1
Who would have thunk it?
Bud Selig might actually go down in history as a more effective commissioner than David Stern.
Tuesday’s announcement that major league baseball and its players union have reached an agreement to keep labor peace through 2016 makes Selig look like a smarter leader in the moment. Selig has now overseen three successful labor negotiations in a sport where work stoppages had become the norm.
Including testing for HGH, limitations on chewing tobacco, and changes intended to level the economic playing field between large and small market clubs shows that baseball owners and players understand that they must earn the loyalty of their customers.
That is something that seems to be lost in the NBA mess.
2
Congrats to Mike Golub.
The Portland Timbers chief operating officer was named the winner of Major League Soccer’s Doug Hamilton Executive of the Year.
Golub oversaw the startup of Portland’s MLS business, including the stadium upgrade. He led a sales team that sold out all 17 league home games. Already, the Timbers have sold out of season tickets for next season.
Certainly, the region’s strong soccer tradition and the lack of other pro sports to compete with contributed to the Timbers quick popularity. But the buzz would not have happened if the club’s business crew was disorganized and its marketing uninspired — a fact the league recognized by handing six of its 15 club and executive awards to the Timbers organization.
3
Need a little sunshine on Black Friday?
Might we suggest a hockey game.
The Portland Winterhawks on Friday will play an afternoon game at the Veterans Memorial Coliseum. In doing so, they will shed some unique light on an entertaining team.
That’s because the curtains will be open, allowing daylight into the arena bowl. It’s the best of both worlds: the uniqueness of an outdoor setting without exposure to the elements.
And it sounds to us a lot more fun than fighting over cut-priced socks.
