The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Welcome to another edition of the Sports Experts column. This week, the panel talks about the Super Bowl and Olympic TV rights. I didn't get to watch the Super Bowl so I can't speak for it either way, but the reviews are mixed. My guess is the Patriots fans thought it was a good game, and those cheering for the Eagles weren't as enthused. "I thought the Super Bowl this year was very deceptive. By looking at just the score, you would think it was a close game. It wasn't. Outside of the first quarter, New England looked like a champion, and Philly looked happy to be there. I did watch the halftime show. Or tried, I should say. I know that last year's kerfuffle wasn't the best thing that could have happened, but come on, I shouldn't need smelling salts to get through it. The funniest part about the whole thing is that the FCC in the States got two complaints about this year's show. And both were to complain that it was too boring." - Thomas B. "Congrats to the Pats, maybe this is a dynasty? The half-time show was great with Sir Paul et al and it goes to prove that you do not need a lot of glitter and garbage to put on a great show." - Tom T. "Well the Super Bowl came and went and what a surprise, I was right all through the playoffs.ÊI was even close with my prediction of the score. I figured it would be 27-24. Of course, I never got my email in last week, so none of you will believe me anyway.ÊAll and all, the game wasn't all that exciting. First half was really sloppy and the second half just showed how good ofÊa team the Patriots are." - Steve M. This week, the International Olympic Committee awarded the broadcast rights of the 2010 and 2012 Olympics to CTV and Rogers Sportsnet, who plan to use their huge network of stations to broadcast games in their entirety. The move seems to be a popular one, unless of course you work for CBC. "I really like the idea of the Olympics going to a private broadcaster. There is nothing I hated more than to hear the morons at the CBC compalin about not having enough funding, and meanwhile spending $80 Million to show the Olympic Games. What's even funnier is that they went on CBC.ca and basically said that because they don't have the Olympics anymore, they're probably not going to show any more amature sports. Somebody get them a tissue." - Thomas B. "It was not to shocking to see that CTV was the successful bidder for the 2010 and 2012 Olympics for Canada in that they have a tremendous line-up of stations capable of bringing you complete coverage of all the events. The revenue they will generate from commercials will or should exceed their cost to put on the games. Also, CBC appears to have been a little complacent with their bid thinking they would get it just like every other time. I wonder if any heads will role at the CBC because of this?" - Tom T. "Glad to see the younger stations get the olympic rights, maybe now they wont be so boring to watch." - Steve M. Finally, it looks like the NHL season is gone. Ken Dryden made an interesting statement this past week regarding Canada's love for the game, whether or not it actually was love or just habit. "I was just reading a story from Ken Dryden. He is saying that the NHL lockout has taught many fans that their love for Canada's game is more habit than heartfelt. And this is after only five months. Flin Flon fans have had four dreadful years and yet we still show up, for the love of the game and the Bombers. Fans get mad and may show their anger at coming in last once again. Can you bame them? But next year I will be back at the rink cheering the guys on again and hoping for the best. There will be a thousand plus true fans cheering them on also. All for the love of the game." - Bob H. If you would like to join the panel of Sports Experts, send me an e-mail to [email protected].
