Results tagged “Pro” from Robert Littal Presents The Infamous BlackSportsOnline

I can't believe that I'm actually writing about the WNBA. But it's also the first time they've ever been newsworthy.

The WNBA's Phoenix Mercury have decided to replace their team name on their jersey in favor of the team's official sponsor, LifeLock. LifeLock paid $1 million for the right to turn some of basketball's least watched players into moving billboards for identity theft protection. WNBA President Donna Orender called this "an innovation." Because it's not like we haven't seen rampant advertising in America before.

Just like that, some are predicting this to be the next trend for American pro sports. I think that's getting a little ahead of ourselves. The fact of the matter is, more people would watch the D-League over the WNBA if it had a TV deal. The NHL has a greater national profile than the WNBA and the NHL are airing their playoffs on Versus. Everyone knows that the WNBA is in financial trouble and has been since it came out, and will probably continue to be until women start dunking on the regular.

OK, so we have the Pro Bowl Rosters out now. As always there are some people who got snubbed and some who had no business making the team this year. I for one am happy that Dan Snyder's 'vote early, vote often' trick didn't work. As a Skins fan I would have been embarassed if we had eleven or twelve starters from a soon to be 7-9 team. (Yes, I've given up on the season. I'm getting fitted for my paper bag to wear over my head as I type this.) But anyway, what are the biggest outrages, and the best calls? Let's see:

Good Call: NFC Wide Receivers

They got all the right guys here: Steve Smith and Roddy White in addition to starters Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. I don't see how anyone can make an argument for anyone else. TO is having an off year, and may be finally starting to decline. Santana Moss is good, but not dominant like the four winners. Calvin Johnson has some numbers, but is the king of the meaningless touchdown catch in Detroit.

Outrage: Wes Welker

Look, I'm not a Wes Welker hater or anything; he's a good player and is great at he does. But what he does isn't Pro Bowl worthy. The man catches a boatload of 10 yard passes in the slot because opposing defenses are focusing on Randy Moss. Basically, he does what Art Monk was accused of doing by all the Hall of Fame voters over all those years (yes, I'm still salty over that). There are a lot of receivers out there who cold rack up similar numbers playing that exact same role. If Welker had to make his living going downfield he'd be out of job. Or look at it this way: Welker is the kind of they guy the Eagles would sign to be their number one receiver. That should tell you all you need to know. Who should have gone in his place? How about the guy who makes it possible for him to get his numbers, Randy Moss?

Clearly, after watching the festivities associated with the NBA All-Star game, it's a unanimous decision in my opinion. The NBA has the best All-Star weekend. It's three days of activities showcasing the NBA's best. The skills of its ballers, the gift of giving and the hottest parties. Retired and active players, celebrities and fans, converge to the host city to bask in the NBA's glory. They're all there donating time and money to charities and lending their names to sponsored parties, which contributes significant dollars to the host city. How's this for sportsmanship. The nominated players show up, injured and all. Kobe Bryant who is a fan favorite and injured, started the game. Why, because it's their league, their job, and that is how you represent. The NFL and it's players should take note.

The Pro Bowl and the events surrounding the game need an upgrade. How about moving the Pro Bowl to the middle of the season, giving each team that week off? For those that argue that football is physically demanding and the risk of injury to great. Remove a game from the preseason schedule. It's not like the starters play an entire game. Besides, the players don't get serious about winning the Pro Bowl until the 4th quarter, when the money is on the line. Prior to, its an offensive showdown = highlights and fun.

As for the festivities. How about televising a game between retired AFC and NFC players? What about a skills competition for the different positions? There's a plethora of opportunities for the NFL to showcase its players, all the while giving back to its fans.

The only constant is change and the time for change is now.