Congratulations to Roy Hibbert for being picked in the first round of the NBA draft by Toronto and then getting traded to the Indiana Pacers and to Patrick Ewing, Jr. for being picked in the second round by the Sacramento Kings. Jeff Green went high in the draft last year and ended up in Seattle and now two players were drafted from the team as seniors. Georgetown basketball is back. Kudos to these young men for staying in school and graduating as seniors and having their pro basketball dreams come true as well. Hoya Saxa.
Archive for June 27th, 2008
Congratulations to Roy and Patrick
Friday, June 27th, 2008A Great Read on our Strategy for the Capitals
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here is a mature and thoughtful piece on our plans and strategies for the Washington Capitals.
During the lockout, as noted, we really did map out who we had drafted; what our plans would be; how the cap would grow; who we would have to resign; and plot year by year what we would have to do to keep the team together.
Having a true plan with financials and knowing when contracts expire and estimating what the cap will be, etc. etc. is a new science and art form for front offices of NHL teams. To date, we have to get credit for managing this process pretty well. We have cap room. We can keep our team together and we are hopeful we can continue to execute well this off season as outlined in this article. Wish us well and wish us good fortune in keeping the team together. Game on.
Just a Thought
Friday, June 27th, 2008This notion just hit me, the cap CEILING has grown to $56 plus million. The mid point is $48 million. Forty-eight million dollars times 30 teams is collectively what we can all spend on salaries. This means the NHL has grown dramatically in its revenues and the cap has controlled spending by the very biggest, most profitable big market teams.
In any other world or industry, when revenues increase and the employees get a disproportionate percentage of the revenue increase in payroll, management is looked at as being “benevolent” and is well-liked and respected.
Why is it though that there are media reports that the players’ union is upset with the league? What is there to be upset about in terms of revenue growth and salary cap increases?
In real business, to grow revenues in the double digits and then to give more of the revenues as a percentage back to the employees would be seen as a very positive gesture. Sometimes I just don’t get it. 
The real world is hard yet the players get paid more and more money. I think at times they should be happy that the league is doing so well even in very tough economic times. We should be re-embracing our fan base and saying thank you more to our fans. We are in partnership and the partnership must be doing something right.
I live in such a weird dichotomous world. Today, I am working with 100 homeless people serving them lunch and dinner and taking them all to a movie. At the same time, I am trying to give some players literally tens of millions of dollars; begging them to take our money; and hoping that at least some one somewhere will be grateful that they are getting paid a lot of money to play such a wonderful game as hockey. Today truly puts some things in perspective for me.
Washington Times on the Tournament and “Kicking It”
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here is a very nice piece on “Kicking It” which opens tonight in DC at the Landmark’s E Street Cinema.
I believe so much in the transformative powers of sports. A ball can change your life. Come on out and meet some of these great people.
Go Mystics Go!
Friday, June 27th, 2008What a great road win against maybe the best team in the WNBA! This is a great way to start off on the right foot for a tough road trip.
Washington Post Review on “Kicking It”
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here is a mixed review on our film from the Washington Post. Certainly the film is getting its share of publicity and helping to shine a light on homelessness.
LA Times Review on “Kicking It”
Friday, June 27th, 2008“Kicking It” opens in LA this weekend as well. Here is a nice review from the LA Times.
Flocking to DC to Play Soccer
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here is another nice write-up on the tournament. I am proud of the efforts being expended here on the players’ behalf.
Mike Wise on the Tournament
Friday, June 27th, 2008Here is an in-depth story on the Homeless World Cup US Trials which start today at the Kastles’ stadium in downtown DC. I think Mike was touched by these people’s stories as was I and I am so grateful that our city will bear hug our guests all weekend long.
