What’s the buzz from the world of sports? Here are some items that will have people talking:
1
The playoffs started Sunday.
That would be the NASCAR “playoffs.” Did you notice?
OK, OK, this is Greg Biffle country. So, sure, some of you noticed. But most throughout the nation did not. The race was on a Sunday. In September. Against the NFL.
Dumb.
NASCAR should take our advice and change its schedule.
Call it The Columbian Plan.
Move “The Chase” races to midweek. A Tuesday or Wednesday night. ESPN would jump on this. A 90-minute pre-race show. A night race. Prime time in the East.
Critics of this plan might say that NASCAR fans would not travel on the weekdays and there would be fewer fans at the tracks than there would be for weekend dates. However, in eight of the 10 Chase races, the track being used was already used in the “regular season,” during a weekend date. So while there might be fewer fans at the track, NASCAR would make so much more in TV money, with no competition from football.
The only Chase sites that are not second-time-around tracks are the Chicago race and the Miami race. We think Chicago would still support a NASCAR race, no matter what day. That’s a huge market. And the race in Miami is the final race of the year. The championship is determined. People will come. Plus, it’s Miami. Those folks already had two Daytona races in the regular season, just four or five hours north of them.
We could see ESPN taking the first eight or so races of the Chase, then Fox or NBC jumping in for the final two races. Tuesday Night Racing. Live TV. Guaranteed sporting audience. Advertising gold.
Or, we can just keep it the same way and the sport will never grow. Because on Sunday, only the hard-core fans are watching the Chase.
2
Just read what ESPN reports is the signed affidavit from Gregg Williams, former New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator, regarding the bounty case.
If this document is real, if what Williams is saying is true, it would be difficult to believe any of the Saints defensive players did not know there was a pay-for-play system. Even if some players did not participate in the system, they had to have known about the system.
This case has been so bizarre.
Coaches suspended. Players suspended. Then players get suspensions overturned, at least temporarily. Players demanding they are innocent.
And now, this affidavit.
We’re not sure what to believe.
But if Williams is telling the truth, we know none of the defensive players can claim ignorance.
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