Two separate stories that really have nothing to do with the actual playing of sports have been circulating lately in regard to New York sports figures, and I have to say, unequivocally?I LOVE IT! Here?s why:
Story 1: Does A-Rod Grovel Back to the Yankees?
For those of you who haven?t been following this one, Alex Rodriguez?a.k.a A-Rod?had a clause in his contract with the Yankees that allowed him to opt out of the final three years, in which he was to be paid $81 million (the extra paTwo separate stories that really have nothing to do with the actual playing of sports have been circulating lately in regard to New York sports figures, and I have to say, unequivocally?I LOVE IT! Here?s why:
Story 1: Does A-Rod Grovel Back to the Yankees?
For those of you who haven?t been following this one, Alex Rodriguez?a.k.a A-Rod?had a clause in his contract with the Yankees that allowed him to opt out of the final three years, in which he was to be paid $81 million (the extra part of this deal is that $21 million is being paid by the Texas Rangers as part of a trade agreement a few years back, so that cuts the Yankees annual end of the deal to about $16 million a year for the next three years, a bargain for a player of his caliber). The deadline to opt out was Nov. 15 (or thereabouts). Before the opt-out could kick in, the Yankees were prepared to offer him about an extra $180 million, or about $30 million a year?[i]$30 freakin? million[/i]?for six years after the final three years were up. So that?s a total of about $261 million over nine years.
A-Rod opted out anyway, mostly likely on the advice of his agent, Scott Boris. Now, that didn?t mean A-Rod wanted out of the Yankees. Oh, no siree Bob. Turns out he wanted to come back, but his agent (with A-Rod’s okay) let the Yankees know that he wouldn?t sit down to talk unless the Yankees were willing to begin negotiations at $350 million.
For real.
The Yankees response was, essentially: Bite me. Get out, buh-bye forever.
And that was that. Or was it?
Now reports are circulating the A-Rod really, really, really, really, really wants to be a Yankee?although I?m sure it has nothing to do with the fact that nobody on God?s green Earth is going to come anywhere near $350 million. He may not get $250 million. (How he?ll live with less than that, I can?t imagine, but we all have our crosses to bear).
Now the Yankees are supposedly saying, okay, we?ll talk, but only if you drop your price massively?and your slime bag agent isn?t part of the discussion. Either no agent or no talk.
Sweet. Ooooh. This is so good …
Story 2: Stephon Marbury Bolts the Knicks, Claims to Have Big Dirt on Isaiah Thomas
The Knicks are a mess. There?s just no other way to say it. The managing partner of the Knicks, Jim Dolan, is a complete pinhead and mockery to mankind. Isaiah Thomas, the Knicks president and coach, might actually be worse.
Again, for those who haven?t been following, not only have the Knicks been one giant, expensive flop of a gossip feeder since Isaiah Thomas came aboard about for years ago, but the latest is that Isaiah Thomas?and Madison Square Garden?was recently found guilty of sexual harassment of one the female executives. Not good.
But this latest bit is golden. On the plane ride after the last lost, Thomas told Stephon Marbury–the Knicks ?star? point guard, and the player Thomas traded for years ago to build around; hasn?t worked out to well so far–that he would be on the bench for the next game. In response to being benched, Marbury did the following:
Not only did he skip the next game and just disappear (which reportedly landed him a $195,000 fine), but he reported shouted out to the team that Thomas couldn?t bench him, because he had a ton of really nasty dirt on Thomas, likely referring to the sexual harassment case. Marbury had to testify?which he did badly, admitting that he had sex in the backseat of his SUV with a Knick assistant (or cheerleader; I can?t remember).
The Knicks have sunk to the point of being a Ricky Lake highlight reel. And I know I shouldn?t love this, but I do. If it gets Isaiah Thomas run out of town, I?m all for it. He needs to go
So New York is full of high drama?and the sports themselves aren?t even part of it.
Game on.
Post edited by: rcolchamiro, at: 2007/11/19 20:37
