June Jones contract dispute a sad situation

This is definitely a way to show the youngsters how important a signed document is.

The $400,008 contract disupute continues between June Jones and the University of Hawaii, with mediator Clyde Matsui intervening to help try to find a solution to keep both sides from arbitration.

How did all of this start? June Jones left Hawaii for SMU, violating his contract, which meant that leaving before the end of the contract would result in his repayment of half of his salary, the afore mentioned $400,008. It was supposed to be paid within 60 days, which would've meant March 7th, 2008.

As you can tell, that money wasn't paid. Jones and former AD Herman Frazier had a verbal agreement exchanged via e-mail, but according to the contract, the agreement to nullify the money issue must be done via writing and signed by both parties, and that wasn't done.

It all comes back to Herman Frazier, doesn't it? In all seriousness, I can understand why June would be a little upset after Herman's email, but at the same time, a contract is a contract. You signed it, so now you must abide by it. Whether your agent, Leigh Steinberg, or you yourself didn't see the fine print doesn't matter at this point. Time to step up and fulfill this obligation.

No need to rush back, Tiger

I think the golf world is doing just fine without Tiger Woods. Just look at what has happened since he has gone down. Phil Mickelson survived a terrible start to the 18th hole this weekend to win the latest PGA Tour Stop, meanwhile Sergio Garcia finally decided to show up and win The Players.

Now, Tiger Woods may be back soon. According to the Associated Press...

"The knee's doing better," said Woods, who had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee April 15. "The rehab is boring. It gets really old riding that bike, man. But everything's on schedule. Just been training and trying to get this thing organized for the Open, and it's right on schedule for that."

A lot of people have been quick to write off the game of golf without Woods, but look at who has carried the torch since. Young star Boo Weekley and great golfer Adam Scott.

The St. Jude and Memorial are still to come before the U.S. Open, but for those that think Tiger couldn't come back soon enough, you obviously haven't been watching.



Thanks to EA Sports!

Jason Taylor's Ego Too Big For Himself

I feel bad for the Miami Dolphins. They have had a bad couple of years. Only one win this past year, a brand new regime coming in, and the realistic expectation that as long as the Bellichick dynasty continues in New England, the Miami Dolphins will NEVER win a division crown.

With that all understood, it gets worse now with their best player saying he won't be attending training camp, among other team events. Their two best players appear to be out before this coming season. Zach Thomas is now with the Cowboys, and Taylor may either retire or ask to be traded.

This is all on Taylor. Apparently, his ego has gone through the roof since being a part of "Dancing With The Stars." For example, go to youtube.com. The first bunch of videos are from him on the hit show, not of him on the football field. I think that has gone to his head. In fact, take some of the quotes he has made:

"I know what the reaction's going to be: Oh, he's the leader of that team, and he needs to be there," Taylor wrote. "But, see, there're different types of leadership in sports. There're guys that can talk all the time, and try to lead by saying: 'Oh, this is what we need to do, let's go, rah, rah rah.' They're rah-rah guys.

"And then they're guys, like me, who lead by example. And people are saying now, 'Your example should be being there working out with the team.' Well, at the end of the day, I will show up and I will do anything I need to do, and I will be the best football player I can be."

Some leader by example, huh? I'll lead, as soon as I'm ready to. Yeah, whatever. And more...

"Yes, there's a new defense to learn," Taylor wrote. "But we've had a lot of coaches the last five years, and I've learned all those defenses. We'll make it work, trust me. We're not reinventing the wheel here."

Come on. Every coach has certain wrinkles to their defenses. Even Jason Taylor should realize that. Bogus.

Maybe it is time for Miami to get rid of this "distraction." Just like the Cincinnati Bengals should get rid of Chad Johnson, it's the same thing here with Taylor. Get rid of the monstrous ego. Now's the time to completely re-build the team.

Oh, in case you don't know what makes Jason Taylor famous now...



Thanks to DanceWTS1

NFL Labor Deal Issue A Matter of Greed

The NFL Owners decided today to opt out of the current labor deal, which could lead to, among other things, a possible lockout in three years. They feel that the rookie pool salary is too high, labor costs are high and rising, and getting money back from players who don't perform or cause problems is too hard to do.

The rookie salary issue is huge. Take this comment from ESPN.com

Giving some rookie more money than veteran is an insane practice. I would be upset if a new hire was paid more than me to do the same job I've been doing for years.

Jake Long is getting paid more for not even taking a snap than any other offensive lineman on his team who's worked hard and given up a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. It's not right.

Everything else is straight up greed. The owners are unhappy that the players get 60 percent of all revenue, and they get only 40. They will make sure that that part gets buried behind the headlines, but it's the truth. The greed between the two unions, and the fact that they always fight for what is good for themselves, not for the game, is sickening.

And guess who's money is tangled in all of this? You buy NFL Sunday Ticket? What about the jerseys and hats? Yea, people are being greedy over your money.

Odell Thurman Saga Disappointing

Both the Cincinnati Bengals and Odell Thurman were going for thhe same goal...cleaning up their negative image. The Bengals were pretty much known as the "Jail Cats" for their players' numerous offenses with the law. Thurman had just been re-instated after missing two years for a substance abuse violation.

Now, the Bengals are shooting themselves in the foot. The Cats released Odell Thurman "due to a dispute over the amount of time Thurman was away from the team dealing with a family matter," a team spokesman said. Thurman had taken a leave of absence due to his grandmother falling seriously ill, and later passing away. He had been away for a few weeks to be by her side, and when he was about to leave his family's side to go back to the team, they let him know that he was no longer a Cincinnati Bengal.

This is a touchy issue, because it deals with a death of a family member and the rights of a team. The team has the right to tell you when you have to come back to work, while dealing with the death and severe illness of a loved one is a tough burden to bear. It's hard to work in that sort of situation. Some people would say that work is a good cure to those trying times that ail you, but in this case, the organization is being a little unfair.

I feel bad for Thurman. He is trying to do the right thing. It's unfortunate that the leash was short on him to begin with, due to the past suspension, but we are 3 1/2 months away from the regular season. The Bengals could've cut him a little more slack.

Too bad this is what the Bengals will be missing out on:



Thanks to whodey9857

Greed overcomes the NFL again

The NFL Owners are talking about opting out of the labor agreement they are in with the players association. According to Chris Mortensen of ESPN.com:

One management source called it a "high likelihood" that the owners will exercise their option to terminate the agreement, which will trigger a number of alternatives, including a potential work stoppage by 2011. Another source said "be prepared" for the action, although it was "not a 100 percent proposition yet."

This could mean salary cap-less play in 2010, and the lack of a system for the following NFL draft. Unrestricted free-agency would change as well around that time frame.

What is the most important entity in the NFL? It's not the owners, and it isn't the players. It's us, the fans. Our money, attention, and want for the NFL product has led to the NFL being the most popular sports league in the country. We've supported them through allegations of steroids and lots of greed from players.

Yet, the greed continues. They both have it good on each side of the aisle. But, how are they going to get the message to show them that what they are doing is hurting the fans and the game?

When we stop spending money on them.

Oh, and because we spend money on the NFL, this is what we get:



Thanks to
Fantasy Sports Girl!

Time to be creative with flying to sporting events

The Honolulu Advertiser came out with a story on the airline problems that face the Athletic Department at UH Manoa, and I'm sure the athletic departments of every athletic program in the country.

From the Honolulu Advertiser:

"Charter costs are just unbelievable now for us," Donovan said. "It is getting to be stratospheric."

For example, Donovan said the Warriors paid $85,000 to charter to San Jose, Calif. for last year's game with the Spartans and $125,000 to Idaho for the game with the Vandals, but have been quoted a $319,000 fare for Fresno State this year.

This is not meant to be-little what us average joes are going through with the rising costs of flying, because most of us don't have the money that the UH Athletic Department is dealing with. But, let's look at this from a sports perspective. Do we want competitive teams on the Division I level? Rising airline costs can jeapordize that. Look at the UH-Hilo baseball team. The lone DI program in a DII school, will go down to Division II next year, as rising costs to travel and play big named teams are beginning to be too much.

There have been rumblings that if the UH can't bring in enough revenue to sustain itself on the DI level (because DI is all about money), that they may eventually have to make the step down to DII. They are already at a disadvantage compared to every other top tier team in the country. It's expensive to fly there, and expensive to fly outta there. Most big name teams will think twice about going there after this year, and Hawaii may think twice about making flights to Florida.

Let's give Jim Donovan, the new Athletic Director, a lot of credit. He is trying to be creative and cut costs. Mixing commercial with charter flights, albeit not the most star-studded way to fly, is the plan for this coming year. If you have to save money by going on commercial flights, you've gotta do it, even though the players may have to fly coach with the "normal people."

People have suggested the UH get their own charter plane / jet. Seriously? Stop it...UH doesn't want to, and shouldn't have to, pay for a pilot, gas, and plane. Not under a budget that is expected to be $1.5 Million in debt.

For now, and ALL athletic departments need to look closer into this, it's especially important to go after those corporate sponsorships and agreements. No other way to get what you need without strong support from the business community. Who knows what they could provide?

It's all about making the effort now to put all of your resources together to find the most cost-efficient way to get where you need to go. Good luck.