Social Media and Owners; A Blessing or A Curse?

For my second blog I chose to write about owners. I figured I would write about some exciting trade or some sort of feud between an overzealous player and a head strong owner. However I found something today that I found much more interesting.  I found an article titled Malaga president Abdullah bin Nasser Al-Thani declares his side's UCL loss was because of racism.  Now this article was stated that Malaga president tweeted after the game that the only reason that his team lost was because the officials were racist (foxsports.com). He claimed that the winning goal should never have counted because the player that scored it was off sides. It was also reported that there were several mistakes that were made in the form of no calls that benefited Malaga as well. It was stated that both coaches were very critical of the officiating of the match. You could argue that since there were bad calls all around and the officiating for the match was just not very good.

This then brings me to the topic that I want to discuss. That is owners and social media. The Malaga president garnered massive attention after the loss because instead of blaming the loss on poor play he made wild accusations of racism over a social media site. This then sparked a lot of publicity and really muddied the water around the game. The popular approach that many sports owners take today is to air out a lot of the team’s dirty laundry. I know many people that say social media and things like Facebook and Twitter are a blessing for a real sports fan. However I don't buy it. I think that many owners have things like a Twitter to really help exercise their egos and it really lends nothing to the game. If anything it diminishes a lot from the game.

I bring into light one of my favorite owners in all of sports Mark Cuban. Mr. Cuban just made major headlines last week by saying that if he had the chance he would consider drafting Baylor’s star women’s basketball forward Brittany Grinner. This made many people upset because they believe that Cuban is just using that fact that she is a woman as a publicity stunt. However it would make sense for Cuban to show some kind of interest in here since she plays at Baylor and it has a very close proximity to Dallas. Many believe that since the ailing Mav’s are performing less than average this season that Cuban is using Grinner to take a little attention away from the problem at hand.  Cuban has also received multiple fines from the league for his public criticism of the officials using Twitter.

As much as I say that owners and social media are a bad thing I must also admit that there are many benefits to it as well. There are many people like my friends that love the fact that they could know every fact about certain teams. When you think about the things that people like Mark Cuban do they are kind of genius. It gives people a more personal approach to their teams. We must also look at the people like Dana White who founded the UFC. He uses Twitter to actually respond to the fans and really get into his patented feuds with high ranking people including his own fighters. The personal approach he takes many people say is a big difference for why the UFC is so successful (sportsbusinessdaliy.com).           

Works Cited

1. 1.      Fisher, Eric. "20 Great Uses of Social Media in Sports." - SportsBusiness Daily. N.p., 1 Aug. 2011. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.

2. 2.      "Malaga President Abdullah Bin Nasser Al-Thani Declares His Side's UCL Loss Was Because of Racism." Fox Sports Football. N.p., 11 Apr. 2013. Web. 11 Apr. 2013.

The Transition to the Dark Side

A city's sports team has always been something to take pride in. Something that the city uses to tell everyone else, "hey, look at us, we're pretty great!" The fans used to be able to go to the games to support their teams regularly and really feel like the park, or stadium, or field was another home to them. Fathers could take their sons to pass down the love of his favorite team. Fans used to be the foundation on which teams were built. Now, that foundation has changed for the worse. 

Now, it's money, money, and more money. Maybe throw in some political agendas and you have the behind the scenes use of a city's sports team. Owners have their own agendas, and a huge platform to flaunt them on. Owners are private citizens that make money from these teams, which is to be expected--a business is a business and a man has to feed his family. But what gives the owner the right to demand the public's money? The very wealthy owner has so much control over the city that if they don't meet his demands, he threatens to move the team to a different city. He holds the city hostage for money to fund brand new stadiums that cost millions of dollars. But the owners don't pay for it, they just reap the rewards. That money comes from the public's pocket book through taxes. Instead of fixing the railroads or filling potholes in the streets; the city has to fund the building of a stadium that really isn't even necessary.Whatever the city doesn't pay for, the owner pays for through a huge spike in ticket and food prices. It has become so expensive to attend a game. For a family of four to attend a Chicago Blackhawks game, it would cost almost $400 to get tickets off of stubhub. And that is just for the cheap seats. David Roth says in his article, 'Makers and Takers' "the community pays the bills by assenting to tax expenditures and tax breaks for team owners, or by buying tickets and t-shirts and parking spots and comically oversized foam fingers." The fans pay for the teams, but still have to suffer the high ticket prices. 

Fans have little ability to stop the owners exploitation of them and their city. David Roth says again in 'Makers and Takers', "Beyond withholding their dollars and interest, fans have little means of holding team owners accountable for their unwillingness or inability to recognize how much their respective toys mean to so many." Fans feel less and less attached to their teams and, as a majority  no longer watch every game or follow their teams every move. Gone are the days of devoted loyal fans, because gone are the days of devoted loyal owners. 

Soccer: The World's #1 Religion

  http://soccerisreligion.weebly.com/

Soccer is a sport few people know the power of.  When I say a few people, I mean America.  Soccer has transcended itself as just being a sport and has evolved into a tool of power, an influence of politics, a catalyst for emotion, and a point of pride.  Don’t believe me?

Soccer can topple governments and send nations to war (El Salvador and Honduras, in 1969). The quest for the World Cup, soccer's grail, can humiliate the powerful and make the wretched and ragged of the Earth feel like world-beaters.  It almost always makes England weep.  In remote areas of Africa, entire villages will turn out to watch the games on a battered television powered by a generator. Where there is no television, they will listen on the radio.  In the great cities and small towns of Italy, there is no need to watch the game to know when the Azzurri have scored. The horns and great explosions of cheers from every neighborhood announce the news. (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2006-06-04/news/0606040375_1_world-cup-soccer-top-two-teams)

Everywhere around the world soccer is known as much more than a sport; it’s a way of life.  Now I know what you’re thinking: you probably don’t think it’s that serious right?  How can a whole bunch of “grass fairies” kicking a ball around have so much power and influence in the world? 

Soccer is no longer just a sport but a religion. To be specific, it is a civil religion. According to author Jordi Xifra, the term "civil religion" refers to a religion that demonstrates both the moral and spiritual values of a community or modern society. It is meant to uphold the political and social culture of a people. It involves myths, symbols of popular devotion, and public rituals. In light of this, civil religion stresses identity amongst a people… (http://soccerisreligion.weebly.com/)

Soccer’s influence in the world has remained true since its start and continues to be a lifestyle and a set of belief systems as well as a great form of entertainment, opportunity to bond, and a tool for solidarity.  While other sports have their fans, soccer has its disciples.  While other sports have “special treatment” into how they were incorporated into society, soccer did the same thing through sheer determination and will.  While other sports seemingly dominate in terms of physical strength and fortitude, soccer sees the most sports injuries in a year and that’s without any bodily protection other than shin guards.  All silliness aside, soccer has become something that football or basketball or even baseball hasn’t able to replicate yet: it has become a nation’s symbol.  The nationalism behind each soccer team can be physically felt on the field, in the stands, and even through the television.  So in a way, soccer has definitely become a religion.  A religion has avid followers, a place of worship, a set of beliefs, morals, and rules, significant influential power both on the local level as well as the global level, and it has other religions that contest its very core.  Soccer has all of these attributes.

 

Internationally Known: Javier 'Chicharito' Hernández

Born to a Soccer fan based family has always made me think about the sport and how anxious, happy and excited it makes the fans feel when they watch it.  

For as long as I can remember, my family and I would sit in our living room on Sunday evenings to watch the Mexican soccer games from the Mexican Soccer Leagues. Mexican dishes, side dishes, snacks, beer and refreshing drinks, would never fail to join us. With 4 brothers as part of my family and a father who grew up playing the sport at his "rancho" one of them was bound to follow dad's footsteps. Alejandro Alejandre is the second oldest of the boys in the family. At only 18 years young and with an amazing kick, we've always had faith that he'd make it one day, the same way Chicharito's parents believed in their son, the one who started from the bottom and made it to the top, recognized worldwide through the soccer fan base. 

Born in Guadalajara, Mexico, on June 1, 1988, Javier Hernández Balcázar better known to soccer fans as Chicharito, has made a huge impact and left an unforgettable trace in the eyes of the people that have followed and loved his tactics for plays during any soccer game. The 24 year old star came from nothing and even his parents thought he'd become a nobody, but little did they know his amazing kick would take him far from Mexico and to the UK where he would eventually be a soccer player recognized and admired world wide.

Chicharito began playing the game at the age of seven when his father, a soccer player himself signed him up for a little league, ever since Chicharito showed his love for the sport and it was more than obvious that the sport loved him right back. With a professional contract signed at the age of 15, Chicharito had nothing but a bright future to look forward too. 

With a house filled of Chivas fans it was obvious that rooting for Chicharito and watching his amazing goals would be a part of our family soccer watching traditions, but when you find out that one of your favorite team members from your favorite team is relocating OUT OF THE COUNTRY and signing to a different team, is when it finally hits you.

It is definitely a blessing to be known and recognized worldwide through soccer fans, but leaving your native country to play elsewhere and not being familiar with the culture other than soccer may become somewhat difficult, although it did not seem so for Chicharito. When he got signed from Chivas to Manchester United, everyone knew that a star had grown and had finally been recognized, not just locally, but internationally.

Chicharito is the best example of a soccer player that came from nothing and opened up his doors to success through his hard work and dedication at doing what he loved best. If one person can do it, everyone else can too!

http://www.chicharito-hernandez.com

http://www.goal.com/en/people/mexico/35050/javier-chicharito-hernandez

Time for change: Soccer needs more interest in the United States.

On June 26th, 2010, I remember sitting in my buddy's basement with a thirty rack watching the tough United States tough loss to Ghana, knocking us out of the 2010 World Cup. Tim Howard allowed two goals in the back of the net. While current captain Clint Dempsey leads the team to qualify for 2014 World Cup, many of the United States citizens do not even know who he is.

While soccer in the U.S.A. has difficulties drawing fan interest into the sport, Soccer everywhere else in the world is taken to heart by their fans with pride, nationalism, and respect. If you need more information on that last statement, just go read Franklin Foer's book, How Soccer Explains the World and it will all make sense. Americans interest is the NFL, as many fans think Oakland Raiders fans are disrespectful and crazy. However, it is nothing compared to the devoted hooligans throughout Europe, such as Chelsea fans organizing one of the first English soccer hooligan crews.

Soccer in America has problems in the past drawing attention for fans. Fernando Delgado explains soccer originally failed in this country due to lack of corporate sponsors. The way soccer returned through MLS was by reinforcing the teams with immigrant players. Immigration has been key to keeping soccer a sport in the United States.

Adidas attempts to draw anti-soccer Americans' attention to the sport. The company plans to use Lionel Messi as a global icon for the sport. Adidas wants to launch a line of shoes for Messi to come out this year, hoping that the Americans that see any highlights on ESPN or games of the 2014 World Cup will see his skill and play, drawing more attention to the sport.

Messi is also providing the United States a chance to see many world stars of soccer. He is hosting a charity game in the great Soldier Field of Chicago in July. Americans can witness (if they choose to) many great world athletes of soccer.

If the United States can make it to the World Cup finals match, I feel it can draw interest of Americans to the sport of soccer. Winning the Stanley Cup worked for Chicago Blackhawks to get fans again. I love hockey, I am glad to have friends watch hockey with me again, but now I cannot even get some tickets to a game since everyone apparently loves hockey now that the hawks have won a cup recently. I think the same can go for team United States during the World Cup 2014.

If only during the World Cup 2014 gets attention from Americans for soccer, so be it, at least it gets my friends to watch soccer games with me. All I know is I will be at the bar a lot during 2014 watching matches. I just hope the bar is packed with friends and other Americans to watch the United States play.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer--next-to-try-and-sell-soccer-in-america--lionel-messi-184040363.html

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/lionel-messi-set-host-star-155600469--sow.html

picture: http://www.thisisct.net/2005/08/usa-win-1-0-over-trinidad-tobago-at_17.html

New hope for Italy in the form of Mario Balotelli

Mario Balotelli is Italy’s hottest player at the moment and may stay that way for some time if he allows himself to do so. At just 22 years old he already has had an enormous amount of pressure put on him, to those who do not know and can not know just by looking at his name, Balotelli is black. He was born to Thomas and Rose Barwuah, Ghanaian immigrants living in Palermo, Sicily at the time of Mario’s birth. At the age of 3 the Barwuah’s decided to give Mario to a foster family, the Balotelli’s and at age 18 he was able to attain Italian citizenship. Even though Mario was born in Italy he still had to apply for citizenship due to Italian law.

            Though Mario’s passport and place of birth are Italian, he can not do anything about his skin color. He is the victim of racist chants such as “there is no such thing as black Italian”, being depicted as King Kong in an Italian newspaper, and having bananas thrown at him. He is often on the front page of Italian newspapers for great play and disciplinary issues, most notably a fight during practice with former manger Roberto Mancini. Interestingly, Mario is known to do things such as give a homeless man ₤1,000 after he won ₤25,000 gambling and finding a boy who was not in school watching his former club Manchester City’s practice because he was bullied and taking the boy back to school and confronting the bullies. In my opinion, these off the field antics are not surprising for someone who was given a big paycheck and labeled a superstar at age 15. (http://theshadowleague.com/articles/racism-in-european-soccer-is-a-disease-mario-balotelli-is-the-cure).

            Italy is not alone in the racism problem but is up there in the severity of it. Problems with racism has caused FIFA and UEFA federations to put a patch on players jersey sleeves that says ‘RESPECT’ while they are playing in international competition. Balotelli is a trailblazer in the fight against racism, he is the first ever African-America to play in Italy’s Azzurri jersey and the first to score in it as well. Balotelli’s coming out party was Euro 2012 where he was the leading scorer for an Italian team that was trying make its fans forget about a terrible display during the World Cup two years prior. With the help of Balotelli, Italy made the final of the European championship only to lose to a much better and experienced Spain side.

            Italy, like most football powerhouse nations is one with fierce domestic rivalries which is where Balotelli receives much of his derogatory racial chants. Internationally, both Italian and non Italian supporters root for one team, the Azzurri. Italy coach Cesare Prandelli is looking to mold a new Italy team around Balotelli and with the success of Italy spearheaded by Balotelli I believe the cure for racism in Italy can also be spearheaded by Balotelli. He has received much support for legends of the game such as Gigi Riva who in an interview with the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport said "I think of Balotelli as a symbol of Italy's nationality and therefore he is very important. He can become a point of reference in order to eradicate the disgusting thing that is racism.” If Balotelli can continue to receive the backing of Italian football legends and can continue successfully on and off the pitch, Italy football fans will have no reason but to accept him as Italian and one day maybe accept him as one of them. (http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/1956/europe/2013/03/25/3853443/balotelli-can-be-italys-racism-cure-says-riva). 

The United States and soccer: A curious disconnection

I was born and raised in Mexico for fifteen long years of my life. As everyone knows, soccer isn't only a sport in my native country. It is a religion. You are born a soccer fan. In the year 2003, I went to see a soccer match in Texas between the United States and Bolivia. Arriving at the stadium, I was astonished at the fact that there were no crowds, cars were circulating as if nothing important was occurring, that there were no people selling flags. The day kept on as usual, traffic was flowing, television continued with normal programming. I understood that what I saw was a good symbol of the importance of soccer in the United States: the United States could play, but it wasn't of importance for the middle class citizen. After all, it was not a football game, nor basketball or baseball.

Once in the stadium, I discovered that most of the spectators were Bolivian immigrants. There were also other Latino immigrants (Mexicans, Salvadorans, etc). The result of all this was that, that afternoon in Texas, Bolivia was playing as if it were local and the United States was a visiting team in their own country. I should not have been surprised, I had in fact seen the United States play against Mexico in Los Angeles, and the environment in the field was even aggressively offensive against the United States.

More than a decade later, things have not changed. The average citizen knows who David Beckham is, but if asked who Landon Donovan is, everyone looks at you with confusion. The United States is still playing away in states like California, Texas and Florida. The National League (MLS) has been consolidated, teams have their fervent supporters, but this is because this country is so big that even a cricket league could function without trouble: there's enough immigrants to support the most exotic sports.

There is a curious disconnection between what is happening in the streets (and screens) and in the field. The United States plays better, and FIFA considers it one of the 15 best teams in the world. The last time Spain lost, which was the favorite team of the world, was against the United States. With its  usual physical deployment, the Americans have been improving, over the years, tactical discipline and tranquility when out playing; nothing like running like headless chickens out in the field.

Even the future is on the side of the United States: Soccernomics, Simon Kuper and Stefan Szymanski reach the conclusion that there are certain factors that influence much the result of a match, including having an impressive GDP and a huge population. Because of that, Szymanski and Kuper are predicting that between the great powers of the soccer of this century will be Japan, Australia, Turkey and the United States.

A strong team with a great future, a world with enough fans to fill the main bars in Boston, New York and other big cities... what more can we ask for? As to me, I will anxiously wait to see this upcoming 2014 World Cup in Brazil... sitting in an American bar, that is.


Kuper, Simon, and Stefan Szymanski. Soccereconomics. N.p.: Harper Collins, 2012. Print.