The D League ShowThe D League Showhttp://www.thedleague.com/home/2012-02-17T18:42:54ZSquarespaceAnnnnnnnnnd, we're out! Rack us!http://www.thedleague.com/home/annnnnnnnnd-were-out-rack-us.htmlThe D League2012-02-17T18:34:17Z2012-02-17T18:34:17ZThe D League Show...


It started with a tweet at Upper Deck Sports Bar in Scottsdale...cultivated into one of the best sports blogs and LIVE call in sports talk shows online...and developed from a friendship to family status.

That's the cliff notes of how Jack and I met, to developing the show/blog, and how my daughter now refers to Jack as "Uncle Jack."

About one year ago, The D League was blossoming due to great "takes" by both me and Jack, networking with some great people in the sport blog world (former NFL great Brian Mitchell, bloggers John Russo and Kyle Madson). Then things changed...

I was offered an opportunity within radio that I could not turn down...yes, a once in a lifetime opportunity. The gig required that I move from Phoenix and the home base of The D League studios to Prescott, AZ, about 90 minutes north.

For a few months afterwards, Jack and I tried to figure out how to do the show with the same audio quality that we were able to deliver from the home studio. However, due to time constraints and more, we just could not get it done.

Every once in a while, there will be a huge story break (i.e. Jeremy Lin) and Jack and I will jump on the phone and discuss it for 47 minutes and then say, "Damn, wish we could do a show." If you follow us on twitter, you may even see us mention that from time to time.

It's not that we don't want to do the show (hell, it was the highlight of our work week), but we just can't get it done and provide the same quality.

There are podcasts that are crap because it's all done via phone lines...and it sounds like crap. The D League Show was produced like a big market sports talk show...not a crappy podcast. And the ultimate goal was to syndicate our show to terrestrial radio. Once again, we couldn't dedicate the time to it.

With all of that said, this will be the final posting on TheDLeague.com. But first....a few final takes

Jeremy Lin - the dude is money! Not only has his story become one for the ages; and similar to Kurt Warner's story; but take a look at the financial impact Lin has made on the NBA, the New York Knicks, and MSG

 

  • NBA: Lin's jersey is the best seller during the Knicks' 7 game winning streak with Lin at the helm
  • Knicks: average ticket price for Sunday's game vs the defending NBA champions, Dallas Mavericks, has gone from around $250 to over $750 per ticket. This provides enough extra revenue generated by Lin to provide a great R.O.I. on his $800,000 league minimum salary
  • MSG: the stock for MSG has risen 6%...lay man's terms: MILLIONS!

 

Do not compare Lin to Tim Tebow because Lin has a complete game...Tebow only has 3 minutes worth.

Spring Training has arrived! My World Series picks: The Los Angeles Anaheim Angels of Orange County versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Yes, it's a homer pick. But this is my last post...suck it!

LeBron willing to go back to Cleveland? King James said he'd go back and play in Cleveland at the end of his career. That's great that he's showing some remorse. But has anyone asked the fans in Cleveland if they would accept him again?

"Moneyball" the movie: Loved it! Yes, the A's didn't win the World Series at the end, but the story of Billy Beane and his daughter was a great storyline that I didn't know about. And being a single dad, loved it.

Chrissy Teigen is the most beautiful woman in the world. God bless John Legend!

 

Finally, thank you to...

 

  • Everyone who followed the site and show from Nunyabiz, JAinPA, Elwood, and countless others
  • Thanks to NESN & Deadspin for picking up our stories
  • Thanks 
  • Thanks former NFL great Brian Mitchell who was our Super Bowl 45 correspondent and on-going guest
  • Thanks to Shaun "Butters" Butterfield who was our initial producer. You did a lot of the show and we are thankful for your efforts to get the show rolling
  • Thanks to our families who understood our commitment to a dream we both shared for years.

 

And thanks Jack for being a great co-host with an ok voice...average blogger...and a great friend.

Be sure to continue to follow Jack and I on Twitter:

Jack: @DawkBlitz

Patrick: @PatrickRadioPro

Thank you for reading the final post on The D League!

Patrick Gallagher

PS - Just like Jordan, we may come back with the 4-5......

]]>NFL Power Rankingshttp://www.thedleague.com/home/nfl-power-rankings-1.htmlThe D League2011-11-02T00:36:03Z2011-11-02T00:36:03ZI might be the only person tired of seeing Charlie Sheen's ugly mug at the top of the D League home page. Just in case some of you are still coming back here from time to time looking for actual content instead of pictures of hot chicks....I have decided to post a mid season Power Rankings. This NFL season has been a wild ride thus far. At one point this off season it was uncertain if we would even have an NFL season, but here we are at the midway point of an already wild ride. This season feels like we should party like it's 1999, with teams like the Lions, 49ers, and Bills all looking solid. I for one can't wait to see how the second half of the season unfolds. Without any more ramblings from me and with the hope to get rid of Charlie Sheen's face, here are the NFL Power Rankings.]]>Hines Ward to appear on...http://www.thedleague.com/home/hines-ward-to-appear-on.htmlThe D League2011-02-28T13:25:00Z2011-02-28T13:25:00Z

What does Chad Ochocinco, Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, and Jason Taylor all have in common? Not Super Bowl Rings that's for sure.

]]>Iron Mike to race...Pigeons?http://www.thedleague.com/home/iron-mike-to-racepigeons.htmlThe D League2011-02-28T13:12:14Z2011-02-28T13:12:14Z

Mike Tyson is the star of a new six-part reality TV series called "Taking on Tyson," which starts next month and examines the former heavyweight boxing champion's lifelong love of pigeons, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

]]>Five Players To Watch This Seasonhttp://www.thedleague.com/home/five-players-to-watch-this-season.htmlThe D League2011-02-28T13:05:55Z2011-02-28T13:05:55Z

Spring Training is a week old and the players have all reported to their respective parks in Arizona and Florida. The familiar faces are back, looking to improve upon last season - even the San Francisco Giants who have to face a lot of adversity being the defending champs. But the eyes of the fan bases are always on the new comers, especially if they are big free agent splashes.

]]>Jayson Werth hates the Phillieshttp://www.thedleague.com/home/jayson-werth-hates-the-phillies.htmlThe D League2011-02-28T12:59:06Z2011-02-28T12:59:06Z

Normally, when a former beloved player returns to their old stomping grounds, the fans usually provide a warm reception for that player. Even in Philly, they will cheer the introductions of Brian Dawkins and Donovan McNabb. However, that will not be the case at Citizens Bank Park on May 3rd.

]]>Russia opts for another "Space Race"http://www.thedleague.com/home/russia-opts-for-another-space-race.htmlPatrick Gallagher2011-02-24T14:16:48Z2011-02-24T14:16:48Z

In a race to be the first at something, again, the Russians are looking to do something that has never been done before.

The Russians confirmed on Wednesday that they are studying scenarios that would fly the Olympic flame to the International Space Station prior to the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi.

]]>Rex Ryan on "CSI: NY"http://www.thedleague.com/home/rex-ryan-on-csi-ny.htmlThe D League2011-02-24T14:07:17Z2011-02-24T14:07:17Z

Not sure if the foot fetish videos were used as a demo reel for good ol' Rex Ryan or his bravado during HBO's "Hard Knocks" but the New York Jets' head coach will be on the small screen very soon.

According to the New York Post, Ryan and Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum were in Los Angeles to shoot an episode of the CBS hit drama, "CSI: NY."

]]>Episode 28: Mo Money, Mo Money, Mo Moneyhttp://www.thedleague.com/home/episode-28-mo-money-mo-money-mo-money-1.htmlThe D League2011-02-24T13:37:11Z2011-02-24T13:37:11Z

One of the things that we all dislike about sports is the money aspect. We would rather hang with our friends and discuss the in's and out's of our favorite teams than to discuss how long the mediator held another session with the NFL and NFLPA.

Money is the necessary evil. Breaks up marriages, ends friendships, and can get in the way we all perform our jobs, including athletes.

]]>Carmelo Cuts Knicks Promohttp://www.thedleague.com/home/carmelo-cuts-knicks-promo.htmlThe D League2011-02-23T15:48:11Z2011-02-23T15:48:11Z

When there is a trade, one of the many things an organization has to do in order to get ready for the new players is start cutting promotional announcements, cut new commercials and videos, design new print materials, and so much more. Such was the case when Carmelo Anthony arrived in New York City yesterday.

]]>First Woman to Pitch Batting Practicehttp://www.thedleague.com/home/first-woman-to-pitch-batting-practice.htmlPatrick Gallagher2011-02-23T12:33:56Z2011-02-23T12:33:56Z

Outside of the great weather (we love 120 degree heat), awesome Mexican food, and one of the great things about living in Phoenix is Cactus League Baseball.

The Valley is buzzing with players reporting to 15 big league camps, all within an hour of each other, and the start of Spring Training games this Friday. But there is a story that is starting to get some buzz.

]]>NFL and NHL games live on...YouTube?http://www.thedleague.com/home/nfl-and-nhl-games-live-onyoutube.htmlPatrick Gallagher2011-02-23T12:22:13Z2011-02-23T12:22:13Z

YouTube is holding discussions with the NBA and NHL on showing live game broadcasts, Bloomberg reported Tuesday.

The partnership would reportedly seek to build on the success of Indian Premier League cricket matches, which YouTube streamed live last year, generating 55 million visits from more than 250 countries.

]]>Shoutout to the Big Guy!http://www.thedleague.com/home/shoutout-to-the-big-guy.htmlThe D League2011-02-23T11:59:45Z2011-02-23T11:59:45Z

Nothing tastes better than a hard earned victory. Whether it's in the boxing ring, after a Super Bowl, on the pitch during the World Cup, with your teammates after the final out of a World Series, or in Trevor Bayne's case, while crossing the finish line at the Daytona 500. At that moment, life is couldn't get any better.

]]>Giambi and Tulowitzki caught the "Fever"http://www.thedleague.com/home/giambi-and-tulowitzki-caught-the-fever.htmlPatrick Gallagher2011-02-22T14:39:09Z2011-02-22T14:39:09Z

We are shocked to hear who went and actually saw Justin Bieber's movie, "Never Say Never."

Granted, I saw the movie because my daughter is almost 8 years old and love Bieber. So I took one for the team and you can't say anything about it. But according to our friends at Larry Brown Sports, we are shocked to hear that a few manly men went to see the movie during their Spring Training down time.

]]>Melo-drama over. Now Knicks over-exposurehttp://www.thedleague.com/home/melo-drama-over-now-knicks-over-exposure.htmlPatrick Gallagher2011-02-22T14:31:53Z2011-02-22T14:31:53Z

With Carmelo Anthony now a New York Knickerbocker, the Knicks have taken a step backwards in terms of this season. And possibly next season as well. This move was made so that the Knicks could be great in the future and take a solid run at the NBA title during the 2012-2013 season.

]]>