Happy Valentine’s Day to all the lovebirds reading Sports Agent Blog. My single self will save money tonight and eat in. After many years of being in a relationship this time of year it is a change I can deal with. I should be up in New York speaking at the Fordham Sports Law Symposium, but the terrible weather ended up cancelling all my flights. The sports agency panel is in good hands with Professor Marc Edelman steering the ship. This week on FORBES: (1) The Olympic Effort Starts With Sochi, Continues In The Classroom; (2) Michael Sam Says He Is Gay And Has The Unyielding Support Of His Agents; (3) A Blueprint Develops As Jay Z Signs Ndamukong Suh; (4) NBA All-Star Jam Bands Concept Is A Social Media Supplement For Fans And Sponsors; and (5) Derek Jeter Announces Future Retirement On Facebook. What’s Next For The Captain? And as always, the weekly wrap-up:
Baseball
- It’s salary arbitration season and this year some players are actually going to hearing [Cashner wins, Pestano loses in salary arbitration].
- The hearings are often tough for players to swallow [Cleveland Indians use Vinnie Pestano’s own words against him in salary arbitration victory].
- Glad to see this case resolved prior to trial [Jack Clark apologizes; Pujols will drop lawsuit].
- Are state and federal wage laws being violated? [Lawsuit seeks more money, freedom for Minor League Baseball players]
Basketball
- A grim look at the long process of choosing Billy Hunter’s successor [Schayes: Are NBA Players Getting Played Again in Search for New Union Chief?].
Football
- Ralph Cindrich — always a great interview [Sports agent on gay athletes: ‘Team concept beats bigotry all the time’].
- A lot of info here on Michael Sam coming out [‘THE EAGLE HAS LANDED’].
