Shanda Sounds Off: Agent Jay-Z and Owner Squabbles
Quote of the Week:
Kobe wouldn’t be Kobe without his arrogance. This week when the Lakers front man was asked if he’s been watching the Final Four, he replied, “I ain’t watching sh–! They should be watching me!” Ahhh yes…Wise words from the Black Mamba
Video of the Week – SNL takes on Mike Rice
Patriots Sign DL Kelly
It’s the NFL offseason, a time for teams to take a much needed break, but the New England Patriots are still making moves for their upcoming 2013 season. On Monday night, reports were popping up that the powerhouse team signed former Raiders DT Tommy Kelly. On Tuesday, reports were confirmed by the Patriots that the nine-year vet was signed to a two-year deal with the New England.
What exactly will Kelly bring to the table, you ask? He is a massive force at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. He will give added support on defense and could have a chance to compete for a starting spot alongside Vince Wilfork.
Jay-Z: The Sports Agent
He’s gone from one of hip hop’s most celebrated artists to business mogul. Now Jay-Z is adding sports management to his list of trades. According to ESPN’s Darren Rovell, the Brooklyn Nets owner has partnered with CAA (Creative Artists Agency) to create Roc Nation Sports.
The sports company will be a separate entity from Jay-Z’s record label, and the rapper will become a certified agent.
He has already landed his first two clients, as New York Yankee Robinson Cano, who recently split from agent Scott Boras, signed on with Jay-Z and was followed shortly after by New York Giant Victor Cruz.
The possibility of Jay representing NBA players would work if the mogul gave up his ownership in the Brooklyn Nets and says he’s open to doing so in order to further expand his brand. Jay-Z is leading an interesting new trend, as we are seeing more and more entertainers take roles behind the scenes within the sports industry.
Knicks owner James Dolan fires security guard for not recognizing him
Being a team owner doesn’t mean that you have to be the nicest guy in the world but it also doesn’t mean you have to know your employees either. New York Knicks owner James Dolan has a reputation for being difficult and just a little uptight and he may need to loosen up just a little.
According to the New York Post, the Madison Square Garden owner had a slight altercation with an employee this week. Reports say Dolan was walking into MSG’s club during Sunday’s Knicks/Boston game when security guard Fiordaliza Hernandez asked him for his ID.
Dolan, who doesn’t usually carry identification, just snapped at Hernandez and asked, “Do you know who I am?”
When Hernandez admitted she didn’t recognize who he was, Dolan asked, “How long have you worked here?”
She allegedly told the owner that she had been employed there for three years, which didn’t sit well with Dolan.
He raised his voice to the surprise of on lookers and screamed, “I’m your boss! I pay your salary!”
Hernandez didn’t back down, again asking for ID a source says, sending Dolan into a rage.
“Give me your ID! You’re fired!” Dolan allegedly said.
Hernandez was immediately sent home and Dolan could be heard yelling, “I have to get new security in this building! I have idiots working here!”
According to the Post, Hernandez was back at her job the next day, so if the reports of the altercation are true, Hernandez was either fired and immediately re-hired, or she was never formally fired in the first place.
Knicks’ Anthony Tops Forbes NBA’s Most Overpaid List
The monetary value of NBA athletes has been debated for what seems like an eternity. Someone is always talking about players who are extremely overpaid. This past week, Forbes magazine chimed into the conversation when it rolled out its “NBA’s Most Overpaid List”. Topping it was New York Knick Carmelo Anthony.
How exactly did Forbes come up with their decisions? According to the magazine’s contributor, the decisions weren’t based on all kinds of stats that clue observers in to how a player performs in key situations in addition to simply wins and points.
In the beginning of the season, I would have agreed with Anthony being ranked No. 1 on the list, but he has recently started to get his act together and is showing us why his pay rate is the way it is.
Do you agree?
Others that made the list were: Charlotte Bobcats’ guard Ben Gordon ($12.4 million; -2.1 win shares); Brooklyn Nets guard Joe Johnson ($19.75 million; 1.5 win shares); Orlando Magic guard Helo Turkoglu ($11.8 million; -0.6 win shares), and Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki ($20.9 million; Win Shares 3.3).
Is this list right or would your list look different? Sound off!
