When Apple rolled out the much anticipated iPhone 4 and the associated OS 2.0, users that had labored through the process of setting up the POP accounts for Yahoo! Small Business suddenly found themselves unable to get messages to push through. You could send, but not receive.

But, fear not, iPhone users, you now have what free Yahoo! mail users have been getting. It’s just a matter of going through the simple addition of adding a new Yahoo! email account on your iPhone, with a twist.

1) Go to the “Settings” widget

2) Select “Mail, Contacts, Calendars”

3) Under “Accounts” add “Add Account…”

4) Select “Yahoo!” from the “Add Account…” menu

5) Add your name as you wish it to appear, but under address, add your email address that you have registered with Yahoo! Small Business (user@domainname.com). Do NOT use your Yahoo! freemail address.

6) Enter your Yahoo! password

7) Give it a description

Select “Next”

The system will then Verify that you have all the info correct, and add the account. All your folders that you have created on you Yahoo! Small Business email account will appear. Sending and receiving work as it should. In other words, no more messy POP account setup. No more lack of folders. And best yet, the ability to send and receive emails from your iPhone through your personal email address you’ve been paying good money for through Yahoo! Remember… this is for those who have updated to 2.0 and above of Apple’s iPhone operating system. Enjoy!

LATEST ON THE BIZ OF BASEBALL

• The Upcoming MLB CBA and the Battles Within It: Hard-Slotting
• Bobby Thomson, Famous for “Shot Heard Round The World” Dead at 86
• HKS Unveils D-Backs-Rockies Spring Training Design
• Shawn Chacon Loses Grievance with Astros After Ed Wade Attack
• Interview: Chuck Greenberg, Managing Partner and CEO of the Texas Rangers

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But, there’s been more than a lot going on, and it’s about time I updated you all on it.

For one, the All-Star Game was a great success for me, and out of it, a chance meeting on the media bus back from the game with Dave Cameron has translated into a weekly column for FanGraphs. With the Texas Rangers bankruptcy case having so many twists and turns leading up to the auction on Aug 4, it seemed perfect to start with a look at Mark Cuban as a potential owner, even if he’s not yet committed to pursuing the club at auction. You can check my article archive on FanGraphs, going forward.

The other bit of news as that starting shortly I will have a dedicated blog on Forbes.com. I have been writing for them for a while as part of SportsMoney, but now, I will have “Bizball” as a place on Forbes to call my own. No, it is not a full-time paying gig (which if you are reading out there, and are looking I certainly could use), but it’s worth doing because, well… it’s Forbes. Putting that name on your resume certainly builds credibility.

That’s it, for now. With MLB’s postseason fast approaching I hope to be reporting from some of the games there. World Series? We’ll see. Also, look for me at this year’s Winter Meetings in Florida.

LATEST ON THE BIZ OF BASEBALL

• Padres Pick Up Miguel Tejada for Pennant Chase
• Orioles Name Current ESPN Analyst Buck Showalter as New Manager
• Marlins Deal Jorge Cantu to Rangers for Two AA Pitchers
• Phillies Land Roy Oswalt and Cash for J.A. Happ and Two Prospects
• From Alex Rodriguez to the MLBPA, Objections Fly in Texas Rangers Case

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In mid-May I accepted an invitation to write for Forbes’ SportsMoney (see my article archive). Being a contributor gets me in some extremely fine company. Besides  Forbes senior writers and editors Michael Ozanian , Kurt Badenhausen, Tom Van Riper, and Paul Maidment, there’s sports economist and author Andy Zimbalist; Lee Igel an assistant professor at New York University; Andrew Brandt, the former player agent and president of the Green Bay Packers who is now president of the National Football Post; Wayne McDonnell who is Clinical Associate Professor of Sports Management at New York University, and one who has offered frequent content to BizofBaseball.com, and; Kristi Dosh, an attorney, baseball blogger, and one working on a book on collective bargaining in MLB.  Like I said, good company.

The Forbes work has been a nice add, and opens some doors, but the best news I’ve gotten in a long time is that I have been approved to cover the 2010 MLB All-Star Game in Anaheim this year. Getting your foot in the door for what is considered a “jewel event” by MLB is not easy for an independent new media writer, such as myself. While I have been freelancing for Yahoo Sports, The New York Post, Baseball America, and shortly, MSNBC, MLB approved BizofBaseball.com through their media affiliation program, a sign that they view the site as a legitimate news organization reporting in an “at large” capacity. Next stop? An attempt to get credentialed for the World Series. After that? Let’s see what happens at the Winter Meetings.

Finally, I reported last month that I was part of a sports business pilot for Bloomberg Television. Well, that show has been shelved. I need to contact one of the producers, but word is that the content filmed last month might be interspersed throughout regular programming on Bloomberg Television. Hey, just getting in front of the camera is always a great learning experience. Recall doing my first piece for ESPN and I felt like Albert Brooks’ character Aaron Altman in Broadcast News when he had the sweat machine turn on. The Bloomberg filming felt easier, which shows I’m either getting more comfortable doing television, or I realize that Bob Costas and Dan Patrick really have nothing to worry about.

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• SEE THEM: Bronx Bombers Design Their Own Yankees Caps
• Phillies Players Rollins, Victorino, Hamels, Werth, Ibanez Rollout Apparel Designs
• Orioles Relieve Dave Trembley of Managerial Duties
• In-App Advertisement Seeps Into “At Bat 2010″ for iPad
• Statue of Red Sox “Teammates” to Be Unveiled At Fenway on June 9

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For one, I now own a (yes) Toyota Sienna. And, yes, I have two kids (no, not two girls, as is the case in this ad, but rather, two boys).

This, ladies and gentlemen, is pure marketing genius. Yo! Bust it watchin’ the “Swagger Wagon”

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Yankees Minor Leaguer Sanit Suspended 50 Games for PEDs
• Yankees, Phillies, Twins Players to Unveil Apparel Designs on June 2
• Red Sox Hire GreenMark to Increase Green Initiatives
• Why the Creditors of the Texas Rangers Got Into a Bidding War with MLB
• MLB Announces Club Reps at 2010 First-Year Player Draft

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If there was ever a sign that sports business has moved out from “bookworm” to “family room”, it’s been the expansion of television programming dedicated to sports outside the lines. I big hat tip has to go to Darren Rovell, who, besides being the king of Gatorade history, has become a staple on CNBC for all things sports business. Others have followed Rovell, including Rick Horrow on CNN and FOX Sports.

Bloomberg News has jumped in with both feet into the world of sports. Whether it has been Bloomberg Sports, or their analytics products for baseball (see Bloomberg Sports Making Push to Be Heavy Weight in Baseball Analytics), the financial giant has seen that sports off the field has dollar signs attached to it.

I can now proudly say, I will be part of another Bloomberg foray into sports business.

On Friday I filmed a segment for a Bloomberg Television pilot show on sports business. The show is tentatively set to air in mid-June. This is TV so while I spent 30 minutes answering questions from the producers, if I see 5 mins. of air time, it will be a miracle. Still, 5 or 2 or 10, any face time is good time.

What did we discuss? MLB revenue-sharing, explaining the Luxury Tax, how Target Field benefits the Twins, whether a Red Sox/Yankees rivalry is good or bad for baseball, and early record low attendance for a few of the clubs… great stuff. I tip my hat to the producers who really did their homework.

And, to add to the filming, Bloomberg will use data that has been researched for BizofBaseball.com, with proper citation through graphics or voiceover.

I’ll be updating on this shortly, but it appears that the show will have MLB Players Association Executive Director Michael Weiner as one of the guests on the initial show… I’m in fantastic company.

I really give it to Bloomberg to launching the show (and yes, I would have said this whether I was on the show, or not). It shows that sports business is becoming more and more of interest to the general public.

Look for more on the show as I get updates from Bloomberg

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• It’s a MLB.TV Free Weekend for iPhone, iPod Touch, and iPad Users
• MLB.TV Now Available on Sony PS3 in HD
• PODCAST: Maury Brown on Revenue-Sharing, Competitive Balance, the Yankees and Indians
• Media (and Fans) Read Close, If the Sale of the Texas Rangers is of Interest
• Brown: Time for MLB to Play Hardball on the Texas Rangers Sale
• MLB Releases Statement on Sale of the Texas Rangers
• Kevin Millar Joins MLB Network
• Joe Morgan to Become Special Advisor to Cincinnati Reds
• Fenway Sports Group Promotes Two Executives

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available as a freelance writer. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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UPDATE: If you are a sports organization, high profile athlete or entertainer, or business that wishes to add your name, please contact Maury Brown through the Business of Sports Network

This will mark the third year that I, and the Business of Sports Network, have done our Autism Awareness Challenge, and we are looking to make this year the best yet.

We began reaching out today to individuals in sports and entertainment, and in just a short period of time, have gotten off to a great start.

We already have commitments from:

• Autism Speaks
• Matt Kemp (Outfielder, Los Angeles Dodgers)
• Peter Gammons (MLB Network, MLB.com, NESN)
• Alyssa Milano (Television, screen and stage actor)
• Triple-A Portland Beavers of the PCL
• Portland Timbers FC of the USL, soon to be MLS in 2011
• Populous (Stadium and Global Design)
• Ken Rosenthal (FOXSports.com, MLB Network)
• Dave Sims (Television play-by-play commentator for the Seattle Mariners, radio play-by-play for Sunday Night Football on Westwood One,  television play-by-play host for UFL on VERSUS)
• Gordon Edes (ESPNBoston.com)
• Peter Abraham (Boston Globe)
• Chuck Armstrong (President, Seattle Mariners)
• Sports Management Worldwide
• Yardbarker Network
• Sports Business Radio
• Jim Duquette (Sirius/XM Radio MLB Home Plate, former GM Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets)
• David Kahn (President, Basketball Operations, Minnesota Timberwolves)
• Victor Rojas (Television play-by-play voice of the LA Angels, formerly with MLB Network)
• Will Carroll (Baseball Prospectus)
• Jesse Sanchez (MLB.com)
• Joe Hamrahi (Baseball Daily Digest, Baseball Prospectus)
• Brent Gambill (Executive Producer, MLB Home Plate, Sirius/XM Radio)
• Dave Barr (Producer, Sports Talk With Bo Mattingly. KREB 1190 Fayetteville, KTTG ESPN 96.3 FM Ft. Smith, KABZ 103.7 FM Little Rock)
• Chuck Greenberg (Pittsburgh sports attorney)
• Pat Courtney (MLB spokesperson)
• Mike Dilorenzo (NHL spokesperson)
• Jason Rosenberg (It’s About the Money, Stupid blog)
• Oregon Sports Authority
• Todd Radom (Graphic artist, sports logo creator)
• Gary Armida (Full Count Pitch blog)
• Jeff Levine (Business of Sports Network)
• Pete Toms (Business of Sports Network)
• Devon Teeple (Business of Sports Network)
• Jordan Kobritz (Business of Sports Network)
• Joe Tetreault (Business of Sports Network)

There will be more coming, and will update as they arrive.

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Inside How the Sale of the Texas Rangers Gets Done
• MLBPA Releases Updated “Dangerous/Contaminated Supplements” List
• Minor League Free Agent Michael Feliz Suspended 50 Games for PEDs
• Report: Sale of Texas Rangers Reaches Impasse
• Four Dominican Summer League Players Suspended for PEDs

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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They often tell you not to become a niche within a niche, but I can’t help it from Nov. to late Feb. That’s because it’s MLB salary arbitration season.

I have now become known as the “salary arb geek”, which strangely is okay by me. The process which is wholly unique to Major League Baseball so fascinates me due to its incredible weight that it places on how clubs structure payroll throughout the season.

For example, as of this posting, there are 31 players that have yet to reach agreements, or looking at it another way, 150 contracts that have been reached since mid-Nov. of last year for salary arbitration eligible players. Total salary cost (both single and multi-year agreements)? $543,520,002, or $336,970,002 for 2010. alone (see my updated tally running here)

To add to my obsessing over salary arbitration, I am doing a 3-part series for Yahoo! Sports, with the first one running this past Tuesday (see Evolution of salary arbitration: an ironic tale), part 2 running on Tuesday the 26th, and the final installment running shortly after the 21st of Feb. when salary arbitration is wrapped up for another year.

So, if you have your geek on, here’s some data I am tracking:

• MLB Salary Database
• Salary Arbitration Filings
• Salary Arbitration Figures
• Arbitration Scorecard

MORE NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Astros Agree with Pence on 1-yr, $3.5M Deal to Avoid Salary Arbitration
• Transaction Action: Orioles Bring Miguel Tejada Back
• Transaction Action: Giambi Returns to Rockies for 1-yr, $1.5M
• Dodgers to Play Two Games in Taiwan in March
• Players Unions From MLB, NFL, NHL, NBA Join Clinton Bush Fund-Raising Effort for Haiti Earthquake Relief
• Shane Victorino Gets 3-yr, $22M Deal from Phils to Avoid Salary Abritration
• Transaction Action: Royals Sign Rick Ankiel
• Over Half-A-Billion Dollars Allocated Through Salary Arbitration Contracts
• Brewers Agree with Coffey on 1-yr Deal Avoiding Arbitration
• Transaction Action: Angels Pick Up Pineiro to Fill Out Rotation
• Transaction Action: Dotel and Pirates Agree on Deal
• Phillies, Blanton Agree on 3-yr, $24M Deal Avoiding Salary Arbitration
• MASN Releases 2010 Broadcast Schedule for Nationals and Orioles
• Mariners Settle with League on a 1-yr, $1,087,500 Deal, Avoiding Arbitration
• Texas Rangers Sale Down to Dotting the “I”s and Crossing “T”

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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First of all, a Happy Thanksgiving to you. Many of you will be sitting around stuffing yourself silly today. But, as those from other countries outside the U.S. will tell you, we’re the only ones that set aside a day just to give thanks. Sounds like giving thanks everyday might be a good idea, yes?

A week from Sunday, I’ll be dragging myself to the airport at around 4:30am and begin heading to Indianapolis for this year’s Baseball Winter Meetings. For those that don’t know what they’re all about, read my primer on them at The Biz of Baseball. When you decide to go to the meetings, you want to make the most of them, and this year, my dance card is getting filled quickly.

On Monday I will be sitting on a Media & Journalism panel (4:15pm) as part of a Baseball Career Conference being hosted by Sports Management Worldwide in conjunction with Lynn University and Baseball America.  Joining me on the panel will be Ben Hill of MiLB.com, and John Manuel , the Editor in Chief of Baseball America. And, that’s just one panel. Others that will be there include Ned Colletti, general manager of the Dodgers; Jeff Idelson, President of National Baseball Hall of Fame; Will Carroll of Baseball Prospectus; Manny Colon, Florida Marlins, Manager of Player Development & International Operations; Chaim Bloom, Tampa Bay Rays Assistant Director of Minor League Operations; Tyrone Brooks, Cleveland Indians Scout, and a list of others too long to list.

That evening I’ll take my first trip over to the Trade Show, where I’ll be meeting with Populous (formerly HOK Sport) to talk stadium development, meet with Team Marketing Report, and get a general vibe of the Trade Show. Over the course of my time at the meetings, the idea is to get a feel for how the recession has hit the baseball industry and if there is movement out of the dark times.

Tuesday and Wednesday will be primarily focused on MLB’s side of things, with a parade of press conferences, and catching up with acquaintances in the media.

Lots of friends I’m looking forward to seeing, including Will Carroll, Brent Gambill of Sirius/XM Radio, Victor Rojas of MLB Network, Jerry Crasnick and Jayson Stark of ESPN, Ari Kaplan of AriBall, Shawn Hoffman of Squawking Baseball and Baseball Prospectus, Matthew Leach of MLB.com, Mark Smith the Minor League Video Coordinator for the A’s, and a bunch of others I’m probably missing.

In-between all this, I’m working on an essay for a St. Louis Cardinals Spring Training guide by Maple Street Press on Albert Pujols.

The biggest thing is I’ll be reporting the heck out the meetings; any trades, signings, etc. Look for The Biz of Baseball to be blanketed with winter meetings news Sun-Weds.

In the mean time, here’s some selected content on The Biz of Baseball that you might be interested in:

• MLB Can’t Have Their Cake and Eat it Too (Revenue-Sharing)
• The Economics of Sports: An Interview with Roger Noll
• Site Update: MLB Revenue-Sharing Figures (‘02-’03, ‘05)
• From Japan to Panama and Beyond, World Series a Ratings Hit

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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This is the first installment of a weekly column named, “Because It’s Good For You”. The premise of the column is to highlight a person or resource each week that I see of exceptional value. This week I start with ESPN Senior Baseball Writer, Rob Neyer.

It’s hard to place a value on what ESPN’s Rob Neyer has brought to fans of baseball’s analytical side. It’s fair to say that there are a legion of burgeoning sabermetricans due to his work. You have to look at Neyer as the gateway drug to Bill James; he’s made the complex digestible for years now on ESPN.com, and now through his companion blog, Sweetspot.

But, beyond the ESPN work, his “Big Book” series of publications have been entertaining reading on every level. Whether it has been Baseball Legends, or Lineups, or Blunders, which I was honored to have an essay in, they’re a great addition to your bookshelf.

Beyond the “Big Book” series, there’s The Neyer/James Guide to Pitchers, with, yes, Bill James. Or, Baseball Dynasties, and if you really want to dig in, click through Rob’s personal website.

Beyond all of this, Rob’s been as approachable as one can get. He’s been interviewed by many across the blogsphere, and this author as done so not, once, not twice, but several times (here, and here ,as well) .

So, do yourself a favor, because it’s good for you… Make Sweetspot a daily stop. And pick up one of Rob’s books. Your brain will thank you for it.

(THE BIZ OF BASEBALL)

• Listing: 210 Potential MLB Salary Arbitration Players for 2010
• NHLPA Votes to Allow Donald Fehr to Assist in Constitution, Exec. Dir. Search
• Costas Interview with Ernie Harwell: “This will be my last World Series, I think”
• Mitch Jones, Shelly Duncan, Randy Ruiz Highlight Topps Triple-A All-Star Team
• Yankees World Series Merchandise Sales Pacing at Second-Highest Ever

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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It also is a delicate dance.

How many stories have we read about athletes getting fined or being asked to please step away from the keyboard when it comes to Twitter? When you’re unfiltered, you can do harm, or good.

So, it was of interest to many when 11-time All-Star and 7-time Cy Young winner, Roger Clemens showed up on Twitter. Clemens, also is embroiled in a legal battle regarding alleged steroid use from his former personal trainer, Brian McNamee. Clemens was mentioned 82 times in the Mitchell Report via McNamee’s testimony (see The Biz of Baseball’s archive on the Mitchell Report).

Of a more serious nature, The Rocket may have lied before Congress regarding when he said he never used PEDs, especially after Andy Pettitte’s affidavit.

Reading Clemens on Twitter is a softball affair. But, sometimes Clemens throws something out there that can relate to his current legal dilemma.

Clemens was asked, “What is the best advice that you ever got?” Here’s the answer:

Well…a down right to the point one came from my mother- “Never get in a pissin’ contest with a skunk” Mine would be “love and work hard at what you do” and Give time to others. Understand sometimes you will fail, pick yourself up and go at it again! One that always hit home and says it all came from our grandmother…”if your a ditch digger, be the best ditch digger you can be!”

OK, ignore the misspellings (I now have a better understanding of his use of “misremembered” now)…  thinking of how Clemens might view McNamee, I saw what mother said, and latched onto it.

“I think you should have listened to mom. Certainly, not listened to Rusty. Get in front of it, like the others.”

“Getting in front of it” is a reference to the likes of Pettitte and Jason Giambi who realized that if they admitted – even vaguely – to using PEDs, the public (and more importantly, Congress) will get off your back and eventually move on. Look at Pettitte. His hGH use was barely mentioned during the World Series.

Roger’s reply?

Trying to decipher Clemenspeak, the reference to “how do you prove a negative” appears to be a reference to McNamee. As for “wallet chaser”… well, I guess we know how he feels about Rusty Hardin these days.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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I’m against it for a number of reasons, but that doesn’t mean I don’t feel that some other method of restraining high spenders (namely, the Yankees) can’t be done outside of a hard cap system (see Reasons for Not Having a Salary Cap in MLB are Numerous).

But, what are others saying? Here’s a handful of quotes:

“Having the largest payroll doesn’t automatically mean you’re going to win. We’ve seen that time and time again. Thankfully, we had some payroll come off of our books, and we were able to use that money, make some good decisions, and get players who were able to improve our team.” - Hal Steinbrenner

“If we start getting refunds from the [luxury tax and revenue-sharing] checks we’ve been writing, then we’ll take those kind of complaints seriously.” - Yankees President Randy Levine

“We’ve have more competitive balance than at any other point in our history,” he said. “I’m not in the least bit concerned [about the need for a salary cap].” – Commissioner Selig

“At the rate the Yankees are going, I’m not sure anyone can compete with them. Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap.” – Brewers owner, Mark Attanasio

“It might be convenient to look at the huge increase in overall revenue and say that the game isn’t broke and it doesn’t really need fixing, but the bottom line isn’t the only bottom line in this case. When you have one player making as much as a whole other team, something is seriously out of whack.” – Peter Schmuck, Baltimore Sun

“And you know why baseball may never have a salary cap. The union has ceded so much lately with revenue sharing and drug testing that Selig won’t risk labor peace over a cap when the collective bargaining agreement expires in two years. And it’s not like salary caps have been cure-alls, given the background saber-rattling presently occurring in the NFL and NBA.” – Michael Hunt, NewsOK

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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So, I’m not so sure Gary Bettman is smiling today, but I’m certain the NHL’s players are a fragmented lot.

The recent story that is the NHL Players’ Association may be the most convoluted case of implosion U.S. professional sports has witnessed in over 30 years. The last time there was such internal turmoil, MLB ownership ranks were squabbling after the ascension of Marvin Miller and the MLBPA.

Now, it’s hockey’s turn, only this time, it’s the players union, not management.

If you haven’t followed this sad tale, here’s the timeline:

July 28, 2005 – Bob Goodenow who had been the Executive Director of the NHLPA through the 103-day lockout in ‘94-’95 and the 2004-2005 labor stoppage that canceled the entire ‘04-’05 NHL season, was asked to resign, and did so less that two weeks after the NHL and the NHLPA came to reach the current Collective Bargaining Agreement.

July 28, 2005 – Ted Saskin, the former Senior Director of Business Affairs and Licensing since 1992, replaces Goodenow. Saskin immediately comes under fire by some players for the manner in which he is elected as well as well as his salary. Some players claimed at the time that Saskin was improperly hired to a five-term contract worth $2.13 million a year. As we’ll see, this behavior by the NHLPA is playing itself out now. In an odd twist that is playing out now, Chris Chelios, who at the time was with the Detroit Red Wings said that Trevor Linden, the union president who played for Vancouver, improperly negotiated a severance package with Goodenow and the new contract with Saskin. Goodenow received a severance package of more than $8 million, according to e-mail correspondence sent to The Toronto Star, which first reported the controversy at the time. In October of 2006, a group of player, led by Chelios, file a lawsuit in US Federal Court to remove Saskin and seek damages. In ‘07, Saskin, and other union officials come under fire for accessing private email accounts of players and agents who have challenged his hiring. This activity will also come into play in the present.

March 11, 2007 – Saskin is placed on paid leave. The union’s executive board, after a vote made up of 30 player representatives and the six-member interim executive committee, voted to fire Saskin on a conference call. Saskin does not leave office until May 7,2007.  Saskin reportedly received nearly $750,000 US in accrued vacation pay and union shares. “I remain proud of all the work I did for NHL players over the last 16 years,” Saskin told the Canadian Press in an e-mail at the time.

June 28, 2007 – The union’s Executive Board selects Michael Cammalleri (Montreal Canadiens), Chelios (Detroit Red Wings), Shawn Horcoff (Edmonton Oilers), Eric Lindros (retired) and Robyn Regehr (Calgary Flames) to form a search committee for a new Executive Director in the wake of Saskin’s forced resigning. The effort is done with assistance of Reilly Partners, an executive search firm from Chicago. The committee recommends Paul Kelly, a founding partner of Kelly, Libby and Hoopes, and after a vote from the players, is announced as the new Executive Director of the NHLPA on October 24, 2007.

August 31, 2009 - Kelly is fired after several hours of meetings late into the night in Chicago. The decision was made by a vote from the NHLPA’s 30 player reps that comprise its Executive Board. The NHLPA released a statement  the following day saying, “Following the Executive Board’s review of the overall operation of the NHLPA, it was decided that Paul Kelly should no longer continue to serve as Executive Director.  We appreciate Mr. Kelly’s service to our Association.” Kelly was informed of the firing with NHLPA General Counsel Ian Penny. There have been rumblings that Kelly might be getting too close to NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. Kelly was also reportedly at odds with NHLPA Interim Ombudsman Buzz Hargrove, and according to Liz Mullen of the SportsBusiness Journal, “at least one member of the union’s outside advisory committee”, as well as Penny.

August 31, 2009 – On the same day as Kelly’s firing, Ian Penny, the longtime NHLPA General Counsel, is voted unanimously by the union’s executive committee members interim executive director

October 22, 2009 – Less than two months after Kelly’s firing, the PA calls for an investigation into Kelly’s firing.  After Kelly’s firing, there was a lack of clear explanation for why Kelly was removed. according to some players. Edmonton Oilers forward Shawn Horcoff, one of the 30 on the executive board said, “Until we’re able to inform all the players on exactly what happened, we’re really not going to be too specific.” More vague talk came from  Buzz Hargrove. “Given the findings that were presented to them, given the debate, they took a decision. It’s a decision they will feel very comfortable justifying with their fellow players once they see them in training camp.”

October 30, 2009 – Eight days after the investigation into Kelly’s firing is launched, Ian Penny resigns saying he had been constructively dismissed and “can no longer work under the present circumstances.” Along with Penny, multiple members of the NHLPA’s advisory board including former NHL player Steve Larmer, and Ken Baumgartner, as well as Dan O’Neill and Ron Lloyd, both connected to the NHLPA on the business side. Baumgartner writes an email to the PA’s members saying:

“Get involved and ask questions,” Baumgartner wrote in his resignation email. “Not just now but in the future. Care about the business side of the sport and players’ rights. The strength of the union lies in your locker rooms.  Ask whether the players and their advisers taking you down this dangerous path have ulterior motives. Revenge? Personal ambitions? Attempts to save face?

“I have grave concerns around the direction that the review committee is taking you. Those who loudly proclaim to protect the constitution appear to have ignored it. The role that I accepted no longer exists, and I can be of no use to you in the current structure.”

On top of these members, the NHLPA’s longtime outside counsel, leading Canadian labor attorney Paul Cavalluzzo, also resign. Cavalluzzo is important as he had been part of labor negotiations with the NHL. At the time, some in the Canadian press report that the NHLPA has ostensibly collapsed and in not functioning. The NHLPA in a statement makes a point of addressing the matter saying, “The NHLPA staff continues to work very hard on behalf of the players in all areas of the Association’s business and will continue to do so going forward.” An October 23rd letter from Penny to the NHLPA paints a picture as to why he resigned. Within it, Penny claims that, among other things, spying was being conducted by four veteran NHLPA members, and led by Chris Chelios:

In recent weeks, there have been a series of hostile and intimidating acts taken against members of the NHLPA staff. These acts are contrary to the legal obligation of the NHLPA to create a safe work environment that is free of harassment. Unfortunately, this obligation is not being fulfilled because of these acts, which include the following:

• Chris Chelios is using staff members inside the office to monitor the meetings and discussions of their fellow employees and report back to him on their activities
• Chelios has confronted multiple employees and interrogated them about why they were meeting with other staffers and what was said in their discussions
• The most recent example of this surveillance campaign occurred on Tuesday, when Chelios sent me the following text message while I was meeting with four other managers in a board room:

“Ian when you r done can you please call me and let me know what you 5 staff members are discussing with each other i would like to know being your guys Emplyer.”

It is obvious based on this text message and other recent incidents that Chelios has staff members spying on their colleagues so that he can intimidate and harass the targeted staffers. This completely inappropriate conduct has created a hostile, fractured and distrustful work environment. It is the type of environment that exists in repressive, totalitarian regimes – not work places. It must stop immediately.

Chelios’ suggestion that he is the employer and that he is entitled to engage in this form of harassment is simply wrong. No employer is entitled to intimidate employees in this manner. In addition, this view reflects a misunderstanding of the relationship between the Executive Board and the staff. There are over 700 NHLPA members who dictate the union’s course through 30 Player Reps acting as a group. No single Player and no single Player Rep directs the day to day management of the NHLPA or its staff. Not only would that be a recipe for chaos, it would allow a single Player to engage in activities that may create legal liability for the entire membership.

Because I am a target of Chelios’ surveillance activities, I strongly recommend that the Board seek guidance from other counsel regarding the legal exposure that these activities may have created for the NHLPA.

October 31, 2009 – With Penny, and others resigning from the NHLPA, the four-man review committee installs General Counsel Mike Ouellet as acting Executive Director, and that Roland Lee has been named General Counsel to replace Ouellet until the executive board  made up of the 30 player reps can reconvene and name an interim executive director and interim general counsel. Almost immediately, there are questions as to whether the review committee has the rights within the NHLPA constitution to conduct such an action.

November 8, 2009 – NHLPA Interim Ombudsman “Buzz” Hargrove resigns, saying, “Under current circumstances, I can not perform duties of ombudsman.” There had been reports that Hargrove was going to be ousted, although Hargrove said, “I had no worry of being forced out.”  Still, Hargrove’s announcement might well be viewed as a preemptive strike. Hargrove said surveillance by the NHLPA’s review committee made it impossible to carry out duties outlined in NHLPA constitution.

That brings you up to date on the soap opera that is the NHLPA. If your head is swimming, imagine how the rank and file players feel. If there is a single name that runs through this saga, it is Chris Chelios. Whether the players find that he is the source of the problems, or simply a man attempting to get the ship righted, is the question.

One thing of importance… While 2011 seems far away, it isn’t when it comes to labor negotiations. With the NHLPA a rudderless, revolving door of a house that seems to be forever on fire, getting the NHLPA sorted out could have implications on the next CBA. What seems to be a near given is that this timeline of a chaotic nature seems far from over. After all, Hargrove will need replacing, and eventually, Ouellet will either be approved, or not, by the executive board. For those keeping track, there have been three executive directors of the NHLPA in four years. That does include interim executive directors in Penny, and Ouellet.

Stability? Think again.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Since then, Bodybuilding.com has announced that it is conducting a worldwide recall of all lots and expiration dates of 65 dietary supplement products (see the list below) that were sold through the Company’s website

Liberty Media Corporation (Nasdaq: LINTA, LCAPA)  announced that Liberty acquired control of Bodybuilding.com in February of 2008. More details as they become available.

List of Recalled Bodybuilding.com Supplements

• 4Ever Fit D-Drol
• Advanced Muscle Science Dienedrone
• Advanced Muscle Science Liquidrone UTT
• Anabolic Xtreme Hyperdrol X2
• APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Mastavol
• APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Revamp
• APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Ultra Mass Stack
• APS (aka Advanced Muscle Science) Ripped Stack
• Better Body Sports Finadex
• Black China Labs Straight Drol
• Black China Labs Straight Phlexed
• Body Conditioning Solutions TestraFLEX
• Bjorklund Methyldrostanolone
• BOSC Enterprises Epi-Tren
• BOSC Enterprises Magna Drol
• Chaparral Labs Epivol
• Chaparral Labs Pheravol-V
• Competitive Edge Labs M-Drol
• Competitive Edge Labs P-Plex
• Competitive Edge Labs X-tren
• Diabolic Labs Epio-Plex
• Diabolic Labs Finabolic 5
• Diabolic Labs Revenge
• Ergopharm 6-OXO
• Ergopharm 6-OXO Extreme
• EST (aka Engineered Sports Technology) MethAnstance
• Extreme Labs Susto-Test Depot
• Fizogen ON Cycle II Hardcore
• G.E.T/ (Genetic Edge Technologies) SUS-500
• G.E.T/ (Genetic Edge Technologies) Tren-250
• Hardcore Formulations T-Roid
• I Force Nutrition 1,4 AD Bold 200
• I Force Dymethazine/Reversitol Combo Pack
• I Force Reversitol
• I Force Nutrition 17a PheraFLEX
• I Force Nutrition Dymethazine
• I Force Nutrition Methadrol
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Bromodrol
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Grow Tabs TR
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Mass Tabs
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Oxodrol Pro
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Ripped Tabs TR
• IDS (aka Innovative Delivery Systems) Rapid Release
• Ripped Tabs
• Kilo Sports Massdrol
• Kilo Sports Phera-Mass
• Kilo Sports Trenadrol
• Monster Caps Monster Caps
• Myogenix Spawn
• Nutra Coastal D-Stianozol
• Nutra Coastal H-Drol
• Nutra Coastal MDIT
• Nutra Coastal S-Drol
• Nutra Coastal Trena
• Performance Anabolics Methastadrol
• Performance Anabolics Tri-Methyl X
• Purus Labs E-pol Inslinsified
• Purus Labs Nasty Mass
• Rage RV2
• Rage RV3
• Rage RV4
• Rage RV5
• Redefine Nutrition Finaflex 550-XD
• Redefine Nutrition Finaflex Ripped
• Transform Supplements Forged Extreme Mass
• Transform Supplements Forged Lean Mass

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Vanity has a new address, and his name is Sammy Sosa.

By now, you’ve probably heard and seen the pictures. Sosa appeared Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas for the Latin Grammys om Wednesday. As the pictures above show, Sammy is, well… a bit pale.

David  Brown on Yahoo! Sports’ Big League Stew asked,  What in the name of Michael Jackson is up with Sammy Sosa?

Apparently, vanity.

“He’s not trying to be Michael Jackson,” said former Cubs employee Rebecca Polihronis to the Chicago Tribume.  Polihronis says she talks frequently with Sosa.

Well then, what’s the deal?

“He is going through a rejuvenation process for his skin,” Polihronis said. “Women have it all of the time. He was surprised he came out looking so white. I thought it was a body double. Part of (the photo appearance) is just the lighting.

“He is in the middle of doing a cleansing process to his skin. The picture is deceiving. He said, ‘If you saw me in person, you would be surprised. When you see me in person, it is not going to seem like the picture.’

“People who saw him in person did not react the same way. He can’t believe it is such a big deal.”

Well, he’s added green contacts in the past few years, which adds to the whole effect. If it was the lighting, then how come Derrick Fisher didn’t look he was scared half to death when he was photographed in Las Vegas at the Lagasee’s Stadium party?

I keep waiting for Sammy to say, “The camera adds 10 pounds,” thus explaining the <ahem> possible use of steroids in the past.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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And I think that’s the beauty of our game and our industry, and that is where our Network is at an advantage, when you compare it to the NFL Network or the NHL and NBA’s efforts because baseball is a year-round sport. Let’s say that the World Series didn’t go into November, we would still have free agent filings, non-tender deadline, 6 year minor league free agents, you’ve got the baseball Winter Meetings, free agent signings, arbitration cases and 15 days to pitchers and catchers report and all the sudden, you’re into Spring Training, and it starts all over again. That’s why I don’t think you have to expand baseball on the field, for as long as possible on the calendar so that we keep it in the social consciousness…

While I cover the NFL, NHL, and NBA, I pay closer attention to MLB in the off-season than any other time (and this after I consulted for an NBA franchise for this year’s draft).

So, here’s the calendar leading up to when pitchers and catchers can voluntarily report on Feb. 18:

• Through Nov. 19 — Free agent filing period.

See The Biz of Baseball’s Free Agency, Trades, and Signings for details on the first three days

• Nov. 9-11 — General managers meetings, Chicago.

One wonders if the topic of expanded instant replay will be on the agenda. You can bet, the economy will be.

• Nov. 18-19 — Owners meeting, Chicago.

Originally, many thought (me included) that this would be when the ownership transfer of the Cubs from Tribune to the Rickettses would happen. Was so important, they did the vote via conference call. So, what will this meeting be about? Economy, economy, economy. If Bob DuPuy or somehow, Bud Selig makes it to the Winter Meetings, I plan on asking about the blackout situation with MLB Extra Innings. Fat chance that gets resolved any time soon.

• Nov. 30-Dec. 4 — Major League Baseball Players Association executive board meeting, Scottsdale, Ariz.

Michael Wiener will be officially voted in as the next Executive Director of the MLBPA

• Dec. 1 — Last day for teams to offer salary arbitration to their former players who became free agents.

On your mark…

• Dec. 7 — Last day for free agents offered salary arbitration to accept the offers.

Get set…

• Dec. 7-10 — Winter meetings, Indianapolis.

Request for media credentials are in, booking flight shortly thereafter. Looking to attend Sunday evening to Weds. morning. I will, most likely be part of Sports Management Worldwide’s Baseball Career Conference (see details here). Here’s who’s tentative to speak (besides me): Jay Miller, President, Round Rock Express Baseball Club (AAA-Astros), Bruce Baldwin, General Manager, Gwinnett Braves (AAA-Braves), Benjamin Hill, Baseball Writer, MiLB.com, Jeff Idelson, President, National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Mark Galuska, Director of Marketing & Sales, Columbus Clippers (AAA-Indians), Oscar Suarez, MLB Agent, Suarez & Associates,my good friend, Will Carroll, Senior Writer for Baseball Prospectus, Ryan Latham, Boston Red Sox Fenway Ambassador, Bobby Brett, Brett Sports & Entertainment & Spokane Indians Managing Partner, Bob Masewicz, Total Sports Entertainment Owner, John Manuel, Baseball America Editor in Chief, and Dr. Lynn Lashbrook and Joe Bonahoom of Sports Management Worldwide.

If you are going to the Winter Meetings, leave note in the comments.

• Dec. 12 — Last day for teams to offer 2010 contracts to unsigned players.

2010

• Jan 5-15 — Salary arbitration filing.

GO!…  As it is every year, I will be doing comprehensive reporting on salary arbitration on The Biz of Baseball. This year will provide even more data than last year. Here are filings for the last few years.

• Jan. 6 — Hall of Fame BBWAA voting announced.

Fluff

• Jan. 19 — Exchange of salary arbitration figures.

Same as every other year, including last year (here they are)

• Feb. 1-21 — Salary arbitration hearings, St. Petersburg, Fla.

If anyone gets to hearing, I track the outcome, including which arbitors are on the panels, and the outcomes (see complete historical reference)

Lots, and lots to do. That’s why, baseball season never ends.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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A few months ago, I approached my wife about filming a short film for Autism Speaks, the autism awareness advocacy group. They were planning on doing an advertisement about how autism influences family. The requested footage was simple: film the one with autism along with family in a favorite spot where the one with autism enjoyed going. The footage would then be added with others to make the commercial with a voice over.

The location was easy enough for me to select:

The location is Council Crest in Portland, OR at the top of what is called the “West Hills”. The location, which has a panoramic view of Portland, also looks west down to where our home is.

In the small park is a drinking fountain of amazing design. It is of a mother holding her child in the air.

The fact that our son, Travis, who has “classic” autism so enjoys the fountain, with the symbolism of the joy of parenthood was staggering to me. It would be perfect for the film.

But, as those that care for one with autism will tell you, your plans are never solid; often times, dismissed due to autism’s chaotic nature.

It could have been the exhaustion. It could have been getting everyone in the family together for the film. Whatever the case, we never made the film and sent it in.

So, it has been of great interest that I saw the finished product today. I found it through an article on TIME.com (see ‘I Am Autism’: Advocacy Video Sparks Protest)

In reading the article, my brow furrowed. The article details how those that are living with autism are planning on protesting the ad, outlining autism’s polarizing effect:

The latest example is the eruption over a video produced for Autism Speaks, the nation’s largest autism advocacy group. The slickly produced video, written by Grammy-nominated songwriter Billy Mann and directed by Academy Award–winning director Alfonso Cuarón, shows a series of images of children with autism, accompanied by an ominous voice-over: “I am Autism … I know where you live … I live there too … I work faster than pediatric AIDS, cancer and diabetes combined … And if you are happily married, I will make sure that your marriage fails.”

Some autistic “self advocates” are furious over the tone of the video. “We don’t want to be portrayed as burdens or objects of fear and pity,” insists Ari Ne’eman, president of the Autistic Self-Advocacy Network, a 15-chapter group he built while attending college at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. “Apparently, should my parents divorce, it’s all my fault,” says Ne’eman, who received a diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome, a relatively mild form of autism, at age 12.

Sure enough, the video does start that way, with the dark, sinister voice over showing those with autism standing alone. But then, the ad changes… As someone that sees autism’s effect, and yet sees the power of the human condition — the rallying of those that reach out — you see that it the power of those that wish to combat it head long are stronger than the supposed darkness that can come with it.

See for yourself… stick with it till the end. Powerful, is an understatement:

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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And while MLB attendance was down less than expected (the 2009 regular season ended with 73,418,529 in total attendance a decline of 6.58 percent. See Inside The Numbers: Final 2009 MLB Regular Season Attendance for details), some clubs were hit harder than others.

And, if you stunk it up in the standings, which the Washington Nationals did in near record fashion you see attendance even worse .

As I reported in the “Inside the Numbers” piece:

The Nationals finished in the standings with a 59-103 record (.364), the worst record in the majors. The Nats drew 1,817,280 over 80 games, for an average of 22,716, a 21.68 decline over 2008, the first year in Nationals Park. It is the lowest attendance the Nationals have had since the Expos relocated to Washington, D.C. Another sobering stat is that Nationals Park was just barely filled half full over the course of the season. Based on paid attendance, not turnstile clicks at the gate that are normally lower, Nationals Park finished the year being filled to 54.2 percent of capacity.

So, how do you think that influenced the front office? Try layoffs.

While the Nats aren’t the first club to have front office layoffs, they do show a trend in the industry. As the Washington Business Journal reports:

Two former employees, who asked not to be identified, admitted to being laid off by the team.

One former employee, who worked as an account executive in the sales department, said he was let go last month. “There wasn’t much to it,” he said in a phone interview on Friday. “If you lose that many games there’s going to be changes to any organization, on and off the field. I think I was just part of that downsizing.”

He said he was “definitely one of several” laid off in his department, which he said was made up of about 15 people. “We were told they were just downsizing and they basically left it at that.”

I guess the logic is, if fans aren’t coming to games, well… the added sales staff may not be needed.

The sales staff isn’t the only one that’s now searching for work. The Nationals have declined their $10 million option on outfielder Austin Kearns. The Nationals will have to pay a $1 million buyout to end Kearns term with the team. No word if the savings on the laid-off sales staff was going to be used for that.

OTHER RECENT COLUMNS BY MAURY BROWN ON THE BIZ OF BASEBALL:

Reasons for Not Having a Salary Cap in MLB Are Numerous

Ranking Who in MLB Got the Biggest Bang For the Buck in 2009

World Series Averages 19.4 Million Viewers, Up 42% From 2008

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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Vitriol seems to come in its biggest doses when it comes to baseball. It just seems to incite some deep emotion that other sports, don’t. Sure, the NBA, NHL, and NFL has its far share of fans that get bent out of shape, but that seems directed at the players, or the occasional owner, even referee, but rarely at the league’s underlying structure.

Here’s an example:

• In the last ten years, the Los Angeles Lakers have won the NBA Championship four times, three of them in a row from 2000-02.
• In the same span, the New England Patriots have won the Super Bowl three times, twice in a row in 2003 and 2004.
• And yet, the insanity over the Yankees winning in 2009 (and in reality, the other 27 times) brings up calls for change to the system.

I get that the system is far from perfect. MLB’s revenue-sharing system, and the soft cap known as the Luxury Tax need tending to, but that is not enough for many.

I see it as analogous to the angry bear. When feeling threatened, the response is to lash out, even if it’s indiscriminately. The Yankees won (again) so it must be the lack of a salary cap that’s at the root of the matter.

Well…

It’s funny that the sport that has no salary cap, is the one that spends the least on player payroll. That ’s right, uncapped, there is less spending on player salaries than capped leagues (52% compared to 56.7% for the NHL, 57% for the NBA, and 59% for the NFL).

A cap is…

• Politically difficult (there have been not one, but two work stoppages in MLB due to attempts at putting one in place)
• A salary floor is needed to go with a cap to keep clubs from pocketing revenue-sharing dollars.
• Even if you could put a cap in place, you still would have disparity due to high revenue making clubs being able to outspend on scouting, etc. that fall outside the system.

I added more details on the topic today on The Biz of Baseball (see Reasons for Not Having a Salary Cap in MLB Are Numerous)

Oh, and then there’s the fact that while it’s true that of the top 10 teams with the highest Opening Day payrolls in 2009, five of them made the postseason (Yankees, 1 – Red Sox, 4 – Angels, 6 – Phillies, 7 and Dodgers, 9). Only three teams were in the lower half of the league based on player payroll, with only one of them (Twins) being in the lower third of the league (Cardinals, 17 – Colorado, 18 – Twins, 24). But if you look at the league payrolls, and see how some teams spent compared to winning, it’s a tale of “money doesn’t always mean winning” (for details on all 30 clubs, see my annual report, Ranking Who in MLB Got the Biggest Bang For the Buck in 2009).

But, that won’t stop many from saying we need to eat the rich.

Here’s my solution that is in Friday’s “Reasons” column:

So, the talk of a salary cap should remain that: talk. The system is not perfect, but taking a wrecking ball to it is not the solution. Put in a hard-slotting system for the amateur draft. Create an international draft. Make breaking through the Luxury Tax threshold painful – very financially painful – for those clubs that dare to flirt with it.

Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is available for hire or freelance. Brown’s full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.

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No club in the NHL exemplifies this at this stage better than the Phoenix Coyotes. I’ve written ad nauseum about the love (or lack thereof) between the NHL, owner Jerry Moyes, and RIM co-CEO Jim Balsillie over at The Biz of Hockey (here’s but one example) as it pertains to the bankruptcy filing by Moyes, his attempts to sell the team to Balsillie (who was going to hijack the team and relocate them to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, against the NHL’s will), and the general bleeding of red ink that can be viewed in just some of the many documents filed in court, here.

How has all this impacted the gate (and we didn’t even bring up Wayne Gretzky)? Attendance has been colder than the ice the Coyotes play on.

Case in point, Monday’s game against the Kings which drew a paid attendance of 5,855. Remember, paid attendance is the number of tickets sold, not rears in the seats, so the abysmal figure listed was certainly worse.

What’s worse? Try Saturday’s game against the Ducks, which drew 6,495 in paid attendance. Remember, that’s a Saturday night. Average for the two games: 6,175

The bankruptcy judge overseeing the sale of the Coyotes recently approved a deal for the NHL to purchase the club for $140 million. No word on whether they place the beleaguered club on eBay anytime soon.

But, Twitter is here to stay, and is being embraced in a big way by athletes from all leagues… just some more than others.

Case in point, MLB vs. NBA players. Below is a definitive list of verified MLB players, courtesy of the @MLB blog:

Also, the Reds’ Chris Dickerson co-founded @weplaygreen.

Conversely, the NBA has so many players using the micro-blogging, social network site that a comprehensive study has been released of 130 players on Twitter by Sysomos.

Key notes of the massive study:

• The most popular NBA players (having the most followers on Twitter) are the Cleveland Cavaliers’ Shaquille O’Neal, followed by the Boston Celtics’ Paul Pierce and the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard
• The most active NBA players (having the most NBA friends) is the Phoenix Suns’ Jason Richardson, followed by the Milwaukee Bucks’ Andrew Bogut and the San Antonio Spurs’ Roger Mason Jr.
• The most active NBA player on Twitter (average number of tweets per day) is the Boston Celtics’ Marquis Daniels, followed by the Toronto Raptors’ Reggie Evans and the Washington Wizards’ Fabricio Oberto
• The most “dense” team (players following their teammates) is the Philadelphia 76ers
• The most “NBA social” team (players following players on other teams) is the Detroit Pistons
• The most popular team on NBA (having the most NBA followers from other teams) is the Cleveland Cavaliers
• The most “Twitter social” team (players following the most people on Twitter) is the Chicago Bulls
• The most popular team on Twitter (in terms of its players being followed by the most people on Twitter) is Cleveland Cavaliers, not surprising given the Cavs’ players include superstars LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal

Select the image below to see how NBA players on Twitter connect: