The Big Trend
Corruption in officiating will take center stage in the NBA. Thanks to former NBA referee Tim Donaghy's confessional book, Personal Foul, referees will be under a microscope, particularly for favoring marquee players and big-market teams. More examples like this one will come to light: MVP LeBron James was called for far fewer fouls than anyone else in the league last season, including Kobe Bryant. It will be no surprise when refs Donaghy singled out in his tell-all speak out as a result of a league investigation, and pressure Commissioner David Stern to answer to his role in the matter.
The Unconventional Wisdom
Given the massive resources ESPN is pouring into the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, it is understandable that there are high hopes that the beautiful game will finally gain relevance as a spectator sport in the U.S.. But outside popular ex-pat bars in cities like New York and Chicago, any soccer excitement will be fabricated and contained within studio walls in Bristol, Conn. The U.S. soccer team won't do much to help the cause, losing in the first round of the knockout stage of 16 teams.
The Misplaced Assumption
The NHL has a reputation as a second-rate sports league, and it lacks significant national television presence. But its fans are among the most desirable, active and richest in all of sports. So perception and reality will soon meet, once Comcast, parent company of the league's cable partner, Versus, completes its acquisition of NBC Universal, parent of NBC, a minor television partner. Besides gaining more favorable TV exposure, the NHL's digital properties--NHL Network, NHL.com, mobile products--could all find an owner in Comcast similar to how the NBA's digital properties found a rightful home in Turner.
The Watch List
American Needle Inc. v. NFL. One of the most important legal cases in sports, the issue the Supreme Court is due to settle in January is whether the NFL is a single entity or 32 different teams. If the NFL wins its unity argument, it would be difficult for anyone to establish an antitrust claim against it. What does this means for fans? The NFL could lower player salaries, raise prices on everything from tickets to jerseys, and it could retain greater control over broadcast rights, even charging customers to watch games on free television.
Pete Rose. With Bud Selig announcing his retirement, expect the all-time hit leader--who has been banned from baseball for betting on games--to start a new public relations campaign in hopes of influencing the next commissioner and gaining a pardon from his exile. Expect him to retain the same adviser alleged steroid user Mark McGwire hires to handle his reintroduction back into the game when he officially joins the St. Louis Cardinals as hitting coach.
Bold Prediction
Eagles QB Michael Vick, Bills wide receiver Terrell Owens and former Steelers coach-turned-NFL broadcaster Bill Cowher will all join the Chicago Bears.
What do you see coming in 2010? Give us your predictions on this topic by commenting below.
