Reggie Bush banned from Playboy Mansion

From Dailynews.com:

“Our spies tell us former USC tailback Reggie Bush is persona non grata at the Playboy Mansion because of a conduct violation. And no, it was nothing involving a Playmate.”

So what exactly did Reggie do to get banned from Hef’s place? I’m sure we’ll know soon when the full story is out in the open. But it’s hard to image the Playboy Mansion has a very strict conduct policy, seeing as they allow nudity, sex, booze, drugs and the like. I’m guessing he pulled a Johnny Drama, got hopped up on Tequila and set all of the Spider Monkeys free. Or maybe that should be called, Pulling a Pauly Shore.

Reggie is really starting to grow his list of places he cannot go in California. Because word has it that he was “not invited” to stand on the USC sideline during this year’s Rose Bowl game. Apparently USC is trying to distance themselves a bit from the stories about the gifts Reggie took.

A photo of Reggie after hearing that he was banned from the Playboy Mansion.

Florida Gators claim back to back Hoops titles!!

Let this be my official attempt at jinxing the Gators. I’m tired of these guys winning, and I’m just doing my part to bring them down.

2007 Masters Preview

2007 Masters Preview

Let’s look at the top ten in the world rankings.

Tiger:  It’s all been said.  Huge surprise if he doesn’t win.  He’s better than Nicklaus.  He’s a lot better than the guys playing now.  Important to know that his contemporaries aren’t bums.  He’s that much better than anyone who has ever existed.  Two wins in three stroke play tournaments this year – and he hasn’t played his best.  Let’s hope he doesn’t shoot 74 on Sunday to win by three.

Mickelson:  He’s got the second best chance at winning.  And it’s a long shot.  Experience pays off at Augusta.  He’ll need to putt well and not making any doubles.  And he needs to not be in a situation where he as to think on 18 on Sunday.  Winning at Pebble this year did not erase crapping the bed at Winged Foot.  He needs to win a major to prove he’s past it.

Furyk:  The changes to the course have not been his friend.  He needs it to play dry and fast – and thunderstorms are predicted Wednesday.  Doesn’t hit it far and doesn’t hit it high.  Great putter, average chipper.   His 2007 to this point is pretty non-descript.  Don’t see it happening.

Els:  Hits it high and hits it long.  Great short game.  But he just hasn’t  been the same since the knee surgery.  Seems to miss a lot of shots to the left.  He’s in his head at Augusta, especially since Mickelson clowned him in ‘04.

Scott:  This guy has everything.  Except the intangibles.  Guys like Crenshaw and Olazabal and Ballesteros hit it all over the yard, and they have seven green jackets between ‘em.  You need a great imagination and a great short game to win the Masters.  Scott, like many of the younger generation (Sergio the exception), is technically sound – more so than a lot of the older players.  But technically sound doesn’t make putts on Sunday.  As evidenced into today’s victory at the Shell Open (and the ‘04 Player’s), he’s prone to yanks when the heat is on.

Stenson:  Yawn.  Big yawn.  Hate the shades.  Bores me.  He has very little experience at Augusta.  He does hit it far.  Whatever.  No chance.

Vijay:  He’s got the third best chance at winning.  He’s won at Augusta and he’s won twice this season.  Looked really good at Arnie’s tournament – especially on the greens, thanks to a putting tip from his son.  Nicklaus got a putting tip from his son before the ‘86 Masters.  Vijay will be there, but like everyone else in the field, he needs to stay within a shot or two of Woods going to Sunday.

Ogilvy:  Maybe.  Decent dark horse pick.  If the reigning US Open champ can be considered a dark horse.  Only his second Masters – T-16 last year.  Pretty solid all around game.  No weaknesses.  Level headed.  Experience is lacking, though.

Goosen:  Been crap in the states lately.  But he likes Augusta and has had some good finishes.  I’d put him in the dark horse group with Ogilvy.  Calm, hits it plenty far.  Won big tournaments.

Harrington:  Pretty blah this year.  He’ll be better served if it’s dry.  Decent record at Augusta - T5 in ‘02.  Long shot.

Does anyone else even have a chance?  Doubt it.

Let’s just hope it’s close on Sunday. 

Tony Parker – Rapper

Check out Tony Parker’s French rap video. Let’s just say his house will never have a barber shop…

Pro Athletes + Strip Clubs = Trouble

NBA player, Zach Randolph, was granted “bereavement leave” from his team, the Portland Trailblazers, when he learned of the murder of his girlfriend’s cousin. The next night while the Blazers were playing a home game (the game he was excused from), he was spotted at a local strip club.

Randolph told a club official that it was just a brief stop there while he was on his way to the airport to catch a red-eye flight. The problem with that story is there was no flight out that night at the time he was at the strip club. So he lied to his team.

Read the whole story in the Portland Tribune.

Btw- the best part of that column is the reference to Derek Anderson’s escapades in 2005:
“Blazer guard Derek Anderson was spotted going through a drive-through window at McDonald’s while his team was playing a game at the Rose Garden.” Um, yes…I’d like a Quarter Pounder with cheese and make it fast because I’ve got to get back for the 4th Quarter.

Fixing the NFL

Herm Edwards gets it. From Peter King’s Monday Morning QB column on CNNSI:

Edwards said to him (NFL Commish Roger Goodell): “Kick ‘em out.” Goodell smiled, knowing exactly what Edwards was talking about. The coach, like so many of his peers, wants the rookie commissioner to make a veteran decision and take a hard line with the repeat offenders who’ve given the NFL such a black eye in the past year. “Everybody’s behind you,” Edwards said, not pausing his pedaling as Goodell listened. “If you need anyone to speak up on this, you can count on me. But we’ve got to get the game back to being the number one thing. Too many of these guys are abusing the privilege of playing in the league. And when you fine ‘em, the fines mean nothing. You’ve got to take the game away from ‘em.”

The NFL has a problem. Players like Pacman Jones (Titans), Chris Henry (Bengals), Tank Johnson (Bears) and Leonard Little (Rams) get in trouble, many of them more than once, and the NFL does little to stop it. It’s the same problem that exists in all U.S. pro sports, but the NFL is far and away the biggest of these leagues. So if the NFL decides to do something aggressive to deal with these issues, then it’s possible the other leagues will eventually follow suit.

That’s why it’s so great to see a respected coach like the Kansas City Chief’s, Herm Edwards, step up and support the league on this issue. Edwards solution is simple; kick them out when they do wrong. He’s also quick to point out that everyone deserves one ’second chance’, but if that person gets in trouble again they’ve got no more ‘get out of jail free’ cards.

Why is this such a big issue for the NFL to deal with? Because the NFL’s image is continuing to be tarnished by the same set of offenders. And when the leaguewide image is hurt, it’s affecting the players who are staying out of trouble as well. So it’s time for the NFL to step up and do something serious, before things get worse. NFL player’s transgressions have already been directly responsible for the death of innocent people (see Leonard Little below), and that doesn’t ever need to happen again.

From Wikipedia on Leonard Little:
“After a drunken birthday in 1998, NFL star Leonard Little crashed into and killed another motorist, Susan Gutweiler. When tested, his blood alcohol level measured 0.19 percent. Little received 90 days, four years’ probation and 1000 hours of community service. Six years later, after the involuntary manslaughter conviction was wiped from his record, Little was again arrested for drunk driving and speeding. Little was acquitted of those subsequent charges on a technicality.”

Btw- This is the same league that DOES HAVE penalties for “excessive celebration” on the field, but very few concrete measures in place to effectively deal with player’s mistakes off the field.

Stuff I want…

 

I want the camera angle to not change when a player is about to dunk. 

I want golf announcers to go more than three minutes during a match play tournament without saying:  “That’s the nature of match play.” 

I want the PGA Tour to have a mandatory weight lifting competition just so I can put money on Davis Love finishing last.   

I want one more truly great player to play four years of college basketball. 

I want Ken Venturi to commentate my life for one day. 

I want proof that Dan Hicks isn’t a failed attempt at cloning Jim Nantz. 

I want Jim Nantz to shave that awful head of hair.  Hey Jimmy, you’re bald.  You’ve been bald for a long time. 

I want Billy Packer to understand that the game he’s calling isn’t about him. 

I want proof that John Madden’s father wasn’t a hobgoblin. 

I want sportswriters to write what they believe and to not be intentionally sensationalistic simply to elicit a reaction from readers.  I’m looking at you, Skip Bayless. 

I want reporters to boycott T.O.’s locker. 

I want the NBA to be good again. 

I want people to understand that Tiger Woods is better than Jack Nicklaus and it’s not even close. 

I want Bobby Knight to understand screaming in kid’s faces might not be a good thing – or even necessary. 

I want Kevin Durant to make the NBA good again. 

I want Bill Parcells to wear his pants either over or under his gut because the equator look is the worst of the three options. 

I want Mark Cuban to sit down.  We see you there.  It’s okay. 

I want proof that Greg Oden isn’t Freddy Adu’s dad. 

I want Mickelson and Tiger in the final group Sunday at
Augusta.

Most Marketable Athletes in the USA

Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily conducted a survey to determine which athletes are the top Sports Endorsers in North America. They surveyed 65 of the top sports business and media execs to determine the rankings. Below are the results:

Most Marketable Athletes (active)
1. Tigers Woods
2. Peyton Manning
3. LeBron James
4. Derek Jeter
5. Dwayne Wade
6. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
7. Tom Brady
8. Shaquille O’Neal
9. Maria Sharapova (female)
10. Kobe Bryant
10. Brett Favre
10. Sidney Crosby
13. Shaun White
13. David Beckham
15. Jeff Gordon
15. LaDainian Tomlinson
17. Roger Federer
18. Kelly Slater
18. Tony Hawk
20. Jason Taylor
20. Reggie Busch
20. Michelle Kwan (female)
23. Teemu Selanne
23. Phil Mickelson
23. Albert Pujols
23. Vince Young
23. Lance Armstrong
23. Alex Rodriguez

A couple of interesting things about the list. First, the lack of women on the list – there are only two who made it. That echoes the lack of success the USTA, LPGA & WNBA have had in making their stars more attractive to the general public. And it probably is a trend that will not be turning around any time soon, because Michelle Kwan is on the backside of her career. So Sharapova is the only woman, in a strong position, that is on the list.

The other very surprising result is the strong emergence of the young athletes. The under 25 set takes up almost a 1/3 of the list. And LeBron, DWade, Sidney Crosby, Reggie Bush and Vince Young are going to be around for a long time. So if they can keep their Q rating high, then expect them all to be mainstays in this list’s top 10 for the next decade.

What’s the most desirable athletic endeavor for a member of this list to pursue? Being an NFL quarterback will make you a highly marketable athlete, as there are 4 in this top 25…and 3 of those are in the top 10. Another prime occupation is to be an NBA superstar, there are 4 of those in the top 10.

But what about older sports stars. Who are the sports stars who are no longer playing, that still have the most marketability?

Most Marketable Athletes (retired from sports)
1. Michael Jordan
2. Cal Ripken Jr.
3. Charles Barkley
4. Jack Nicklaus
5. Lance Armstrong
6. Muhammed Ali
7. Dan Marino
8. Wayne Gretzky
9. Arnold Palmer
10. Andre Agassi
11. Magic Johnson
12. Tiki Barber
13. Joe Montana
14. George Foreman
15. Emmitt Smith
15. John Elway
17. Tony Hawk
17. Terry Bradshaw
19. Mike Ditka
20. Richard Petty
20. Troy Aikman
22. John McEnroe
22. Jerome Bettis
22. Laird Hamilton
25. Dale Earnhardt Sr. (deceased)
25. Mia Hamm (female)
25. Anna Kournikova (female)
25. Roger Clemens
29. Brett Favre
29. Scott Hamilton
29. Nolan Ryan
29. Chris Evert (female)
29. Howie Long
29. Mike Golic
35. Michelle Kwan (female)
35. Joe DiMaggio (deceased)
35. Hank Aaron
35. Doug Flutie
39. Hulk Hogan

There are a number of interesting things about this list of most marketable sports retirees. First, it’s interesting that Lance Armstrong, Brett Favre, Tony Hawk and Michelle Kwan made both lists (active & retired). I guess some people are confused about their current status. Also, this list again shows the huge disparity between male and female athletes on this subject. Only 4 women cracked the top 40, and they were all outside the top 20 spots.

What did not surprise me was to see Michael Jordan at the top of the list. In-fact MJ garnered a whopping 86% of the votes. So eventhough he’s been off the court for a few years, his name & brand are still one of the best in the World. And he’s perhaps the only athlete that could give Tiger a run for his money, in terms of marketability.

Other athletes that I was not surprised to see in the top 10 were Nicklaus, Armstrong, Ali and Palmer. These guys were all global icons, known throughout the World, when they were on top of their sports. And that status has continued with them into retirement. And some people would even view Muhammed Ali as more of a pop culture icon, than just a sports icon. Because during the 60’s and 70’s, when he was in his prime, his non-boxing exploits drew as much attention as what he accomplished in the ring.

One thing that did slightly surprise me from this retired list, was Cal Ripken being ranked second. Not because he wasn’t a great athlete, but more becuase he wasn’t quite as “trescendent” as some of the other athletes listed. But Cal was a symbol of hard work and he’s always had a squeeky clean reputation. So I can see why he is still a very attractive athlete for marketers to work with.

There were also a couple of dead guys on the list. I’m shocked that ‘Joltin’ Joe Dimaggio made the list, he’s been dead for almost ten years. And he hasn’t played a professional sport in over 50 years. That’s amazing longevity on his part. Dale Earnhardt Sr was the other dead guy on the list. And truthfully I’m surprised he wasn’t higher than 25th (tied). Nascar still sells a ton of his merchandise, and he still looms large over stock car racing.

The last category they surveyed on, was which sports stars will be the most marketable 5 years from now.

Most Marketable Athletes (in the future)
1. Tiger Woods
2. LeBron James
3. Dwayne Wade
4. Reggie Bush
5. Peyton Manning
6. Sidney Crosby
7. David Beckham
7. Matt Leinart
9. Dale Earnhardt Jr
9. Vince Young
Other notables:
11. Michelle Wie (female)
19. Kevin Durant (still in college)
23. Juan Pablo Montoya (recently came to US)
23. Daisuke Matsuzaka (recently came to US)
29. Swin Cash (1st WNBA star on any list)
32. Greg Oden (also still in college)
40. Heather Mitts (only other female soccer star after Mia Hamm)

Lots of interesting names on that list to look for in the coming years. The top 10 spots are not too different than today, but it’s obvious there are a lot of bright stars just waiting for their turn.

Click here to see who are the richest athletes in the World.

Worst Round of Golf in 2007

No, we’re not talking about my scores on the golf course. We’re only talking about the professionals on the PGA Tour.

Professional golf is one of the toughest sports out there. It’s an individual game that pits the golfer against some of the harshest elements available. And there’s tremendous pressure to make the cut, to win and especially to not embarass yourself. Well in every golf tournament there has got to be that guy who shoots the worst score. We’re here at DCN to make sure you know who had that worst golf round of the year. Will someone break 90? Is it conceivable a pro could shoot a “radio station” (over 100)? We’ll find out together.

These are the worst single round scores posted by golfers on the PGA tour in 2007:

Mercedes-Benz Championship at Kapalua
81 – Ben Curtis (1st round)

Sony Open in Hawaii at Waialae
83 – Abe Mariano (1st round)

Bob Hope Chrsyler Classic at The Classic Club
85 – Ross Marcano (2nd Round)

Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines
87 – Ross Marcano (1st Round) *Back-to-back for Marcano.

FBR Open at TPC Scottsdale
80 – David Berganio Jr (2nd Round) *The only guy to card an 80 the whole week. I’ve played TPC, this guy’s got no excuse for carding an 80 there.

AT&T Pebble Beach at Pebble Beach
84 – Matt Gogel (1st Round)

Nissan Open at Riviera CC
84 – Ross Marcano (1st Round) *What’s the earliest anyone’s ever lost their tour card?

Mayakoba Golf Classic at El Camaleon, Mexico
79 – (tie) Steve Jones (4th Round) & Nolan Henke (1st Round)

Honda Classic at PGA National Champ. Course
84 – Robert Garrigus (4th Round) *This is called ‘going out in style’.

PODS Championship at Innisbrook Resort
84 – Mike Regner (2nd Round) *And he dropped a smooth 81 in the 1st Round.

Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill
87 – Clint Avret (2nd Round)

World Golf Championships at Doral
82 – (tie) Kevin Stadler (4th round) & Prom Meesawat (3rd round)

Shell Houston Open at Redstone GC
83 – Robert Karlsson (2nd round)

The Masters at Augusta National GC
87 – Casey Watabu (1st round)

Verizon Heritage at Harbour Town
84 – Michael J Smith (1st round) * Michael J needs to lose the J unless he wants people to start referring to him as Alex Keaton or Marty McFly.

Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisana
85 – Reed Hughes (1st round). * Don’t worry, he followed that up strong by posting an 82 in round 2. A real “trunk slammer” of a tournament for Reed Hughes.

EDS Byron Nelson Championship at TPC Four Seasons
81 – Craig Pullen (1st round). * Sounds like Craig is not “Pullen” his weigh on the golf course. Thanks, I’ll be here all week.

Wachovia Championship at Quail Hollow CC
83 – (Tie) Jeff Quinney (1st round) & David Berganio Jr (4th round)

The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass
85 – (Tie) Daisuke Maruyama (1st round) & Robert Garrigus (1st round)

AT&T Classic at TPC Sugarloaf
86 – Michael Boyd (1st round)

Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial CC
86 – Rod Curl (1st round)

The Memorial Tournament at Muirfield Village
81 – Davis Love III (2nd round) – We finally get a big name, posting a big score. Awful play by DIII.

Stanford St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind
87 – Ted Purdy (1st round) – That ties the worst round of the year so far at 87.

US Open at Oakmont
89 – Sam Walker (2nd round) – So close to breaking 90…and the worst round of the year.

Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands
78 – Scott Gutschewski (4th round)

Buick Open at Warwick Hills
80 – George McNeill (2nd round)

John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run
83 – Len Mattiace (1st round)

US Bank Championships at Brown Deer Park GC
79 – (tie) Bryce Molder (1st round) & Jerry Smith (1st round)

British Open at Carnoustie
79 (tie) Bryce Molder (1st round) & Kris Cox (1st round) – That’s not a misprint, Molder did shoot back-to-back first round 79’s.

Canadian Open at Angus Glen
81 – Craig Perks (2nd round)

Reno Tahoe Open at Montreux G&CC
83 – Steve Jones (2nd round)

PGA Championship at Southern Hills
84 – Denis Watson (2nd round) – He should try spelling his name with two d’s.

Wyndham Championship at Forest Oaks
82 (tie) – Grant Waite (2nd round) & Chris Dillow (2nd round)

The Barclays at Westchester CC
82 – Daniel Chopra (2nd round)

Deutsche Bank Championship at TPC Boston
80 (tie) JB Holmes (2nd round) & Kevin Stadler (2nd round)

BMW Championship at Cog Hill
78 – Jose Coceres (4th round)

The Tour Championship at East Lake GC
78 – Adam Scott (4th round) Now before you go jumping on ‘Pretty Boy’ Scott’s back…remember this tournament only featured the top 30 players. So someone good was bound to win this distinction.

Turning Stone Resort Championship at Atunyote GC
81 – Jay Williamson (4th round) And this guy made the cut.

Viking Classic at Annandale GC
81 (tie) – Bryce Molder (4th round) & Chris Tidland (2nd round)

Valero Texas Open at LaCantera
81 – Bill Glasson (1st round)

Frys.com Open at TPC Summerlin
81 – Scott Gutschewski (2nd round) [Note: This tournament will be named for Justin Timberlake in 2008. No, I'm not kidding.]

Fry’s Electronics Open at Grayhawk
80 – Frank Lickliter II (3rd round)

Running Horse Golf Championship at Running Horse G&CC
83 – Kevin Stadler (1st round)

Disney Golf Classic at Magnolia GC
80 – Chris Tidland (4th round)

No one carded a 90 the entire year. But, the PGA needs to be a little more specific in their ad campaign…because some of these guys AREN’T that good!

Here are Ross Marcano’s 2007 tour stats.

And here are the 2007 PGA Tour FedexCup Points Standings.

March Madness TV Schedule

Today is a huge day for sports fans around the country, and their bosses. Because this morning is the start of College Basketball’s Men’s NCAA Tournament (aka: March Madness or The Big Dance). And with millions of people participating in brackets around the country, they’ll now be tuning in to see how their picks turn out.

So bosses everyone should be forewarned, you probably won’t get a lot of productivity out of your people for the next two days.

Here’s the most important thing that any fan of the NCAA Tournment needs – a TV schedule for the NCAA Tournament Games.

Good luck with your picks!