The truly Golden Bear
So the Saudis golf league is dealing from unlimited resources apparently.
How deep are their oil pockets? Well, they offered Jack Nicklaus $100 million to be the CEO and operate the LIV league that is trying to lure top players and challenge the other golf bodies, including the PGA Tour.
Yes, $100 million.
And Nicklaus said nyet.
And yes, I know Nicklaus reportedly has a net worth north of three times that number, but man, I'm not sure I could refuse any offer that pays nine figures.
Still, the PGA Tour owes Nicklaus a big 'Thank You' card for declining the offer, because if Nicklaus was running the LIV, it would be far more credible and far more dangerous.
Even with Phil Mickelson's remarks, imagine if Nicklaus was running the LIV and if Tiger had said yes?
Ultimatum
So after internal boycotts and external pressure following its relationship with superstar comedian Dave Chappelle, Netflix has had its fill.
Especially from staff members.Ted Sarandos, CEO of the streaming giant, sent an email to employees that basically said if you are easily offended you should probably leave the company now.
"Depending on your role, you may need to work on titles you perceive to be harmful," the memo read according to "Variety." "If you'd find it hard to support our content breadth, Netflix may not be the best place for you."
As it should be, especially for media and production companies that offer a wide variety of content.
Take the TFP. Do Clay Bennettt and I see eye-to-eye? You know we don't, but there is an audience for each of us and we have our fans and our detractors.
I, for one, appreciate the differences offered, and in that regard, also appreciate Sarandos' email, which also added, "While every title is different, we approach them based on the same set of principles: We support the artistic expression of the creators we choose to work with; we program for a diversity of audiences and tastes; and we let viewers decide what's appropriate for them, versus having Netflix censor specific artists or voices."
Saban speaks
So, stop me if you've heard this before, but NIL is controversial and creates divided opinions.
It also reveals an undeniable hypocrisy on several levels of college athletics.
There's the divide between the haves and the have nots, but that divide is as old as Naismith's peach baskets.
But the miopic double-standard held by the coaches never ceases to stun me.
Case in point, the best in the business - now, then, ever - Nick Saban took to the Paul Finebaum Show on Monday and discussed the internal mechanisms in how his program handles the relatively new opportunities of NIL.
"I think the reason I made that statement was if we're going to promise players that we're going to create Name Image and Likeness, it's going to create problems in the locker room unless everybody gets the same thing - which is the model we're going to have." Saban told Finebaum. "As coaches, the way I feel about it is we're there to create a platform for our players to be successful and you create value for their future. Whether you develop a career off the field or whether they have a chance to go to the NFL someday and have a great career there."
Saban's big picture view has always been about making his players better. It's at the core of his record-setting success on almost every level.
It helps his recruiting because players know they have a legit chance to play on Sundays if they can get on the field in Tuscaloosa. It helps him win naturally. It helps him keep players like Will Anderson an extra year.
But it also reveals how Saban and the rest of the coaches at best are offering, "Do what I say not what I do," in terms of compensation and at extremes are akin to the Russian leaders of a bastardized communism for the lower classes while they reap huge windfalls.
Because if Saban is so sure that the players' NIL and the differences in compensation will create problems in the locker room, then why are all the men on the Alabama staff not paid the same to eliminate any issues in the coaches' room?
Why are the NFL wages not uniform?
And maybe it's just lip service because reports from SEC media days last year had Bryce Young making $1 million, and it's hard to believe every member of the Alabama roster getting that much too. (Side note: USA Today reported earlier this spring that with a recent NIL deal with a T-town car dealership, Young's NIL value is roughly $2 million.)
This and that
- Hey, comments are back. Yippee!
- Speaking of Nicklaus, here's his thoughts on the Mickelson hubbub according to the Fire Pit Collective: "My advice for Phil would be to be patient. The world is a very forgiving place. But he's the one - he has to decide where he wants to play and what he wants to do."
- Speaking of Phil, here's a review of the unauthorized biography of Micekslon by Alan Shipnuck, which will assuredly be on my summer reading list.
- Wowser, so at 73 years young, Ric Flair has announced his July 31 match will be his last.
- Man, the Yankees are legit. They have won 21 of their last 25 friends and are 26-9.
- You know the rules. Here's Paschall with a UT football schedule update.
Today's questions
True or false, it's Tuesday. Morning Ern.
True or false, you missed the comments.
True or false, Ric Flair is best pro wrestler of all time.
True or false, you would have turned down $100 million offer to run the LIV.
True or false, you are watching the NBA playoffs.
True or false, Phil Mickelson will watch the PGA Championship this weekend.
You know the drill. Answer some T or Fs, ask some T or Fs. And now you can do it in the comments.
As for today, May 17, let's review.
In 1972, 24 merchants formed a little thing called the New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street on this day.
Does Wall Street make the 'streets' Rushmore? Go and be creative.