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Last Word On Sports

Sports News Since 2011. Honestly.

Last Word On Sports Logo

Sports. Honestly. Since 2011

Year: 2011

UFC Deal with Fox: Good or Bad?

Posted on by Mark Modeski

The biggest news in MMA, or more specifically the UFC, as of late has been related to the deal between the UFC and Fox. This now moves the UFC away from its longtime partnership with Spike TV, and into the mainstream onto one of the major networks. So the question becomes, was this a smart move or is it bad?

The general consensus is that it was the best decision not only for the UFC, but also for MMA. Greater mainstream visibility, means that the sport and the organization have nowhere to go, but up. With more eyeballs on the sport, Dana White will undoubtedly want to put on bigger fights for Fight Nights, to showcase the excitement and allure of the sport. For people like me this is an exciting proposition for the sport; not only does it make for better viewing, but it also moves the sport into a realm of increased legitimacy.

So what could be the possible drawback? Moving into the mainstream, means that the UFC could possibly lose its niche appeal – maybe a small sacrifice. The larger concern could be related to “too much too fast” – the UFC could go the way of other (let’s say) “sports organizations” that moved into the mainstream and burnt out like a white dwarf. It could potentially go from “fastest growing sport in the world” to “oh yeah, I remember the UFC – whatever happened to them?”

The question I put out there is: “Too much too fast?” or “I’m finally excited to see the UFC move into the mainstream – the sports only going to keep growing from here!”

Let me know your thoughts…

Will the Jets Fly High in Winnipeg?

Posted on by ScottyJ

Yes, the return trip is complete. Departing for Phoenix after the 95\96 season, the Jets made the indirect flight home with a stopover in Atlanta this off season. Congrats to Gary Bettman and the NHL for finally realizing that if a team down south can’t afford the arena’s air conditioning then maybe it’s time to move north.

No, it is not the same franchise that left in 96, but either way, the Coyotes or Thrashers, it really doesn’t matter….neither are necessarily a strong team. So while Winnipeg is rightfully excited and proud to once again have an NHL franchise, let’s not ruin things by expecting an amazing season from a mediocre team at best. And if history repeats itself then all the more reason to keep our expectations low.

Winnipeg did not have the best track record as a franchise in the past; actually it is pretty dismal, and that’s being kind. As an NHL team from 1979-1996 the jets had no division championships, no President’s trophies, never won the cup, never made the cup finals or even the conference final. But they did have a few gems over the years like Dale Hawerchuk and Teemu Selanne both of whom won Rookie of the Year wearing a jets uniform.

It is much the same news when we look at the Atlanta Thrashers short stay in the league. In the team’s entire existence from 1999-2011 Atlanta made the playoffs only once… and never won a game losing 4-0 in a series with the New York Rangers. Once again there were a few diamonds in the rough, Dany Heatley and Ilya Kovalchuk shared the spotlight as rookies together, Dany winning the Calder trophy and was later traded for superstar Marian Hossa. But today as the Jets we don’t see anyone who plays to the same standards of the previously mentioned hockey greats.

So Canada’s lucky number 7? I think not, but that doesn’t mean that the fans in Winnipeg shouldn’t cheer. Having the team back in blue and white at home is reason enough, and remember when your Jets return home from a division rivalry on the sandy beaches of Florida, they will be coming home to a packed house full of fans who will support them win or lose. And that’s the last word.

 

Serie A on Strike

Posted on by Frank Giuliano

It’s Sunday, time for the weekly tradition all avid Italian soccer fans are waiting for -Italian Serie A – only to see that the Italian league is on strike!

It’s horrible timing for this to occur as Italy is dropping in the UEFA league rankings causing the Serie A to lose its 4th qualifying spot for the Champions League next year. Instead of striking, both the Lega Calcio and the AIC (Italian Players’ Association) should discuss strategies to get their league out of this slump and back where it belongs – top three in the world. There seems to be a temporary agreement made in order to get week 2 underway September 9th-11th.

Currently, Italian National team coach, Cesare Prandelli, has expressed his disappointment regarding this issue as Italy needs to be well prepared for the final 2 qualifying games for Euro 2012. Although Italy finds itself 5 points ahead of second place Slovenia and with a game in hand, Prandelli wishes to continue his excellent progress made thus far by keeping his players in top shape. Italy needs only one win to qualify for Euro 2012. The same goes without saying for Champions League contenders Milan, Inter, and Napoli who will compete in their first Champions League encounter having only played one league game by the time the European competition begins. This is such a large disadvantage for the Italians as the other club teams have already competed in several league games. Not being in match fitness will be like playing against 12 men as Milan will face Champions League holders Barcelona on Match Day 1.  It is crucial for the Serie A to get going for both clubs and country, and to get the fans back in the stadiums to enjoy their weekly Sunday tradition!

Last Word On Sports – Weekly Football Blog
Frank Luciano Giuliano

Who will be Baseball's MVP?

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

Okay, the season still has another month, but really, should we not already have a good hunch as to who will win the MVP for each of the American and National Leagues of Major League Baseball?

There are two schools of thought here, which will determine the winner. If you are really looking at the most valuable player it should be awarded to the player that without whom the team is most severely affected. Agree? Let’s take team A who are hovering around .500 and call them, oh I don’t know, the Blue Jays. They just happen to have a guy by the name of Jose who has batting average of .309. He leads the majors in walks (108), home runs (39), slugging % (.640… no one is even close) and on base % (.449%). I suppose Granderson has some categories where he surpasses Jose, but not on many. What hurts Jose, though it shouldn’t because baseball is a TEAM sport, is that the Jays are not making the postseason, whereas Granderson’s Yankess most certainly are.

There is also a very strong case for Justin Verlander, rightfully so, with 20 wins, and a league leading WHIP (.90) and strikeouts (218). It’s hard to argue those numbers. Verlander is spectacular, no question.

I guess my question is: Should the player’s team making the postseason or not be an important factor in determining the most valuable player? I think not.

In the end, I think it goes to either Granderson or Verlander, but I think Jose has every right to have his name mentioned quite seriously judging solely on what he has meant to the Blue Jays.

Dustin Byfuglien Arrested

Posted on by Ben Kerr

It appears that we have an NHL star in the news today.

Dustin Byfuglien was arrested on suspicion of “Boating While Intoxicated.”

Here are the Sheriff’s records

You’ll notice that he was released pending complaint, which means that no formal charges have yet been filed. It is however possible that he will still be formally charged. It will be a wait and see as we have no idea what evidence Minnesota police have.

On the potential charge itself.
From the Minnesota Boating Guide:

“BOATING WHILE INTOXICATED (BWI) – The alcohol concentration for impaired operation is .08. Operating a motorboat while under the influence of alcohol, a controlled substance (or its metabolite), or other illegal chemical is unlawful. Operators who are impaired may be required to take tests by an enforcement officer. There is a penalty for refusal. BWI convictions and refusals are recorded on the violator’s driver’s license record. Most of the BWI law is now found in the motor vehicle statutes, and first time violators (no prior DWIs of any kind) who are convicted are subject:

(1) up to a $1,000 fine plus surcharges;

(2) possible jail time;

(3) loss of motorboat operating privileges for 90 days during the boating season, after conviction and written notification by the DNR.

In addition to the above penalties, persons who refuse testing will also be subject to a separate and more severe criminal charge for refusal and loss of their motorboat operating privileges for one year, immediately upon refusal.”

Conflicting reports suggest that Byfuglien refused the breathalyzer, but again that is not yet proven.

Either way, he’s gotten himself in some hot water, and maybe put a small damper on the excitement of the Jets first season back in Winnipeg.

It will be interesting to see how this all plays out.

It's Labour Day Weekend: Time to Seperate the Men from the Boys in the CFL!

Posted on by Carl Mostacci

Good Day Everyone,

I look forward to contributing regularly and providing insight and depth in between the yard lines of the Canadian Football League. Over the past ten years, the CFL has made many smart off-field decisions to help grow the 3 down game and shed its past image of being the Comedy Football League or the Crisis Football League. I believe the CFL’s best decision was exclusively partnering with TSN and getting all league games exposed to people across North America on Canada’s largest cable sports channel. Yes even the NFL Network in the United States broadcasts the TSN feed south of the border. This deal has allowed the CFL and its 8 teams to gain a larger viewing audience and stronger additional revenue stream which allows the league to thrive.

But occasionally the CFL still blows it with a bad call. When the 2011 CFL Schedule was released in March, one glaring error was present. The Toronto Argonauts were not playing the Hamilton Tiger Cats on Labour Day. Apart from 1 year here or there, both of these teams have played against each other in Hamilton since 1950. The CFL stated the Argonauts have 3 home games in the first 9 weeks of the season, and have to play that weekend at home. Also, the CFL claims these two teams playing on Labour Day is a Hamilton tradition and not a CFL tradition.

In my humble opinion, that is of Bullshite!

What does it matter whether the Argos play 3 or 4 home dates within the first 9 weeks of the season. The Hamilton Tiger Cats played 4 home games, as did several of the other CFL teams. The Argos are only 1 home game behind. Plus it was the Argos, who back in 2005, decided to abandon their plans with the Canadian Soccer Association to build a smaller outdoor stadium at York University in favour of a rent-free lease at Skydome.

Well you get what you paid for, because now the Argos get treated like shite by Rogers Communications, the Skydome owners (yes, Skydome, not Rogers Centre), and pretty much get the last pick of available dates behind the Blue Jays, concerts, motor cross, NFL football, Wiggles and whatever event Rogers sticks in there.

As a result of a poor mistake made by the team I hate the most in professional sports, my Hamilton Tiger Cats and our fans have to suffer too, but not being able to host the stupid Toronto Argonauts this Labour Day. This game is huge in this city. Many Hamilton residents look at this game as an unofficial send off to summer and relish in the opportunity of kicking Toronto Argonaut ass.

What makes this worse is the CFL tried to justify the schedule decision by stating these two teams playing annually on Labour Day is a Hamilton tradition, not a CFL tradition.

What kind of crap is that?

The Calgary Stampeders play the Edmonton Eskimos in Calgary on Labour Day. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers travel to battle the Saskatchewan Rough Riders the Sunday of Labour Day weekend. These also are part of league traditions that the CFL promotes as the second half of the season begins.

From Labour Day on in the CFL, the contending teams are separated from the pretending teams as the temperature falls and the road to the Grey Cup intensifies.

My Tiger Cats will be hosting the Montreal Alouettes this Labour Day Monday. However it won’t be the same because I won’t have the opportunity to yell “Argos Suck!!!! like I have during Labour Days past.

The CFL really fumbled the ball on this 3rd down.

For the Last Word on Sports on the CFL, I’m CM.

Untimely Reporting of Death in the NHL

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

Is there ever really a “timely” death? Not really, not if you have a heart.

There is a trend in sports writing which is getting (or has gotten?) out of hand. With the advent of Twitter, Facebook and other tools we rely so heavily on, there is an increase demand for sharing information at break-neck speeds. For the record, I find myself guilty of wanting, and wanting to give, information quickly. Speed matters in the industry. However, there needs to be established a set of unwritten, or perhaps written, rules.

Last night another athlete passed away far too young. Within a short time Twitter, Facebook, and every other social media platform was flooded wtih simple messages such as, “RIP Wade Belak”. Why the short message? Maybe it is the fact that the author did not know Wade personally. Perhaps they were too lost for words to properly pay respects to him? But I feel it is something else.

We are so programmed to believe bigger is better and fastest is best. But when it comes to a human life, this just can’t be the way. What if one of Wade’s family members learned of his passing based on a tweet? Or maybe they read a Facebook status update about how yet another NHL enforcer passed away?

I guess I’m saying there needs to exist a certain amount of privacy and respect amongst the journalist/blogging community. It’s not happening now, and I’m not sure it can happen in the future – I hate starting the day as a pessimist!

Anyway, my thoughts go out to the Belak family. I have never met Wade, but I know he didn’t deserve this.

And that is the last word.

Welcome Hockey Fans

Posted on by ScottyJ

Hello all you puckchasers, sharp shooters and bareknuckle brawlers. Whether you are a crosschecking goon or dazzling dangler, a nervous netminder or just a slouching spectator our love of hockey is something that we have in common.

I grew up on this game and have been a Detroit Red Wings fan all my life. Steve Yzerman was my favourite player growing up. Nowadays I cling to the last years of Nick Lidstrom (although I wouldn’t be surprised if he could play another 10 years).

Living in the golden horseshoe of Southern Ontario, Canada, (also called the centre of the hockey world…sorry Montreal), you can’t escape the allure of this wonderful game on ice strikes into the hearts of its residents.

As the air starts to cool down and October draws nearer, we will once again be forced into adding an extra layer beneath our jerseys as we pull them from our closets to mark the beginning of the 2011/12 NHL season.  That still leaves us with about six weeks to prepare.  If you’re anything like me you are finding any excuse to look for hockey news…even if it is in the form of checking summer training programs!

Anyway, I look forward to blogging once a week about my thoughts on league issues, trades, predictions or whatever other news comes my way as we, yes “we”, prepare for the next quest for the stanley cup.

Stay tuned to Last Word On Sports for entertaining blogs on the games you love.  That is the last word.

Transfer Day in the EPL

Posted on by Michael Kovacs, ADMIN

Hey all… just a quick update because I will be making several today.

As I proudly wear my Gunners-Gear (no comments about last weekends match vs. MANUre) I feel a sense of, well, urgency is the best word I can use. If we can agree that Man United, Chelsea and Man City are all but locks for first through third place in the table, that leaves my beloved Arsenal, Tottenham, and Liverpool fighting for the final Champions League spot for next season. That does NOT bode well for me. Liverpool definitely look stronger under Kenny D along with Suarez (why the beep is he not in the starting lineup more consistently? I digress….). As far as Arsenal and Spurs go, they both seem to have a big Transfer Closing Day. I expect them to overpay, but sometimes it’s a necessary evil.

And for now, that’s the last word.