03/30/25
Recent Comments
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
Ugh. Can Cooper Flagg go pro *now*?
posted by NoMich at 08:07 PM on March 28
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
If Duke were to win both hoops tournaments, I would have to go on a liquid diet.
posted by beaverboard at 07:24 PM on March 28
SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle
Those who simply want to save on data usage. It ensures that users can continue navigating without interruption use mapquest."
posted by democad at 12:59 PM on March 28
‘Our staff made a mistake’: Toronto Blue Jays fan tossed from Rogers Centre for sporting ‘Canada is not for sale’ hat
Can't believe he got kicked out for that.
Can't believe that hat is necessary.
posted by rcade at 11:56 AM on March 28
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle
I attended opening day for my first time ever and was rewarded with blooming cherry trees flanking the entrance to the stadium, 13 Ks from MacKenzie Gore, and free baseball against the Phillies. Unfortunately the bullpen (both of them, actually) was not nearly as sharp, it's a good day when baseball is back!
posted by bender at 09:38 AM on March 28
‘Our staff made a mistake’: Toronto Blue Jays fan tossed from Rogers Centre for sporting ‘Canada is not for sale’ hat
Way to turn this guy into a national hero overnight? Lord have mercy.
posted by NoMich at 10:44 PM on March 27
‘Our staff made a mistake’: Toronto Blue Jays fan tossed from Rogers Centre for sporting ‘Canada is not for sale’ hat
My deepest apology that we're even in a situation like this.
But that doesn't excuse staff being goons first and management then having to initiate damage control after the moment goes viral.
There's an air of unsustainability and foreboding to the current corrosive moment. 45/47 has made ten times as many enemies as 35 ever did. Where there's been one Luigi, others may follow. Not a desirable scenario, regardless of how it was brought on and by whom.
posted by beaverboard at 09:59 PM on March 27
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle
I promised updates on the sale of the Celtics as they were available. Jack Simone who writes under the pen name "The Hardwood Houdini" tells of a possible block to the sale by citing an article by Dan Primack in Axios. Primack claims that Sixth Street Partners, a private equity firm, has more money involved than does Bill Chisholm. This violates the NBA rule that limits private equity holding in a team to the lesser of 20% or an amount less than the amount held by the principal owner who must own at least 15%. Primack does not say anything about how much Chisholm actually has invested nor the dollar amount of Sixth Street Partners stake, so Primack should be questioned here. Also not mentioned are the two partners of Chisholm, Rob Hale and Bruce Beal, Jr. How much have they thrown into the pot? My guess is that Chisholm by himself has at least the necessary 15% (about $1 billion), and probably more. His 2 main partners most likely come up with about $1.5 billion between them, and minority interests, some of whom are part of the Wyc Grousbeck group come up with another significant amount. Once all of the pieces are assembled, private equity will not need to put in enough to violate any rules. These guys don't make a move until they have looked at every angle and have it all locked in. Remember that the sale is structured to take place over 2 or 3 years. Thus, Chisholm et al have about 1/2 of the team, and over the next year or 2 will come up with enough investors or money to comply with the rules and complete the sale.
posted by Howard_T at 08:19 PM on March 27
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle
Truly it's the best day of the year. When I was still umpiring, we always looked forward to once again getting on the field. Here in New Hampshire that often meant waiting a week or two until the snow had melted. I remember more than a few years when one of the coaches would tell me that this was the first time that his team had been on the field. No matter when it happens, opening day is magic.
posted by Howard_T at 02:04 PM on March 27
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle
I am also not seeing them.
posted by tommybiden at 12:10 PM on March 27
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle
One of the best days of the year. Go Reds. As the saying goes, hope springs eternal.
posted by jagsnumberone at 11:22 AM on March 27
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
Revised picks:
Magic by 8 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 15 (slam dunk)
Grizzlies by 8 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 8 (slam dunk)
posted by NoMich at 06:16 AM on March 27
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
My picks:
Pacers by 10
Celtics by 12 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 6
Celtics by 19 (slam dunk)
posted by Ufez Jones at 06:03 PM on March 26
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle
I turned off the ads that display atop the page you requested when you click a link (Google calls them "vignettes"). Let me know if you still see them.
posted by rcade at 05:57 PM on March 26
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
My picks:
Pacers by 12 (slam dunk)
Suns by 9 (slam dunk)
Magic by 13 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 15 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 6
Lakers by 5
Desperation mode enacted. I still have a chance to move into 2nd place, but I need every point I can get. Meanwhile, I am suffering from game withdrawal symptoms while I wait for the end of this road trip. The new owner is supposed to make an appearance at TD Garden at the first 2 games in April. The reception will be interesting.
posted by Howard_T at 03:33 PM on March 26
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
I won the week? I won the week!!
posted by NoMich at 02:15 PM on March 26
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
My picks:
Lakers by 8 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 8 (slam dunk)
posted by NoMich at 02:15 PM on March 26
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
My picks:
Pacers by 13 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 13 (slam dunk)
Magic by 13 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 13 (slam dunk)
Grizzlies by 3
Rockets by 3
Can't wait for the Celtics-Mavericks rematch in the Finals.
posted by rcade at 02:00 PM on March 26
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Three Triangle teams in the Women's Sweet 16, UNC-Duke will be large.
But not bigger than NCSU if they can beat LSU.
posted by beaverboard at 10:04 PM on March 24
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Play retro bowl now to get your hands on the golden cup " the pixelated field is waiting for you!
posted by extollpuberty at 04:26 AM on March 24
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle
Some of the blowout scores in the women's tournament have been downright vulgar.
When a team is up by 60, don't they have any Carol Burnett mop ladies they can sub in to keep the score reasonable?
posted by beaverboard at 11:56 AM on March 23
George Foreman, heavyweight boxer who became lovable champion, dies at 76
I've never seen a person have an odyssey and transformation as remarkable as his.
The introverted fighter that shows up in Zaire with his German Shepherd and the loquacious grillmeister can't be the same guy.
What a path.
posted by beaverboard at 11:32 PM on March 22
SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle
The only positive thing Gretzky has going for him these days is his resemblance to Southern Calif. guitar legend Hank Easton.
posted by beaverboard at 06:01 PM on March 22
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
That's a ginormous amount of money. I wonder how many years it will take for that to seem like a great deal financially.
posted by rcade at 05:48 PM on March 22
George Foreman, heavyweight boxer who became lovable champion, dies at 76
How have I never owned a George Foreman Grill? I owned the Bacon Wave and several Chia Pets.
posted by rcade at 05:43 PM on March 22
George Foreman, heavyweight boxer who became lovable champion, dies at 76
Aw man! A true original, he was.
.
posted by NoMich at 04:58 PM on March 22
SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle
I see that Canada has truth in advertising/marketing/price tagging these days.
posted by NoMich at 01:49 PM on March 22
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
Walking off the court, those Clemson Tigers looked about the same way they did when they got beat by Tate George's buzzer beater back in 1990.
posted by beaverboard at 01:31 PM on March 21
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
Congratulations to him for his first big ACC victory!
posted by NoMich at 12:21 PM on March 21
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
Bojangles is working on a Strong Ass Biscuit Combo in honor of incoming NCSU coach Will Wade.
posted by beaverboard at 11:37 AM on March 21
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
Thank you for this, Howard.
Love the detailed breakdown, from a deep Celtics fan.
There's an upcoming consolidation of MLSE in Toronto.
Rogers *not rcade*, is buying out Bell's stake.
Larry Tanenbaum is expected to divest his share in the company as well.
Toronto sports fans are ..... unsure about these developments.
posted by tommybiden at 09:57 AM on March 21
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
Of course the news leaped off the screen this morning, and I had to start my research on William Chisholm and Symphony Technology Group (STG). The good news is that Mr. Chisholm is a native of Georgetown, Massachusetts, and he claims to be a lifelong Celtics fan. The other good news is that STG is noted for investing in or purchasing firms in order to build them rather than buying, looting, and dumping. The bad news is that Chisholm owns only 25% of STG, the other 75% being owned by Ramesh Wadhwani, a native of Karachi when it was still called British India. So unless Chisholm is using a serious chunk of his own wallet, there might be some problems here.
The NBA allows any team to be 30% owned by a private equity company, and no more than 20% may be held by a single private equity firm. Thus, it sounds like Mr. Chisholm and his partners are putting up most of the bucks. The other names in the Chisholm group are Rob Hale and Bruce Beal, Jr. Both have Boston connections; Hale is a native of Massachusetts and says he will purchase a house in or near Boston. He could get some help on this from Beal whose family has had a realty and development firm in Boston for 157 years. So it looks like there's enough local blood buying the Celtics to try to keep the team on course. When you are about to get hit with around $280 million in luxury tax, the Jaylon Brown and Jayson Tatum max contracts (Tatum's kicks in next season), and some healthy contracts among the rest of the regulars, some cost cutting and price increasing might be in order. Local reaction to the news is mostly favorable to neutral with the caveat that the new owners do nothing without the approval of Brad Stevens and the rest of the team operations staff.
One very unhappy fan is Steve Pagliuca, a minority owner in the Wyc Grousbeck group. He claims to have put together an offer that was competitive and free of debt. He also says that his group includes a number of people who were also in the Grousbeck group. He issued a statement that contains some sour grapes and a bit of a warning to the new owners. You can find it on masslive.com.
One other bit of speculation on my part is that now there is some serious real estate interest in Celtics ownership, would there be any interest in a new arena? In the past year, the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a bill that changed some zoning of land in Everett, MA, just a few stops on the MBTA Orange Line from TD Garden. The Boston Women's Profesional Soccer Team wants to build a stadium here, but Boston politics is in the way. Also in the way are the residents of Charlestown, in between Boston and Everett, who fear the effects of traffic. Lots of interesting things to contemplate about the sale,and I will try to keep you posted on the local angle.
posted by Howard_T at 06:15 PM on March 20
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
Amen brother.
The only question I have is: what kind of town would the NBA would be returning to?
posted by beaverboard at 05:07 PM on March 20
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
The Clippers' net earnings are firmly negative and by far the worst in the league, and the annual revenue is on par with small markets like OKC and Milwaukee despite the team being in the giant LA media market.
Time to move 'em to Seattle!
posted by NoMich at 12:15 PM on March 20
Celtics Sold For $6.1 Billion
Steve Ballmer is probably saying that his purchase of the Clippers from Donald Sterling now looks like a massive bargain, but I still don't like that Ballmer overpaid to a schmuck in what was basically a forced fire sale situation. And since the sale has not been able to make the Clippers top level competitive.
Chisholm overpaid for the Celtics as well given their current franchise valuation (which is almost exactly the same as the Clippers), but he's getting a lot of intangibles that other franchises don't have. Some of which are priceless.
The Clippers' net earnings are firmly negative and by far the worst in the league, and the annual revenue is on par with small markets like OKC and Milwaukee despite the team being in the giant LA media market.
The Mavericks are valued at just a shade less than the C's and Clips and Mark Cuban did well for himself, selling only his majority stake for more than Ballmer paid for an entire franchise, but Cuban probably didn't anticipate that the pudgy gap toothed dolt that now operates the franchise would run it into the ground in such a brisk and spectacular fashion.
posted by beaverboard at 12:01 PM on March 20
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
If things go as predicted, every NFL team will soon have a former Among Us Jets quarterback on their roster, and it would be interesting to see if Sam Darnold suddenly shines as a replacement for an unexpected injury, sending fans rushing to buy his jersey.
posted by alexandergreen at 02:48 AM on March 20
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle
UNC's Golden Rule to NCAA selection haters:
Eliminate on us as you would have us eliminate on others.
posted by beaverboard at 10:13 AM on March 19
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle
God had a great opportunity in showing its displeasure with West Virginia by having UNC lose by 30 to SDSU last night, but alas.
posted by NoMich at 09:00 AM on March 19
NBA Pickem Week 20: All Quiet on the NBA Front
Revised picks:
Kings by 12 (slam dunk)
posted by Howard_T at 12:08 AM on March 19
NBA Pickem Week 20: All Quiet on the NBA Front
My picks:
Pistons by 11
Nuggets by 15 (slam dunk)
Pacers by 9 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 14 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 10
posted by Howard_T at 12:06 AM on March 19
NBA Pickem Week 20: All Quiet on the NBA Front
My picks:
Pistons by 14 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 9 (slam dunk)
Pacers by 11 (slam dunk)
Kings by 18 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 10 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 8
Nice week, rcade. I don't know what your magic number to clinch is, but another one or two of those and you can call Laura Miller and start planning the parade route.
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:58 PM on March 18
NBA Pickem Week 20: All Quiet on the NBA Front
My picks:
Pistons by 12 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 8 (slam dunk)
Pacers by 8 (slam dunk)
Kings by 8 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 12 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 8 (slam dunk)
posted by NoMich at 02:50 PM on March 18
NBA Pickem Week 20: All Quiet on the NBA Front
My picks:
Pistons by 7
Nuggets by 7
Pacers by 15 (slam dunk)
Kings by 10 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 15 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 9
posted by rcade at 01:29 PM on March 18
SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle
For daily spiritual guidance, explore these Prayer Resources for inspiration.
posted by seavome at 12:47 AM on March 18
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
Curious about your Hogwarts destiny, Take this Hogwarts Houses quiz to find out if you belong in Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw, or Slytherin. Inspired by the famous Sorting Hat, it's a fun Personality Test for any Wizarding World fan! https://harrypotterhousequizz.com/
posted by seavome at 12:46 AM on March 18
SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle
Ever wondered which Camp Half-Blood cabin quiz you'd call home, This exciting Demigod quiz reveals your Godly Parent based on your personality. Dive into the world of Greek Mythology and start your Adventure today.
posted by seavome at 12:46 AM on March 18
March Madness is Here
I'm in! Thank you for doing this, rcade!
posted by tommybiden at 11:21 AM on March 17
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle
A Raleigh-based sport journalist guy, Joe Giglio, lays out the reasons why Carolina made the tournament.
posted by NoMich at 10:04 AM on March 17
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle
On the other hand, it was funny watching two dookies dook it up on TV about the selection.
posted by NoMich at 07:14 AM on March 17
SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle
North Carolina fans, don't read the comments in the Athletic's piece on how UNC snuck into the men's tournament until after you've had a few pints.People are edgy about it.
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6208212/2025/03/16/north-carolina-ncaa-tournament-2/
Probable paywall warning.
posted by beaverboard at 09:47 PM on March 16
John Feinstein dies at age 69
John would randomly call into the Dan Patrick Show to weight in on a talking point in the show and he was a constant guest of the show. I'm sure Dan will have lots to share on John during today's show. It'll be a must listen. 9 AM EDT.
posted by NoMich at 08:17 AM on March 14
John Feinstein dies at age 69
Damn. And right before Selection Sunday.
But after reading about his tenacity, work habits and health issues, he might have as easily died during the grueling upcoming stretch, with multiple college basketball tournaments followed by the Masters.
posted by beaverboard at 03:02 AM on March 14
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
For a 24-point win, it didn't really feel sealed until maybe 5:00 or fewer minutes left. Denver kept going on little rallies that kept it just close enough to stay spicy.
It was a great time though. Felt more like a playoff game than your typical 12:00 (Spring Forward) Sunday match-up. The game atmosphere in OKC is pretty great right now (duh), and it was fun to see that they still have a lot of love for Russ.
Jokic is something else to see live though. I haven't been as impressed with someone's size/athletic ability combination since I saw just-past-his-prime Shaq.
It was also really nice to forget my basketball woes for a couple of hours. Worked great until my friend and I walked into a nearby burger spot that was showing the Mavs-Suns game and we arrived just in time to see Dwight Powell and Walker Kessler bang coconuts.
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:34 PM on March 11
NBA Pickem: Wall to Wall Basketball
My picks:
Pacers by 4
Thunder by 5
Nuggets by 7
Bucks by 9 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 7
Cavaliers by 13 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 4
Thunder by 7
Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 2
posted by Ufez Jones at 05:23 PM on March 11
NBA Pickem: Wall to Wall Basketball
My picks:
Bucks by 9
Celtics by 7
Nuggets by 11 (slam dunk)
Bucks by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 12 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 9 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 16 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 5
Thunder by 4
Knicks by 13 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 6
Not picking against Warriors this week; they seem to have found something that has them playing better. Celtics vs OKC will be a a tight one. Porzingis has some sort of mystery virus that will probably keep him out for a while longer. Al Horford seems to turn back the clock in the 'big' games, and when the 3s fall like an artillery barrage, Celtics are hard to beat.
posted by Howard_T at 03:28 PM on March 11
NBA Pickem: Wall to Wall Basketball
My picks:
Bucks by 8 (slam dunk)
Celtics by 8 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 8 (slam dunk)
Bucks by 8
Warriors by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 10 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 14 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 10 (slam dunk)
Thunder by 8
Knicks by 8
Warriors by 8
posted by NoMich at 01:42 PM on March 11
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
If all goes according to plan I'll be in the stands at the Thunder vs. Nuggets game on Sunday.
Didn't expect a blowout in that one.
posted by rcade at 01:18 PM on March 11
NBA Pickem: Wall to Wall Basketball
My picks:
Pacers by 7
Celtics by 3
Timberwolves by 8
Bucks by 10 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 13 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 7 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 14 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 8
Thunder by 10 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 4
Nuggets by 8
posted by rcade at 01:17 PM on March 11
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
If all goes according to plan, soon, most of the teams in the NFL will have (or have had) an ex-Jets QB on their roster.
It would be wild if Tua got dinged again and new Miami QB Zach Wilson went in and played lights out. If the Dolphins got into November and Zach was the man, a whole lot of 50 + year old women would line up to buy tickets and get their furs out of storage for the stretch run.
posted by beaverboard at 12:08 PM on March 11
SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle
Whether you want to relax or challenge your mind, Block Blast offers a perfect balance of fun and strategy.
posted by model666 at 03:40 AM on March 11
SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle
That sounds like a great description for a sports bitlife discussion forum or a subreddit focused on under-the-radar sports stories and thoughtful analysis. Are you setting up a new community for this, or just looking for places where this kind of discussion already happens?
posted by eskimostand at 10:56 PM on March 10
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Chris Webber wants to know if his mural can be vacated from The Timeout in Chapel Hill.
The way that everything else from multiple 1990's seasons at UM has been vacated.
posted by beaverboard at 05:16 PM on March 10
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Dallas sports fans should be thrilled with the Stars' very recent Mikko Rantanen acquisition from the Hurricanes. The Rialto Theater in the Five Points neighborhood makes their feelings known about Mikko: MIKKO PUTS KETCHUP ON BBQ
posted by NoMich at 01:02 PM on March 10
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Last night, Nikola Joki scored a triple double before half time. He then went on and nabbed *another* triple double before the end of the game. A double triple double?
Isn't that this week's special at In~N~Out?
posted by tommybiden at 01:02 PM on March 10
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
The Joker is not pleased that a soft shouldered Slovenian in purple and gold has captured the fancy of the entire league.
Nikola is telling it: the Pillsbury Dough train comes through his town before it goes anywhere else.
I haven't wanted to say anything out of concern that Mavs fans' pain would be intensified, but the Lakers have been fun to watch.
The team that reaches the Finals out of the Western Conference will have belly crawled under barbed wire across a minefield with live rounds whistling overhead.
posted by beaverboard at 11:17 AM on March 10
SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle
Last night, Nikola Joki scored a triple double before half time. He then went on and nabbed *another* triple double before the end of the game. A double triple double?
posted by NoMich at 10:18 AM on March 10
Coach Brian Barone celebrated SIUE’s first-ever NCAA Tournament
Who wouldn't want their kid to play for that guy.
posted by beaverboard at 04:37 PM on March 09
NBA Pickem Week 21: Deep Vein Thrombosis Edition
Revised picks:
Celtics by 19 (slam dunk)
Rockets by 6