Jul 292024
 

New York Times – Roger Cohen – Olympic Ceremony Put a Changing France on Full Display

Phil has a question:

What about the Canadian singer from the former French colony of Quebec.

Immigrant Song


New York Times  – David Chen – In Oregon, a Bid for Urban Casinos Threatens a Gambling ‘Arms Race’


TSN – Mitchell helps Tiger-Cats blitz winless Elks

Phil has a question:

Now that the Captain fired the “Elks” Coach and GM and nothing improved when will the Captain get fired.

How many more seasons does the CFL have.

We’re Going To Be Friends

The Ringer – Miren Fader – Brittney Griner Came Home. Her Journey to Rediscover Herself on and off the Court Was Only Beginning.

Sports Business Journal – Bret McCormick – Duke unveils ‘Devils Deck’ at Wallace Wade Stadium

Study Finds – Sports fans are paying sky-high prices to watch their teams win


With so much money at stake, companies often prioritize the parts of their games that use microtransactions. That incentive is a significant shift from sports games of the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the emphasis was on improving gameplay and graphics to produce the most realistic simulations possible.

New York Times – Calum Marsh – When Sports Games Feel Like Casinos, Players Rarely Win

The Pusher

Phil has a question:

Why do we regulate gambling when money can be won (seldomly), but don’t regulate gambling where it costs money to play and all you win is a virtual loot box.


Maybe they’ve just got bigger hearts in Edmonton than every other NHL city. Maybe they see the fragility of the human spirit and understand the need for forgiveness and second chances.

Or maybe they just want to win, knowing all is forgiven in sports when you win.

Toronto Star – Damien Cox – The Oilers’ hiring of Stan Bowman is the City of Champions becoming the city of second chances again

ESPN – Stan Bowman, after Blackhawks scandal, hired as GM of Oilers

Phil has a question:

While Bowman was learning about making the game of hockey more inclusive did he also learn about managing the salary cap.

How many hockey fans think that Bowman and Quenneville’s failure to act was justified in their pursuit of Lord Stanley’s cup.

Did the Oilers make this hire just to give the trolls more to troll about during the dog days of summer.

The Dog Days Are Over

What Britain needs is an iron lady.

Margaret Thatcher

GoodGoodGood – Bob Newhart has passed at 94. To honor his legacy, his family asked for donations to his ‘favorite charity’

You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet

I don’t like country music, but I don’t mean to denigrate those who do. And for the people who like country music, denigrate means ‘put down’.

Bob Newhart

I think it was Jack Benny who once said, “A comic says funny things, but a comedian says things funny.” I guess I’d fall into that latter grouping.

Bob Newhart

GoodGoodGood – Duck stamps have raised $1.2 billion for conservation since 1934 — and this year’s design is cuter than ever

Born On The Bayou

Don’t get confused between my personality and my attitude… my personality is who I am, and my attitude depends on who you are.

Donald Duck

I have PMA—Positive Mental Attitude. I am positive, I am mental, and I know I have attitude.

Daffy Duck

Paulick Report – HIWU: Suspended Joseph Taylor Attempted To Blame Positives On ‘Tampering’


Front Office Sports – Michael McCarthy – Without Hard-Line Bans, Pro Athletes and Personnel Will Keep Betting on Sports


Canada’s National Observer – Marc Fawcett-Atkinson – Feds look to limit farmers’ ancient practice of saving seed

The United States is a nation of laws: badly written and randomly enforced.

Frank Zappa


GoodGoodGood – Grizzly bear baby boom in Yellowstone triples cub count in national park

It’s good to be curious about many things.

Mr. Rogers

Phil has a question:

When I cut someone off in traffic and they give me the lane, do I get an assist for helping them perform one act of kindness.

This is why, watching all this nutrition programming, I often find myself wondering if their aims would be better accomplished by simple cooking shows. Turn on a cooking show, and you probably will not be scolded or patronized by people who know little of your struggles or the loves, memories and traditions you have forged around food. Turn on a cooking show, and you will see the pursuit and the practice of pleasure itself — say, the ways mushrooms can muster intense savoriness or roasted vegetables can be as satisfying as anything that bleeds. You will see new ways to love food. And that, if you’re lucky, may point the way toward a healthier way to live.

New York Times – Nicholas Cannariato – Why Do So Many Food Documentaries Seem to Think We’re Stupid?

Phil has an answer:

Because most people are stupid.

Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.

Albert Einstein

You can’t legislate against stupidity.

Jesse Ventura

Simple ingredients prepared in a simple way – that’s the best way to take your everyday cooking to a higher level. 

Jose Andres

New York Times – Cybelle Tondu – Tomatoes Vinaigrette

Garden and Gun – You Say Tomato, We Say Delicious Recipes

Just when you’re beginning to think pretty well of people, you run across somebody who puts sugar on sliced tomatoes. 

Will Cuppy

SportsNet – AP – Uruguay players fight with Colombia fans after Copa America semifinal

Phil has a question:

Where was the security in the stadium.

Is it easier to climb stairs in cleats than in skates.

I’m not well-read, but when I read, I read well. 

Kurt Cobain


Front Office Sports – Dennis Young – Salt Lake City Takes Key Step to Handing NBA, NHL Owner Ryan Smith $900 Million

Phil has a question:

How many millions of Alberta dollars flow to Brigham Young University in Utah every year.

Sports Illustrated – Patrick Andres – Ex-Coyotes Owner Alex Meruelo Formally Relinquishes Rights to Team

“He wasn’t paying bills,” says one former team employee who spoke to Front Office Sports on condition of anonymity. “He can deny it all he wants, but that stuff is true. His reputation was horrible. No one wanted to work with him. He didn’t treat employees very well and he was just a cheap ass. That was the reality of the situation.”

Front Office Sports – A.J. Perez – The Dysfunctional Family Affair That Poisoned Arizona Coyotes

Anvil Chorus

Sometimes Phil just gotta succumb to the Urge.

Phil has a question:

Did Meruelo learn his business skills at Trump University.


Los Angeles Times – Bill Plaschke – Column: Lakers’ decision to draft Bronny James is a costly move toward chaos

Phil has a question:

How stupid was the Lakers management to not get Lebron locked in before they drafted his under-talented son.

SportsNet – Michael Buffer, Flyers select Jett Luchanko No. 13 in 2024 NHL Draft


Canadian Gaming Business – Tom Nightingale – Minister Dale Nally discusses Alberta’s gaming path

SBC America – Jessica Welman – Alberta will open up regulated online gaming market

Canadian Gaming Business – Tom Nightingale – Alberta Minister confirms province will follow Ontario iGaming model

CTV News – Chelan Skulski – Sports betting: Alberta looking at Ontario’s privatized model

Phil has a question:

Where does betting on horse racing fit into this model.

Will Clark Kent and the Undertaker gazing out a window get horse race betting included in the new Alberta model.

Phil has a suggestion:

When gaming is privatized how about 1 machine in each VLT establishment that takes wagers from all the online operators and allows cash deposits and withdrawals on the spot.

Phil has a question:

What about bricks n mortar sports-books at casinos and RECs.


The Score – Joseph Casciaro – Lay off Bronny: Criticism of NBA’s 55th pick is uncalled for

The Ringer – Howard Beck – Is The NBA’s Second Apron Preventing a Mess or Creating One?

ESPN – Jury rules NFL violated antitrust laws in ‘Sunday Ticket’ case

The Ringer – Kevin O’Connor – 2024 NBA Draft Grades

Front Office Sports – Margaret Fleming – Unusual NBA Draft Starts With French Teenager Again

The Ringer – Michael Pina – Did the Knicks Just Get Fleeced on the Most Expensive Reunion Ever?

Bloodhorse – Frank Angst – What’s Going On Here: No Going Back

Front Office Sports Eric Fisher and A.J. Perez – NHL Faces a Reset After Meruelo’s Missteps and Coyotes Collapse

“We understand the delay in an auction is a disappointment for our applicant and members ofthe public, but the change in timing is the prudent decision for the Trust,” the land department said. “ASLD remains open to working with our applicant to bring the land forward to auction in the future if a special use permit is received.”

Front Office Sports – A.J. Perez – Arizona Cancels Auction For Land Coyotes Owner Sought For New Team

Hockey Feed – Jonathan Larivee – Former NHL player destroys Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo.

Phil has a question:

Does anyone think that Meruelo’s going to spend time and MONEY applying for a special use permit when he can take the NHL’s money and run.

How much profit did Meruelo make when he was running the Coyotes into the ground.

Anvil Chorus

Sometimes Phil just gotta succumb to the Urge.

Paulick Report – Chelsea Hackbarth – Militarization Of Texas Racing Commission? Horsemen Express Major Concern Over Budget Proposal

SBC Americas – Tom Nightingale – 1/ST, Tabcorp and partners unite to create new global racing and betting hub

Bloodhorse – Byron King – Balance Between CAW, Retail Market Sought in California


Bloodhorse – Amplify Horse Racing – Annise Montplaisir – Connecting Youth to Thoroughbred Racing

Paulick Report – Montplaisir: Connecting Youth To The Joy Of Thoroughbred Racing


TDN – Purses and Breeders’ Incentives in Alberta Get a Boost

Paulick Report – Horse Racing Alberta Increases Purse Allocation, Breed Improvement Program Funding

I would my horse had the speed of your tongue.

William Shakespeare


Blame Brett

You can’t grow long-term if you can’t eat short-term. Anybody can manage short. Anybody can manage long. Balancing those two things is what management is. 

Jack Welch

Sports Illustrated – Chris Mannix – JJ Redick Won’t Help the Lakers Win a Title Even if He’s a Great Coach

The team with the best players wins.

Jack Welch

Thoroughbred Racing Commentary – Jay Hovdey – ‘Horses never kid … they always tell the truth’ – when legendary filmmaker Fred Zinnemann tried his hand at racing

The Athletic – Richard Deitsch – For Charles Barkley, save this prediction: He loves this too much to retire


The Ringer – Bryan Curtis – JJ Redick’s Media Studies

ESPN – Adrian Wojnarowski – Sources: Lakers hiring JJ Redick to four-year deal to coach team

You Can’t Always Get What You Want

Sometimes Phil just gotta succumb to the Urge.

Sports Illustrated – Mike McDaniel – Jeanie Buss Was ‘Genuinely Disappointed’ Lakers Failed to Land Dan Hurley

The Ringer – Danny Chau – Who’s Taking the Bigger Risk: JJ Redick or the Lakers?

The team with the best players wins.

Jack Welch

The Adversary

Several players have said they consider Mazzulla “crazy,” but his tactics didn’t bother them. They seemed to love them. For as much as the key Celtics players had accomplished earlier in their careers, they needed someone to push them past their previous limits.

The Athletic – Jay King – How Joe Mazzulla molded the Celtics in his image to lead them to an NBA title

Lunatic Fringe


SportsNet – How Armstrong’s work with Indigenous youth honours her legendary grandfather

Phil has a question:

If George was playing today could you call him Chief.

The Hockey News – Sammi Silber – Why Did Capitals Buy CapFriendly? New Report Offers More Insight & Explanation For Why Site Can’t Remain Public

Phil has a question:

Did the Capitals trade for Pierre Luc Dubois to see how the buy-out function works on their new toy.

Sports Business Journal – Report: Boyd Gaming shows interest in Penn Entertainment acquisition

Front Office Sports – Margaret Fleming – Monty Williams Is Out of a Job, but He’ll Get $65 Million in Severance

The team with the best players wins.

Jack Welch


The Ringer – Michael Weinreb – Willie Mays Brought Us Together by Being Himself

The Ringer – Rany Jazayerli – Willie Mays Was the Greatest Baseball Player Who Ever Lived

Sports Business Journal – Baseball legend Willie Mays dies at age 93

Sports Illustrated – Tom Verducci – Willie Mays Brought Unrivaled Style to America’s Stuffy Pastime

Centrefield


Sports Business Journal – Joe Lemire – Rickwood Field: Field of Forgotten — And Renewed — Dreams


Southern Living – Meghan Overdeep – Charles Barkley Announces Retirement From Broadcasting

ESPN – Charles Barkley says he’s retiring from TV after 2024-25

Front Office Sports – Edgar Walker – Charles Barkley Announces Retirement From Television

Phil has a question:

How will Charles survive without being in the limelight.

It is also hard to see Barkley go because — what is he going to do? The man is a talker. He cuts through because he is the same on the air as he is off and treats his former best friend Michael Jordan just as he would you or I. That is the secret sauce of Barkley — there is sincerity without a filter. He will seemingly talk whenever to whomever and whatever.

Just last month, on ESPN Cleveland, he said he was open for business to talk about other offers. Now, he says he has changed his mind.

Maybe Barkley goes, but he is still going to be talking. Hard to see why he wouldn’t want to continue to make some more millions.

The Athletic – Andrew Marchand – Charles Barkley says he’s retiring, but this story doesn’t feel over

River Deep Mountain High

If all our agents would abridge their speeches one half, I am satisfied the effect produced would be much greater. The ‘art of leaving off’ at the right time, and in the right place, is one of the most difficult things to learn. 

William Lloyd Garrison

Nowhere Special

Nevermore.

The Raven

Comfortably Numb

The importance that our society attaches to sport is incredible. After all, is football a game or a religion? The people of this country have allowed sports to get completely out of hand.

Howard Cosell


The Ringer – Lex Pryor – The Lakers Shot for the Stars and Landed in a Black Hole

The Ringer – Howard Beck – Jerry West and the Burden of Being the Logo

Esquire – Jason Diamond – The Lost Art of Buying a Round for the Bar


Times-Union – John R. Velazquez – Commentary: Horse racing industry is working hard to improve safety — and it’s succeeding


Paulick Report – Erin O’Keefe: From Our Mims to Mims Eppi, How Long Can The Thoroughbred Industry Survive Itself?


The Ringer – Seerat Sohi – The Tao of Joe Mazzulla

If they think we’ve got an edge, we’ve got an edge.

Red Auerbach

SportsNet – Luke Fox – Q&A: Oilers ‘secret weapon’ George Mumford on McDavid, Jordan

Little Lion Man

Sometimes Phil just has to succumb to the Urge.

Front Office Sports – Amanda Christovich – The Many Beneficiaries of Dan Hurley’s UConn Career Crisis


Phil M Stockmen

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