Why Mayweather Has No Product Endorsement: A Sports Marketing Analysis

Every year, over a combined billion people watch marquee sporting events, like the Super bowl, the NBA Play-Offs and WWE Wrestlemania. The Super bowl alone attracts more than 160 million people (bigger than half of the US population), and in certain parts of the spectacle, the full viewership will have their eyes fixed on the game. So, it should come as no surprise that some advertisers are willing to spend US$ 3.5 million on a 30-second ad just to reach their audience and grab their attention.

Highest Paid Athlete vs Brand Ambassador
Although Boxing does not enjoy the level of popularity of other sporting and entertainment events such as football, soccer, basketball and professional wrestling, the mega-fight between two of the greatest boxers of today (and maybe even in history), Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, is touted to draw billions of Dollars, billed by some analysts as the “biggest payday in sports history”. The massive amount of profit waiting for the promoters, and the boxers and their entourage is expected to come from ticket sales, pay-per-view subscriptions, and product endorsements.
Manny Pacquiao’s career earnings after the fight will reach an estimated US$ 425 million, paving his way into an elite group of highest-earning active athletes, which includes Tiger Woods, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant. Pacquiao receives paychecks not only from his promoters, but also from his endorsements, such as HP, Sony, Henessy, Monster Energy and San Miguel Beer. But, while Manny Pacquiao is raking in millions through endorsements alone (his fighting shorts is estimated to be worth more than US$ 2.3 million), Floyd Mayweather is conspicuously devoid of any.

Bad Reputation Means Bad Marketing
Experts say that Mayweather is undoubtedly popular and that people are excited to watch him, but his reputation and history discourages sponsors from being associated with him. Mayweather has pleaded guiltily to domestic violence charges in at least three separate occasions, and he has served two months in jail for attacking the mothers of his 9- and 10-year old sons in front of them. He was also found guilty of the same charge in 2001, 2002 and 2003.
Mayweather also has some nasty mic habits, hurling racist and homophobic comments about other boxers, including Pacquiao. And unlike other athletes who work hard to re-gain the lost trust and affection of their fans when they get into trouble, Mayweather has never acknowledged or apologized for his transgressions.
Despite this, Mayweather is the world’s highest paid athlete, and he has reached that distinction solely through his in-ring earnings. For the May 2 mammoth match, Mayweather is to earn an estimated US$ 120 million.

Largest Economic Impact in Boxing History
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao weighed in on 1^st May 2015 with a strong 12,000 fans watched at the arena. This was the most lucrative weigh-in in the history of boxing.
The entry to the weigh-in at the MGM Grand Garden Arena cost $10, but the ticket resale online and on the street skyrocketed at $800. This is just the weigh-in ticket.
The ticket sales for the fight night on 2^nd May 2015 at the ring side is a whooping $141,575 USD per person. The projected ticket revenue is $74M, exceeds 6 games of 2013 World Series ($62.6) and Super Bowl XLIX Live Gate ($60M). The expected pay-per-view revenue is larger than the GDP of 29 countries. If the fight goes the distance to 12^th Round, Mayweather and Pacquiao will split approximately $130,000 per second, on pay-per-view revenue alone. Expected revenue for the bout will surpass $400M, the largest in boxing history.

Tale of the Tape
Mayweather vs Pacquiao
Age:                38  vs  36
Wins:               47  vs  57
Losses:            0  vs  5
KO:                   26  vs  38
Draws:             0  vs  2
Weight:           146 pounds  vs  145 pounds
Height:            5’8″  vs  5’6 1/2″
Reach:             72″  vs  67″
Style:               Defensive  vs  Offensive

Sports Celebrity Endorsement: Marketing 101
Sports celebrities are ideal for businesses to linked with to project relevant aspects of their brand and products. Sports heroes can personify success, tenacity, resilience, teamwork, innovation, and determination despite vulnerability. Their performance in their respective fields, be it on court, on clay, on grass, or inside the ring or squared-circle impacts the viewers in more ways than any other media. Spectators feel awe when they experience jaw-dropping surge in speed, display of power, mind-breaking coordination or calm under tremendous pressure. Such a sensation could only be transmitted by sports stars, whose display of skills and mastery rise above and beyond the confusing web of messages conveyed by myriad companies through different channels.

Linking one’s brand to a personality should, however, come with utmost calculation and caution. Even as sports celebrities guard their reputation in public, they remain to be humans and can at times be susceptible to the temptations of wealth, popularity and ill-advice.

Want to know about Sports Marketing, Brand Management and Product Endorsement?
Email us at frmdhk@gmail.com

Photo credit: Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports

France vs Germany: World Cup 2014 match preview

Read a full match preview including team news of the World Cup quarter-final between France and Germany at Estadio Maracana, Rio de Janeiro, on Friday, July 4, 2014, kick-off 17.00 (BST) 

Kick-off: 17.00 BST.
TV: BBC ONE.

France (Possible, 4-2-1-3): Lloris; Debuchy, Varane, Sakho, Evra; Matuidi, Cabaye; Pogba; Valbuena, Benzema, Griezman.

Germany (Possible, 4-3-3): Neuer; Hummels, Boateng, Mertesacker, Howedes; Schweinsteiger, Lahm, Kroos; Özil, Müller, Götze.

Referee: Nestor Pitana (Argentina).

Betting: France 11-5, Germany 7-5, Draw 2-1.

Team News
France jave a doubt over defender Raphael Varane, who spent the night in hospital with dehydration following Monday's 2-0 win over Nigeria.
Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho is fit again after knee problems.
Coach Didier Deschamps should decide between Giroud or Antoine Griezmann in attack.
Germany are without Shkodran Mustafi, who tore his hamstring against Algeria in the last-16 tie.
Christoph Kramer has had what was described by the German camp as a light fever but should be available.
And Mats Hummels, who missed the 2-1 win over Algeria with flu, has recovered and could feature as a replacement for Mustafi.
There were suggestions that Philipp Lahm could be swiitched to full-back to cover for Mustafi, as he did after the defender went off against Algeria, but that appears unlucky.
Lukas Podolski should be available after a thigh problem.
Match Notes
These European rivals know each other well and the rivalry goes back to 1931, but they last met in the World Cup in 1986 when West Germany won 2-0 in the semi-final.
Previously was the infamous game that ended in a penalty shoot-out after a 3-3 draw and the incident in which France's Patrick Battiston was shoulder-charged by German keeper Harald Schumacher.
France say they are fired up for the tie and the prospect of playing Brazil or Colombia in the semi-final.
Certainly there is a unity within the French squad rarely witnessed in recent tournaments, and that could carry them through.
Stat of the game: In 25 previous clashes, France have won 11 to Germany's eight successes, with six drawn. In terms of goals scored, Germany have the edge, with 42 to France's 41.

Chile journalist Jhendelyn Nunez shows her bra after Alexis Sanchez goal against Brazil

Chilean stunner Jhendelyn Nunez showed her colours when star forward Alexis Sanchez scored the equaliser against Brazil - by flashing her bra.

The journalist was clearly delighted when Sanchez fired home to cancel out David Luiz's opener
 
Stunner: Jhendelyn Nunez shows her support for the Chile national team
Single show: Unfortunately Chile were only able to find the net once, and lost on penalties
Inspiration: Alexis slots home the goal that led to Nunez's topless celebration in Belo Horizonte

Nunez lifted her shirt to show a bra emblazoned with the Chile flag.

Brazil went on to win the game on penalties after the visitors hit the crossbar in the last minute of extra time - who knows how Nunez would have celebrated if her side had won!

World Cup quarter-finals: Sportsmail's lowdown on the eight remaining teams

Ahead of this weekend's quarter-finals, Sportsmail's experts in Brazil run the rule over the eight remaining teams at the World Cup...

 

FRANCE
Strengths: There is a balance that somehow works. Not the best side on paper but sum of their parts may be greater than the rest.
Weaknesses: Patrice Evra is often exposed; Blaise Matuidi and Paul Pogba are red cards waiting to happen; and Olivier Giroud has struggled.
Can they win it? Probably not. Could beat Germany, but could struggle if they face Brazil in the semi-finals.
Key man: Yohan Cabaye. If he imposes himself on the game, the rest falls into shape.
GERMANY
Strengths: They have the world’s best keeper in Manuel Neuer. In midfield they have unlimited attacking options.
Weaknesses: The indulgence of captain Philipp Lahm in the centre. He should be playing full back. Defence is vulnerable and they will be beaten by the best teams.
Can they win it? No, they will come up short.
Key man: Toni Kroos. More passes than any other player so far at the World Cup. He is the heartbeat of the team.
BRAZIL
Strengths: Neymar, especially now he is fit for Friday night’s game. Wide man Hulk is improving and David Luiz and Thiago Silva can look solid.
Weaknesses: Over-reliant on Neymar; Fred as a target man; Oscar not imposing himself; the nerves that may overwhelm them — it’s a long list.
Can they win it? Yes, but only because there is a determination not to fail.
Key man: Neymar. When he plays, they function; when he’s denied space, they falter.
COLOMBIA
Strengths: Incisive passing, speed down the flanks, clinical finishing. Coach Jose Pekerman has worked out a system to mitigate the absence of Radamel Falcao.
Weaknesses: Mario Yepes has been imperious but at some point the 38-year-old defender will be exposed. The back four is yet to be tested.
Can they win it? The heart says yes, the head says Brazil will end the fairytale.
Key man: The star of the World Cup, James — that’s Hamez — Rodriguez.
ARGENTINA
Strengths: Same as they ever were: Lionel Messi and that array of attacking options. That said, in reality the difference between them and the others all boils down to one man.
Weaknesses: Defensively they are a shambles at times. A really good side, who can dominate possession against them, will expose that.
Can they win it? Yes. They are finding a way to win despite their problems.  
Key man: Everything starts and finishes with Messi.
 
BELGIUM
Strengths: Rarely concede and boast lots of match-winners. Have the capacity to get much better.
Weaknesses: Players like Kevin de Bruyne, Eden Hazard and Kevin Mirallas are all gifted, but sometimes play like they’ve never met each other before.
Can they win it? Perhaps, if they can build on what they have and keep their defensive line strong.
Key man: Vincent Kompany. They aren’t the same team without their composed captain.
HOLLAND
Strengths: They have match-winners and a smart coach who has convinced them they’re better than they are. Players like Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder can turn games.
Weaknesses: They lack quality throughout the team. Their defence isn’t good enough to get the job done at this level.
Can they win it? We may have seen the best of them already. Could struggle against a top side.
Key man: Robben. Has gifts that most players can only dream of.
COSTA RICA
Strengths: Hungry and energetic with terrific spirit. Joel Campbell’s pace and Bryan Ruiz’s craft build on a strong defensive base.
Weaknesses: The element of surprise is wearing a little thin. Oscar Duarte will miss the quarter-final through suspension and they are not deadly in front of goal.
Can they win it? It would be a fabulous story but — no.
Key man: Keylor Navas. The keeper has been inspirational. He is an athletic shot-stopper who commands his area.

McQuaid's Goal Sends Bruins to Stanley Cup Finals

Tuukka Rask knew how potent the Penguins offense was. He also knew he could shut them out.
"Every game starts with zero," the Bruins poised goalie said, "so you have a chance."
And two games ended with a zero for Pittsburgh as Boston completed a sweep with a 1-0 win on Friday night that sent it to its second Stanley Cup final, and maybe its second championship, in three years with a 4-0 series victory.
The Bruins will play the winner of the Western Conference finals. The Chicago Blackhawks lead the Los Angeles Kings 3-1 and can wrap it up Saturday night.
Rask's second shutout of the Eastern Conference finals continued his domination of the highest scoring team in the NHL. The Penguins big offensive threats — Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jarome Iginla and James Neal — didn't score a single point and Boston outscored Pittsburgh 12-2.
"We knew we had to be at our best to beat this team," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "That's exactly what happened."
Rask stopped 134 of 136 shots by a team that averaged 4.27 goals a game in its first two playoff series.
"I don't feel like they totally shut us down," Crosby said. "I feel like we got chances, but Rask made some big saves."
The few rebounds Rask allowed throughout the series were quickly cleared away by a defenseman or a forward getting back into the play. On offense and defense, the Bruins always seemed to be in the right spot at the right time. They made precise passes and got their sticks in the way of many passes the Penguins tried.

In the clincher, all the Bruins needed was one goal and defenseman Adam McQuaid provided it with a 45-foot slap shot from the right that went over goalie Tomas Vokoun's right arm at 5:01 of the third period.
Of Boston's 50 playoff goals, 15 have been scored by defensemen.
"I think first and foremost, we're obviously trying to be solid defensively," said McQuaid, who had one goal in 32 regular-season games but two in the playoffs. "It obviously feels good. It feels good to be able to contribute that way when you don't normally."
Rask provided the final flourish when he gloved Iginla's hard 40-foot shot as the final buzzer sounded.
Iginla had turned down a trade from Calgary to Boston before being dealt to Pittsburgh because he thought the Penguins had a better chance to win the Cup, but that turned out to be wrong.
The Penguins never led in the series.
"I just didn't play very well," he said. "That's when you want to play your best for the team."
McQuaid's goal sparked a chant of "We want the Cup!" from the capacity crowd. At the end of the game, the Bruins were one step closer to another title.
They were outplayed for much of regulation in Game 3. But they improved after that and won 2-1 on Patrice Bergeron's goal at 15:19 of the second overtime.
On Friday night, Boston's Milan Lucic admitted, "We were a little sluggish the first two periods ... and we said, 'We have to win a period to win a series.'"
They did just that.
The top-seeded Penguins were trying to overcome both the disciplined defense of the fourth-seeded Bruins and history. Only three teams had lost a series after winning the first three games. The last was the Bruins in the 2010 Eastern Conference semifinals against the Philadelphia Flyers.
The Penguins felt they were "put together to win the Stanley Cup. That's our expectation from Day One," coach Dan Bylsma said. "You're going to look at this as a missed opportunity."

Ray Lewis calls win over Broncos among greatest in Ravens history

Ray Lewis,  the Ravens' soon-to-be-retired middle linebacker, tried to grasp the question of where the 38-35, double-overtime victory over the Denver Broncos ranked.
After shaking his head, blowing some air through his lips and saying, "God is amazing," the future Hall of Famer said it would have to rank as "one of the greatest victories in Ravens history."
Lewis is a two-time NFL defensive player of the year and was the heart and soul of a Ravens team that won Super Bowl XXXV. He was selected MVP of that Super Bowl, so he knows a great deal about the biggest victories in Ravens history.
The 13-time Pro Bowler said he challenged the Ravens to ignore everything outside of the locker room and practice field in preparation for the trip to Denver.
"When you look back at [the win] and recap, let all the emotions run down, it'll probably rank as one of the greatest victories in Ravens history," Lewis said.
He didn't have a bad outing himself. Lewis made 17 tackles in the game. Not bad for a 17-year veteran who was supposed to be lost for the season when he tore a triceps in a win over the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 15.

‘Call girls, Delhi bookies part of Bangladesh cricket betting racket’

The Crime Branch has received several inputs about bookies from Delhi allegedly being involved in match-fixing and betting in the Bangladesh Premier League. 

 

Last month, the arrest of a woman pimp confirmed the inputs after she disclosed in her interrogation that she had been to Bangladesh with many of her call girls during the tournament and met several bookies. Vimal Marwah, a B Ed teacher, was arrested last month by the Crime Branch along with two associates. 

 

According to tip-offs received by the Crime Branch, a few county players in the Dhaka Premier League were in regular touch with Vimal Marwah. The ICC has also raised suspicions about the county players having been in direct touch with the woman and call girls. 

 

The Anti-corruption Unit of the ICC had also received a tip-off about Marwah’s proximity with some bookies and cricketers. 

 

Sources said that while she was in Bangladesh, she was in regular touch with bookies from Delhi and Bangladesh. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Ravi Shankar said, “During the tournament, she had gone to Bangladesh with some call girls. Apart from that, she had also been to Singapore. She was in regular touch with bookies in Bangladesh.” 

 

With the police having recovered visas and air tickets for Colombo in the name of the woman along the other call girls, the ICC officials raised apprehensions about possible match fixing in next month’s T-20 World Cup in Sri Lanka. Marwah had booked a casino to host a mega party at a casino in Colombo.

 

India vs South Africa: Match as it happened

23:08 (IST) MS Dhoni post-match talk

A bit disappointed but not because of the cricket. We could have won the Australia game but for the rain! We cannot have control over what other teams are performing! I am proud that the boys did well when I look back at the tournament!

We could have done better and put up more runs sometimes! We were three down, four down at the end of 7-8 overs some days but overall quite happy!About Zaheer's bowling - I personally felt that we could defend the first six and attack later! Not to forget that we had one part-timer! That was the reason R Ashwin came in later in the match!About the format - We have not really clicked as a team in bowling, batting and fielding! When you play top sides, all things have to click! I am though happy with the performance!
I am blaming the rain for the Australia game.

 South Africa did not win a single match in super-eights but played their best when India required anything but that!

Pakistan exit from WT20 trigger 'sack coach, captain' calls

Karachi: Pakistan's semi-final exit from the ICC World Twenty20 has triggered an avalanche of criticism against captain Mohammad Hafeez and coach Dav Whatmore with several former cricketers demanding the duo's sacking.

Pakistan were sent packing by Sri Lanka in the semi-final last night and former Test captains and internationals have slammed the decision of not playing experienced all-rounder Abdul Razzaq and the captaincy of Hafeez.

"I don't think Abdul Razzaq has been treated fairly and given the respect he deserves as a senior player with many match winning performances to his credit," former Test leg-spinner Abdul Qadir said.

"There was no way you could go into the semi-final without Razzaq after the way he performed against Australia. Unfortunately the truth is he has never been treated properly by team managements and we paid the price today," Qadir said.

He said the team management also made blunders in the batting order.

Pakistan's former captain and batsman Younis Khan, who is appearing as an expert on a channel, said Mahela Jayawardene led his team very well in a low-scoring match and it was his astute captaincy that won the hosts the match.

"He batted well and he captained well and I thought that was the difference between the two sides."

Younis also felt that Imran Nazir had not done his chances of remaining in the team any good by scoring on an average 20 to 25 runs.

"When you score 20 to 25 than you will always be in and out of the team," he said.

Former captain Aamir Sohail, however, came to Hafeez's defence by insisting that people should be patient with him as this was his first major tournament as captain.

But he felt the team management should have played Asad Shafiq from the first match itself.

"He (Asad) is your most composed and technically sound player and he should have been in the team in this tournament where pitches were such that one had to bat sensibly instead of trying big hits all the time," Sohail said.

Pakistan's former captain Zaheer Abbas said Hafeez had taken some bad decisions, one of them being to leave out Razzaq and not try Kamran Akmal as an opener.

"The batsmen didn't play according to the situation and pitch conditions. I thought 140 was gettable in the match but the application was missing and Hafeez got out at a very crucial time he should have finished off the game," Zaheer said.

Zaheer said the Pakistan Cricket Board needs to think ahead what it wants to do for future tours and tournaments. Another former captain Rashid Latif said as usual the team had performed inconsistently just when it was close to the final.

"They could have got to 140 on this pitch but the management needed to take some bold decisions which they didn't take. In contrast Sri Lanka used their batsmen very well and rotated them well."

Former Test batsman Basit Ali had no doubt that Shahid Afridi now needed to retire and focus on playing foreign T20 leagues.

"I think he should retire now because he was a big disappointment in the tournament. Hafeez also made a blunder by insisting on opening the innings throughout the tournament. He spoilt the momentum of the team."

Pakistan's former Test player and coach Mohsin Khan said it was disappointing that Pakistan lost a match it should have won after restricting Sri Lanka to 140 runs.

"I felt there was lack of understanding between the captain and management and players and if it is true that Hafeez unilaterally insisted on playing Sohail Tanvir today than he should be questioned and so should the management," he said.

Rockets Trade Jordan Hill To Lakers For Derek Fisher And Draft Pick

(SB Nation, Mike Prada) The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets completed a surprising deal as the NBA trade deadline ended, with the Lakers sending longtime point guard Derek Fisher and a 2012 first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for third-year big man Jordan Hill, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The first-round pick is the one originally owned by the Dallas Mavericks.
Fisher has been a mainstay on five championship teams for the Lakers, so it's hard to imagine him anywhere else. Nevertheless, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey completed a busy day by acquiring him and Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby in separate moves. The Lakers, meanwhile, had less use for Fisher after acquiring point guard Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fisher, 37, is averaging just 5.9 points per game in reduced minutes this season. Hill is a former first-round pick in 2009 that has fallen out of favor in Houston

Tamim Iqbal : Bangladesh Cricket

Profile

One of Bangladesh’s fastest growing talents, Tamim Iqbal has already made a place for himself in the cricketing world as an aggressive left-handed opener. His ability with the bat was brought to notice at an early age when he smashed 112 off 71 balls against England in an Under-19 game to take his side to victory. The man from Chittagong has gone from strength to strength ever since and has shown the world how good he really is at bludgeoning a cricket ball.

Tamim hails from a family of cricketers and it would be fair to say that the sport runs in his blood. His skill with the bat took him through and he made his ODI debut against Zimbabwe in February 2007. The selectors felt he had enough talent in him for the international circuit and placed him in the World Cup squad after playing just two ODIs. Tamim had a great outing as he scored well against India in the first World Cup encounter and played a large part in dumping the Indians out of the World Cup. He got his maiden century against West Indies in St. Vincent and won the game for his side through that knock. He went onto play several other special innings against Zimbabwe and England piling up centuries and half centuries.

Tamim is one of Bangladesh’s most important batsmen and has become a regular opener for the team. Much of Bangladesh’s success can be credited to his aggressive ways of batting and his pure skill and talent with the bat.

Fast Facts

• Tamim Iqbal is the third highest run getter for Bangladesh in ODIs.
• He was named Wisden's Test Player of the Year in 2010.
• Tamim is the nephew of former Bangladeshi skipper, Akram Khan and younger brother of Bangladesh international Nafis Iqbal Khan.

Shakib Al Hasan : Bangladesh Cricket

Profile

A talented middle order batsman and a probing, economical left-arm spinner, Shakib Al Hasan is one of the most prized assets in Bangladesh cricket today. In a country that has over the years failed to produce top class cricketers, Shakib is a rare breed as he has not only proved his vitality in both the batting and bowling departments but his leadership qualities have also seen a more courageous and confident Bangladesh unit taking to the field.

The Magura born Shakib made his ODI debut in 2006 primarily as a bowler, but over time started concentrating on his batting. However his bowling talents were re-discovered in the 2008 home Test series against New Zealand where in an exceptional first game, he ran through the Kiwi line-up with figures of 7-37 in the first innings and a fluent 71 in the second innings also reiterated his batting skills. Gradually, he became the undisputed all rounder in the side, a player with a calm head who could be relied upon in crisis situations. His ability to assume responsibility was highlighted in an ODI against Pakistan in 2008 where with a fine 108, the southpaw helped his team to a respectable total after they were reeling at 16-4 at one stage. His growth as a player saw him being elevated to vice captaincy in 2009 but Shakib showed he was up for captaincy when as a stand-in captain on the fifth day of the opening Test against West Indies in 2009, he led Bangladesh to its first ever victory on foreign soil.

Mashrafe Mortaza’s long term injury saw Shakib getting a prolonged shot at captaincy and though his stints as captain had its highs and lows, he continued to come through leaps and bounds as a player. But in mid-2010, he decided give up captaincy as the added pressure of leading the side was affecting his game. But fate had other plans as Mortaza once again fell prey to injury and Shakib was asked to lead the side in the 2010 home ODI series against New Zealand in which Bangladesh thrashed the Kiwis by a whopping 4-0 margin. The following year, Bangladesh toured Zimbabwe to play a one-off Test and five ODIs against them. Under skipper Shakib, the team put up a disastrous performance as Zimbabwe beat them by 136 runs in their only Test and also clinched the ODI series 3-2. Immediate repercussions of the defeat saw the Shakib being axed as the captain by the Bangladesh Cricket Board.

Fast Facts

• Shakib Al Hasan was named '’Wisden Test cricketer of the Year’' in 2009.
• He became the first ever Bangladeshi to play English county cricket when in 2010, he debuted for Worcestershire.
• Shakib was the highest wicket taker in ODIs in 2010 with 46 wickets at an average of just 26.
• He became the second Bangladeshi bowler to take a 7-wicket haul in Test cricket.
• Shakib also became the first Bangladeshi to have scored five centuries in ODIs.
• He also became the second player after Mohammad Ashraful to have scored an ODI century as Bangladesh captain.
• He finished off 2010 rated as the best all rounder in ODIs by the ICC.
• Shakib also has the credential of leading Bangladesh to its first overseas series Test win in 2009.

Rockets Trade Jordan Hill To Lakers For Derek Fisher And Draft Pick

(SB Nation, Mike Prada) The Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets completed a surprising deal as the NBA trade deadline ended, with the Lakers sending longtime point guard Derek Fisher and a 2012 first-round pick to the Houston Rockets for third-year big man Jordan Hill, according to Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo! Sports. The first-round pick is the one originally owned by the Dallas Mavericks.
Fisher has been a mainstay on five championship teams for the Lakers, so it's hard to imagine him anywhere else. Nevertheless, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey completed a busy day by acquiring him and Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby in separate moves. The Lakers, meanwhile, had less use for Fisher after acquiring point guard Ramon Sessions from the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Fisher, 37, is averaging just 5.9 points per game in reduced minutes this season. Hill is a former first-round pick in 2009 that has fallen out of favor in Houston

Kate Upton Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue Cover: Leaked, Hot!

Kate Upton will grace the cover of the 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.
The announcement was made by ... the leaked cover below, first posted on TMZ.
A few of the issues arrived early to a gas station in Michigan (why that state got first dibs, who the heck knows) and the pics are already making the online rounds, as these things frequently seem to do. Check out Kate Upton's SI swimsuit issue cover below:

Sports Illustrated originally planned to announce the 2012 swimsuit edition cover girl and the cover shot at an event tonight ... and they still might. But here she is.
Kate Upton was recently rumored to be dating Mark Sanchez of the New York Jets. There's no rumor about this, though: The 19-year-old (?!) is a stunner!
Upton made a sizzling debut in last year's edition, but it's safe to say this 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover will launch her into the stratosphere.
For those out there saying that the swimsuit issue has nothing to do with sports, annual issue also features athletes in body paint (i.e. Alex Morgan nude).
So there.

Welcome to the World of Monster League : Mig33

Welcome to the World of Monster League, where football is life! Help your monster companion rise to the top of the League!
With your Monster Companion, train, evolve and get stronger. Challenge other monster and prove you are the Legendary Monster League trainer.
How do I play the game?
1. Go to the ‘The Official Monster league Game Group’
2. Click ‘Play now’!
Note: This is only available for WAP and mig33 version 4.2 and above.
Happy playing!
The mig33 Team

NFL Playoffs 2012: Bengals Lose To Ravens 24-16 But Get Berth

 
CINCINNATI -- Andy Dalton's desperate pass into the end zone fell incomplete in the scrum of players, leaving the Bengals still winless against playoff teams this season.
And, playoff-bound themselves.
The Bengals got a lot of help on Sunday, clinching the final AFC wild card despite losing to the Baltimore Ravens 24-16 in front of a capacity crowd at Paul Brown Stadium. The Ravens (12-4) clinched the AFC North title with a 6-0 mark in the division.
The Bengals (9-7) got their third playoff spot in the last 21 years when the Jets and Broncos also lost. Denver's score flashed on the videoboard with 36 seconds left in the game, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd.
Players got congratulatory hand slaps from fans as they left the field, but that was it for the celebration.
"It's kind of weird," said Dalton, who was 22 of 44 for 232 yards with no interceptions or touchdowns. "Obviously we didn't get it done today, but we still have a chance."
Cincinnati went 0-7 against the other playoff teams this season. The Bengals will play Saturday at Houston, which donned caps and shirts in celebration of the AFC South title after beating the Bengals 20-19 at Paul Brown Stadium on Dec. 11. Dalton is 3-0 at Reliant Stadium, where he played two games in high school and one at TCU.
"We've been successful up until this point, and we've got a shot in the playoffs," Dalton said. "We're in it. Now it's what we do with it. I think everybody's got the right attitude."
The Ravens got the AFC's No. 2 seed and a first-round bye followed by a game at home, where they're 8-0 this season. They celebrated their title by donning championship shirts and caps in the locker room.

"To be able to win the division on the road to secure a home playoff game – the feeling in that locker room was like no other," said Ravens running back Ray Rice, who led the way with two long touchdown runs.
Rice made the biggest plays on a blustery afternoon that made it tough to throw. He had a career-best 70-yard touchdown run on the fourth play.
Rice also broke a 51-yard touchdown run on a third-and-1 play with 5:41 to go, essentially finishing Cincinnati's chances of yet another big comeback. Rice finished with 191 yards on 24 carries and set a club record with his 15th touchdown of the season.
Baltimore's defense had a big hand in it, too. Linebacker Terrell Suggs hit tight end Jermaine Gresham after a catch, jarring the ball loose. Three plays later, Rice went 51 yards to put the Ravens on the verge of a title.
Suggs sacked Dalton, forcing the Bengals to settle for a field goal on their next possession. Cincinnati got the ball back at its 20 with 1:05 to go and no timeouts left. The game ended with Dalton's desperation pass into the end zone.
During that final, futile drive, the Broncos' score was shown on the videoboard, drawing a loud cheer from the crowd of 63,439.
"I heard the crowd and I asked somebody, `Was there a penalty on that play?'" cornerback Nate Clements said. "He said, `Denver lost. We're in.' I still wasn't sure. Then we came into the locker room and they confirmed it."
Ravens players raised their arms in triumph as they ran off the field after Dalton's final pass. They made home-field advantage for the playoffs an overriding goal after having to play on the road each of their last three years in the postseason.
The Bengals stayed in playoff contention by pulling off comebacks, overcoming double-digit deficits in the second half three times. They put themselves in position for another one when Bernard Scott broke a 25-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Mike Nugent's 46-yard field goal cut it to 17-13 early in the fourth quarter, but that was all they managed.
The Bengals reached the playoffs despite losing all of their games against playoff-caliber this season – two each against Baltimore and Pittsburgh, and against Houston, Denver and San Francisco. They lost five of their last eight games, but got the wild card with the help of the Jets' late-season collapse.
Notes: The Ravens also won the division in 2003 and 2006. ... Rice joined Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk as the only players with 1,000 yards rushing and 700 receiving in more than one season. ... Suggs has a career-high 14 sacks, one shy of Peter Boulware's club record from 2001. ... Ricky Williams carried six times for 28 yards and became the 26th player in NFL history to run for 10,000 career. ... K Billy Cundiff was back after missing one game with a sore left calf. He made a 42-yard field goal into the wind. ... It's the third time in the last four years that an AFC North team went 6-0 in the division – Pittsburgh did it in 2008 and Cincinnati in 2009. ... Bengals K Mike Nugent made three field goals, giving him a team-record 33 for the season. ... The Bengals haven't won a playoff game since 1990.

2012 NFL Playoff TV Schedule

From the NFC's No. 1 seed Green Bay Packers (15-1) to the AFC's No. 1 seed New England Patriots (13-3), the 2011-12 NFL playoffs will feature 12 of the best teams of the regular season. With four teams (Packers, Patriots, San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Ravens) receiving first round byes and 10 playoff games in total before Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis, Indiana, the 2012 NFL playoffs should be an exciting series of postseason games.
2012 NFL Playoff TV Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 7
AFC Wild-Card Round: No. 6 Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at No. 3 Houston Texans (10-6), 4:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
NFL Wild-Card Round: No. 6 Detroit Lions (10-6) at No. 3 New Orleans Saints (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (NBC)
Sunday, Jan. 8
NFC Wild-Card Round: No. 5 Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at No. 4 New York Giants (9-7), 1 p.m. ET (FOX)
AFC Wild-Card Round: No. 5 Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at No. 4 Denver Broncos (8-8), 4:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Saturday, Jan. 14
NFC Divisional Round: Highest remaining seed at No. 2 San Francisco Giants (13-3), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
AFC Divisional Round: Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 New England Patriots (13-3), 8 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sunday, Jan. 15
AFC Divisional Round: Highest remaining seed at No. 2 Baltimore Ravens (12-4), 1 p.m. ET (CBS)
NFC Divisional Round: Lowest remaining seed at No. 1 Green Bay Packers (15-1), 4:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Sunday, Jan. 22
AFC Championship Game: Winners of two AFC Divisional Round games playing at the site of the higher remaining seed, TBD (CBS)
NFC Championship Game: Winners of two NFC Divisional Round games playing at the site of the higher remaining seed, TBD (FOX)
Sunday, Feb. 5
Super Bowl XLVI: AFC Champion vs. NFC Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN, 6:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Source:

2012 NFL playoff schedule, ESPN

Kurt Busch’s future is bleak after ousting at Penske

 
Yes, Kurt Busch essentially got fired from Penske Racing, even if both sides are calling their divorce a “mutual agreement.” No one is buying that, not when competitive rides in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup Series are so hard to come by and Busch’s options for next year and beyond are, well, slim at best.

Busch ousted himself at Penske with a temper he couldn’t control and an attitude that’s been wearing thin on teammates, owners, competitors and, most importantly in the racing business, sponsors since he burst onto the Cup scene back in 2001.

In front of the scene, he’s verbally abused his crew chief and team members over his in-car radio and has even singled out team owner Roger Penske – “10-4, dude,” Busch said sarcastically to Penske after the owner tried to calm him down during a race in 2009. His most recent outburst came in the form of a fan-generated YouTube clip on which Busch berates a reporter while waiting for an interview.

That action led to a $50,000 fine from NASCAR and clearly put Roger Penske in an uncomfortable position.

“These actions do not represent Penske Racing and are inconsistent with the company’s standards for behavior, respect for others and professionalism,” his company said in a statement following the incident. “This matter is being reviewed internally.”

The review likely included Busch’s now-former sponsor Shell Oil Company, which prior to the season signed a multi-year deal that spread across Penske’s multiple business ventures, including his IndyCar operation. If they wanted Busch out, they would have the power to make it happen.

Following Monday’s announcement that Busch was out at Penske, Shell released a statement that read, in part, “[we] utilize our motorsports program to gain technical knowledge for our products and brands and to promote them to consumers in a positive way” and “moving forward we will continue to work with the team at Penske Racing and to evaluate the best options for our motorsports program.”

The damning part of this for Busch is that rarely are drivers of his caliber let go by an organization. And now it’s happened to him – twice. Jack Roush fired him back in 2005 after Busch was cited for reckless driving off the track in Phoenix. Now it’s happened again. Somewhere, Busch is grinding on himself, knowing he may have just blown his last best opportunity to be a championship driver. And the worst part of it: He knows he did it to himself.

 I recognize the passion and emotion that have helped me succeed on the track need to be better channeled off the track,” he said via a statement released Monday morning. “The past few months I began working with a sports psychologist to help me better deal with my emotions, especially following moments of frustration during competition.”

The question now is will an owner and a sponsor give him a third chance?Busch’s now infamous run-in with Jimmy Spencer back in 2003 could be chalked up to immaturity. He was 25 and still fairly green on the professional circuit. When Roush told him to take a hike back in 2005, Busch was coming off a championship season, which could have left him with a sense of entitlement and a feeling that he was untouchable.

He’s run out of excuses now.
At 33, he’s mature enough to make smart decisions, has plenty of experience to know the difference between right and wrong and has been burned enough times to know his considerable talent on the track (24 wins, fifth-most among active drivers) isn’t enough to keep him employed.
“Kurt is a hell of a driver and a past champion but he thinks he’s above everyone and everything. You can’t treat people that way – I don’t care who you are” said Spencer, now an analyst on SPEED. “My gut feeling … is that he can’t truly come back from this. He won races this year, made the Chase and is a former champion, and yet he still was let go. That does not bode well for his future.”
In his statement, Busch said he never wants to “take for granted that it’s a privilege to earn a living as a NASCAR driver” and that he’s “committed to making the changes necessary for me to enjoy racing again, to compete for championships and to better represent NASCAR, my sponsors, my team and my fans.”

The challenge for him now is to walk the talk, which might not even be good enough. Because while he may be one of the 10 most talented stock car drivers alive, as of now he has no affiliation with NASCAR, no sponsor to represent, no team to drive for and seemingly no opportunity better than the one he just lost.

BCS Rankings: Alabama Or Oklahoma State For No. 2 Spot?

Too soon to call, but things are looking up for Alabama.
Alabama and Oklahoma State are awaiting word on which team will play LSU in the BCS national title game on Jan. 9 in New Orleans.
The returns have been trickling in Sunday, and so far the Crimson Tide seems to be in the lead.
In the USA Today coaches' poll, Alabama was No. 2, but the commanding lead it had last week is now down to 22 points. The coaches' poll and the Harris poll count for two-thirds of a team's BCS score.
The Harris poll was due out later Sunday.
A compilation of six computer ratings will determine the final third of a BCS score. The Sagarin ratings released early Sunday had Alabama No. 2 and Oklahoma State No. 3.
Unbeaten LSU is the top-ranked team in all the polls out so far, including the AP Top 25, which is independent from the BCS rankings.
A rematch between LSU and Alabama in the national title game seemed almost a foregone conclusion heading into conference championship weekend.
But with Alabama idle, Oklahoma State made one last, strong push by beating Oklahoma 44-10 to win the Big 12 title.
Now, instead of Sunday being a coronation there's another BCS controversy: Should Alabama get another shot at the only team that beat the Tide, even if that means an all-SEC title game and a matchup that will surely play far better in the South than anywhere else? Or should the Cowboys, who beat five teams ranked in the last BCS standings and whose only loss was a double-overtime upset on the road to Iowa State, get the nod?
"If you want the best two teams in college football to play then there has to be a format to decide that," Alabama coach Nick Saban said Saturday on ESPN as he made sure the Tide wasn't forgotten while the other top teams played. "If you want a regional game that matches up people from different parts of the country you can't say `Let's have the best two teams play.' It's not really up to me. I can't really be objective here. We do have a dog in this hunt. That's my opinion."
Working in Alabama's favor is the Crimson Tide's dominance throughout the season – all of its victories have been by at least 16 points – and the fact that no other team has challenged LSU this season.
The Tide and Tigers played what was billed as the Game of the Century on Nov. 5 in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Tigers won it 9-6 in overtime, a hard-hitting defensive slog that didn't exactly have fans around the country clamoring for more.
Immediately the talk of rematch started, pro and con. But Oklahoma State was in position to keep it from happening. The Cowboys were undefeated and second in the BCS standings heading into a Friday night game at Ames, Iowa, a day after Oklahoma State women's basketball coach Kurt Budke and an assistant coach were killed in a plane crash.
The Cowboys lost 37-31 in double OT to the so-so Cyclones (6-6), missing a potential game-winning field goal at the end of regulation by inches.
With no other undefeated teams left from the major conferences, Alabama returned to No. 2 and the debate has grown more furious ever since.
On one side, Alabama supporters say it's simple: The system is supposed to match the best two teams, regardless of conference, and the Tide have been one of the two most dominant teams in the country.
On the other side, the Oklahoma State supporters say the Cowboys have accomplished more to get to 11-1 than the Tide, playing a tougher schedule and winning their conference.
Alabama fans counter by saying the SEC is the best conference in the land. What more proof is needed than five straight BCS championships?
"I would certainly understand if college football decides it should be two SEC teams playing for the national championship," LSU coach Les Miles said after the Tigers pounded Georgia 42-10 in the SEC championship game. "It's a very special conference with very special teams."
Oklahoma State fans say their team's super-charged offense, second in the nation in scoring and third in yards, would put up some touchdowns against LSU's tenacious defense.
Alabama fans think those flashy Big 12 offenses are no match for an SEC defense, and no team, not even LSU, has allowed fewer yards and points than the Tide.
Oklahoma State's reply: If the regular season is a playoff, the way BCS officials suggest, didn't LSU eliminate Alabama?
"They had their shot," Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy said after the Oklahoma game. "Give us ours."
Alabama fans say this isn't pee-wee soccer where everybody gets a chance to play.
Whichever team wins out, expect another of blast of criticism directed at the BCS. As the power-brokers in college football start to plot how top-tier bowls will be set up in the future, the 2011 season is once more exposing the flaws in the system now.
Two teams with perfectly good arguments are fighting over one spot, with subjective voters and mysterious computer ratings – the formulas of which are not even publicly known – doing the choosing.
If Alabama is the pick, the Tide will be playing for its second BCS title in three seasons. Alabama claims 13 national championships overall and is one of the most decorated programs in the land. It's won seven AP titles since the wire service started its poll in 1936.
For Oklahoma State, just getting into any of the marquee BCS bowls will be a first. The Cowboys have never won a national title, and some Oklahoma State fans have wondered if their team is also losing the battle of the brands.
There has never been a rematch in the previous 13-year history of the BCS, nor has there ever been a championship game with both teams from the same conference.
The closest thing to a potential Alabama-LSU II college football has had in recent years was in 1996, when Florida State beat Florida in its final regular season game then drew the Gators again in the Sugar Bowl.
Steve Spurrier's Gators beat Bobby Bowden's Seminoles 52-20 to win the national championship.
Bowden wasn't happy to face Florida again.
"If it's somebody you beat, you don't want to play them," Bowden said Sunday in a phone interview.
"The team that won, it's just hard to get your boys as inspired as the other team can get inspired."
Yet as far as a rematch this year, Bowden said both teams can make a good case, and he's not opposed to giving Alabama a second chance.
"If that's the way it shapes up that's OK," he said. "You got to get the best two teams in the country playing for the national championship."
Remember, of course, that Bowden was born in Birmingham, Ala.

Cotto-Margarito undercard: Rios, Jones and Rodriguez earn victories

 
Oxnard’s Brandon Rios, a day removed from being sick and gaunt while failing to make the 135-pound lightweight limit, overcame a slow start to overwhelm Englishman John Murray by 11th-round technical knockout in the semi-main event on the Miguel Cotto-Antonio Margarito undercard.
Rios (29-0-1, 21 knockouts) battered Murray (31-2) with hard uppercuts in the 11th, backing the Brit to the ropes and surging forward to deliver more punishment when referee Earl Brown stepped in to stop the fight at the 2:06 mark.
“Murray’s a great warrior and deserves a lot of respect,” Rios said after disrespecting his opponent at a Thursday news conference. “I got him with a right uppercut and left hook.”
The 25-year-old Rios now can carry on with his plan to move up to the talent-loaded 140-pound division, where he is seeking a date with either Marcos Maidana or Juan Manuel Marquez.
The pay-per-view portion of the undercard opened with a convincing unanimous-decision victory by Philadelphia’s unbeaten Mike Jones, who so dominated Argentina’s Sebastian Lujan during the early rounds that Lujan walked to Jones’ corner after the fifth round.
Almost comically, Jones (26-0) directed Lujan (38-6-2) to the correct corner, leaving a sheepish Lujan to shrug.
Jones won the fight by scores of 119-109 (judge Waleska Roldan), 119-109 (Ron McNair) and 118-110 (Don Ackerman). Jones nearly knocked out Lujan in the final minute of the 11th round, but settled for the victory in the International Boxing Federation welterweight title eliminator.
“There’s no easy fights,” Jones said. “It was tough because he threw a lot of awkward shots. I was always on my guard. But I thought I won every round.”
Also, junior-middleweight Delvin Rodriguez punctuated his July fight-of-the-year candidate draw with New Jersey’s Pawel Wolak by dominating the rematch in a unanimous decision by scores of 98-91, 98-92 and 100-90.
Rodriguez (26-5-3) used his reach and counter-punching advantages to beat up the ever-charging Wolak (29-2-1), swatting Wolak’s head with rights and uppercuts.
The tough Wolak, a union asphalt roofer in New York, often nodded to Rodriguez that the heavy blows weren’t hurting, but his right eye was badly swollen by the sixth round and his desire was no match for Rodriguez’s skill.
Rodriguez connected on 90 more punches.
Judge John McKaie scored the 10th round 10-8 for Rodriguez as he unleashed combinations and barrages that set up a right uppercut that wobbled Wolak.
“I don’t know what kept him up,” Rodriguez said.
Another hard right and uppercut capped the impressive finish.
“I knew I needed to close the show this time,” Rodriguez said after enduring Wolak’s body punches. “I wasn’t taking any chances.”
--Lance Pugmire
Photo: Brandon Rios lands a right to the head of John Murray during their bout on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden. Credit: Frank Franklin II / Associated Press