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Fisher wrote: “Our game has never been more popular and we’re poised to see tremendous revenue growth over the next 5 to 6 years. … We must share fairly in the continued growth of our business. Any deal that decouples us from a fair share of the revenue growth in the years ahead is a deal we cannot accept. Period!”
Fisher said he still firmly believes that the NBA’s 30 teams do not share the same goals in the lockout — a point he made in a letter to the union’s membership last week.
“There are a number of team owners that will not lose the season over the hard cap system. We’ve been clear from Day 1 of this process that we cannot sign off on a deal that attempts in any way to include a hard salary cap for our teams. That has not changed,” Fisher said.
CBSSports.com reported earlier Monday that the league and the union have scheduled small group sessions for Tuesday and possibly Wednesday to continue talks. Numerous sources close to the situation have told ESPN.com that a deal must be struck by Oct. 15 at the latest to preserve the scheduled start of the regular season Nov. 1.

So it sounds like Fisher’s strategy is to hold firm and wait for the splinter amongst the owners to deepen. There is a subsection of the owners that wants a hard cap, while the rest aren’t willing to lose the season over the hard cap. The players believe that revenue sharing is the way to keep small markets competitive, yet the hard-liners can point to the NFL and to the Green Bay Packers and the New Orleans Saints as small market teams that have been able to thrive with a hard cap.

My issue with using revenue sharing as a way to keep small market teams competitive is that is has to be substantial enough to allow those small market owners to put the same (or similar) money into payroll as the big market teams. But that’s probably not going to happen. The hard cap guarantees that the teams can only pay so much on their players which means everyone is working with the same payroll.

External Sports, NBA

NBA lockout

Reeling Red Sox caught by Rays

September 26, 2011 / Gerardo Orlando

Rays win, and the Red Sox lose. They’re all tied up with two games left, and Boston fan’s worst nightmare is being realized. The Sox still have a chance to salvage the season, but this epic collapse seems hard to reverse with the Rays playing a Yankees team that has nothing to play for in these last two games.

External Sports, MLB

Boston Red Sox Tampa Bay Rays

It’s hardly surprising that Vick is struggling under the weight of high expectations

September 26, 2011 / Anthony Stalter

Injuries, sloppy play, and failed expectations: Gee, where have I seen this Michael Vick before?

It’s natural that when things are going well for a person that they’re often viewed as untouchable. Conversely, when things start to unravel, frustration sets in and problems become magnified.

Now multiple both of those sentences by about 50 when it comes to Vick.

When everything is right in his world, he’s “revolutionizing the quarterback position” or putting up “video game numbers.” He’s unbelievable. One-of-a-kind. A $100 million quarterback. He’s sick. He’s Mike Vick.

Everyone bought into the same hype surrounding Vick on draft day in 2001 that they did last year when he started to light up the league again. But someone please explain to me what has actually changed besides his uniform color, because I don’t see much.

Remember when the media couldn’t stop putting a microphone in front of his face last year? Oh, how the public ate it up. He was a changed man. A more mature man and a more mature player. It was going to be different in Philadelphia because quite frankly, he and everyone said it was.

But what happened? He led the Eagles to the playoffs only to come up just short in the end. Then again, he did just enough to have a lot of people believing he and the Eagles were destined for big things in 2011. Super Bowl-type things.

External Sports, NFL

Philadelphia Eagles

Top 6 Gifts for Your Sports Fanatic Husband

September 26, 2011 / Staff

Let’s face it. Everyone likes to get a gift, for special days or just for no reason at all. But, some women might ask themselves, what sort of gift should I get my sports-crazed husband? Worry not ladies, here are a few tips that can give you the answers that you seek.

1. Sports Tickets. Letting your man be there in person, cheering for his favorite team is best. You can get them through your local ticket vendor, or you can buy sports tickets on eBay. In addition, if the sports event is further than a typical drive, plan to set your hubby up with a hotel stay too.

2. Jerseys. Most guys have a favorite or lucky jersey they wear to almost all their games. But, that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t want a new one. Sometimes you can find signed jerseys on auction sites or purchase them from an individual. These means so much to your guy – especially if it’s signed by his favorite player.

3. Subscription to Sports Magazine. Most teams have magazines that keep up with their latest news and happenings. You can also look at e-zines that he can read online. However, if his team doesn’t have a magazine, opt for the general sports magazines.

4. Fun Fan Merchandise. Another excellent gift is gag-gift sports merchandise gift. They can often accompany a big gift such as tickets, and they can brighten up your guy’s face, or make him laugh. These gag-gifts are beer bottle openers, key rings, shot glasses or even piggy banks.

5. Gift Baskets. Yet another great option for a sports fan. The best part is you can dress it up to match whatever sport your husband loves. If he like to watch the big game on his big-screen TV, a basket full of popcorn, beer and pizza money is ideal. Alternatively, you can also stuff a basket with fishing gear – especially if he’s a fisherman kind of guy!

6. Portable Media Player. We’re not talking about the portable DVD player. We’re talking about tablet PCs. Give your guy the ability to watch his favorite sports team on a tablet PC. With mobile internet access, he can get the latest updates for his teams. Or, he can participate in fantasy sports games with his friends all through his mobile device.

Give these gifts at any time. But, it makes it even more special if they’re given to him on his birthday, or anniversary. Giving him sports gifts lets him know you’re interested in something he really enjoys. Who knows? He may just sit through that chick flick with you.