Courtside Post

by Andres Romay

Most of us can agree that Manny Pacquiao is one of the worlds best pound for pound fighters. He proved it again a few weeks ago when he took on and beat Joshua Cottley taking his record to an impressive 51-3-2. Now he is going to take on a challenge that has defeated him before. Congress.

by Andres Romay

Last month I wrote about the possibility of the NCAA Tournament expanding. The rumors were circulating; they were being covered in almost every publication, on many sports radio programs, and especially on TV. That was the beginning of February! And now, that the first few days of the tournament have provide more excitement than we have seen in years, these rumors are flying around again. This time with a little more than just hopes and wishful thinking.

by Andres Romay

Last Thursday marked a national holiday for most men, the start of the NCAA Men’s basketball tournament. March Madness entices us to partake in office pools, to pretend for a few minutes that we are analysts who really know these teams and the outcomes. And to sit and watch the action as it unfolds.

by Andres Romay

Today, at 7:30 EST, we were given the opportunity to watch Tiger in his first interview since November. ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi was given 5 minutes at Isleworth to fire any and all questions at Tiger. The interview was an opportunity for Rinaldi to ask the questions that we the public feel that we have a right to ask, and that we want to know. True to form, when asked about the accident and why he lost control of the car, he responded that it was a matter that was between his wife Elin, and himself. I personally was astonished to see the level of culpability that Tiger placed on himself when he answered some of Rinaldi’s tough questions:

by Andres Romay

A few weeks ago Chad Ochocinco told FSN’s Jay Glazer that Terrell Owens would be his teammate for this upcoming season. And today, that possibility gets one step closer as T.O. is set to meet with Cincinnati’s top brass. The question is, is there enough room in Cincy for both of those egos? Lets take a quick look at what we have seen in the past, and speculate on what we may see in the future if this actually happens.

by Andres Romay

BUZZ It seems to be an annual tradition for someone in the media to trouble themselves for saying something stupid. I would love to find an eloquent way to hide my feelings, but in all honesty, I won’t. Some comments are not only racist, but insensitive and really should never be a part of television broadcasts. I know that sometimes things are said in jest that could be misconstrued by certain parties, but if something is that much in the grey area, why not just keep your mouth shut.

by Andres Romay

SPORTS BIZ When you think of sports apparel, Nike and Reebok are usually the first names that come to mind. So there I was watching the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, and I didn’t see a stitch of Nike draped over the American Athletes. Instead, it was Polo Ralph Lauren. This marked the second straight Olympic Games that Ralph Lauren has become the American Athletes Official Outfitter for the American Olympic and Para-Olympic teams. This means that they will not only outfit the athletes for both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, but also with recreational cloths to be worn around the Olympic Village. For the Opening Ceremonies, we saw the American athletes wearing a classic turtleneck, the navy and red down jacket, and how can I forget the wool cap covered with the moose images along side the American Flag.

by Andres Romay

BUZZ In yet another issue of an athlete and domestic abuse charge, former Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield is now joining the club. Earlier this month Candi Holyfield, his third wife, filed an Order of Protection against Holyfield, citing multiple instances: An episode in 2008 when Evander allegedly choked Candi in front of their daughter and the housekeeper, and another instance in 2009 where he hit her. So far these are the pieces of the story that most agree on, however it was the last set of events that have created several stories, but the outcome is still the same, a temporary order of protection that forces him to stay at least 500 hundred yards from his wife and their two children at all times.

by Andres Romay

SPORTS BIZ The NCAA is a membership-led, non-profit association of colleges and universities committed to supporting academic and athletic opportunities for more than 400,000 student-athletes at more than 1,000 member colleges and universities. Each year, more than 54,000 student-athletes compete in NCAA championships in Division I, II and III sports. In order to participate, these students adhere to very strict amateurism guidelines, and if violated can not only hurt the student athlete but the college or university they attend. Every year we hear about the one or two athletes who have violated these rules, gained from their name, from their abilities and from the prospects of going pro.

by Andres Romay

Last week at Torrey Pines, things looked off. The tournament that has been known as the Buick Invitational was now the Farmers Insurance Open. Tiger Woods, winner of three of the last four was missing, and Phil Mickelson had an antique wedge in his bag. The news of the weekend should have been the victory by Ben Crane who hadn’t won since the 2005 season, but instead the weekend’s event was marred by slander and bickering between Scott McCarron and the beloved “Lefty.”