Ted's Take

The Blogging Site of Ted Leonsis

Archive for December 9th, 2008

Oh Gosh

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

So I own two Segways. They are not the most pragmatic vehicles in the world to own and operate and they were expensive. I use them at our home in Vero Beach, Florida and bought them five years ago.

Now there is a Ferrari Limited Edition. It’s basically a Segway painted red with a Ferrari emblem. Yours for only $ 10,000 or so.

So the Ferrari emblem and red paint is worth about $4k of the purchase price.

Do they really think they will sell many of these? In these times? Wow.

Bailout for Media Companies

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Can you see the leaders of big media companies going before Congress and asking for bailout dollars?

First the banks, then the auto makers and then the big media companies.

That would be theater. The heads of media companies that have made a living asking probing questions of politicians would have the tables turned on them. That is for sure.

I don’t think this is that far-fetched. Media companies employ lots of people. They are bedrock institutions in every major city in America. They are part of our American fabric and even our Constitution.

I think it could happen.

Mahalo

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Mahalo is morphing nicely. Check it out. It is more robust and has a better presentation format. 

Kick Save and a Beauty

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

The New York Times may have bought itself some time by seeking a mortgage or loan secured by its new building in downtown Manhattan. If it gets a deal done, its cash squeeze will ease.

I am disappointed that this set of crises at the New York Times isn’t front page news IN THE NEW YORK TIMES itself. I am hopeful that the organization pays down its debt and keeps publishing and focuses itself more on verticals and becoming an online-oriented organization. We need a free and independent press or some sort. I never thought I would see the day where the Chicago Tribune and the New York Times would be at risk.

A Question Answered

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

It will be easier for the Tribune Company to sell the Chicago Cubs than it will to sell the Chicago Tribune newspaper. I believe a question has been answered. Would you rather own a sports team in a major city or a newspaper? The answer is a sports franchise. Who knew? :-)

Dispersal Draft

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

The Washington Mystics get lucky and get a very good young player in the dispersal draft from the Houston Comets. Get details here. With a high draft pick a-coming; this new young player added; and a new coach and a new GM, we are on our way to rebuilding the team as promised.

A Fun Night Captured in a Blog

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

Check this one out, a night in the Owner’s Box. Fun times and a nice win.

Caps Top Prospects

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

We have a lot of young players in our lineup with more to come over the next few years.

I am proud of what we have in our pipeline being developed all around the world. I can honestly say that I believe we have the best set of prospects to add to our recent set of core young players in our team’s history. I am hopeful that the experts are right and that some of these players make a big impact on our team for years to come. 

D.C. Central Kitchen - We Support You This Holiday Season

Tuesday, December 9th, 2008

As noted a couple of weeks ago, my family and I decided to NOT exchange gifts with one another this holiday season and to NOT give some of our partners and friends gift baskets or little trinkets as holiday presents. Instead we decided to make a gift in their names to the D.C. Central Kitchen, an anti-hunger initiative that is doing truly great work here in Washington, DC.  Click here to learn more about them. And don’t be shy about helping them as well this holiday season. Rather than being a consumerist, help the neediest in our city and your neighbors here in DC during the holidays.

That is my suggestion to everyone. At times like this, the neediest need help the most!