstrong: Armstrong was a hero, a fighter, and an icon. He beat cancer and amazed us by winning Tour de France title after Tour de France title. Now, he’ll go down as one of the biggest fakes in all of sports. The seven-time Tour champ was stripped of all of his Tour titles after a USADA report labeled him a serial drug cheat. He even lost his endorsement deal with Nike and many others.

Hope Solo, Olympic goalie:  The Team USA goaltender was in rare form this year. First, she got into the Olympic spirit by ripping former Team USA star, sports bra flasher and NBC commentator Brandi Chastain via Twitter. “Its 2 bad we cant have commentators who better represents the team&knows more about the game @brandichastain! #fb” Followed by, “Lay off commentating about defending and gking until you get more educated @brandichastain the game has changed from a decade ago. #fb Then, she made waves by dishing dirt about athletes getting down and dirty in the Olympic Village. “There’s a lot of sex going on,” said Solo, of Olympic Village. “I’ve seen people having sex right out in the open. On the grass, between buildings, people are getting down and dirty.”  Finally, Solo became a duo with former NFL tight end Jerramy Stevens one day after her husband-to-be was arrested following a domestic dispute. Stevens has a long history of run-ins with the law; Solo has a history of run-ins with whoever will pay attention to her. If those two kids can’t make it.  She still ended up marrying Stevens.

Gregg Williams:  Part of the biggest scandal to rock the NFL in years. Earlier this year the NFL concluded an almost two-year investigation that found Williams – the Saints' defensive coordinator at the time – promoted a bounty program that violated NFL rules. The result: head coach Sean Payton suspended for the year, general manager Mickey Loomis suspended for eight games, a fine of $500,000 for the Saints organization and many player suspensions.

Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Glendale City Council: There isn’t enough time to break down all of the antics for the Mayor and some of the council. Outgoing Mayor Elaine Scruggs, who supported Coyotes deals in the past, has become an opponent.  Scruggs was a big fan of the Coyotes and the team in Glendale, but now she is fighting the deal, saying she doesn't think the numbers in the deal add up to a positive situation for Glendale.  She continues to be an embarrassment to the city and the state.  Scruggs said the vote should not be seen as a mandate to move forward with Greg Jamison. Rather, she said voters were protecting services, from public safety to libraries. "I believe Glendale residents said while they may not be happy with the situation, we are not willing to give up our quality of life," Scruggs said. And, Glendale administrators improperly took about $6 million from a city trust fund over three years to cover expenses, from an internal city audit obtained by The Arizona Republic.  This under Mayor Scruggs watch.  She even got an email in 2009 showing this but didn't do anything. Mayor Elaine Scruggs said she was particularly disturbed when she read a 2009 e-mail from the former city risk manager, copied to the former HR director and the present budget chiefs, suggesting ways to get around a state law that prohibits taking money out of trust funds for other expenses. Really?

Quebec Hockey Fans:  Move over Winnipeg hockey fans, Quebec trolls have taken over in 2012.  Quebec fans continue to troll over Twitter with their ruthless attempts to bash hockey and sports fans in Arizona.

NFL Replacement Referees:  NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell really exposed himself in this battle with complete chaos on Thursdays, Sundays and Mondays from Weeks 1-through-3 this season. The Replacement Refs went out with a bang –controversial call of the simultaneous possession on a game-winning TD catch by Seahawks’ Golden Tate to upset the Packers on MNF.

Olympic badminton players:  Eight badminton players — two doubles teams from South Korea and one each from Indonesia and China, the latter team including the reigning world champion — were expelled from the 2012 Olympics after tanking qualifying matches to try to get a preferable seed. Fans in attendance started booing and the rest is history.

Bobby Petrino, Hog wrecker:  The chain of events that led to Petrino’s firing began when the coach crashed his motorcycle on April 1. Eventually it was reported that Petrino was involved in an affair with another employee-Jessica Dorrell, blonde former Arkansas volleyball player.  She accepted some $20k in gifts.  Petrino was fired from his position as the football coach at Arkansas on April 10th.

Tyrann "Honey Badger" Mathieu:  After four weeks of drug rehab, the All-America cornerback was busted with three teammates on October 25 for alleged possession of pot. In August, Mathieu had been kicked off the Tigers for failing a drug test; all this after being suspended for October 2011 game when synthetic marijuana was detected in his system.  SI reported that his hopes of playing for LSU in 2013 were in danger due to possible NCAA rules violations regarding improper benefits from a local nightclub.

Kevin Towers:  Towers continues to throw curveballs to Dback fans.  This past season was a major disappointment especially with all the preseason hype.   He did not field a team to contend for the NL West.    When he took over in 2011 was sign a veteran group of players like Willie Bloomquist, Geoff Blum, J.J Putz and Russell Branyan with only Putz worth a damn.  Right away that told the fan base that he wasn’t finished and would continue to make some more polarizing moves.  Since then he’s made plenty of peculiar deals, like signing non-defensive outfielder Jason Kubel, even though the team already had a gold glove defender Gerardo Parra or trading former top draft pick Jarrod Parker to Oakland for an equally young but more experienced pitcher in Trevor Cahill. Towers has made another move that makes you scratch your head trading centerfielder Chris Young and acquiring closer Heath Bell and shortstop Cliff Pennington.  I guess I now know how it feels to be an A’s fan – Towerball.

Ken Kendrick:  Move over Bill Bidwill, make some run for this owner on Arizona’s Mount Rushmore’s worse owners.  The handling (media comments) of Stephen Drew, Justin Upton and others player challenges have made him a turkey in 2012.  Its unfortunate Phoenix has an awful group of owners – Bidwill, Kendrick, Robert Sarver and NHL.

ASU Baseball in Mesa:  ASU had to end negotiations with the Chicago Cubs on a combined ASU/Chicago baseball facility. “While ASU appreciates the effort of Mesa Mayor Scott Smith and his staff, it has become increasingly clear, following a lengthy negotiating process that we cannot partner with the Chicago Cubs," ASU athletics said in a statement.  It was a great idea, but do feel Phoenix Muni has always been a better location.

Arizona Cardinals: Front office and coaching staff.  This team continues to be an embarrassment in sports.  At least 3 consecutive years with a minimum of six straight losses.  Quarterback and offensive line are still a train wreck.  Same Old Cardinals.  Time for some MAJOR changes both on and off the field.

Phoenix Suns:  Robert Sarver allowing the Lakers to get Steve Nash for nothing.  This is very similar to letting Amar’e Stoudermire get away for nothing.

Lamar Odom:  A former NBA Sixth Man of the Year, spent his short time as a Maverick pouting and underachieving. He finally got his wish to be traded back to Los Angeles - except he ended up with the Clippers, not the Lakers.

Texas-Texas A&M for not continuing their rivalry:  Instead of the yearly in-state rivalry on Thanksgiving, we get a game between Texas ... and TCU. Even a potential Texas-Texas Tech game on Turkey Day next year just doesn't get us excited. Thanks for ruining the fun, Aggies and Longhorns.

Craig James: The former SMU running back admitted to taking 'insignificant' gifts from boosters -- and then lost the election.

Lane Kiffin: The latest scratch-your-head moment involving coach Lane Kiffin and USC came to light earlier this season when the university announced that it had been fined and reprimanded by the Pac-12 Conference as a result of one of the team's student managers intentionally deflating game balls used during the first half of last Saturday's 62-51 loss to Oregon. Deflated footballs have cost the Trojans a $25,000 fine and damaged a reputation they have been working to rebuild. 

Jeffery Loria, Marlins bailout:  After spending over $500 million in public money from taxpayers and the city of Miami in order to build Marlins Park, Loria traded away nearly every player on the roster worthy of having his own baseball card. Doubt that the team is any better without Hanley Ramirez, Jose Reyes, Josh Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Mark Buehrle, Omar Infante, John Buck, Emilio Bonifacio, Heath Bell, Randy Choate, Edward Mujica and Gaby Sanchez.

Bobby Valentine, Red Sox manager:  In only one season as manager of the Red Sox, Valentine led the club to its worst winning percentage since 1960: 69–93 record and last-place finish in the AL East.

Melky Cabrera, All-Star Game MVP:  San Francisco enjoyed home field advantage in this year’s World Series thanks to its own suspended outfielder. Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two RBIs on his way to winning MVP of the All-Star Game. He was suspended 50 games for testing positive for high levels of testosterone.The Giants, who reaped the rewards with a World Series home field edge and a batting champ in MVP Buster Posey.   You can also at Guillermo Mota, who got a 100-game ban in May for testing positive for the stimulant Clenbuteroll.

Alex Rodriguez:  A-Rod had an injury-interrupted season (.272, 18 HR, 57 RBI) but his worst was during the playoffs as he batted .120 with 12 strikeouts.  Yankees still owe $114 million until 2017

Charlotte Bobcats:  Minority owner Michael Jordan's woeful squad rode a 23-game skid to exit the 2011-12 season with a 7-59 lockout-shortened slate, good for the most abysmal winning percentage in NBA history (.106, shattering the old mark of .110 held by the 1972-73 Philadelphia 76ers, who went 9-73). Good news so far as of today, they have won 5 of 6!

New York Jets:  Tons of controversy specifically at quarterback.  Mark Sanchez drew fire during the team's 4-6 start; Tim Tebow was egged by a dozen anonymous team sources, one of which termed him "terrible" in the New York Daily News. The rival New York Post followed with the back page headline "Talk of the Clowns" illustrated by the head coach adorned with a bulb-nose and green wig, and offering stories entitled "Rex rips `cowardly' anonymous Jets", "Time for Tim to flee-bow this circus" and "The joke's on Ryan."

Gene Chizik: Auburn at 2-8 (0-7 in the SEC).  Some members of the faithful donned paper bags during a 38-0 loss to Georgia on Nov. 10 -- the Tigers had been losing by an average margin of 20.3 points. Turns out that the NCAA was already looking into it...for potential rules violations, according to sources cited by The Birmingham News.

Floyd Mayweather, Jr.: 2012 included a two-month stretch in the jail on a domestic battery rap, an alleged verbal altercation with a woman in Las Vegas that jeopardized his one-year probation, forking over $114,000 to Manny Pacquiao in a defamation lawsuit after claiming that Pacquiao used performance-enhancing drugs, plus a falling out and Twitter war with rapper 50 Cent, with whom Mayweather had formed the short-lived TMT Promotions ("The Money Team").

The Alabama Teabagger: Bama fan Brian Downing fan was caught on video placing his exposed privates on a drunk LSU fan who'd succumbed to the effects of firewater in a Bourbon Street eatery. The fan sued Downing, who'd turned himself in to law enforcement and later pleaded guilty to obscenity charges that rewarded him with two-year stretch in the jug.

Kurt Busch: Busch spent 2012 toiling for Phoenix Racing, a lowly single-car outfit and managed all of 5 top-10 finishes while battling with drivers, crew members and reporters and getting himself put on probation (for doing a burnout through Ryan Newman's pit box) and suspended for a race. By the time the season ended, his antics had driven Phoenix into part-time status for 2013 and Busch ended up signing a one-year deal with the even more obscure single-car team Furniture Row, which will likely send him to the chair if he doesn't get his act together.

Ndamukong Suh:  Second straight year, the Lions' defensive tackle was named the NFL's dirtiest player in a poll of his peers conducted by The Sporting News. Suh also got into two more traffic scrapes -- a verbal hassle after sideswiping a car in Detroit in October, and a ticket worth $955 in fines for doing 91 in a 55 mph zone, signaling improperly and failing to carry proof of insurance in Portland, OR, where he'd crashed into a drinking fountain and a tree last year.

Alex Radulov: Radulov spent the evening before Game 3 NHL playoffs in a Scottsdale, AZ with teammate Andrei Kostitsyn and didn't return to the team's hotel until well after curfew. The pair was suspended, and without their top postseason scorers, the once promising Predators bowed out in five games. Radulov, who'd jerked the Preds around in 2008 by skipping out on his entry level contract and going back to Russia, was allowed to return to the KHL in July.

U.S. Ryder Cup: On home soil at Medinah Country Club, needing only 4½ points to score a much-needed victory over Europe, the Americans suffered a stunning Sunday collapse in a 14 ½-13 ½ loss. The U.S. fell in eight of 12 singles matches, gagging on key putts down the stretch.

Steve Spurrier:  Spurrier made about the Crimson Tide being able to beat NFL teams.

Lolo Jones, Olympic virgin: The self-proclaimed virgin became America’s media darling and was a victim of premature adulation. When Lolo finished a disappointing fourth in the 100-meter hurdles, even her teammates turned on her. “I’ve had family issues as well, but I’m not willing to say all of them just so it can be in the papers. I don’t want that for myself or my family,” said silver-medalist Dawn Harper on the Today Show. “The three girls that earned their spot and they got their medals and they worked hard and did what they needed to do, prevailed,” added bronze-medalist Kellie Wells. “And that’s all that really needs to be said.”

Amar'e Stoudemire:  Amar’e decided to blow off steam following a Knicks playoff loss by taking on a fire extinguisher. Stoudemire did enough damage to require stitches and the Knicks forward missed Games 3 and 4 against the rival Miami Heat in the first round of the playoffs.

Marcus Jordan: The son of NBA legend Michael Jordan. Jordan tweeted a suggestive message to a porn star whose Twitter handle is xxxrachelroxxx.   Social media world went nuts on this one.

Gisele Bundchen: Following the New England Patriots’ loss in Super Bowl XLVI, Bundchen seemingly took the loss harder than her husband, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady. She didn’t take kindly to the ribbing she received from some elated New York Giants fans. Bundchen fired back: “My husband cannot f***ing throw the ball and catch the ball at the same time!” Point taken, Gisele.

Joakim Noah: Former University of Arizona player Nic Wise sent a text message to a woman and got a response from the woman’s boyfriend. The shocking part of the story is that the boyfriend was none other than Joakim Noah of the Chicago Bulls. Judging from Noah’s response, he wasn’t aware that Wise and his girlfriend were acquainted.

Justin Blackmon: Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Justin Blackmon was arrested for DUI in June. Blackmon is blessed with incredible athletic gifts but seeing as this was his second DUI incident, he seems to struggle with some personal issues.

Kyle Williams:  Williams played a significant role in the San Francisco 49ers 2012 NFC Championship game loss to the New York Giants. Williams had two fumbles late in the game that really cost his team and quickly became a scapegoat among 49ers fans on Twitter. Williams received support from some teammates like Patrick Willis on the heels of nasty tweets sent to Williams from incensed fans after the loss.

Dustin Penner:  Eating a large stack of pancakes has many side effects besides an expanding waistline. Los Angeles Kings forward Dustin Penner changed the game back in January when he discovered that enthusiastic over-consumption of pancakes can lead to back spasms. He was forced to sit out a game to recover, and earned the nickname "Pancakes."

Alabama Crimson Tide: University of Alabama $30,000 trophy was knocked off its pedestal and destroyed by a player’s father.

Special thanks to the tweets and numerous sites on the web for the above information.  Sorry for any typos - editor off this week! HAHA!  Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.

Coyotes Belong in Glendale: My remarks at yesterday's Council Workshop meeting:

 This may be the last time as a sitting Councilmember that I am afforded the opportunity to speak to this issue. So I
ask you to please bear with me as I make the case one last time for this lease management agreement. It took 3 years to get here today and it will take me some time to explain my reasoning. There are some who feel that I am blindly advocating for the Coyotes.  That is not the case. In the 9 years that the team has been here I have attended less than a dozen games. Most of those were in conjunction with the marketing or economic development departments use of the  Glendale suite to meet with potential business locates in Glendale. 

My passionate belief that this is the right course of action comes from my knowledge and experience of the facts of the situation. I, as others on council, was here when we made the decision in the early 2000’s to embark upon a vision for Westgate.
 
There is historical precedence for our action. In the early 80’s vast tracts of north Glendale were purchased and owned by the Hunt Brothers. They went bankrupt.  But the city had a vision for north Glendale so it made the bold decision to invest millions and millions of dollars to insure  that it developed and grew according to that vision. It took guts, determination and faith on the part of the then City Manager, Dr. Vanacour, the former Mayor
George Renner and the council, to follow through knowing that precious city resources would be targeted exclusively in north Glendale.
 
In 2002 the council embraced its vision for west Glendale as the city’s next major economic engine with the development of Westgate and the building of the hockey arena.  The arena was always intended to have an anchor tenant and that anchor tenant was to be hockey. It is no different than Phoenix’s US Airways Center and its
anchor tenant, the Phoenix Suns basketball team or any other city throughout the country that has a stadium or arena with a major anchor tenant.

At that time the mayor said, “This project came down to a business decision that represented an incredible economic development engine for the western area of our city. This is a huge victory for the city of Glendale, Glendale residents and for hockey fans throughout Arizona. The arena and surrounding development will positively
impact Glendale and will eventually become the heart of the West Valley.”

Westgate was envisioned as a three-legged stool. To make it work it needed  sports, which we have with an arena anchor, the Coyotes; entertainment, which we have in the restaurants and bars; and retail, which has never substantially been there until a week ago with the opening of Tanger Outlets Mall. 

Finally Westgate now has all the components to make it a stable and viable economic  entity within the region. All three of these elements create permanence to the vision of Westgate.

It sends a signal that Westgate is stable and will be so for the next 20 years. Businesses that have been waiting to locate within Westgate can do so with renewed confidence. Owners and developers of the dozen, already zoned, tracts of land comprising over 1,000 acres surrounding Westgate can now pursue tangible development knowing that Westgate will not die. It also creates another major effect. It saves jobs and creates new ones. It saves  680 full and part time jobs that support the anchor tenant. This does number not  include the arena’s vendors and their employees. It attracted 900 new jobs when  Tanger opened as well as the 750 Humana jobs and the 550 Bechtel jobs in the  immediate area.

It is no different than the city’s previous commitment to north Glendale. By reallocating city resources and pouring millions of dollars into that area to maintain its vision it sent a strong signal and made it attractive for the developers of Arrowhead Mall to locate there creating the city’s first major economic engine.  Now to the contract that is before us today.

Since 2009 we have seen a parade of possible contracts from the Reinsdorf Group, Ice Edge, Matthew Hulsizer, and the Kaites Group to Greg Jamison.  I believe Jamison is the best fit for the City of Glendale. He has demonstrated
his experience and success in turning the San Jose Sharks around. He has a subsidiary entertainment group with the experience and knowledge to book non-hockey events. There are those who say he doesn’t have the money and there are others, such as myself, that say that he does. Neither side knows the real story but the NHL is convinced that he does have the resources or they would not have entertained his proposal and would have shown him the door a long time ago.

There are those who say that Mr. Jamison has not been visible in our community. Mr. Jamison appears to be a quiet, confident and competent person who deliberately chose a path less visible so as to not create media speculation,
often erroneous, about his bid for the lease management contract.

The contract before us is a good one. Mr. Jamison has demonstrated his willingness to work with the City by agreeing to the amendments that were presented today.  The first year’s management fee drops from $17 million to $11 million; There is a provision allowing Mr. Jamison to buy the arena at any time which would relieve the city, at some future date, of its annual construction bond debt payments of $9 million a year and remove the management fee entirely; there is a provision to revenue share for 15% of the naming rights and 15% of the parking advertising; there are also performance penalties and for every game not played  Mr. Jamison loses $30,000. 

Can Glendale afford this contract? I say yes. 

Glendale cannot afford to lose its anchor tenant. In a recent news article, McFadden’s restaurant manager stated that they are losing $18,000 to $20,000 per game not played. How long can McFadden’s and the others hang on if the anchor tenant is gone permanently? How long before the entertainment component vanishes because the sports component is gone? Westgate sales tax plus $1M in Northern Crossing sales tax paid the annual arena construction bond debt of $9M.  With Westgate failing the city will have to find all or a portion of that annual  $9M. Add that amount to the annual cuts of $5M a year the city must make over the next 5 years.

From personal research I have discovered that it takes about $500,000 a month or $6M a year just to keep the lights on and the doors of the arena open. It is a verifiable figure should anyone else take the time to do some research. Now add a management fee on top of $6M a year to keep the doors open and the $11M figure does not look so unreasonable.

There are those who say we cannot afford it and have pointed to the recent discoveries of loss associated with our Risk Management Trust Fund, our Workman’s Comp Fund and our Benefits Fund. Keep in mind that these funds remain sound and do meet the minimum actuarial required by law. The cost to rebuild these funds is in the
$2.5M to $3M range. It is a substantial figure. I believe we can better accomplish these shortages with a stable, healthy Westgate contributing substantial sales tax revenues into the General Fund.

I see light at the end of the tunnel. Glendale is beginning to recover. We saw that today from the first quarter sales tax numbers. 

Lastly, 19 months ago the mayor said, “There is no question that taxpayers are better off if the arena can continue to produces revenue both from the Coyotes and for surrounding businesses. It will continue to help create jobs, increase Glendale’s tax base and stimulate additional development opportunities in the region.” 

Those declarations of the anchor tenant’s worth to Glendale were true then and remain true today.