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How Ann Meyers Drysdale Played Like A Girl And Won

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You Let Some Girl Beat You? The Story of Ann Meyers Drysdale By Ann Meyers Drysdale with Joni Ravenna. Foreword by Julius "Dr. J" Irving. Behler Publications. Release Date: June 2012

Ann Meyers Drysdale has spent her entire life staring down the attitudes and misconceptions driving the phrase, “You let some girl beat you?”

She grew up in a large family where playing sports was like obeying the 11th commandment: “Thou Shalt Honor Thy Desire To Compete.”

Her talent and athleticism on the basketball court caught UCLA’s attention, and the university awarded her a four-year athletic scholarship. This historic feat made Meyers Drysdale the first female athlete to receive a Division I scholarship and one of the first beneficiaries of Title IX.

During her collegiate years,  she was a four-time all-American and led UCLA to its first and only women’s national championship in 1978. Off the court, legendary men’s basketball coach, John Wooden, mentored her, and to this day she affectionately calls him “papa.”

In 1979, Meyers Drysdale’s first job came courtesy of the NBA when she signed a $150,000 free-agent contract with the Indiana Pacers. While her contract didn’t lead to a roster spot on the team, she courageously opened the door for future female professional athletes.

In her new book, You Let Some GIRL Beat You? – The Story of Ann Meyers Drysdale, she opens up about her controversial NBA tryout; life with legendary Los Angeles Dodger and Hall of Fame pitcher  Don Drysdale; her career as a sports broadcaster; and her current roles as a Vice President with the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury and the NBA’s Phoenix Suns.

Meyers Drysdale’s memoir is a stunning portrayal of one of today’s legendary women’s basketball treasures, and a candid look at the courage, faith, and determination that it takes to be a champion on the court and in life.

Recently, I spoke with Myers Drysdale about her journey as a women’s basketball pioneer. Here is what she had to say…

On writing “You Let Some Girl Beat You?”…

 Meyers Drysdale: To me the book is for any gender, race, or age. I think it shows that we’re all able to accomplish the things that we want to. Anybody can achieve anything they want to be; whether it’s your social background or economic background. I think it’s important to show children and parents how important sports are in a child’s life. Whatever your dreams are or aspirations are after you get out of high school or college, the road to the boardroom is through the locker room. Sports teach so much character, teamwork, leadership, self-confidence and self-esteem. There are so many important lessons learned from athletics. They can take you to the next level.

On playing basketball at UCLA and Coach John Wooden…

Meyers Drysdale: It was a great time in my life. My brother David was there and coach called all of his players “his boys.” I feel so blessed that my brother was able to be one of his boys. He won two NCAA championships with him and was able to be on his last championship team. There was something special to be at UCLA during that time in the 70’s. My Olympic coach, Billie Moore, was my third coach at UCLA; and to be able to win a championship at UCLA in my senior year, everything came together. And to have someone like Coach Wooden say that I was instrumental in helping grow the women’s game stands for a lot.

On being a women’s basketball pioneer…

Meyers Drysdale: I look at the women before me that were pioneers and opened the door for me. I came around the time of Title IX and I think of the women that sacrificed so much before me and didn’t receive the recognition. I feel like I was part of the change that happened. We all make sacrifices, and women today have to continue to make sacrifices for the next generation that is going to come up.

On being the first woman to sign a free-agent contract with the NBA…

Meyers Drysdale: My tryout was received with a lot of hostility. It really took me by surprise because I had been so well received by UCLA and winning a championship; then all the sudden I was doing something that was not acceptable. I was surprised and a bit overwhelmed by the negativity. I was just doing something that I had always done my whole life. It was just difficult for a lot of people to accept that. The media was not very kind and certainly I did have some supporters. A lot of people were not keen on the idea, and the coach certainly as I mentioned in the book was not pleased about this. So it was difficult for everyone because it was a first and they didn’t know how to deal with it.

There were the stories of she’s taking a job from a guy or how can she be in the locker room. I just tried to block it out. I remember one guy saying she’s good, but she doesn’t deserve to be here. It made me sad, but it also fired me up. This was the beginning of my road. This was my first job. I was 24 years old and did not work in high school or  in college because I was always playing USA basketball. I was not familiar with being turned down because I had been successful through sports. It was a great learning lesson.

On being one of the first female sports broadcasters…

Meyers Drysdale: Back in the 70’s it was a field that was sprinkled with a few women. I recognized that there weren’t many women. We all knew that sports were great but it would be a short in your life. In my contract with the Pacers, my brother Mark put in that I would do broadcasting. Just the fact that I would get the door open and broadcast Pacers games was huge. I just feel blessed to be in the position to be good enough to be able to broadcast, and the people who have had faith in me to be able to do it.

On a woman playing in the NBA one day…

Meyers Drysdale: It takes a special person, not everybody is going to play in the NBA as far as talent is concerned. It takes somebody that is going to have a thick skin, sense of humor and can deal with the pressures of what the media and players are going to say.

On being an executive in WNBA and NBA…

Meyers Drysdale: I’d been asked since day one when the WNBA first existed to go with a franchise whether as a broadcaster, president or GM. Phoenix was persistent and I was fortunate to step into the role as a GM.  I think that I do have a good sense of the game, not just the women’s game but the game of basketball. I’m not always going to be right, I have made some bad choices in my position; but if you don’t take chances you’ll never know. If someone gives you an opportunity, don’t worry about failing. You have to have the courage to do it- fail or succeed. The position that I’ve been with the Mercury as the President and GM and now Vice President, I have learned that you have to make choices and they are not always going to be good ones.

Meyers Drysdale’s choices have not only impacted her career, but they have also created opportunities for countless female athletes and executives. She has shown the importance of gender equity on and off the court, and to this day she is fighting for the day that the phrase: “You let some girl beat you?” becomes obsolete.

Good Night Sports Fans,

Alana

 

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From The Dodgers To Detroit: How Dennis Mannion Reminds Fans Why They Love Sports

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When I was growing up we lived in a small mid-Michigan town. Every kid in my neighborhood was a die-hard Detroit Pistons fan. Back then we didn’t have the internet, social media, or cable tv; but somehow we followed the team and knew everything about them.

We wore neon t-shirts with caricatures of the players. Nicknames like the Worm, the Microwave, and Buddha rolled right off of our tongues. And when the team won back-to-back NBA titles in 1989 and 1990 we celebrated by dancing to MC Hammer’s “U Can’t Touch This.”

Yes, those were the good old days.

I bet you have a similar sports memory. Don’t we all?

The challenge for 21st century professional sports executives is to create lasting nostalgic memories, like the ones I have, for a new generation of fans; and at the same time keeping the original audience coming back for more.

Dennis Mannion is one of those executives.

Since 1982, Mannion has worked in professional sports. He began his career with the Philadelphia Phillies were he was labeled as the marketing genius who was going to “put the fun back in baseball,” and make Phillies fans remember why they love baseball.

After spending 16 years with the Phillies and serving eight seasons as the club’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Mannion crisscrossed the sports landscape making stops in Denver (Vice President at Ascent Sports – NHL’s Colorado Avalanche; NBA’s Denver Nuggets), Baltimore (Senior Vice President of Business Ventures – NFL’s Baltimore Ravens), and Los Angeles (President/Chief Operating Officer – MLB’s Los Angeles Dodgers).

Mannion also has the rare distinction of navigating all four major professional sports leagues, and he’s humble when it comes to acknowledging this accomplishment. He credits his wife for her ability to infuse their family into his career, and as a result several of his strongest marketing ideas came straight from observing their five children, whom he calls his “focus group.”

For example, when he couldn’t pry his sons away from playing baseball video games he realized that fans wanted to see up-to-the-minute stats when watching live games.  Additionally, when he observed his daughters love of dance, he realized that fans would enjoy watching the same moves too – so he made sure that the team mascot could dance.

Mannion’s ability to transform sports franchises has brought him from Hollywood to the Midwest. In 2011, he was hired as the  President & CEO of Palace Sports & Entertainment (PS&E) after Tom Gores purchased the organization.

PS&E is the parent company that owns the DTE Energy Music Theater, the Meadow Brook Music Festival, The Palace of Auburn Hills, and its most well-known asset is the NBA’s Detroit Pistons.

The Pistons haven’t won an NBA Championship since they outplayed Kobe, Shaq and the Lakers in 2004. They also haven’t made the playoffs since 2008. Therefore, Mannion has probably accepted one of the toughest challenges of his career – reminding the gritty hard-working Pistons fans why they love Detroit Basketball.

Mannion admits that he initially wasn’t sold on the idea of using “Detroit Basketball” as the franchise’s brand. However, his staff and President of Basketball Operations, Joe Dumars, convinced him that Detroit Basketball is who they are. As a result, Mannion is strategically balancing the legacy of the old with new innovative ideas.

The Palace, built in 1988, has been outfitted with $9 million worth of renovations, which includes an upgraded front entrance, team locker-room, and state-of-the-art arena lighting. Also, the traditional “dogs catching frisbees” half-time shows have been replaced with full-blown productions featuring popular and classic music acts including, Travie McCoy, Gladys Knight, and Doug E. Fresh. And if you pay close attention you’ll see Pistons history sprinkled throughout the arena.

Tonight is the final home game of the season, and from this moment on the rebuilding process continues. Lawrence Frank, Pistons head coach, and Dumars will focus on improving the play on the court. Mannion noted that when it comes to balancing decisions that are good for the business versus decisions that are good for the sport, he learned many years ago that it is best to stay out of the General Manager’s way.

Instead, his front office team will have their sights set on re-signing their current season ticket holders, and recruiting free agent fans to invest and believe in the team as well. The club announced that it won’t increase the season ticket prices, and fans purchasing  packages will join one of two newly created membership groups, “Pistons Black” and “Pistons Red.” These two fan communities will receive their own game-day uniform, an exclusive one-of-a-kind authentic on-court Pistons team jacket.   Using advanced-microchip technology embedded in the sleeve, ticket holders can use the jacket at all games to receive discounts at The Palace.

It’s a little known fact that Mannion’s parents live in the Metro Detroit area, so if home is where your heart is Pistons fans can rest assured that Mannion will put his heart into reviving Detroit Basketball.

Good Night Sports Fans, 

Alana


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ESPN Hosts The WNBA Draft For The Good Of The Game

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What’s one word to describe the relationship between the WNBA and ESPN?

If you ask Carol Stiff, ESPN’s Vice President of Programming & Acquisitions, she will tell you that it is partnership.

The WNBA and ESPN have been partners since the league first tipped-off on June 21, 1997, and they have journeyed together bringing the best that women’s basketball has to offer to television audiences.

On Monday April 16, they will officially kick-off season 16 when ESPN hosts the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile at its Bristol, Connecticut campus. ESPN2 will televise the first round beginning at 2 p.m. ET, with a simulcast of the entire draft on ESPN3.com. ESPNU and NBA TV will broadcast the second and third rounds.

Why bring the draft to ESPN?

We all know that with every successful partnership, there must be a “meeting of the minds.” Are both sides on the same page? Is the strategic plan moving forward in the right direction? Are the parties on track to achieve their goals?

Together ESPN and the WNBA have a shared goal, and that is to advance women’s basketball.

“Women’s basketball means a great deal to us and our viewers,” said Stiff. “The fact that we carry over 200 women’s collegiate basketball games a year, it just makes all the sense in the world that as we continue to try and bring a new demographic to our fan base that we find ways to grow these great storylines from the collegiate level into the WNBA.”

Last year was the first time in ESPN’s 32-year history that it hosted a draft on its 123- acre campus; and over the course of the last eight months, Stiff and the WNBA’s Chief Operating Officer, Christine Godleski, have worked diligently with the best and brightest at ESPN and the WNBA to make it happen all over again.

What’s at stake for this partnership?

Ultimately, for the alliance between ESPN and the WNBA to be successful both parties will need two very important stakeholders, sports fans and ESPN employees, to buy into their game plan.

The WNBA and ESPN recognize this need, so in addition to the traditional draft coverage, the 2012 draft class will have the opportunity to interact with ESPN employees and executives during the 2012 ESPN-WNBA Fitness Day and the Inspiring Women Brunch hosted by ESPN Anchor Cindy Brunson.

Stiff said, “One thought is when you have an opportunity to meet the brand or touch the brand, you become attached to the brand. And with bringing the players up to the campus throughout the year and bringing the new WNBA draftees to campus for the draft, it does allow our employees to interact and get to know them.”

“I think there are some really good stories that need to be told,” Stiff added, “that we can now pitch to all the different platforms here at ESPN.”

Regarding the fans, I asked Stiff about the existing WNBA fans, many of whom would like to see more coverage of women’s professional basketball on ESPN. We discussed how she balances making decisions that are good for ESPN’s business and decisions that are good for the game.

Stiff said, “We have a commitment to women’s sports and it is a balancing act to blend the best of the best. I think that we have the best menu of women’s sports whether it’s women’s basketball, tennis or bowling. What we have to do is blend them together and not separate them. There is an interest in women’s sports and there is an interest in fans watching women’s sports; it is up to us to find the best spot for it.”

If you are interested in women’s sports, and would like to become a stakeholder in the WNBA’s and ESPN’s goal of advancing women’s basketball, here’s everything that you need to know about the 2012 WNBA Draft…

Coverage

  • First Round: ESPN2 and ESPN3.com at 2 pm ET
  • Second Round & Third Round: ESPN3.com, ESPNU, and NBA TV from 3-4:30 pm ET

The live telecast of the draft will take place in ESPN’s Studio E in Bristol, Connecticut that is home to Mike and Mike in the Morningand NFL Sunday Countdown. Previous WNBA draft sites have included the NBA Studios in Secaucus, NJ (2009 and 2010) and the NCAA Division I Women’s Final Four (2006 – 2008).

Production Features

  • WNBA.com Interviews
  • ESPN.com Chat
  • One-on-One Media Interviews
  • ESPNW Chat
  • ESPNW Title IX Mosaic
  • Boost Mobile Lounge – Draftees will be able to call family and friends immediately after they are picked to share their experience from the day.

Top 2012 Draft Prospects

Name/University/Position/Height

  • LaSondra Barrett/Louisiana State/Forward/6’2”
  • Vicki Baugh/Tennessee/Center/6’4”
  • Sasha Goodlett/Georgia Tech/Center/6’5”
  • Tiffany Hayes/Connecticut/Guard/5’10”
  • Glory Johnson/Tennessee/Forward/6’3”
  • Shenise Johnson/Miami (Fla.)/Guard/5’11”
  • Lynetta Kizer/Maryland/Center/6’4”
  • Natalie Novosel/Notre Dame/Guard /5’11”
  • Nnemkadi Ogwumike/Stanford/Forward/6’2”
  • Devereaux Peters/Notre Dame/Forward/6’2”
  • Samantha Prahalis/Ohio State/Guard/5’7”
  • Kayla Standish/Gonzaga/Forward/6’2”
  • Shekinna Stricklen/Tennessee/Guard/Forward  6’2”
  • Riquna Williams/Miami (Fla.)/Guard/5’7”
  • Julie Wojta/Wisconsin-Green Bay/Forward/6’0”

2012 WNBA Draft Order

First Round

  1. Los Angeles (15-19)
  2. Seattle from Chicago (14-20) (Cash/Willingham, 1/2/12)
  3. Minnesota from Washington (6-28) (Anosike, 4/5/11)
  4. Tulsa (3-31)
  5. San Antonio (18-16)
  6. Phoenix (19-15)
  7. New York (19-15)
  8. Washington from Atlanta (20-14) (Harding/Miller/Phillips, 4/11/11)
  9. Connecticut (21-13)
  10. Washington from Seattle (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)
  11. Indiana (21-13)
  12. Minnesota (27-7)

Second Round

  1. Los Angeles from Tulsa (3-31) (Riley, 2/1/11)
  2. Atlanta from Washington (6-28) (Harding/Miller/Phillips, 4/11/11)
  3. Los Angeles from Chicago (14-20) (Wisdom-Hylton, 5/31/11)
  4. Los Angeles (15-19)
  5. Tulsa from San Antonio (18-16) (S. Robinson, 5/2/11)
  6. Minnesota from Phoenix (19-15) (Houston, 2/28/12)
  7. Minnesota from New York (19-15) (Breland/A. Robinson, 4/11/11)
  8. Minnesota from Atlanta (20-14) (Chester/Jarry, 4/11/11)
  9. Connecticut (21-13)
  10. Seattle (21-13)
  11. Chicago from Indiana (21-13) via Seattle (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11) (Cash/Willingham, 1/2/12)
  12. Phoenix from Minnesota (27-7) (Houston, 2/28/12)

Third Round

  1. Tulsa (3-31)
  2. Washington (6-28)
  3. Chicago (14-20)
  4. Los Angeles (15-19)
  5. Tulsa from San Antonio (18-16) (S. Robinson, 5/2/11)
  6. Phoenix (19-15)
  7. Minnesota from New York (19-15) (Hollingsworth, 5/27/11)
  8. Atlanta (20-14)
  9. Phoenix from Connecticut (21-13) (T. Robinson, 4/11/11)
  10. Indiana from Seattle (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)
  11. Washington from Indiana (21-13) (Smith, Monroe, Thomas, Phillips, 4/29/11)
  12. New York from Minnesota (27-7) (Hollingsworth, 5/27/11)

Good Night Sports Fans, 

Alana

 

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Baylor’s Griner Takes Her Game ‘Above the Rim’

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Baylor’s undefeated Lady Bears are rolling through the NCAA tournament. In case you’ve the games the biggest highlights have come from their starting center Brittney Griner. Griner wrecked havoc in the Big 12 all season and she’s been an unstoppable force on offense and defense.

While women’s basketball is known primarily as a “below the rim” game, Griner has been taking women’s basketball to new heights. Here are two video highlights of her tournament dunks.

 

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Money March Madness: Can Money Predict The Next National Champion?

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It is post Selection Sunday and copiers across America are working overdrive printing NCAA brackets. Die-hard basketball fans and novices are making their picks and joining pools.

Some are making their picks strictly based on their basketball IQ and wins and losses. Others are picking their alma mater and favorite teams. And we all have that one friend who manages to predict upset after upset using the good old fashioned coin toss.

While I consider myself very knowledgeable when it comes to college hoops, I never seem to come out on top. This year I am trying a little experiment; my selections will be based solely on money!

Here’s how it works.

I compiled the following data from the US Department of Education’s (DOE) Equity & Athletics for each team in the field of 68. It is important to note that this data is from the July 2010 – June 2011 reporting year, so the data reflect last season’s budgets. While the exact figures for this season won’t be available until later this year, the available data provides a general indication of what an institution spent and will earn from its basketball team.

1. Participants per team and the number of Full-time Undergraduates.

First, I located the the number of athletes on each team and the number of students on each schools’ campus. Why? It is very important to distinguish the Davids from the Goliaths in the tournament. Here are the four largest and smallest schools.

  • Four Largest Schools – (1) Ohio State – 38,300; (2) Texas – 35,267; (3) Michigan State – 32,720; (4) Indiana University – 30,888
  • Four Smallest Schools – (1) Davidson – 1,738; (2) St. Bonaventure – 1,919; (3) Mississippi Valley – 1,973; (4) Detroit – 2,315

2. Average Annual Institutional Salary per Head Coach

Next, I wanted to see how much each school was spending on its head coach. The DOE does not disclose individual salaries, but it does list the average institutional salaries for men’s sports. Specifically, this is defined as all of the wages and bonuses an institution pays a head coach as compensation attributable to coaching. The following are the schools that spend the most on its men’s sports coaches and the schools that spend the least.

  • Four Largest Average Salaries – (1) Kansas – $1,832,594; (2) Florida – $1,546,853; (3) Texas – $1,380,268; (4) Alabama – $1,059,830
  • Four Smallest Average Salaries – (1) Mississippi Valley – $40,453; (2) UNC-Asheville – $44,110; (3) Lehigh – $61,867; (4) St. Bonaventure – $63,856

3. Operating (Game Day) Expenses

Then I identified what each team was spending on its game day expenses. How does a gourmet meal and fresh new pair of kicks measure up against fast-food meals and long bus rides? This is how the DOE defines operating (game day) expenses, and here are the four schools that spend the most and the least.

All expenses an institution incurs attributable to home, away, and neutral-site intercollegiate athletic contests (commonly known as game-day expenses), for (A) Lodging, meals, transportation, uniforms, and equipment for coaches, team members, support staff (including, but not limited to team managers and trainers), and others; and (B) Officials.

 

  • Four Largest Operating (Game Day) Expenses – (1) Kentucky – $2,829,245; (2) UConn – $2,604,114; (3) Duke –$ 2,337,291; (4) Texas – $ 2,152,790
  • Four Smallest Operating (Game Day) Expenses – (1) Norfolk St. – $185,855; (2) Belmont – $201,844; (3) Vermont – $215,765; (4) LIU – $$226,126

4. Expenses

Also, I examined at how much money was being spent overall for each program. Here the DOE had exact figures for each team, but again these are last years figures. I took a look at schools with large recruiting budgets and operating expenses, and compared those to the teams surviving on a dime. Here’s how the DOE defines “expenses” and these are the teams that overall are spending the most and least.

All expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. This includes appearance guarantees and options, athletically related student aid, contract services, equipment, fundraising activities, operating expenses, promotional activities, recruiting expenses, salaries and benefits, supplies, travel, and any other expenses attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities.

  • Four Largest Expenders – (1) Duke – $13, 819,529; (2) Louisville – $13,336,649; (3) Kentucky – $12,355,375; (4) Marquette – $10,348,303
  • Four Smallest Expenders – (1) Mississippi Valley – $682,468; (2) South Dakota St – $756,437; (3) UNC Asheville – $760,777; (4) $883,224

5. Revenues

Finally, I wanted to see which teams are showing their schools “the money.” The following is the DOE’s definition of revenue, and here are the four largest and smallest revenue producers.

All revenues attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities. This includes revenues from appearance guarantees and options, contributions from alumni and others, institutional royalties, signage and other sponsorships, sport camps, state or other government support, student activity fees, ticket and luxury box sales, and any other revenues attributable to intercollegiate athletic activities.

  • Four Largest Revenue Producers – (1) Louisville – $40,887,938; (2) Duke – $28,917,329; (3) University of North Carolina – $19,672,012; (4) Syracuse – $19,017,231
  • Four Smallest Revenue Producers – (1) Mississippi Valley -$683,468; (2) South Dakota St – $756,437; (3) Harvard – $989,106; (4) Norfolk St – $945,562

6. Let the Selections Begin

Last, I compiled all of the data and plugged it into the tables below. Each table represents one of the four regions of the 2012 NCAA Tournament. I listed each school by their seed and placed them in order of their first round match-ups. This provides an easy side-by-side comparison to quickly determine how the numbers compare.

WEST Region (Phoenix)

Team Avg Salary per Head Coach Participants/  Undergrads Operating Expenses    per Participant Game-Day   Expenses Total Expenses Total Revenue
1. Michigan State $626,481 17/32,720 $100,027 $1,700,462 $9,263,945 $16,479,208
16. LIU Brooklyn $65,466 15/3,885 $15,075 $226,126 $1,078,956 $1,078,956
8. Memphis $322,920 17/12,833 $98,202 $1,669,442 $6,739,131 $6,739,131
9. St. Louis $161,180 16/6,974 $25,519 $408,297 $2,951,352 $3,136,638
5. New Mexico $316,204 15/6,693 $53,416 $801,238 $3,825,760 $4,573,517
12. Long Beach St. $123,784 17/22,505 $19,740 $335,585 $1,779,407 $1,779,407
4. Louisville $778,113 15/12,038 $70,977 $1,064,659 $13,336,649 $40,887,938
13. Davidson $82,546 16/1,738 $19,373 $309,973 $1,604,190 $1,542,837
6. Murray St. $83,220 16/6,730 $14,289 $228,629 $1,599,334 $1,707,332
11.Colorado St. $308,150 17/19,617 $24,529 $416,999 $2,342,597 $2,342,597
3. Marquette $416,556 15/7,695 $187,984 $2,819,760 $10,348,303 $15,568,569
14. BYU $232,357 17/27,852 $51,100 $868,704 $4,926,689 $4,843,476
14. Iona $68,800 15/3,152 $17,171 $257,559 $1,547,268 $1,547,268
7. Florida $1,546,853 14/30,210 $103,906 $1,454,685 $9,068,107 $9,930,796
10. Virginia $516,141 15/23,184 $63,747 $956,203 $4,782,477 $7,858,609
2. Missouri $673,691 14/23,369 $77,997 $1,091,959 $5,391,400 $11,084,210
15. Norfolk St. $82,863 14/4,977 $13,275 $185,855 $833,224 $945,562

MIDWEST Region (St. Louis)

Team Avg Salary per Head Coach Participants/  Undergrads Operating Expenses       per Participant Game-Day Expenses Total Expenses Total   Revenue
1. North Carolina $387,102 18/17,457 $71,870 $1,293,657 $6,510,94 $19,672,012
16. Lamar $102,296 15/6,985 $16,950 $254,254 $1,394,579 $1,394,579
16. Vermont $150,219 14/10,125 $15,412 $215,765 $1,380,788 $1,671,155
8. Creighton $195,086 18/3,927 $33,007 $594,124 $4,771,088 $4,771,088
9. Alabama $1,054,830 17/22,587 $61,967 $1,053,440 $6,819,080 $11,016,184
5. Temple $172,516 14/24,501 $49,713 $695,977 $3,089,270 $3,089,270
12. California $380,134 15/24,929 $60,538 $908,066 $4,892,366 $6,417,866
12. South Florida $422,761 14/23,189 $63,694 $891,712 $3,588,144 $4,653,209
4. Michigan $509,903 16/26,096 $64,489 $1,031,831 $5,102,129 $9,154,689
13. Ohio $149,430 17/17,100 $22,966 $390,426 $2,162,046 $2,702,733
6. San Diego St. $384,166 14/20,874 $41,834 $585,677 $3,638,042 $4,721,603
11. NC State $215,590 14/21,974 $49,964 $699,490 $3,947,120 $10,490,494
3. Georgetown $294,161 14/6,996 $113,304 $1,586,254 $8,610,967 $9,519,159
14. Belmont $109,417 16/4,258 $12,615 $201,844 $1,862,820 $1,862,820
7. Saint Mary $122,428 2,559 $20,205 $323,276 $2,191,961 $2,191,961
10. Purdue $429,070 15/30,118 $81,504 $1,222,564 $5,204,365 $9,396,189
2. Kansas $1,832,594 17/18,137 $114,827 $1,952,057 $9,513,243 $11,535,922
15. Detroit $70,572 13/2,315 $34,795 $452,331 $2,307,818 $2,428,379

EAST Region (Boston)

Team Avg Salary per Head Coach Participants/  Undergrads Operating Expenses         per Participant Game-Day Expenses Total Expenses Total     Revenue
1. Syracuse $261,016 18/13,224 $55,111 $991,993 $7,532,455 $19,017,231
16. UNC Asheville $44,110 16/3,107 $11,112 $177,785 $760,777 $1,102,666
8. Kansas St. $590,460 16/16,941 $64,515 $1,032,244 $4,971,590 $7,563,285
9. Southern Miss $245,658 15/11,016 $22,901 $343,521 $1,806,789 $1,806,789
5. Vanderbilt $959,572 16/6,813 $67,053 $1,072,851 $7,411,745 $8,732,026
12. Harvard $95,999 14/6,909 $13,272 $185,803 $989,106 $989,106
4. Wisconsin $444,800 17/27,374 $83,789 $1,424,407 $6,394,547 $16,353,313
13. Montana $122,205 14/10,965 $26,209 $366,926 $1,499,077 $1,212,593
6. Cincinnati $128,175 16/18,628 $110,671 $1,770,729 $4,916,719 $5,943,205
11. Texas $1,380,268 14/35,267 $153,771 $2,152,790 $8,195,360 $16,437,705
3. Florida St. $731,723 16/28,006 $108,985 $1,743,757 $5,959,659 $5,959,659
14. St. Bonaventure $63,856 14/1,919 $17,460 $244,440 $1,592,420 $1,905,562
7. Gonzaga $157,216 16/4,661 $57,657 $922,507 $5,344,461 $6,128,191
10. West Virginia $514,406 17/20,809 $93,678 $1,592,518 $5,333,891 $7,968,819
2. Ohio State $488,098 12/38,300 $160,622 $1,927,465 $5,251,724 $17,020,807
15. Loyola (MD) $74,424 15/3,745 $15,882 $238,223 $1,707,214 $1,707,214

SOUTH Region (Atlanta)

Team Avg Salary per Head Coach Participants/  Undergrads Operating Expenses per Participant Game-Day Expenses Total   Expenses Total   Revenue
1. Kentucky $861,419 13/18,216 $217,634 $2,829,245 $12,355,375 $18,557,243
16. Mississippi Valley $40,453 15/1,973 $18,434 $276,515 $682,468 $682,468
16. W. Kentucky $148,924 13,890 $27,262 $381,664 $2,463,934 $2,463,934
8. Iowa State $475,500 16/21,674 $60,082 $961,315 $4,616,643 $6,587,115
9. UConn $600,849 22/16,496 $118,369 $2,604,114 $8,341,406 $7,924,225
5. Wichita ST $277,716 17/8,017 $51,539 $876,168 $3,798,648 $5,157,481
12. VCU $200,412 14/19,219 $27,263 $381,680 $3,221,519 $3,221,519
4. Indiana $405,149 16/30,888 $94,739 $1,515,816 $7,945,102 $17,804,586
13.New Mexico St. $155,803 14/12,619 $60,790 $851,063 $2,281,193 $2,281,193
6. UNLV $263,027 16/16,443 $47,765 $764,238 $3,806,508 $10,123,168
11. Colorado $356,768 15/24,014 $77,197 $1,157,951 $4,250,474 $4,386,631
3. Baylor $828,342 13/12,188 $81,654 $1,061,503 $5,923,372 $5,923,372
14. South Dakota St. $55,412 12/8,841 $26,443 $317,316 $756,437 $756,437
7. Notre Dame $237,561 13/8,411 $99,973 $1,299,651 $4,420,406 $3,977,728
10. Xavier $96,288 16/3,827 $83,047 $1,328,751 $3,929,624 $11,205,384
2. Duke $738,645 13/6,538 $179,945 $2,339,291 $13,819,529 $28,917,329
15. Lehigh $61,567 17/4,712 $9,748 $165,712 $1,188,018 $1,188,018

Ultimately, the question remains, “can money alone predict the next national champion?” Sports fans, good luck with your picks.

Good Night Sports Fans, 

Alana


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Pat Summitt’s Winning Ways Continue At Tennessee

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For 38 seasons and counting, Patricia “Pat” Head Summitt has been at the reigns of the University of Tennessee’s Women’s Basketball team.

Summitt was named the 16th head coach when she was just 22 years old, and only slightly older than the players on her team.

Since 1974 she has remained an institutional legacy in Knoxville, and after announcing in August 2011 that she’s courageously battling early onset dementia her reach is broadening beyond sports.

In the early days, Summitt earned $8,900 annually and operated the team on a “shoe string” budget. Back then the games weren’t televised; there wasn’t a generous booster club or 300,000 loyal fans breaking attendance records each season. Instead, Summitt washed player uniforms, drove the team to games, and was determined to build a tradition.

Gradually Summitt built the program into a women’s basketball powerhouse. She has won a record eight NCAA National Championships, and last night brought home a 16th SEC Tournament Championship. Not to mention Summitt stands as the all-time winningest college coach in NCAA basketball history with 1,095 games.

In the 2010-2011 Equity in Athletics data from the U.S. Department of Education, the total expenses for the 14-participant women’s basketball team was$ 5,892,060 ($76,243 per participant), and its total revenues were $4,958,365. While the 18-participant men’s basketball team $13,785,893 earnings surpassed the women’s team, its $6,863,233 expenses ($75,781 per participant) were comparable; thus demonstrating that Summitt has succeeded in establishing gender equity at Tennessee.

No coach has demonstrated a bigger influence on women’s basketball than Summitt.

74 coaches in the professional, collegiate, and high school levels have trained under Summitt. This figure includes 46 former players, 16 former graduate assistants, six assistant coaches, three basketball operations directors, and three managers.

And her players have been inspiring girls and boys to follow their dreams for decades. 44 Lady Vols have played professionally, including Candace Parker, Tamika Catchings, and Ashley Robinson who are among the 11 Lady Vols that played during the 2011 WNBA season.

What’s even more remarkable about Summitt is that her reach goes far beyond Knoxville.

Just look at me. I met Summitt for the first and only time during the summer of 1994 at her annual basketball camp. The coaching staff that summer was a women’s basketball “who’s who” ­- Nikki Caldwell, Holly Warlick, Mickie DeMoss, Carolyn Peck, and Nikki McCray.

In a quiet moment between drills, I asked Summitt what someone like me could do in order to get recognized by college coaches. Summitt smiled and shared her advice as if I was one of her players; that summer with Summitt and the Lady Vols sparked my love of basketball.

There are countless other girls, boys, men, and women who are also diehard women’s basketball fans; and someway somehow Summitt’s influence on the game has impacted them.

No one  knows how long Summitt will be on the bench instilling her values of hard work, and preparation; her “million dollar” contract expires in 2014. But we all know it will be Summitt and only Summitt who decides when it’s time to walk away.

Good Night Sports Fans, 

Alana 

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How Billy Hunter Brought Labor Peace To The NBA Players Association

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Did you follow the 2011 NBA lockout and feel like you were witnessing a brutal chess match? What moves would the league make and how would players counter?

Once the lockout ended and both sides held their ceremonial press conference I still wanted to learn more; what really happened during the second longest labor battle in NBA history?

Earlier this month I had the unique opportunity to hear answers to everyone’s burning questions while listening to the NBA Players Association Executive Director, G. William “Billy” Hunter, address the Mount Morris Community Association in Harlem, New York.

In the intimate setting of the Harlem Branch Public Library’s auditorium, Hunter talked candidly about his life as a collegiate and professional athlete, career as an attorney, and his role as the leader of the NBAPA.

Here’s what Hunter had to say…

The Early Years

Hunter has been leading athletes since his college football days at Syracuse University at a time when he acknowledges it was “important for athletes to stand up and make a statement.”

Going into his junior year, the team was scheduled to play southern schools that had segregated seating in their stadiums. He initiated a petition stating that the players refused to play unless the seating was integrated. Not only did he convince his teammates and student-athletes from other sports to sign the petition, but his efforts garnered the attention of the Syracuse administration. Once it was determined that he was an influential athlete, he was elevated to team captain for his remaining two seasons.

Following his collegiate career, he entered the NFL as a free agent earning $20,000 per season. After stints with the Washington Redskins, Baltimore Colts, and Miami Dolphins, Hunter earned his Juris Doctor degree from Howard University.

Hunter’s legal career has included serving as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s office, Chief-Assistant in the San Francisco District Attorney’s office, and an appointment as United States Attorney for the Northern District of California. There’s no question that Hunter’s tenure as an athlete and federal prosecutor prepared him for the day that the NBAPA came calling in 1996.

The NBAPA and Collective Bargaining Agreements

During Hunter’s 16 years at the helm of the NBPA, he has negotiated three collective bargaining agreements. The first in 1998 where there was a seven-month lockout, the second in 2005, and the most recent in 2011 that ended after a five-month labor battle.

Hunter notes, “Of the three collective bargaining deals that were negotiated, this was the most difficult, most stressful and taxing.” And he added that a lot of it has to do with being a victim of his own success.

Under the previous CBA the players were receiving 57% of Basketball Related Income, which Hunter explained is not 57% of every dollar that the league earns. He clarified that the players were not getting the gross, which was widely reported. Instead $600 million is deducted off the top for expense related revenues and then there is a split after that.

Hunter explained that the league was demanding that the players roll back from 57% to 39%. This reduction would mean $950 million cut per season. And according to Hunter, “There was no way we would take a $950 million cut.”

Hunter added that the deal they ended up cutting, even though they rolled back six percentage points, because of the growth and the revenues are much larger the players are now getting a smaller percentage of a larger pot.

“Under the last deal the players’ salaries grew collectively at about $65-70 million per year and under the current deal the salaries will still grow at about $100 million per year collectively. The idea is that by the sixth year of this deal the average salary should be up around $7 million where it’s currently at $5.6 – 5.7 million.”

The 2011 Lockout and its Critics

When asked about the criticism that he faced during the lockout, Hunter stated, “There’s no question that I took a lot of hits. There aren’t many blacks in leadership positions especially in sports. I don’t expect it to be easy and nobody ever told me that it would be. Fortunate enough for me the kind of experience I’ve had prepared me for this.”

He went on to say, “In my case it’s all about doing the job and it’s not about me; that’s the problem when you get too far in front and it becomes you then you have a problem. I think the players know with me it’s all about the relationship with the players; they know, trust and respect me. That’s why we were able to do what we did.”

“I’m sure the owner’s didn’t appreciate the stance that I took and a lot of people didn’t think I would do the things that I did. I think as the deal goes on it will turn out to be a lot better than people portray,” said Hunter.

Disclaiming Union Interest and Attorney David Boies

Hunter explained that up until 1995 you didn’t have to dissolve a union in order to sue an employer in federal court and assert antitrust rights. In 1995, it was ruled that unions had to decertify and you couldn’t be a union and sue. Once you decertify then the question is recertification; if it works and convinces the owners to come to the table – great, but if it doesn’t you’re in trouble.

“We are being pressured to decertify in July and I am saying no way we haven’t negotiated to the impasse so we are going to continue to negotiate,” he said.

Hunter shared that the agents were saying the only leverage that he had was decertification, which meant to dissolve the union. They thought there’s no way that the players could withstand and hang as long as the owners because the owners’ wealth and sooner or later they would break the players.

“We knew that another issue to get over was ‘sham decertification.’ You just can’t decertify because you’re trying to leverage management, and if you’re doing it for that purpose it is illegal and the court will look through it.”

Hunter and the players opted for federal mediation, which didn’t work; and they filed an action before the National Labor Relations Board, but the matter was held up while federal appointments were still being made.

Eventually, Commissioner Stern issued the take it or leave ultimatum and that meant the negotiations were over. Hunter explained that rather than decertifying they disclaimed, because decertifying means that your union is barred by law from reconstituting for at least 12 months.

Hunter admits that he surprised everyone when he brought in attorney David Boise, and many were wondering how he did that.

Hunter told the story of meeting with a legal colleague who he hadn’t seen in years and offered to call Boies to see if he was available and interested to join the civil case. Hunter acknowledged that he thought of Boise, but he knew that he most recently represented the NFL owners during their civil litigation.

After a series of secret meetings, Hunter recalls Boies saying that he had been following the labor situation and he thought it was unfair situation, they have all of the weapons and you need me to help level the playing field. “When Boies came into the case it made a difference,” added Hunter.

The Next Chapter

Hunter stated that he has never given any thought to his legacy as the NBAPA executive director; he said that he always focuses on real time.

Good Night Sports Fans, 

Alana 

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A Linderella Story – Jeremy Lin Shines On The NBA’s Brightest Stage

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If you haven’t heard by now, there’s a NBA newcomer who is shining on one of the biggest stages in professional sports – Madison Square Garden. Jermey Lin, a product of Palo Alto and Harvard University, has taken the NBA and the New York Knicks by storm. He’s an undrafted free agent who had stints with the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and the NBA’s Developmental League.

How did he get to New York? Well it’s quite simple. The Knicks had limited backcourt options options and Lin seized his golden opportunity.

Whether it’s Lin-sane, Lin-sanity or Lin-credible there’s no denying that this is a truly amazing feel-good underdog story.

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For Super Bowl Owners, More Than One Way To Win

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Do you remember Super Bowl XLII?

It was the most-watched Super Bowl in NFL history. More than 91 million viewers tuned in to see if Tom Brady and the New England Patriots could complete a perfect season by defeating Eli Manning and the New York Giants. The Giants entered the game as a 12 point underdog and won three road games in order to advance to the Super Bowl.

Ultimately, the Giants won the Super Bowl XLII on a pass from Manning to Plaxico Burress with less than one minute to go. The victory brought joy to Giants fans who last celebrated a championship in 1991 (Super Bowl XXV). As for Patriots fans, there’s no doubt that the loss still stings today.

Fast forward to 2012, the Giants and Patriots survived the NFL lockout and they are back in the Super Bowl to face each other in a much anticipated rematch.

Super Bowl XLVI is the clash of the owner titans. Kraft vs. Mara and Tisch – Winner Takes All.

Here’s the Tale of the Tape…

Mara and Tisch Families

If you had the chance to invest $500 ($6165 inflation adjustment) in a risky business and after 87 years of blood, sweat, and tears it would be worth $1.3 billion, would you do it? Yes, of course. That’s the story of the Tim Mara and the New York Giants.

In 1925, he took a chance and purchased the team when football operated in the shadow of other sports, and the United States was on the verge of its first economic meltdown: The Great Depression.

Mara probably had no idea that his investment would grow exponentially, and today his grandson, John Mara, is fulfilling the family legacy by serving as the President and CEO of the franchise. He’s joined by co-owners, Jonathan Tisch and Steve Tisch, who stepped into the Treasure and Chairman & Executive Vice President roles respectively in 2005 (Their father Preston Robert Tisch purchased 50% of the team in 1991).

The Giants have the second-longest tenured family in the NFL, and they have won one Super Bowl under the current Mara and Tisch ownership team. Together they constructed the $1.4 billion MetLife Stadium and weathered the “seat license” storm; groomed a QB who is no longer known as “Peyton’s little brother”; stood by their head coach countless times when fans wanted him out; and worked long hours to ensure that football would be played this season.

Robert Kraft

How do you become a sports legend without stepping foot on the field? Figure out how to turn a bad team into a good one, and save it from being moved out of town.

When Robert Kraft purchased the Patriots in 1994, he paid a record $172 million. What was once a brave business move, has transformed into a sound business investment as the team is now valued at $1.4 billion.

Since buying the Patriots, Kraft built a 68,756 capacity stadium with a $325 million price tag; hired one of the smartest and toughest coaches in the league; advanced to five Super Bowls and won three (2002, 2004, 2005); signed a 199th draft  QB who turned out to ; and helped end the 4 ½ month lockout with class and integrity.

And The Winner Is…

It’s estimated that the NFL is a $10 billion-a-year business, and 110 million viewers will watch the game on Sunday. Just looking at those numbers alone, it’s clear that both owners will certainly win this weekend. However, we all know that professional sports isn’t just about business, there are glorious wins and defeating losses. The battle will be settled on the field Super Bowl Sunday.

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The New England Patriots and SI Jinx?

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This week New England Patriots owner, Robert Kraft, is featured as the cover story for sports illustrated. (Last week Tom Brady, Patriots QB, was on the cover with the headline Rematch.)  

Peter King, wrote a great piece about Kraft and his bold leadership, which transformed the Patriots from the laughingstock of the league into a model franchise.

Generally, I’m not superstitious but you can’t deny the fact that after gracing the cover of sports illustrated many athletes and teams have fallen victim to the SI Jinx.

We all know that the Patriots are one of hardest working franchises in the NFL (if not all of professional sports), and they deserve the cover story and all of the accolades that come with it. Here’s hoping that the SI Jinx doesn’t spoil Super Bowl XLVI for the Patriots.

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