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Today is the one year anniversary of my Achilles Tendon injury. I played competitive sports for years, and I never suffered anything other than a few bumps and bruises. Finally, one day I decided to play a little pick-up basketball and then I heard the unthinkable – a pop in the back of my foot.

After swelling and three doctor’s visits later I found out that my pick-up bball days were done (at least for awhile) and I would need surgery. The first surgeon that I met with was just that – a surgeon. I left his office even more scared than when I entered. After that day I decided that I could find a surgeon who was talented and had a the kindness that I needed. Then I met Arthur Manoli.

Dr. Manoli and his staff guided me through the process and treated me and my family with patience and kindness. Later I found out that Dr. Manoli is a world renowned surgeon who performs surgeries on professional NBA athletes.

Once I had my surgery, I spent three weeks off of my feet. During this time I was encouraged by my sister to productively use my time off. I took her suggestion to heart and started blogging for Forbes.com. Well from there my entire world took off and I consciously decided that the injury would be the best thing that ever happened to me…and it was!

Since then I’ve written 18 stories for Forbes. Covered the WNBA All-Star Game, WNBA Playoffs, and WNBA Finals. Interviewed the WNBA President and three owners.

And while I was off of my feet, I learned that I’m truly blessed (health insurance is awesome) and my family/community really care about me.

Long story short, my entire world took off and I am such a better person for it!

Here’s my foot journey from beginning to end! … Continue reading →

Wow! The tournament just started and I am ready to rip up my bracket.

Biggest upset? #13 Morehead State taking down Rick Pitino and the #4 Louisville Cardinals. Just in case you missed it…here is the play that busted my bracket. Gotta love the Madness!!!

There are only 4 hours remaining in 2010! This year has gone by sooooo fast. I still can’t believe that I managed to get this blog up and rolling. Believe me this was NOT on my 2010 to do list. But I have to say I am so happy that I started www.iwanttobeanowner.com. I have to admit I am still a rookie blogger, and I am still trying to figure out how to get more traffic to this site. In the meantime I am going to enjoy this accomplishment and wait ’til next year (tomorrow) to figure out my 2011 game plan.

But before I go…here’s a quick look down memory lane of some 2010′s hottest sports headlines.

1. LeBron’s “The Decision” (need I say more)
2. 2010 Olympics in Vancover – Canada wins the gold on its home ice
3. Who Dat Nation wins the Super Bowl – Drew Brees becomes a Saint (jk)
4. Butler Bulldogs almost won the 2010 NCAA National Championship in the Hooiser state (oh so close)
5. UConn women’s basketball team sets a 90 game win streak record – Surpasses John Wooden’s UCLA team (please don’t compare Geno and John – two different coaches and two different eras)
6. Giants win the pennant
7. LA Lakers win the title (again), and Celtics lose it in the end
8. Michael Vick returns to the NFL in MVP form
9. Natalie Randolph becomes the first female to coach a high school football team - I want to see more barriers broken in 2011
10. Brett Favre gets exposed (not in a good way) – Is this the end of the road?
11. Jamaican Dogsled team completes the Alaskan Iditarod
12. Tiger Woods gets exposed (again, not in a good way) – Will Tiger return to the glory days in 2011?
13. Cam Newton wins the Heisman (and avoids being declared ineligible) Can you say NFL superstar?
14. Nancy Lieberman becomes the first woman to be the head coach of a men’s professional sports team (next stop the NBA) 
Are we finally ready for women in NCAA football and the NFL? 
15. South Africa hosted the World Cup – I can’t wait until Africa hosts the Olympics!
16. I Want to Be An Owner is launched! — And the Dream of professional sports ownership continues in 2011!!!

Goodbye 2010! Thanks for the memories!

Good Night Sports Fans & Happy New Year!

Alana

Finally, the day has come that I am taking my blog live. It has been a labor of love the past several months. For those of you that don’t know I am on a quest to become an owner of a professional sports franchise (See My Story in About Alana for the background details). I would love to be an owner in the NBA, WNBA, NFL, or MLB. Essentially, I want to combine my entrepreneurial spirit along with my love of sports. I decided that until I reach my goal I will blog about it. This blog will allow me to keep my goal and dream alive. As long as www.iwanttobeanowner.com is live, my dream will stay alive right along with it.

Also, I really enjoy talking about sports, and I think I have a unique perspective that others will enjoy reading about. I plan to blog about current events - especially as it relates to ownership/management. I did a little a blog research before starting mine and I found that there are plenty of sites out there that discuss the athletes, but I have yet to come across any sites that specifically digest sports ownership. I will discuss decisions that owners have made, should make, or will make. And I will add my two cents by describing what I would do or would have done if I was in their position. I also hope to have a few interviews here and there featuring current owners or front-office management (My interview wish list will be coming soon).  Last but not least, some of the best blogs out there have reader participation. So please leave comments and tell me what you think – there’s no me without you.

A couple of more things before I go…I want to thank several special people that made this blog possible. My family has been very supportive along the way – especially Ed, my big bro. When I first told him that I wanted to blog about sports ownership he gave me the two thumbs up. While I hoped that he would ghost write it for me, for those of you that don’t know he’s an amazing writer. He did, however, suggest the title. I have to admit I wasn’t sold on it at first. But after watching a television interview featuring Bob Beaudine, Sports & Entertainment Search Executive and author of The Power of Who, it became clear to me that this was the perfect title. I realized that I shouldn’t feel the need to disguise what I want, sugar coat it, or hope that others will get what I am trying to say without me really saying it. Ask for what you want! In the end this was the one and only title to select.

Another special thank you goes to my web designer Nicki from In the Designs. Nicki is an up-and-coming designer and is extremely talented. Her prices are very reasonable and the finish product is amazing. I am soooo glad that I decided to hire In the Designs to put this all together.

So without further ado I present to you….. I Want To Be An Owner.

Game time!

Alana