The Re-Invention of Michael Vick

Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick (#7)  in September 2009.
Photo Credit: Ed Yourdon/WikiCommons

I understand the contempt many people, especially dog lovers, still hold for Michael Vick. I, too, am a dog lover and was shocked and dismayed by Vick’s crime. Vick was convicted, served time, has come out of prison and done volunteer work- beyond what the court ordered- to educate young people about his mistakes so they could avoid them. In my book, he has– and is– paying his debt.

Vick has successfully rebuilt his professional football career.  He is enjoying-- what many analysts call-- a MVP level season as starting quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles. There are many people who felt he should never be allowed to play again.  So, I am not surprised that many people feel that he should never be allowed near a dog again, let alone, own one.

In a recent interview with NBC News correspondent Mara Schiavocampo, Vick-- when asked-- admitted that he would like to one day own a dog again.  He told Schiavocampo that he felt it would be good for his rehabilitation. (Watch the interview.)

His response appeared spontaneous and sincere.  Despite that, many people--including popular commentator Roland Martin-- feel Vick should keep those thoughts to himself.  "This is NOT the time for @MikeVick to talk about wanting a dog," Martin wrote to me on Twitter.  "When you're walking a fine line, don't open a door for your critics. Keep it moving forward."

Reebok loses NFL apparel rights to Nike

The National Football League has announced a new sports apparel rights deal and like most things associated with the NFL, it's big news.  Staring in April 2012, current exclusive rights holder Reebok is out, punted away in favor of a better deal from rival Nike.

NFL owners, meeting in Chicago, voted Tuesday to award the Swoosh a five-year contract to produce on-field team uniforms, sideline personnel apparel and fan gear. Numbers aren't circulating, but in 2001, Reebok agreed to pay $300 million over ten years and, according to a Citigroup analyst,  generates about $350 million in annual revenue for the company.  I'm not very good with business math but that appears to be an 1166% return on investment.  The marketing power of the NFL.

Think about it.  The NFL makes the major networks sweat bullets when it comes time to renew television rights.  And, the NFL is the most valuable exclusive offering DirecTV has for customers.  Of all the professional sports subscription packages, NFL Sunday Ticket is the only one that can only be purchased through the satellite service provider.  DirecTV paid $700 million a year to maintain the exclusive contract through the 2014-15 season.  The marketing power of the NFL.  Kind of makes you wonder why Reebok let their deal slip away.

Is it really the media's fault?

Photo Credit: Cincinnati Bengals/bengals.com

I just watched an interview with Cincinnati Bengals wide out Terrell Owens on the NFL Network’s Game Day Morning show. Part One of the interview dealt with the Randy Moss trade from New England to Minnesota and the issue of wide receivers and why they are disrespected in the league.  The question, alone, made me say, “huh?!?!” but then, I had to remind myself that in the minds of these athletes, respect is measured by the number of zeros behind a number on their contracts.

So, when Michael Irvin, the NFL Hall of Fame former wide receiver for the Dallas Cowboys, who conducted the interview, ask Owens how quarterbacks can get new contracts but their star receivers can’t, Owens declined to “walk down that road” in the interview.