Nike slices golf equipment
The Swoosh was no match for the big boys in the golf world, at least when it comes to equipment.
This is an interesting turn of events for a monolithic company that has dominated its landscape since the early days when Michael Jordan took flight in Chicago. Here are a few clear connections and fairly reasonable assumptions, no?
First, Nike booked all its golf equipment street creed on being like Tiger. It worked swimmingly for Jordan and the shoes and it was a reasonable gamble, considering Tiger was the next transcendent megastar after MJ. That ignored two huge factors: One, golfers are amazingly loyal, be it superstition or confidence or whatever. Guys who play Titleist gear are going to play Titleist gear, no matter who swings what or who putts which ball. Secondly, Tiger's ability was almost too superhuman, especially when guys like Mickelson were saying things like, "Imagine what he could do if he wasn't using inferior equipment."
Secondly, this obviously answers the star-power comparison between Tiger and Nike's next nine-figure poster star, Rory McIlroy. With Tiger Nike made money; without Tiger, Nike made the decision to fold the operation entirely.
Third, maybe this is the first real message that Under Armour is starting to make a dent in the impenetrable Nike outer armor.
Think of it this way, Under Armour has arguably the three biggest 'young' stars in sports in this country under contract with Cam Newton, Jordan Spieth and Steph Curry.
In 11 years, UA has grown 2,000 percent in value and had a a 31-percent growth in revenue over last year, according to this story.
Before Nike could absorb the losses of a line or a brand because it dominated roughly 85 percent of the market on all shoes and apparel. Under Armour is changing that.
LSU running back Leonard Fournette (7) rushes past Texas Tech defensive back Keenon Ward (15) during the second half of the Texas Bowl NCAA football game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Houston. LSU won 56-27. (AP Photo/Bob Levey)College football countdown
We are four weeks from today for the season to start in earnest on a busy Thursday in which Tennessee and UTC open with what should be kill-shots.
So, each Thursday from now to then, when we will toss out another year of the Fab 4 picks, we'll toss out a college football list of our own making.
Speaking of the picks, last year we finished 72-49 against the spread, including the bowl season. That's a smudge better than 59 percent. This will be the sixth season we've offered our picks, which are for entertainment purposes only of course, and we are 364-241-6 which is a touch better than 60 percent all-time. (Side note for context: If you had placed 100 entertainment vouchers on every pick we have published here over the last five years you would be up 9,860 entertainment vouchers over that period. Hey, an extra $1,900 a fall is a pretty nice start to your Christmas shopping, no?)
Today, let's trot out a top five of what could be the most interesting, season-long Heisman dance in recent memory:
Deshaun Watson, Clemson. A do-it-all quarterback that Alabama players and coach Nick Saban compares favorably to Cam Newton.
Leonard Fournette, LSU. The most complete back in recent memory in terms of size and speed, Fournette has it all.
Christian McCaffrey, Stanford. Universally skilled out of the backfield, at receiver and as a kick returner.
Baker Mayfield, Oklahoma. A big-time-playmaking quarterback on a preseason top-five team; that normally equates to a surefire Heisman run.
Dalvin Cook, FSU. An explosive athlete who in most years would be a favorite but this year - because of the names ahead of him - could be lucky to get invited to NYC.
FILE - In this March 22, 2016, file photo, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) dunks during an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets in Oklahoma City. Westbrook is no longer sharing the NBA marquee in Oklahoma City after the Thunder lost much of their identity when free agent Kevin Durant chose to join the Golden State Warriors on Monday, July 4, 2016. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki, File) Westbrook signs extension
Russell Westbrook just agreed to a monster, three-year max extension with the OKC Thunder.
Good for him. Very good for the team, which would have been forced to deal him if the extension was not reached because a franchise can't lose two of the top five players in the league for nothing in a 12-month span.
And very, Very, VERY good for Sam Presti, the OKC GM who has managed to acquire some pieces and has a strong nucleus with a bona fide alpha dog in Westbrook around which to maneuver.
Are the Thunder as good as they were last year with Kevin Durant? No. But they are closer than many realize and light years ahead of what the franchise would look like if it lost Durant and Westbrook.
Speaking of Westbrook, here are three lists we expect him to be near the top or on top of next year: 1) NBA scoring average. We'd take Westbrook vs. the field all things considered; 2) NBA MVP race. Let him get 30-plus triple doubles and watch the national media fawn; 3) Jersey sales. The Thunder fans are a loyal and intense bunch, and with all of the folks who need to replace their "Durant 35" jersey with a "Westbrook 0" one will be staggering. (That said, the Golden State "Durant 35" jersey will also be near the top, too.)
Speaking of Durant, there are now about eight-to-10 NBA regular-season games that we'll make appointment TV in the upcoming season.
Both Golden State-Cleveland games are obviously on the list. Here's a vote for the three Durant-vs.-Westbrook match-ups, especially Durant's return to Oklahoma City. Dwyane Wade's return to Miami with the Bulls makes the list, and potentially Derrick Rose going back to Chicago. Thoughts?
Sadly, take the emotional returns and the big five - Cleveland, Golden State, San Antonio, L.A. Clippers and maybe OKC, depending on how the new pieces fit - out of the mix, there's not much else. We'll follow along with Ben Simmons in Philly, too. And maybe the occasional Minnestoa game because of the pieces they have acquired, including Andrew Wiggins, who almost pulled of a 720 dunk. OK, maybe a random Dallas game because, well, Dirk has a special place for us. But that's about it. Cue the Navin R. Johnson, "All I need is this Thermos" clip.
This and that
- You may want to call it a coincidence, but we know better. That today is #IPAday and #ElectionDay has to be connected in some way shape and form.
- In what will be the move that either galvanizes the Auburn football team or will lead to his ousting, Gus Malzahn dismissed starting tailback Jovon Robinson before the Tigers started camp. It's a stark change of course for Malzahn, who has allowed talented but troubled stars such as Michael Dyer and Duke Williams multiple chances in previous years. And make no mistake, Robinson was going to be a MON-ster piece of the Auburn puzzle.
- This seemed like a very interesting view, that some how, despite being a rotten human being, Chris Berman is the last one standing from the ESPN NFL Countdown crew.
- Braves won Wednesday to move within a 1-and-a-billion chance of making the playoffs. So you're saying there's a chance.
- In what is a fairly normal Olympic occurrence, the Games started before the actual Opening ceremonies, which are slated for Friday. The women's soccer matches have started, and the U.S. team opened with a win over the Kiwis. (Are the Mangos up next?) Also of note, the crowd booed Hope Solo with gusto. Maybe they thought she's married to Han Solo's son who stabbed Han (spoiler alert) in the most recent Star Wars?
- Here's TFP ace sports columnist Mark Wiedmer on UTC opening practice. Good stuff there.
Today's question
We have two folks celebrating birthdays today, and yes they are in opposite ends of the world in importance.
The POTUS - Barack Obama - turns 55 today. So there's that. The other is Billy Bob Thornton, who is 61 today and captured our attention in an amazing debut in "Slingblade" 20 years ago. (Yes, it really has been 20 years ago, as it was released Aug. 30, 1996. Crazy, no?)
Billy Bob also played Gary Gaines in "Friday Night Lights" the football movie based on Buzz Bissinger's classic novel of the 1988 Permian Panthers and Morris Buttermaker in the remake of the "Bad News Bears" which was based on the original movie of the same name which was based on basically every youth baseball organization in the free world.
For the most part any way.
So, in honor of Billy Bob, what's your Rushmore of sports movies based on real-life events?
Go and remember the mailbag.