The Case of Theo Epstein: It's Harder To Be A GM In Baseball, According to Wall Street Journal..Pointing At The Boston Red Sox

31-year-old Theo Epstein's departure from the Boston Red Sox seems to point to a new set of managerial problems for baseball general managers, as this article reveals. It seems the best GM is someone with the energy of a 20-year old and the manament experience of a 45-year old. I think more GM's will be hired from sport management programs in the future.

DHL Signs Three-Year Presenting Sponsorship Deal With Fox Pan American Sports For ``Premios Fox Sports'' Awards

LOS ANGELES -- Fox Pan American Sports announced today it has signed a three-year presenting sponsorship deal with DHL, the world's leading express delivery and logistics company, for its annual "Premios Fox Sports." The official "3rd Annual Premios Fox Sports presented by DHL" awards ceremony will be held December 5, 2005 at the Jackie Gleason Theater of Performing Arts in Miami Beach, Florida. The show will be televised on January 8, 2006 in the United States on Fox Sports en Espanol and throughout the Spanish-speaking Americas on Fox Sports Latin America.

"We're extremely pleased to welcome DHL as the first-ever presenting sponsor of `Premios Fox Sports,'" said David Sternberg, executive vice president and general manager of Fox Sports en Espanol. "This landmark deal is a testament to the growth of `Premios Fox Sports' over the past three years and its increasing viability as an innovative marketing platform for brands looking to reach and connect with the coveted Hispanic male demographic."

While the exact terms of the agreement were not disclosed, effective immediately, the deal grants DHL's logistics, transportation and freight services operations presenting sponsorship rights and category exclusivity through 2007.

About Fox Pan American Sports
Fox Pan American Sports LLC is an international sports programming and production entity jointly owned by Hicks, Muse, Tate & Furst and News Corporation's Fox Sports International.

About DHL
With annual revenues over $32 billion in 2004, DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specializing in providing innovative and customized solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport and logistics solutions, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. Over 170,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations. Founded in San Francisco in 1969, DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. For more information on DHL, please visit www.dhl.com.

SOURCE: Fox Pan American Sports
for Fox Pan American Sports
H&M Communications
Etienne Hernandez-Medina, 310-849-3663
etienne@hm-com.com

ESPN's Jim Rome: Blind To The Issue Of Blacks In Sports

Radio and TV Commentator Jim Rome made his name by being beaten up by then-LA Rams Quarterback Chris Everett on Rome's TV show, after insulting Everrett to his face and ignoring his requests for Rome to stop. So, it comes as no surprise that Rome will continue to make outrageous statements to continue to gain viewers and listeners. But when Rome takes on subjects that do have a racist perspective, he not only falls short, but comes off as blind to matters of racism.

I write this because -- unfortunately -- Rome has a megaphone from which to issue his ideas. Let's take the matter of Notre Dame Head Coach Charlie Weis' 10 - year contract extention. Everyone knows that former Notre Dame Head Coach Tyrone Willingham (who's only problem was offensive coordinator Bill Dietrick, or more to the point Willingham's loyalty to him) should have received a similar offer when he took the Fighting Irish to an 8-0 record during his first year. Rome said that Willingham didn't receive the same comments that he could jump for an NFL team -- actually, that wasn't true. It was a common speculation at the time -- Rome's memory's short.

Rome remarked that it wasn't an example of racism. And here's the problem, Rome's so much an appologist for the culture as it operates that to him it's OK for someone to think of a black person when another says "we need a running back" or to think of someone white when another person remarks "my team needs a new coach." In other words, he's brainwashed. So much so that he can't spot racism where it exists, and of course can't begin to see sexism.

But, I forgot, this is the guy who always talked against the WNBA, right?

Or let's focus on the Terrell Owens issue. Rome can't see that there still is a culture where blacks are not expected to raise their voices against authority. As long as blacks "know their place" they're just fine. That's the message Rome sends. It's rather hard to take and anti-intellectual. But Rome's not trying to be smart, that much is clear.

Now, I'm not saying that Owens was totally correct -- that's another post. But Rome's view -- that Owens should know his place -- is (what's the street term?) tired. Maybe Rome's style is too.

Mic Jagger's In The Super Bowl : Rolling Stones Are The Halftime Act For Super Bowl XL

This news was annouced on the ABC Monday Night Football Telecast of the Steelers - Colts Game this evening.

Steve Mariucci Fired; No Longer Lions Head Coach - Will The Lions Interview Black Coaches This Time?

Maybe The Lions will finally consider black head coaching candidates -- and hire one! Ironically, Mariucci was let go with two years remaining on his five-year contract, just as was Notre Dame Head Coach Tyrone Willingham in 2004.

On a personal note, I think Mariucci is a fine person -- I met him while I was Economic Advisor to Oakland Mayor Elihu M. Harris -- and a keen offensive mind. He deserves a better organization (the Lions environment was not the best) to work in as a head coach or offensive coordinator.

Mariucci out as Lions' coach - Associated Press


ALLEN PARK, Mich. -- Steve Mariucci came to the Detroit Lions with a winning NFL record, a penchant for offense and raised expectations.

He leaves as just another in a long list of coaching failures.

At one point, Lions head coach Steve Mariucci did have fans on his side. He posted a 77 percent approval rating after a 17-3 Week 1 win over division rival Green Bay. Since then, however, the ratings show a displeased Detroit SportsNation contingent.
Mariucci's Lions did not win again until Week 5 and 7, when he posted ratings of 55 percent and 52 percent, respectively. Week 7 was the last time Mariucci received better than a 50 percent weekly rating. Even after the Lions' most recent win in Week 10, Mariucci only received a 38 percent rating. Take away Weeks 1, 5 and 7 and Mariucci never rose above a 38 percent rating.

He finished his tenure as Lions head coach with an 18 percent approval rating.

After two-plus seasons and a 15-28 record, Mariucci was fired Monday after he was unable to turn around a franchise with one playoff victory since 1957.

The Lions promoted defensive coordinator Dick Jauron to succeed him on an interim basis.

"We started off this season with high expectations," team president Matt Millen said. "We have underachieved as a football team."

Millen hired both Mariucci and his predecessor, Marty Mornhinweg, and drafted or signed most of the current players. Since Millen took over in 2001, Detroit is an NFL-worst 20-55.

Despite the results, the former NFL linebacker and TV analyst was given a five-year extension before this season.

Millen said he accepts accountability for Detroit's record during his four-plus seasons, but said a coaching change was necessary.

"This is a brutal business and at times, good people suffer a cruel fate," he said.

Millen also fired offensive line coach Pat Morris and tight ends coach Andy Sugarman, and demoted Ted Tollner from offensive coordinator to tight ends coach. Greg Olson will call plays as the team's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, starting Sunday at home against Minnesota.

Jauron said his first inclination was to not accept the job.

"It's hard for me to stand up here in this position because Steve is a friend," said Jauron, who had a 35-46 record as Chicago's head coach from 1999-2003.

After Detroit lost 27-7 to Atlanta on Thanksgiving to fall to 4-7, reports swirled that the team was considering firing Mariucci. When Mariucci was not dismissed during the weekend, some thought his job was safe for the final five games of the regular season.

"I was angry after that game," Millen said. "It was disturbing to watch and I didn't want to make a decision based on anger. We wanted to take our time, go through it logically, and think everything through."

The Lions have lost four of five games since a solid start put them atop the NFC North with the Chicago Bears. The team has collapsed on and off the field with players failing to produce and some bickering with one another and questioning the coaches' game plans.

Offensive tackle Jeff Backus said players were not notified of the firing until a previously scheduled team meeting was held Monday night.

"Something had to give, I guess," Backus told The Associated Press. "It's not my job to judge whether Mariucci did a good job or bad job, but we're in a bottom-line business and our bottom line hasn't been very good."

Mariucci has more than two years remaining on the $25 million contract he signed in 2003. The Michigan native came to the Lions from San Francisco, where he was fired with a 60-43 record over six seasons.

Mariucci was cut some slack in the past because the team he inherited was crafted by Millen, but expectations were high heading into his third season.

"If we win 10 or 11 ballgames and make the playoffs, it would make us happy and make the fans happy," Mariucci said before the season.

Mariucci's agent, Gary O'Hagan, declined comment when reached Monday night.

Detroit's quarterback situation also hurt Mariucci's chances for success.

Joey Harrington, the third overall pick in 2002, has failed to be consistent throughout his career. The Lions signed 35-year-old Jeff Garcia to push or replace Harrington, but he has been nagged by injuries and an inability to throw deep passes.

The Lions' porous offensive line has added to their passing- and running-game woes while a decent defense has been hampered by being on the field too long, and by injuries.

Millen, who was fined $200,000 by the NFL because he didn't follow the NFL's minority hiring policy when he hired Mariucci, said he would follow league guidelines when he searches for a permanent coach.

Jauron, Detroit's defensive coordinator the past two seasons, was fired in 2003 after four losing seasons in five years with the Bears. He was selected as NFL coach of the year during his lone winning season in Chicago.

"We need to take these next five weeks, and we need to play ... and see what we can get out of it," Jauron said. "I don't have plans other than the next game."

Jauron began his NFL career as a fourth-round pick of the Lions in 1973 after starring at Yale. The defensive back and kick returner, who played in the 1975 Pro Bowl, spent his first five seasons in Detroit.

USC v. UCLA This Saturday; Tickets For Up to $4,500 each - Paris Hillton Should Take Michael Irvin

Click on the post title above as it's a link to the prices of tickets for the UCLA v. USC game. Then scroll down and you will see the asking prices jump -- to $4,500.

The cheapest ticket is $75 -- get that one -- and is in Section 27 a distance from the end zone and up in the stands. The vast majority of tickets available in the secondary ticket market represented here are between $100 and $300, and then there are the $1,000 set, which are in various areas, including four in Section 8 on the 25 yard line.

The most expensive -- $4,500 each -- set of tickets is also in Section 8 and between the 20 and 30 yard line. Yes, that's not a misprint.

The set of tickets closest to the 50 yard line are in Section 7 and going for $2,000.

Why the difference? It's just that someone out there thinks that someone else will want to part with half the cost of a cheap Honda Civic just to see a football game from a position not on mid-field and 45 rows up, so they post them for sale. Right; forget it.

It's indicative of the importance of this game as undefeated USC attempts to make it's winning streak longer than the time it took to unmask Deep Throat (just kidding), and against UCLA, which has only lost one -- one game -- this year. One could make a good argument that this is the real National Championship Game.

Given that Notre Dame lost two -- two games -- it's amazing the Fighting Irish are ranked #7 and UCLA is at #11. Whatever the bowl matchup, I'll bet the Notre Dame Ticket market doesn't touch the expense of this one.

Coors' Beer "Twins" Target of Inquiry - Does This Mean No More "Sex and Beer" Ads?

According to the Oakland Tribune:
Consumers offended by scantily clad beer babes or predominant placement of beer in PG-13 flicks will have someone new to appeal to come Jan. 1.
The Beer Institute, a trade and lobbying group whose membership includes Golden-based Coors Brewing Co., will appoint a panel to encourage compliance with advertising standards beginning Jan. 1.

Coors built a years-long campaign around its bikini-clad blond twins and is currently partnering with Maxim to sponsor a nationwide "Hunt for Hotties."

The Beer Institute's five-member panel will hear appeals from consumers who believe that beer companies haven't addressed their advertising issues, including complaints that beer ads violate decency standards or purposely appeal to those under 21.

The institute boasts about 100 brewer members from giants such as Anheuser Busch, Miller and Coors to small regional beer companies including Fort Collins-based New Belgium, said institute President Jeff Becker.

"What we want to provide is an opportunity for consumers who have complained and don't agree with the brewer's response," he said.

Under the new program, the institute appoints a five-member panel, any three of whom would hear consumer complaints and then recommend what, if any, action the brewer should take, Becker said.

The five panel members would be financially independent of both the institute and its membership, he said, and would address complaints only after the companies had been given a chance to fix the problem.

Part of the criteria the panel will use is the institute's six-page Advertising and Marketing Code, a voluntary guideline for members concerned about not crossing a line with their ads.

Of particular concern is that they market to a legal beer-buying audience and not to those under 21. Currently, the code calls for beer companies to only advertise products to audiences in which 70 percent or more are at least 21.

Coors has its own, similar code in place and already gets help from a third party. It uses "21 means 21" as a slogan in its current ads.