Monthly Archives: April 2010

NBA and NHL Salary Caps

Posted on by

I find it a twist of irony that the NBA and NHL salary caps are both rising in this economy and are both set at about $57 million for next season.

The NBA generates more television revenue than the NHL. The NHL generates more gate related revenue than the NBA. Both businesses grew year over year. The NBA has more total revenue than the NHL.

The NHL has a hard cap. The NBA doesn’t. You don’t have to spend to the cap max. You can spend less in either instance.

The NHL gives a disproportionate slice of the top line revenues to the players as per the CBA. I think the NHL players get close to 57 percent of the pie this year.

The NHL cap assumes a mid point of the range times 30 to set the cap. The salaries to be paid can slide from a low of $41 million to $57 million high end hard cap with $49 million (midpoint) times 30 teams being the salary cap pie.

The Washington Capitals are now at the spending max in the NHL. There were some years we were at the bottom of the heap. Some where we were in the middle of things. Now we are at the top.

It is ironic how close in alignment the two leagues are now with their cap spending. The NBA cap isn’t at a hard ceiling. There are a lot of exemptions and then fines and taxes when you spend over the cap. It is called the luxury tax.

The NHL teams have about 23 to 24 pro players to pay; the NBA 12 to 15.

Some NBA teams have 3 to 4 players that make what the NHL’s Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin make. Just as an example, Mike Miller of the Wizards gets paid what Alex Ovechkin earns. Gilbert Arenas makes twice what Alex Ovechkin earns.

Less players in the NBA to pay - same total dollars - round about.

Give Me Some Skin

Posted on by

Are you comfortable in your own skin?

Here is a fun film about “skin” I kid you not. From National Geographic. A great film.

It keeps your insides in. Sometimes it itches. Sometimes it aches. It says a lot about you.

Check it out this weekend. The unique survival suit we wear. Give me some skin! Click here to watch on Snagfilms.com.

Onto Game 2

Posted on by

They won. We lost.

It is the playoffs.

There are a lot of games left to play.

There is a lot of work left to do.For both teams.

It felt like a playoff game. It was a playoff game. Thanks Caps fans for being loud and proud.

A little luck some on ice calls makes a big difference. We must overcome it all because that is the business we are in.

We must stay with it. We must stay strong and confident.

Onward. Go Caps.

Holy Moly Google

Posted on by

Google may do no evil but it sure does cash flow.

What a quarter- $5 billion plus in revenues; $2.78 billion in profits; $ 2.2 billion of free cash flow. Estimates of $11 billion of free cash flow for the year.

Yikes, what are they going to do with all of that cash? Do good? They can’t do any evil. Against corporate policy:-).

Best Internet Company ever from a financial and business model stand point. Stock at $595 per share- they went public at $88 per share. Company valued at $145 billion and it is probably UNDERVALUED. Holy Moly Google.

My Week with My Ipad

Posted on by

What I like.

Battery life– Wow it is great. And it really does last ten hours. Apple has done a great job here.

Screen quality– Amazing. Clear, crisp and easy on the eyes. Photo capture and storage and display look like fine art.

Games– Gosh this is a gamer’s dream machine. I am amazed and I don’t like video games. Its mind blowing. I am addicted to my car racing game already!

ITV– I think the Ipad is a forerunner of true mobile television. The YouTube videos and music videos I have viewed looked perfect.

Ibooks– Good bye to my Kindle. This is better and does a lot more as a device. I can see how this will change educational and learning industries. I have downloaded and paid for 3 books at present. I have spent about $50 on e-books. This augers well for the book industry.

Apps– Lots of them and new ones are focused more on productivity. And games, games and games!

Email– I actually really like the new key board design. It works well for me and my fingers.

What I don’t like.

It is heavier and bulkier than I thought. It doesn’t fit well in a briefcase when it is in its carrying case. When I carry it just in its case, I feel “too European metro sexual” or something :-) It weighs 1.5 pounds by the way.

For some reason I have wanted to use the Ipad as a boom box. Like a big Ipod, but it doesn’t cut it. It needs better speakers.

Only use of Wifi– I want to use it in a car or travel, but I can’t right now so I leave it at home and travel with both a laptop AND my Iphone. It doesn’t work like an Iphone. It needs a hot spot.

I see the Ipad as a bridge between the Iphone and a laptop. I have used it in my bedroom and in my bath room and even by the pool on weekends.

It is too expensive to really recommend it yet to the masses, but it really is a spectacular piece of technology and liberal arts. I am impressed

And Thanks Again

Posted on by

Yep, the Stanley Cup is the hardest trophy to win in sports. The playoffs are a grind physically and mentally. This is a good piece on the playoffs and the pursuit of the Cup.

We saw that last night not one of the teams that I thought would win did win last night to open the NHL playoffs. Quite sobering!

But each series is a mini drama. Each game is intense. Each shift matters.

We can embrace challenges and embrace the unknown or shirk from it. I think we will be well prepared and we will play tough. We have earned the praise but we have a huge responsibility now to elevate our game even further and to respect the process.

I won’t make any predictions.

I don’t believe any experts.

I won’t say anything on my blog to fire up an opponent.

I will remain positive and upbeat.

I will try to be “happy.”

Drop the puck. See you all tonight. It shall be what it shall be. Go Caps.