NFL is smart
The irony was not lost on me when I heard the NFL was partnering with the XFL.
Sure, the news gives the XFL a fighting chance to survive this time. And yes, the financial details – as well as the legal cover in any future potential anti-trust deals – are assuredly very pro-NFL in this arrangement. The association is simply smart.
The NFL can use the XFL to explore potential rule changes.
NFL liaison: “Hey XFL guys, do away with kickoffs and try that funky on-side kick option where a team tries to convert a fourth-and-12 from their own 30 to get the ball back.”
XFL board of directors (in unison): “Sir, yes sir.”
The NFL can use the XFL to explore potential technology changes.
NFL liaison: “Hey XFL guys, you know the chip in the ball and the laser gridded field that fat-faced fella in Chattanooga has been clamoring about for years, let’s make that happen.”
XFL board of directors (in unison): “Sir, yes sir.”
The NFL can use the XFL to explore safety changes.
NFL liaison: “Hey XFL guys, let’s give this shock-sensor in the helmet a try and see if this can potentially reduce the number of and even possibly limit the impact of concussions.”
XFL board of directors (in unison): “Sir, yes sir.”
You get the idea.
But the ironic part for me makes the deal – and the timing – even more pronounced.
While the complete mess that is Major League Baseball is mired in labor discussions that include potentially cutting back even further interactions with training leagues and partners, the NFL is looking to expand in that area.
Hmmmmmm, if recent history is any sort of guide, do you think the NFL or the MLB is on the right track in this discussion?
Scoring the settlement
So the U.S. women’s soccer team settled for $24 million from the U.S. Soccer Federation in their six-year legal fight for equal pay.
Was it a win? Depends on who you ask, I suppose.
It was roughly a third of what they asked for, but it is something and comes with a promise from USSF to offer matching compensation between the men and the women.
To her credit, this is what Megan Rapinoe had to say about the decision: “For our generation, knowing that we’re going to leave the game in an exponentially better place than when we found it is everything,” 36-year-old midfielder Megan Rapinoe said during a telephone interview with The Associated Press. “That’s what it’s all about because, to be honest, there is no justice in all of this if we don’t make sure it never happens again.”
That’s cool and noble and forward-looking.
And that last part is key, and in this case seems to be fair since the USWNT is a) more successful physically on the pitch than their male counterparts, and b) close to as successful fiscally on the American stage.
Comparably, I’m all for female tennis players getting the same pay for competing to win the same major tournament championships at Wimbledon and Roland Garros. That seems fair.
But should WNBA players be getting what NBA players get? Should the LPGA purses match the PGA purses?
Because the interest and the income is not equal on the front end of those endeavors, so should the paychecks be equal too?
Five games?
So, we talked some about Juwan Howard on Monday.
He was suspended for the final five games of the regular season on Monday evening.
I assuredly stand by my belief that the national media is bending over backward for one reason or another to treat Howard with kid gloves.
Should we add his powers at Michigan and the Big Ten to that list, too? Howard was suspended for the final five games of the regular season.
So five games becomes the standard, I suppose.
Which, of course, begs the question of what if he hit another player? What if he hit a referee? What if he hit a fan?
And, heck, five games is actually the punishment the former Fab Fiver got for being a – cue “Raising Arizona” – REEE-peat OOOO-fender (it’s the second altercation for Howard in a year, remember) that was ignited and initiated by a head is worth five games? Alrighty, then.
And while we’re here, here’s today’s expanded A2 column from some found-faced fella on Howard and the absolute absurdity of the notion that Dickie V and several other ESPN chatter boxes offered about doing away with the handshake line. What a complete farce.
How about we address and confront and fix the problem rather than try to address a tangental side item in the ordeal.
In a bigger sense, doing away with the handshake line – and any pretense of postgame sportsmanship – is such a 2022 American reaction, who wants to bet against it? Forget addressing the problem or fixing the problem, let’s find an excuse or a tangential blame agent rather than confronting the real issue and demanding that issue – and the offender – be changed.
This and that
– You know the rules. Here’s Paschall on UT losing its first assistant of the offseason as receivers coach Kodi Burns heads to the NFL. Good for him, and I believe this: Kodi Burns could be a dude who has the HC title – be it in big-time college or above – at some point in his future. Sharp dude who came out of high school as a QB everyone wanted and when that didn’t work at Auburn, he switched positions to get on the field and has become a top-flight offensive assistant.
– You know the rules. Here’s TFP college basketball brainiac Mark Wiedmer on the SEC’s chances of having a crowded crew headed to the dance. (Side note: Selection Sunday is less than three weeks off. Wowser.) Weeds rightly suggests the SEC could get seven bids if everything fell right. I think the number will be six – Auburn, UK, UT, Arkansas, Alabama and Florida – and that LSU will get a strong offer from the NIT.
– Wowser, the avalanche of backlash that Phil Mickelson is getting is only picking up steam. Here’s more from Billy Horschel, who said several times that Mickelson lied in multiple quotes and called him “idiotic.”
Today’s question
True or false, it’s Tuesday.
True or false, Juwan Howard got off light.
True or false, you watched the debate between the Republican candidates for Hamilton County mayor.
True or false, the SEC will get seven teams into the tournament.
True or false, the settlement was a win for the U.S. women’s soccer team.
You know the drill, answer some T or Fs, leave some T or Fs.
As for today, it’s 2/22/22 – on a Twosday, no less.
Rushmore of ‘two’ in famous quotes. Go.