Government Involved in Sports

[The Rambler]

During class today we talked about sports and how Arlen Specter is stirring up the Spygate story. I really can't understand how an elected United States government official would have the time to investegate a sports problem espicially with a war going on, gas problems, a faltering economy and an upcoming election. Shouldn't he have better things to do? I don't think, please correct me if I'm wrong, that spying on another sports team is a federal problem. I get why baseball is a problem because drugs are a real problem and people can get seriously hurt and kids are starting to take them.

Arlen Specter is a well known Eagles fan by the way.

[golf_junkie27]

During class today we talked about sports and how Arlen Specter is stirring up the Spygate story. I really can't understand how an elected United States government official would have the time to investegate a sports problem espicially with a war going on, gas problems, a faltering economy and an upcoming election. Shouldn't he have better things to do? I don't think, please correct me if I'm wrong, that spying on another sports team is a federal problem. I get why baseball is a problem because drugs are a real problem and people can get seriously hurt and kids are starting to take them.

This has nothing to do with him being an Eagles fan. The NFL enjoys an Anti-Trust exemption that they use to negotiate Television rights. They also have their own Network and have been battling cable companies. Specter, bless his "heart," has received hundred of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the Cable Companies, most notably, Comcast. Therefore, he is using the guise of the "better of the game" to actually broker some sort of deal between the NFL and the Cable Companies. He's working for them to justify all the money they have spent on campaign contributions. The way he is trying to do that is by threatening to take away their Anti Trust exemption.

If government allows you to prosper through exemptions, they will interfere whenever they deem fit. Look at MLB.

[neudi]

Spygate - definately not, they have other crap to worry about

Steroids - possibly, because it is a banned substance but they have taken it pretty far

[The Rambler]

This has nothing to do with him being an Eagles fan.

I know it was a joke.

And thanks for your promp explanation on the subject.

[Shindig]

And people wonder why I can't get excited about an election or politics in general.

[iacas]

You know, I heard someone say it also had to do with false advertising and all manner of consumer-rights type stuff.

Put it this way: if the NFL like the WWE is not truly a competitive league, and if things are somewhat scripted or some teams are given favor, aren't all NFL fans being lied to and thus, defrauded of their ticket money, etc.?

I forget where I read it, but he made a compelling case.

[golf_junkie27]

You know, I heard someone say it also had to do with false advertising and all manner of consumer-rights type stuff.

Additionally, a great point was made on the radio this morning. If these game tapes date back to 2006, as the NFL claims, there is no way that Eric Mangini would know. He was not on the Patriots staff in 2006.

The NFL never revealed what was on those six tapes. Were they all Jets games? If not, then what games? Since Mangini blew the whistle on the Pats, that information would pre-date the actual tapes. Therefore, the NFL did not dig deeper. It's a case of "well, we found out some information, let's move on." The idea that players won't benefit from this information is pure hogwash. How many times have you not seen the lineman and linebackers move towards a certain direction based on a QB's call or hand signal? Like the caller said, if I know that you are passing on this down, I'll disguise my defense and move 8 men in the box. You can't compare it to stealing signs in baseball. Mariano Rivera has thrown one pitch for ten years. I can count on one hand the amount of times he's been hammered.

[golf_junkie27]

I know it was a joke.

Rambler, I apologize. I was not being dismissive.

[neudi]

Additionally, a great point was made on the radio this morning. If these game tapes date back to 2006, as the NFL claims, there is no way that Eric Mangini would know. He was not on the Patriots staff in 2006.

I think I can count on almost more than 1 hand the amount of times hes been hammered by the Bosten Red Sox in the past 5 years alone, let alone all the other teams ;)

[flap]

I said it before and I will say it again "There is no more sports"It is all bussiness and entertainment.Why doesnt Congress go after Holleywood and the drug problems there?Because they all contribute to the politicians re elections.If they go after Baseball or Football they risk nothing and get a ton of free publicity.If "SPORTS" had any balls they would claim Entertainment status like wrestling did and stick it to Vegas and all the politico's.The olympics were run by a Nazi for 40 years and no noe cared.

[ganjagolfer]

the story here is that corporations are unable to regulate themselves

while i would like to sit back and drink my coffee and think everyone is asking "what would jesus... or buddha do", or maybe they really do and think jesus wants us to be running around with a machine gun manifesting his kingdom, the observation is individual and collective greed arisen in the institution of the corporation needs to be held accountable... as most recently seen in the mortage backed security debacle

i think with the country at war and the economy sliding into a major recession, global warming, alarming cancer and disease rates most certainly due in part to chemicals released into the environment and groundwater, etc, these would be the more pressing issues, but still the lessons learned from baseball and football industries are related to the conduct of other corporations

hopefully, the critical examination of the oil industry by congress isn't too far behind baseball and football

[ganjagolfer]

I said it before and I will say it again "There is no more sports"It is all bussiness and entertainment.Why doesnt Congress go after Holleywood and the drug problems there?Because they all contribute to the politicians re elections.If they go after Baseball or Football they risk nothing and get a ton of free publicity.If "SPORTS" had any balls they would claim Entertainment status like wrestling did and stick it to Vegas and all the politico's.The olympics were run by a Nazi for 40 years and no noe cared.

nice post, sports has lost a little interest for me not knowing who is juiced and who isn't

[g-funk13]

I said it before and I will say it again "There is no more sports"It is all bussiness and entertainment.Why doesnt Congress go after Holleywood and the drug problems there?Because they all contribute to the politicians re elections.If they go after Baseball or Football they risk nothing and get a ton of free publicity.If "SPORTS" had any balls they would claim Entertainment status like wrestling did and stick it to Vegas and all the politico's.The olympics were run by a Nazi for 40 years and no noe cared.

It is really easy to see only the business and entertainment side of sport. There is a vast media machine that is behind the nasty and embarrassing tid bits HOWEVER:

The power of sport is evident in the fact that it overcomes the onslaught of impure influence to produce inspired, dramatic moments that keep me coming back for more. Golf is a haven in comparison to the other sports. What does Golf have in terms of controversy in the media? Tighlman-gate? Sabbatini pull-out? Fed Ex Cup points problems? I can name so many moments from 2007 that are inspired and inspiring--that make me love sport.