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Why youth sports and $$$$ don't mix

Discussion in 'Anything goes' started by FileNotFound, Aug 13, 2006.

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  1. FileNotFound

    FileNotFound Well-Known Member

    http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/081306dnspotitans.2137e55.html

    I must say, I'm disturbed by the phrase "one of the country's most highly regarded 11-year-olds." Perhaps it's just me.
     
    FileNotFound, Aug 13, 2006
    #1
  2. Upper Tupper

    Upper Tupper Member

    Don't forget ESPN and its annual Little League WS coverage. I'd say that is kind of bizarre.
     
    Upper Tupper, Aug 13, 2006
    #2
  3. Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!

    Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!! Well-Known Member

    This guy is hardly the first, just the latest.
    Snopp Dogg and Master P do the same thing, though not on that grand of a scale.
     
    Evil ... Thy name is Orville Redenbacher!!, Aug 13, 2006
    #3
  4. RAMBO

    RAMBO Member

    Wow.
     
    RAMBO, Aug 13, 2006
    #4
  5. BigDog

    BigDog Active Member

    Holy crap. Compelling read, certain to shortly become an Outside the Lines.
     
    BigDog, Aug 13, 2006
    #5
  6. Flash

    Flash Guest

    You're right. Two major youth hockey clubs in Detroit are sponsored by millionaires ...
     
    Flash, Aug 13, 2006
    #6
  7. The Big Ragu

    The Big Ragu Moderator Staff Member

    You know, at the end of the day you can't buy talent or good genetics. So what is the end game here? What percentage of 12 year old kids will grow up to be pro athletes? What percentage will go on to college athletic scholarships? This is a billionaire showing off to the world that he is a billionaire. It's all about him, not about the kids. How telling is the quote from the 12-year-old kid: "Only God could give something like this to someone." You'd think someone seemingly as succesful as this idiot would feel good about himself without having to be God to a bunch of 12-year-olds. It blows my mind that someone could actually have that sort of need. How can't an ADULT see how this is a formula for some screwed up kids? We are screwed, societally.
     
    The Big Ragu, Aug 13, 2006
    #7
  8. Huggy

    Huggy Well-Known Member

    My boy Fly can speak to this with far more authority than me but I don't know if you can compare the Compuware and Little Caesar's hockey programs (which I think are the ones you are talking about here) to this....
     
    Huggy, Aug 13, 2006
    #8
  9. Flash

    Flash Guest

    What if ... and fuck me if I'm being naive and/or overly idealistic but bear with me here ... said billionaire just wants to give back to the community and make sure these kids get to play the best they can? Are we really so black-hearted and cynical that we have to assume the worst?
     
    Flash, Aug 13, 2006
    #9
  10. Flash

    Flash Guest


    I am referring to those programs. Most of their costs are financed by the sponsors. I remember the boys from Compuware walking around the rink all dolled up in their matching suits and leather jackets. Looked sharp.
     
    Flash, Aug 13, 2006
    #10
  11. broadway joe

    broadway joe Guest

    The billionaire's motives may be pure, Flash, but he's going about it in the wrong way with charter flights all over the country, luxury hotels and people attending to these kids' every need as if money is no object. If he wants to get them first-rate coaching and snazzy uniforms, fine. But he's completely spoiling them, in addition to sending the message at 8-10 years old that they can have whatever they want just because they're good basketball players. There's no way I'd let my kid be a part of that program, no matter how good a player he was.
     
    broadway joe, Aug 13, 2006
    #11
  12. DyePack

    DyePack New Member

    What happens if/when I say yes?
     
    DyePack, Aug 13, 2006
    #12
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