The award for the most ridiculous, self-absorbed, overzealous all sports entertainment network in the world goes to...
ESPN, for the 10th year running.
They have once again proven that outside the 4 major sports, Tiger Woods, and the Williams sisters, you're really not much of an athlete. Unless you count token consideration of Cael Sanderson and -ahem- Sarah Hughes (don't even get me started on figure skating).
No offense to college athlete of the year Sue Bird (UConn BB) but a certain swimmer from Cal who set at least 6 AR and 1 WR over the short course season would have had my vote.
Anyone else? Natalie Coughlin, female college athlete of the year as awarded by the USMS discussion crew?
-RM
Parents
Former Member
Actually Leonard that might make the sport more spectator friendly, and of course the revenue of the broadcasting on cable (pay per view or play boy channel).
Sorry to drum up an old area, but the comment a ways back in regards to Olympic performance by countries. Other than a few sports most US athletes stay and play in the United States (soccer, indoor volleyball and water polo are about the only ones where an athlete can go abroad and make more money than in the US). But how many athletes from other nations live and train in the United States ( Inge de Braijn trained here in the Northwest, as well as other swimmers and if I recall correctly a lot of the ice skaters train here in the U.S. along with several countries bobsled teams). A little more food for thought one place the US excels at is team sports - counts as one gold medal yet 6 swimmers can geta medal for a placing relay team and don't forget basketball - I think 15 gold medals are awarded to the winning team - so the medal per capita ratio would be a little different.
Actually Leonard that might make the sport more spectator friendly, and of course the revenue of the broadcasting on cable (pay per view or play boy channel).
Sorry to drum up an old area, but the comment a ways back in regards to Olympic performance by countries. Other than a few sports most US athletes stay and play in the United States (soccer, indoor volleyball and water polo are about the only ones where an athlete can go abroad and make more money than in the US). But how many athletes from other nations live and train in the United States ( Inge de Braijn trained here in the Northwest, as well as other swimmers and if I recall correctly a lot of the ice skaters train here in the U.S. along with several countries bobsled teams). A little more food for thought one place the US excels at is team sports - counts as one gold medal yet 6 swimmers can geta medal for a placing relay team and don't forget basketball - I think 15 gold medals are awarded to the winning team - so the medal per capita ratio would be a little different.
