Writings on Sports

The ACC recently announced that its school presidents signed a long-term deal (through 2027 or so) that is intended to keep the conference together. In the wake of the massive realignment moves by other conferences, and even the ACC itself, the weakest conference of the so-called Power-Five (SEC, Big XII, Big Ten, PAC-12, ACC) set itself up to remain as constituted (entering 2014, of course). This Grant of Rights effectively gives the ACC ownership of the current 15 members future television broadcast rights for the duration of the agreement. Even if a school left for another conference, the ACC would still own the rights to that team’s broadcasts. It would sound funny to imagine a conference game featuring Michigan against, for sake of argument, Clemson (imagining Clemson to have bolted for the Big Ten) being broadcast on ACC TV, but that’s what this deal does. Every Power-Five conference has a Grant of Rights deal, except for one. You know…that one that’s dominated the BCS Championship for the better part of the last decade. That’s right, only the SEC, among Power-Five conferences, has no Grant of Rights deal. It doesn't need one. For the same reason the SEC doesn’t have an agreed-upon Exit Fee. No one wants to leave the SEC.

The major league baseball season is truly in full swing. The Atlanta Braves, even after a three-game losing skid, still own the best record in the majors (at time of writing, and I’m not going back to change that). The Braves may be the first team I can recall that has runners in scoring position when the lead-off batter steps to the plate. Every hitter in the line-up, except the pitcher, is a realistic home run threat.

Speaking of pitchers, I’m about to type something sacrilegious in certain sectors…the National League needs the Designated Hitter. I don’t say that because I like the idea of a DH. I don’t. I’ve been a National Leaguer all my life. The idea of a DH is sad, to me. However, the majority of power hitters will continue to migrate to the American League, where they can land ten year contracts, knowing that the last four years or so of the deal is intended for them to DH only. Unless the National League gets on the boat of the DH, you’ll see that trend continue. Let’s be honest for a moment. Let’s put aside the purity of the game and focus only on financials. The fact is offense brings in the money. You want the slugger on your team because that brings fans to stands. The NL will continue to lose out on that deal unless they break down and accept that the Designated Hitter is the future of the game.

Now…Formula 1. Once again, Sebastian Vettel has the points lead. We’ve had exciting Grands Prix, and we’ve had dull races to boot. The first fly-away campaign is over, and the racers begin the European circuit in a couple weeks at Catalunya. Personally, I’m a fan of Catalunya. Good elevation change. One of my favorite corner-runs in the circuit (the Turn-1-2-3 Complex is loads of fun to drive on the video games).

I’m looking for a good race. Many of the teams will have updated equipment to roll out. Some of the teams, like McLaren, will still be sorting out driver kerfuffles from Bahrain. Kimi Raikkonen will be looking to cut into Vettel’s points lead. I respect Vettel. I don’t like him, but I respect him. I like Kimi Raikkonen. As of right now, he’s who I would support for a Driver’s Title this year. Lewis Hamilton is currently third in points, but he’s over a race away from surpassing Vettel.