After Atalanta

So sometimes I can be a little judgmental. Last week when I posted on the Hunky Dorys chip company in Ireland selling chips (and sponsoring men's rugby in the process) by using poorly outfitted female models in some costumed version of a rugby kit ( may raise a few eyebrows (two of which would be mine) but would likely go largely uncommented upon. And maybe there is not an uproar in Ireland. But there is this one sport columnist for Irish Times who did a very good job assessing the situation and chiding both Hunky Dorys and his professional colleagues and people in general. [He does note that some rugby officials might be not so pleased with the campaign by one of their sponsors as it counters the less "bestial" image rugby is going for.] I also learned what camogie and hurling are--bonus! Here are some excerpts: The reason Hunky Dorys didn’t have to think twice about descending into the world of dreary single entendre with their ad campaign is that women in sport are ...

It was somewhat surprising how few under par rounds there were at this year's US Open; and that Christie Kerr feel apart on Sunday; and the way Eun He Ji calmed her nerves and pulled off that amazing birdie putt at 18 to win her first major. Not surprising was Paula Creamer bright pink Sunday outfit (is this going to be a permanent thing??) and the "resignation" of LPGA commish Carolyn Bivens. Bivens's ouster has been in the works and when a group of prominent players signed a letter after the Jamie Farr Owens Corning Classic (the last one ever because of funding/sponsor issues) a few weeks ago asking for her resignation, her fate was pretty much sealed. The LPGA will have to pony up $1 million to buy out her contract, however, which runs through 2010. In the meanwhile, the LPGA is seeking a temporary commissioner while it searches for a suitable "permanent" (because, really, what job in sport has any kind of permanence these days?) replacement. So here'...

I have been surprised at all the media attention over the jersey sponsorship of the Phoenix Mercury. USA Today's Christine Brennan comments on the sponsorship (she approves) and notes that two WPS teams already have jersey sponsorships. I'm just not quite sure what's hidden in all this discourse. It could be an issue of purity and selling out. But give me a break. Women's sports are "pure" and men's sports, which have sold every inch of stadium space to the highest bidders are somehow exempt from this criticism? Women's sports should be resisting the temptation of the almighty dollar? Wouldn't that make us--gasp--socialists? Is it a marker of success--that companies will pay for placement on women's jerseys? Or is it more the above selling out; something some may see women's sports having to do because they are "less popular" and more in need of these sponsorship dollars? Brennan correctly notes that athletes who participate in in...

New year is going to bring the first season of Women's Professional Soccer. I had almost forgotten about it what with hockey and basketball well underway and golf winding down. But there was this piece in the LA Times about US midfielder Shannon Boxx, who appears to be happier than ever and thus playing better. Boxx says that it has a lot to do with the arrival of Pia Sundhage. Not surprising given the havoc previous coach Greg Ryan wreaked (and I'm not just talking about the Hope Solo incident. Not so sure about the opening line of the Boxx profile: "Shannon Boxx isn't as scary as she looks." Always a little concerned when black people are referred to as scary. It's a little loaded. Besides it's not her looks that make her scary, it's her playing style and skills that strike fear in her opponents. A big, in my mind, distinction. Boxx is playing for the LA Sol, who, like the rest of the WPS, will be outfitted in Puma apparel, according to the Wall St...

So now that we're officially in a recession , let's talk sports! There's been rumblings here and there about how sports might be affected by the then "bad economy." The NCAA has asked schools that need to cut teams because of crunched budgets NOT to blame Title IX in the process. Some are wondering if attendance at events might be affected--probably given that the rise in costs associated with attending a sporting event have risen well above the rate of inflation. But let's talk corporate for a sec. All this bailout money to all these corporate giants has many people pissed--to say the least. What might piss you off more? If there is any tightening of belts--it isn't happening in the area of corporate sponsorship . Citibank has no plans to get out of its 20-year naming rights contract with the NY Mets. The in-big-trouble financial institution is paying the Mets $400 million so they will call the field Citi Field. And insurance company AIG continues to pay ...

Here's an excerpt from the statemen t from LPGA commissioner Carol Bivens about the now rescinded language policy: The LPGA has received valuable feedback from a variety of constituents regarding the recently announced penalties attached to our effective communications policy. We have decided to rescind those penalty provisions. After hearing the concerns, we believe there are other ways to achieve our shared objective of supporting and enhancing the business opportunities for every Tour player. In that spirit, we will continue communicating with our diverse Tour players to develop a better alternative. The LPGA will announce a revised approach, absent playing penalties, by the end of 2008. Hmmm..."valuable feedback from a variety of constituents." Carol Bivens, have you been reading my blog?? More likely State Farm called her up and said they were not too pleased to be associated with such a xenophobic, reactionary organization.

It was a weekend of tennis and golf. The French Open finished up this weekend and NBC covered it. I missed the women's final yesterday because I chose to go for a bike ride. I missed most of the men's final this morning because I had to teach spin. I did see the first few breaks in the first set. But I was quite surprised to come back home less than 2 hours later and find the match over and done with. Looks like I didn't miss much. But I was psyched that Federer and Nadal finished because with hours and hours of air time left, surely, I thought, NBC would replay the women's final between Dinara Safina and Ana Ivanovic* both vying for their first grand slam title, or at least show a few sets of doubles. After all, American Bob Bryan won the mixed. But no. They aired last year's Wimbledon final between Federer and Nadal. I already saw that one! So that was more me whining that the network didn't really fit my schedule. Though I think one could make an argument t...