A Story to Remember and Forget: The "Bounty Scandal"

One of the most, if not the most intriguing stories within the past half decade, was the controversy surrounding the New Orleans Saints football organization regarding the investigation called the “Bounty” program. This has long been throughout the history of the sport in general. The sports is known for its violence and hard-hitting tactics the inflict punishment on the opposing teams best player.

 According to Larry Holder of the New Orleans Times, at the beginning of the 2012, Saints Head Coach was suspended from the N.F.L for a full season and eight months without pay. This is the direct result from allowing an actual form of “Recognition” and payment to players who forcefully inflicted additional punishment to opposing stars. A number of players and assistant coaches were penalized for their participation within the program.

The NFL placed a very firm and harsh penalty on the Saints organization and essentially made an example out of the teams allegations. According to Judy Battista from the New York Times, the league was already under a flux of investigations when news of this “Bounty Program” became public. At that time, the league was facing issues of former players committing suicide and players suffering from concussion symptoms.

In many reasons, the NFL had to make a statement of harsh punishment that would not tolerate such activities to occur in their league. Above all, the New Orleans Saints were a city still recovering from harsher realities. Acts of Hurricane Katrina still loomed the cities aftermath as these legal issues hindered a promising season. This legal act saw coaches and players suspended at a minimum of half a season to a full season without pay.  By far, this scandal was one for NFL history to remember and for the Saints to move past this season. 

Robert Griffin III refuses to wear Nike in Warmups

Highly coveted Heisman Trophy winner and the National Football Leagues newest exciting talent, Robert Griffin III was scrutinized for covering the Nike logo. The National Football League currently has a sponsorship agreement that entitles all NFL players to wear Nike sponsored apparel. Robert Griffin III however, is sponsored by Adidas, which caused the controversy this past season.

Robert Griffin III displayed a silent protest on numerous occasions. According the to the bleacher report.com, the quarterback dawned a “Heart” reminder clearly over the Nike swoosh symbol prior to his first start in the NFL. The NFL doesn’t deny their players wearing sponsored apparel from their companies, as long as the NFL associated company is represented, Robert Griffin didn’t showcase the same.

The NFL addressed the issue to Robert Griffin according to nbcsports.com however, the following week, the star quarterback wore a plain grey t-shirt covering the Nike swoosh once again. Though, the Nike swoosh was not deliberately covered with writings and ink, the symbol wasn’t visible to the public. With that sentiment, the NFL sat with the young star and warned him of future penalties if these events were to occur again.

During the final weeks of the NFL regular season, though injured and sidelined, the quarterback wore an Adidas tracksuit and an Adidas redskins long sleeve shirt. The apparel was worn during an interview in regards to his return to playing on the field once again. The NFL fined the star ten thousand dollars for his apparel, according to cbssports.com.

In large respect to the NFL and it’s sponsors, personally, I feel players should be allowed to wear whatever apparel they feel fit as long as the apparel represents their specific team. The NFL is the larger representative in these matters rather than the sponsors. With or without the major sponsors, the NFL fan base and large marketing corporations will fight to have a piece of a billion industry. 

2011 Biggest Sports Story: "The Year of Bargaining"

The realignment of the labor agreements in all major sports consisting: the NFL, NBA and MLB, were without a doubt the biggest stories of 2011 sports calendar year. We’re talking about sporting markets that makes American sports and our athletes so unique and special. Each sport holds a specific season and time of year where Fans are excited from their end of work week to unwind, gather their family and friends, start up the grill and watch their favorite sport interest.

Major League Baseball, “Americas Past Time”, the sport where every child in the country has heard stories of, passed down from generation-to-generation. Out of all three leagues, Major League Baseball probably transitioned a new Collective Bargaining Agreement “C.B.A” with the least amount of press coverage and positional bargaining standpoints. Commissioner Bud Selig and Player Association Director Michael Weiner agreed to a 5yr deal to reinsure league play.

The National Basketball Association however was one of the most storied association lock out’s in its’ history. Losing two and a half months worth of games, and playing a shortened sixty-six game season, were a number of injuries occurred at a drastic rate.  The positional bargaining on each side was far off than any negotiation amongst all three leagues. Commissioner David Stern and Player Association Director Billy Hunter, with the help of league wide representation from each team came to a ten-year agreement.

The National Football League, “America’s Game”, this coveted backyard game for nearly every family in the country carries the largest fan base, according to “therichest.org”. Football is the sport of choice across the country. League Commissioner Roger Goodell and Player Association Director DeMaurice Smith, worked diligently over the one hundred thirty two day lockout. Nearly threatening the entire football season, both sides were able to agree to a new C.B.A that will last to 2021.

Sports in this country, has been the nations living room recreational activity since the beginning of each sport. Imagine erasing each sports for the entire year, in some associations, two years to a country largely populated with middle-class blue collar individuals who’s work weeks end every weekend with the thought of rooting for their favorite team. Seeing our athletes perform on stages the vast majority of the nations fans can only dream of. The collective bargaining agreements in 2011 were vital for the country and by far the story of the year. 

Interview Blog: Ace Styles

Brief Summary: I was able to interview an up and coming artist from the Brooklyn area. His name is Ace Styles; he’s a writer, actor and rapper. Only twenty-one years of age but has gained valuable knowledge in his experience within multiple industries negotiating.

Q: How do you separate the people from the problem when negotiating?

Answer: When negotiating a new deal or contract, I try my best to stay focused and take my time. Paying attention to the content being used during the negotiation is key. Especially because I am a young artist, some companies try to take advantage of the situation, thinking my lack of age reflects on my lack of experience. Details are the main reasons why business is being conducted; I try to remain focused on that. Often emotions get tied into negotiations because no one wants to feel like their being cheated or being taken advantage of.

Q: Do you use any dirty tricks when negotiating?

(Laughing) No, I have definitely been apart of negotiations that really try to “Hard Ball” you and trap you in a position where you have to either answer yes or no. Often than not the answer is “No”, people who do negotiate in that manner tend to develop a reputation. Whether received negatively or positively, it’s still a “reputation”. I try my best to be as knowledgeable as possible about the business at hand prior to going into the negotiation, this way I’m prepared.

Q: How do you handle positional bargaining tactics?

It can be challenging at times pending on the negotiator. If the negotiator positions themselves on a certain end then I’ll go in a direction that’ll position myself more towards my interest or even higher. Going into the negotiation I definitely have an idea of what my target goal is, it really depends on how the negotiator presents the information.

CL: Thank you for your time, good luck with your continued career.

Link: www.moesportstalk.blogspot.com

Lessons Learned:

Being patient was stressed within this interview. It's interesting to see a young entertainer within the industry have such depth from the experience in negotiations. 

Welcome To "Johnny Football"

“The Heisman” probably the most recognized individual trophy in sports, has just graced its newest fraternity member, Freshman Quarterback Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M University. Started in 1935 by program Director John Heisman, it’s the oldest coveted award presented to the most outstanding player in college football.  Former Players such as; Charles Woodson (‘97), Reggie Bush (‘05), Tim Tebow (‘07) have all won the award and of course Archie Griffin (‘74&’75), the only player in history to win the award twice.

This is why the significance of Johnny Manziel winning the award is such a formidable feat. Not only is he only a freshman in college but also, he has the potential to only get better. For the first time in nearly forty years, there may be a two-time winning Heisman Trophy Holder in Manziel. Johnny Manziel was able to set NCAA Freshman Quarterback records within; rushing yards for a season, total offensive yards for a season and the first freshman to throw for three thousand yards and rush for one thousand yards in a single season.

It is an understatement to say, that this player deserves to be not only a candidate, but to be a Heisman Trophy winner. Two other outstanding players who equally deserved the award were: Manti Teo, Linebacker from Notre Dame University and Kansas State Quarterback, Colin Klein. One interesting fact is how “Johnny Football” was able to beat Alabama on their home field in Tuscaloosa. He was able to scramble when he needed to, run when he had to, and adjust to the different pass coverage Alabama was showcasing.

Another freshman Quarterback, Everett Golson of Notre Dame University, resembles some of the same abilities of Jonny Manziel. Golson will have a chance to manifest some of the same outcomes when he leads the “Fighting Irish” into this years National Championship game against Alabama. Johnny Manziel has elevated the new standard for all incoming freshman quarterbacks in college football.

www.moesportstalk.blogspot.com