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This issue, TSAReport.com caught up with Brandon Jennings of the Pallacanestro Virtus Roma team. Jennings is not only making history, but also altering the way the NCAA and NBA conduct business. Davidson College guard Stephen Curry talks about his challenges and his solutions for the upcoming college basketball season. Dave K. Far-El discusses his views on whether or not the 2008 NFL champions can do it again. Many of sports’ elite were given exclusive gifts during the ESPY week at the ESPY Style Studio. Read about some of their cool gifts, most of which are soon to hit retail stores near you. Check it out! |
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THE MORE IDEAL SITUATION
Words by Ginette Amezquita
"It's personal, but i'm making enough for a year..." - Brandon Jennings
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Why would one of Americas’ youngest, brightest, and best basketball players want to opt out of a college career for a career overseas? The best answer would be a huge payout. But the smartest answer would be a lot more playing time, time to show off his game, and most importantly: skipping out on an unpaid freshman year in college.
The mere idea that Brandon Jennings, a fresh-out-of-high school point guard from Compton, CA, is even the subject of a European team’s interest is news within itself. The even more controversial news stems from Jennings’ choice to sign with the Pallacanestro Virtus Roma team, instead of going to Arizona and beginning his college career. In an earlier interview with Jennings, he commented, “ I am really excited on going to Arizona”. Although this took place before his big decision, it shows that Jennings likes to be sure of himself and the choices he makes; even if he later changes them. Do you think other players will follow in your footsteps now that you may have pioneered this new trend? "I think so, A couple of other players will in the future. Probably next year. I think that once everybody figures out how everything went down, everybody is going to want to do it, because it's a beautiful thing." Surely, the decision for Jennings to play overseas came after many careful months of consideration, including how comfortable he would be with the team (who just so happens to have an American/English-speaking coach), how it would affect his future in the NBA, and also just how much money would be in it for him to earn—cha ching!
So now we reach the most important part of deal: just how much money is involved? , "It's personal, but i'm making enough for a year," he says. Although Jennings’ decision to go overseas is benefitting him substantially, there exists a downside for the college basketball business here in the states. A top basketball college like Arizona would have gained a lot more money with Jennings on the team. However, with the current state of the economy, the value of the American dollar does not even stand a chance against the Euro.
On the business side of the deal, NCAA revenues are largely affected by the fact that they do not offer salaries for their players. Since the European League players are typically offered nice six figure salaries to start playing, it is obvious why European teams would receive even greater talent, like that of Jennings. Seemingly, the NCAA’s March Madness tournament was not enough to keep Jennings on his home turf. March Madness generates millions from heavy advertising deals with companies like CBS and Coca-Cola, will most certainly not be the same if the country’s best basketball players decide to skip college all together.
Although Jennings is only one player making such an abrupt move and skipping out on college, for him alone the NCAA will not suffer as much as it will if things go well for him over in Europe. This means that if more high school graduates begin to make the same type of move overseas, the talent within the NCAA will eventually dwindle. While overstepping the NBA age limitations for new incoming players, Jennings has found a means by which he kills two birds with one stone: he gets paid for playing overseas, as he improves and waits to be drafted for the NBA in 2009…not bad at all. Being the pioneer to a possible new trend, Jennings is exercising his power of choice, creating a more perfect situation for his career had he stayed in America.
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WHY IS STEPHEN CURRY NOT IN THE NBA?
Words by H.L.
"I can't really get complacent or satisfied with where I am at right now, a lot has happened over the last years with success..." - Stephen Curry
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Stephen Curry, who averages 25.9 points a game, is depriving true basketball fans of his dominating basketball skills on the court. The son of former NBA player Dell Curry is no stranger to the sport. Hoping to have followed in his father's footsteps - an All-American player for the Virginia Tech Hokies - Curry decided to attend Davidson College after not being offered a scholarship to play or guaranteed a spot on the team. The 6'2"-185 lb guard was nominated for "Best Breakthrough Athlete" for the 2008 ESPY awards. Being chosen for this prestigious award is a testament to the fact that Curry's ability to dominate has not gone unnoticed. ”Going to a small D-1 school, in two years we have gotten to a national level and almost made it to the Final Four, got a player on the team nominated for an ESPY, which I don't think has ever happened in our school's history, so it is definitely a great honor," he says.
Although Kansas ended the team's dream to participate in the 2008 NCAA Final Four, he finished with 25 points and was named the "Most Outstanding Player" of the Mid-West regional. Even after becoming only the fourth player to score at least 30 points in his first four NCAA tournament games, the North Carolina native displays his humility through constantly improving his craft: "I can't really get complacent or satisfied with where I am at right now, a lot has happened over the last years with success, but a lot more creative things could happen, and hopefully seeing us on a more national stage." Curry, who will be returning to Davidson as a team captain, hopes to work on being more vocal and confident with his game.
"It's going to be a lot different, now that my senior class has just left, they were a great class that helped us get to where we were, so next year I have to be a leader on the team, and is going to be a different kind of experience for me." Unlike other college players, Curry is in no rush to go to the NBA, so all of us basketball fans we are going to have to wait a little while longer.
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LETS DO IT AGAIN...
Column by Dave K. Far-El
TSAReport.com was present at the 2008 ESPY awards, and watched as the New York Giants won three ESPY awards for Best Game, Best Play, and Best Upset. However the biggest question still stands: can they do it again?
Under normal circumstances, I would say the Superbowl winners should be able to repeat. This would mean the NY Giants, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in recent history would have to be favorites to repeat, right? Well, no - because I’m just not sure that the Giants themselves even believe what they did, let alone have the ability repeat and maintain their #1 status for a full season. Remember, this is a team that in previous seasons were picked by experts to reach the Superbowl, but never came close until they were the underdogs, an afterthought. I remember the aura the Cowboys of the early 90's had when they won three titles in four years, and the Giants don't seem to come close to having the aura or swagger that one would expect from a champion.
First, I am sure they will not have the luxury of playing the same team three times as they did the Cowboys. The NFC East is too tough a division to feel that any team is going to beat the other three times in a row. So it really wasn’t that big of a surprise when the Giants beat Dallas in game three, which happened to be in the playoffs. The teams know one another too well. I am also not sure that the defense can be as dominant without Michael Strahan around to be their spiritual leader and anchor; I don’t know if I put Plexico Burress on the upper echelon of receivers who game-in and game-out dominate their opposition; and, I do not know if Brandon Jacobs, Ahmad Bradshaw and whomever else they have in the backfield can stay healthy enough the entire season to be dominant. Jacobs has the best chance to, but his running style often makes him an easy target. I don’t know if Eli Manning can stay hot for a whole season when they may no longer be able to rely solely on their defense to win games for them anymore. There is also the fact that they'll miss Shockey more than they know right now. Lastly, I really do not know if Tom Coughlin will continue to get through to his players with his coaching style and demeanor, now that they have actually won a championship.
The NFC East is even tougher this year, with the Eagles signing Asante Samuel from the Patriots, the Cowboys and Tony Romo a year wiser and more experienced, and the Redskins looking to build upon last season. It's a tough sell trying to get me to commit to the NY Giants getting back to the NFC Championships - let alone repeating as Superbowl Champions. But this is the reason why they play the season, as the old football saying goes, "On any given Sunday…" and the Giants proved that last Sunday of the 2007-2008 season
Preseason Top 5 & SuperBowl predictions:
#1 NY Giants (Champs are always #1 until someone else wins the title)
#2 N.E Patriots
#3 Dallas Cowboys (Superbowl or bust)\
#4 San Diego Chargers
#5 Indianapolis Colts (Payton and company are always in the hunt)
SUPERBOWL
Dallas Cowboys vs. S.D. Chargers
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2008 ESPY STYLE STUDIO
Words by H.L.
“A lot of hard work, a lot of heavy bag carrying, trying on clothes, different hats and hair products. They said my head was going to tingle a little bit (laughter). It’s been a great experience overall.”
Antonio Pierce - NY Giants
“Unbelievable,the different departments and all of the quality things that around here, that you can wear to look good and you could smell good, so it’s pretty nice. We started off with the headphones that was sweet and nice, I like to listen to music and I love to look at my movies on the computer, so I’m looking forward to that.It’s hard to compare, everything’s been great. So I’m enjoying it all.”
PJ Brown - Boston Celtics
The world’s sports elite enjoyed and interacted with exclusive products during this July’s ESPY extravaganza in Los Angeles. ESPN The Magazine’s “ESPY Style Studio” hosted a gifting suite which included companies and products such as, Blue Microphones' "Snowflake" USB Microphone, International Watch Company, Laser Eye Center of Silicon Valley, Lifeway Probiotic Kefir, Marchon – Karl Lagerfeld Spring/Summer Eyeglass Collection, mStation 2.1 Orbs, PROXIMITY by AXE, Pure Power Mouthguard, Redpepper Jeans, RetroBrand, Skull Candy Headphones, Under Armour Apparel, exclusive UNDEFEATED Duffle Bags, and TIGI Bed Head. TSAReport.com along with many of Hollywood’s A-listers and athletes were given the opportunity to sample these exclusive new products; most of which are not yet available in retail stores.
Although all of the products were exceptional, there were some that really stood out. Amongst the favorites was the Blue Microphones’ “Snowflake” USB Microphone. This multi-purpose microphone not offers amazing clarity, but is also travel friendly.
The mStation 2.1 Orbs’ powerful bass had many of the suites filled with musical tunes. This easily adaptable stereo speaker system attaches to anything that comes with a standard audio output, making it that much more practical.
Many of the athletes seemed to appreciate the Pure Power Mouthguards. It was interesting to watch the live strength increase and balance demonstrations, which showed the products effectiveness.
The unique stitching and patterns of Redpepper Jeans were not the only attraction that allured spectators to its suite. Not only is this Japanese style denim trendy, it actually fit many of the big and tall athletes, which makes this brand more appealing.
Last, but not least, the Retrobrand sports t-shirts are not like your average sports jerseys. Retrobrand combines the qualities of a well fitting t-shirt with classic and present logos, making them comfortable and fashionable.
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TSA BLURBS
I’LL SEE YOU IN COURT
Former National Basketball Association referee, Tim Donaghy was found guilty of providing inside information to gamblers and betting on games he officiated was sentenced to 15 months in prison, with three years probation. · New York Giants halfback Ahmad Bradshaw said he has to serve another 30 days in jail after the season for violating terms of a probation he received as a 15-year-old. Bradshaw, who led the Super Bowl champions in rushing as a rookie during the playoffs, served the first of two 30-day sentences in June and July at the Abingdon (Va.) Regional Jail.
LETS TALK SPORTS
Tiger Woods could be the world's first billionaire to accumulate his fortune by playing sports, says Forbes Magazine. The 14-time major championship winner earned 115 million dollars in 2007 alone, said the American magazine, which annually ranks the world's richest people with its Forbes' Celebrity 100 list. English footballer David Beckham was the No. 2 sportsman on the list with earnings of 65 million dollars. "There are plenty of billionaires who have excelled at sports like Switzerland's richest man and champion sailor Ernesto Bertarelli. But there are no billionaires who accumulated their fortune by playing sports." Woods is a sports marketers' dream, having earned more than 750 million dollars in endorsement deals to date in his career. Nike Golf registered over 600 million dollars in sales in 2007. The American shoe giant didn't even have a line of golf shoes or clothing before it signed Woods to a contract in 1996. Gatorade is also launching a new line of sports drinks, called Gatorade Tiger. · Philadelphia Eagles running back Brian Westbrook hired a new agent, Todd France. Apparently unable to negotiate a new deal, Westbrook fired agent Fletcher Smith. Westbrook, a two-time Pro Bowl selection and the NFL's third-leading rusher last season, reportedly is unhappy with his current five-year, $25 million contract with the Eagles. · “As the new CEO of USA Track & Field, I have a moral and practical duty to make the case against her request,” Doug Logan wrote in an open letter to the president, about Marion Jones. The new leader at USA Track and Field sent a letter to President Bush asking him to deny Marion Jones’ request to commute her six-month prison sentence for lying to federal agents about her use of performance-enhancing drugs and a check-fraud scam. · Buffalo Bills running back Marshawn Lynch learned that he will not be punished by the NFL for a recent hit-and-run incident after meeting with league commissioner Roger Goodell. Goodell, who personally visited the Bills’ training camp, said that Lynch will not be disciplined because he was not in violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Before pleading guilty to a traffic violation last month, Lynch admitted that he was behind the wheel when his SUV struck a group of Ontario women on May 31 and left the scene of an accident. · Ricky Hatton’s former trainer, Billy Graham, revealed it was the fighter’s decision to end their 11-year partnership but says he has nothing but good wishes for the boxer. Graham contested the Hatton camp’s version of the split, admitting he did announce his retirement, but only after Hatton met with Graham to declare his days as his chief cornerman were numbered. Graham described the news as a “huge blow.” · Las Vegas police briefly handcuffed and detained reigning NBA finals MVP Paul Pierce during a traffic stop in Las Vegas, American media reported. Police spokesman Bill Cassell said the Boston Celtics star Pierce was initially hostile towards the police when pulled over while driving the Las Vegas strip. Police said Pierce was stopped in the early morning hours near the MGM Grand Hotel and given a sobriety test that he passed. · Citing a source close to the superstar forward, ESPN.com reported that LeBron James, whose contract with the Cavaliers expires after the 2009-10 season, would consider heading to Europe if he was offered a salary of “around $50 million a year.” The web site also said that the Russian team CSKA Moscow and the Greek team Olympiacos already have contacted James but no contractual talks have taken place. Olympiacos signed former Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Childress to a three-year deal worth nearly $30 million this summer. · After Brett Favre’s retirement and reinstatement media frenzy, he is officially a New York Jets. Two days after his release from the New York Jets, Chad Pennington signed a multi-year contract with the Miami Dolphins. Terms were not disclosed, although the Sun-Sentinel reported it as a two-year, $11.5 million contract.
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Some of the information provided is courtesy of AP, Reuters, and, Ticker. |
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