NFL vs The World: International Bowl

A friend and I were talking sports the other day when we stumbled upon an idea that I wanted to get some feedback on. We both the NFL. He is a die-hard Steelers fan and I am a die-hard Cowboys fan. It's fun to raze each other about the others team. We were talking about how the NFL team that wins claims to be the World Champion. My part of the argument was that they would be because its the biggest organization for professional football. He said that they weren't because they didn't beat world competition.

When he said that it really got me thinking. NFL had NFL Europe from 1998-2007. It was used sorta like a developmental league like the NBA has with the D-League. NFL also plays a game or soon two over in London each season. Those games have had pretty good turnouts and have led to the NFL thinking about expansion over there. It would be really tough on that team as well as the teams they played because of the obvious home field advantages because of jet lag.

At first my friend mentioned that maybe they could do another league overseas and get other countries involved and have them play just like the league in America and then the winners of each Super Bowl would play each other for the World Championship. At first I thought that was a really cool idea but then I got to thinking that the NFL wouldn't want to do anything that could water down the Super Bowl. It would however create a true World Champion.

 So we got to talking some more and I came up with and idea that could get close to that and revamp another part of the NFL that is lacking these days. It seems like the players could care less about playing in the Pro Bowl except for the extra pay that goes along with it. What if the NFL could create an International League overseas and at the end of each season have a NFL All-Stars vs International All-Stars. It would create interest in the football All-Star game again and give the players some pride in playing in the All-Star game. They could trade off each year holding it on each of their side of the ocean. It will probably never happen but it is something worth talking about.

What are your thoughts? Would you like to see a championship game between the two leagues to get a true champ? Do you like the All-Start idea?

NBA: No Basketball Allowed

The NBA has officially canceled the first two weeks of the season. The big issue I take with all this is that everyone loses. I'm not sure who the NBA thinks they are but they are no NFL. The fans have not and will not be as vocal as those were for the NFL. NBA fans will not be as likely to return as quick as the NFL fans. Another thing hindering the NBA right now is that its third fiddle behind the NFL season and the MLB playoffs.  The owners and the players both think they are right and it doesn't sound like they will be budging anytime soon. From what I understand the Finals last year were a major ratings hit. Its amazing that the NBA wouldn't want to keep that momentum going. Have none of the major sports learned from the NHL's example. Owners and Players need to come to the table make realistic compromises and get back to doing what they do best, playing basketball. They need to realize who it is that is really hurting. What about those folks that sell the concessions, merchandise, and other things. What about the ticket takers, security, parking folks. Yes most of those people will make some money doing other events and concerts. Without NBA games though their revenue will be significantly lower. Most NBA arenas host NBA games and other smaller events. The NBA games should bring in the most income. While the Owners and Players are bickering over who will control the most money, I hope they realize that they are not the only ones affected.

Where are they now: Corliss "Big Nasty" Williamson

Corliss "Big Nasty" Williamson was a major part of bringing the University of Arkansas their only NCAA Championship in basketball in 1994 beating Duke. In his junior year,1995, he help lead the Hogs back to the championship game only this time to lose to college powerhouse UCLA. Williamson had a great career at the UofA. He is easily considered one of the top 10 players ever at Arkansas. Corliss spent 12 years in the NBA. He was drafted by the Sacramento Kings at 13th overall in 1995. He was traded by the Kings in 2000 to Toronto Raptors. Raptors traded him in later that season to the Detroit Pistons. With the Pistons Williamson won a World Championship. In the 01-02 Corliss won the Sixth Man of the Year Award.  During the 04-05 season he was traded to Philadelphia before being traded back to Sacramento. Corliss finished his NBA career with the Kings, retiring in 2007. Corliss started his coaching journey in 2007 as an assistant with Arkansas Baptist. Currently Corliss Williamson is the head basketball coach at the University of Central Arkansas. He isn't having a great season at a current record 5-23. With all the basketball experience that he has there is no doubt that "Big Nasty" will have UCA competing very soon.