SB Nation User Blog: Sombrero Guy

Comcast to take control of NBC Universal

Sombrero Guy — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 12:45:01 -0000

Comcast to take control of NBC Universal

Why should you care? It means the same entity that owns VS now owns the NHL's broadcast TV partner. Comcast will only own 51% of NBC universal but will take control over the operation.

CI'd.

Sombrero Guy — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:34:07 -0000

CI'd.

Washington puts Michael Nylander on waivers.

Sombrero Guy — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 18:54:14 -0000

Washington puts Michael Nylander on waivers.

via Bob McKenzie's twitter feed.

If it happens in the NBA, it could certainly be happening in the NHL

Sombrero Guy — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 15:06:52 -0000

Excerpts From The Book The NBA Doesn't Want You To Read

Click the link above, and reads what disgraced NBA referee Tim Donaghy has to say. You can certainly question the man's character, but you can also very easily believe everything he writes.

In both the NHL and the NBA there are star players, premier teams and better TV markets that make the league more money than others. If what Donaghy says is true, and if the NBA does indeed issue memos to their refs in attempts to subtly get messages across as to which teams they'd like to see advance, is it a stretch to think the same thing happens in the NHL? Bettman did work under NBA commish David Stern after all.

A few excerpts are below, but follow the link above for the full thing

In the pregame meeting prior to Game 6, the league office sent down word that certain calls — calls that would have benefitted the Lakers — were being missed by the referees. This was the type of not-so-subtle information that I and other referees were left to interpret. After receiving the dispatch, Bavetta openly talked about the fact that the league wanted a Game 7.

"If we give the benefit of the calls to the team that's down in the series, nobody's going to complain. The series will be even at three apiece, and then the better team can win Game 7," Bavetta stated.

As history shows, Sacramento lost Game 6 in a wild come-from-behind thriller that saw the Lakers repeatedly sent to the foul line by the referees. For other NBA referees watching the game on television, it was a shameful performance by Bavetta's crew, one of the most poorly officiated games of all time.

and one more

If a player of Kobe's stature collides with the likes of Raja Bell, the call will almost always go for Kobe and against Bell. As part of our ongoing training and game preparation, NBA referees regularly receive game-action video tape from the league office. Over the years, I have reviewed many recorded hours of video involving Raja Bell. The footage I analyzed usually illustrated fouls being called against Bell, rarely for him. The message was subtle but clear — call fouls against the star stopper because he's hurting the game.

Just thought this might make for good discussion.

Nylander watch Game 1: 3 assists

Sombrero Guy — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:15:51 -0000

Nylander watch Game 1: 3 assists

"NHL veteran Michael Nylander had three assists in his Griffins debut and Daniel Larsson made 25 saves to help Grand Rapids rally from a 2-0 deficit and improve to 2-4-0-0 on the young season."
Full Recap

Official Stats

Anybody going to the 6 flags thing tonight?

Sombrero Guy — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 17:37:06 -0000

Anybody going to the 6 flags thing tonight?

*Ovechkin on facing Datsyuk: "He's won the Lady Byng a lot. So probably mens ladies love him."

Sombrero Guy — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:57:54 -0000

*Ovechkin on facing Datsyuk: "He's won the Lady Byng a lot. So probably mens ladies love him."

Capitals Insider

Semenov will not be a Ranger this season, might they be interested in one of the Caps' D?

Sombrero Guy — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 19:59:51 -0000

Semenov will not be a Ranger this season, might they be interested in one of the Caps' D?

Apparently Semenov's wife/family wasn't into letting him join the Rangers. Might they be a good trade partner for the Caps?

Perhaps someone with two hands and some time can figure out the Rangers salary cap situation to see what might work?

Tom Boswell Not Exactly Aware Of The Caps Opener

Sombrero Guy — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 16:49:17 -0000

Tom Boswell Not Exactly Aware Of The Caps Opener

I know Boswell is a baseball guy, but this is ridiculous.

Iceplex: Opening night up in Boston. Think Theo can pull a consistent season out of his ... hat.

Tom Boswell: The regular season as been a dud. I think the post-season will be excellent. These are really entertaining teams with lots of glamor. Of course, part of the reason is that this has not been a good year for parity. A lot of rich teams have come through the draw.

You can get me to watch the Yanks, Dodgers, Red Sox, Phils, Angels or Cards any day. I'd put their chances of reaching the Series in that order __and any of them could do it. Hope the Tigers hang on for detroit and Illich's sake. The Rox have wonderful fundamentals and strong arms. But they had their WS, didn't they?

But to answer your question, Boston has recently gotten excited at the way their pitching has gotten back to health and Ortiz (supposedly done and dsicredited) is one of the top A.L. HR hitters in the second half. They're baaaack.

Ask Langway & Bondra a question get it answered on the radio

Sombrero Guy — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:48:24 -0000

Ask Langway & Bondra a question get it answered on the radio

Shan Shariff, a friend of mine from high school has a talk radio show on 106.7 thefan. Rod Langway is supposed to be on at 12:50. Bonra at 1:00. Submit questions below and if possible, Shan will work them in. Listen live...

Click Listen Live