The Conspiracy Continues

OK. Like many American males I do most if not all of my reading on the throne. I have a handful of books lined up to read for when I go to my favorite seat in the house.

I had just finished a book and started reading Mike & Mike's Rules for Sports and Life. I had read Mike Greenberg's first book and loved it, and I enjoy the Mike & Mike radio show, so I figured I would like this as well. My wife even got me an autographed copy for my birthday.

Anyway, I am still only on the first chapter and was just about to finish up when I came across a final little anecdote from Mr. Greenberg himself. He has a little blurb called the "12 for 12", or the 12 things he would do if he were hired as the new MLB commissioner in 2012.

Well, what do I happen to come across? Something that looks awfully familiar.

If you recall I wrote a few year back that I have a bit of a conspiracy theory going on that someone is following me or has bugged my house or something. Because a lot of my ideas seem to come to fruition by someone else not long after I have thought of them.

Well, it happened again.

Heading back to 2008 I wrote this little number on the starting times of sporting events, especially important events. Well, Mr. Greenberg pretty much wrote word-for-word my thoughts on the subject for his No. 5 thing he would change in Major League Baseball.

Don't get me wrong, it's brilliant. Except - I was brilliant first. But, where is my credit.

That's it - I am not longer thinking. Let's see them get their ideas without me.

Revisit: Starting Times

A few months ago I mentioned how the starting times for professional sporting events has become insane for those of us who live on the East Coast.

This was during the NBA Finals, where games were heading into halftime at 10:30 p.m. on a weekday. I had come up with a sort of plan to accommodate both parties: Move the start times up and both parties can finish the game.

My question posed was simple: Are you more inclined to watch a game that you missed the start of, or watch a game that you have no possible way of seeing the conclusion of?

For many of the major sporting events, this question still rings true. However, something else has come to my attention - that at least for one sport, and for the regular season, almost everyone can be happy.

For the past few seasons, Monday Night Football on ESPN has given us something special. During the first week there are two Monday Night Football games: one features teams located closer to the East Coast, while the second has teams located more towards the West Coast.

Last night, the Green Bay Packers took on the Minnesota Vikings and the game started at 7 p.m. EST. Again, this start time is difficult for the West Coast, but for most of them interested they can still see the most of the game - including the conclusion. The game wrapped up at 10:30 p.m. which is pretty reasonable. As soon as the game concluded, the second game featuring the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders began: another Monday Night Football game, this time for the West Coast.

My question is pretty simple again: Why can't we do this every week?

Most Monday Night Football games begin on or around 9 p.m. to accommodate everyone. And again, for those of us who work in the mornings during the week, we can't finish the game unless we can function on very little sleep.

They (ESPN) already have enough of a crew to put on two Monday Night Football games. And the team of Mike (Greenburg), Mike (Golic) and Mike (Ditka) is pretty impressive calling the game as well. I really don't see the down side here. Each coast gets their own Monday Night game.
The only people who are going to suffer are those on the East Coast who have a rooting interest for a team in the late Monday Night Football game, and stay up to watch it. Or, for the Must-Watch-All-Football Guy, who has to watch anything football on television. Other than that, I don't see anyone complaining about this.

Each week there is at least one game being played on the West Coast. Why not move one of those 1 p.m. Sunday games to Monday night? It's not like everyone is able to watch every game anyway.

It's just one man's opinion. But, I think it's a pretty good one.

Quick Rant: Starting Times

The major sporting events are getting missed by many people in the United States, and it all has to do with the time zones.

For the most part, in order for the West Coast to view a sporting event during the week, the game must start after 6 p.m. Pacific Time. Unfortunately, for those on the East Coast this means all games (without going into overtime, or extra innings) are finishing around or after midnight.
This is hurting not only the working class, who must in fact get up for work in the morning and cannot stay up to finish a game that late, but it is also hurting the sport itself, because millions of children are not watching your product.

There is an easy fix for this, but for some reason it has not been looked into. The reason for the later starts is so that all those wishing to watch the game on the West Coast can get home after work before the start of the game. Well, my main question is, are you more inclined to watch a sporting event you know you can't see the end of? Or, are you more inclined to join a game in progress, that you know you will be able to finish?

I think the answer is pretty obvious.

But, this is not what is being done. Last night's NBA Finals Game against the storied Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers didn't even get started until after 9 p.m. Eastern Time, and was just heading into halftime just after 10:30 p.m.

The NBA isn't the only sport that is making it difficult for East Coast fans to watch major sporting events, or for children to catch something that might stay with them forever. Major League Baseball is possibly the worst at it. Because of their starting times, and the excruciating length of their games, there isn't many on the East Coast who are able watch the World Series. Let alone seven games if the series goes that long.

The NHL appeared to have gotten it somewhat right. But, that may be because both teams in the Stanley Cup Finals were relatively close to the East Coast. With Detroit and Pittsburgh in the Finals, most games started around 8 p.m. Eastern Time - so for a three hour contest, it's getting over at a more reasonable 11 p.m. instead of pushing well past midnight.

I doubt anyone with any real influence is reading this, but if there is any chance there is please take this into consideration. I am an NBA fan, and my son will probably be an NBA fan (if I am lucky) - I, in the future, would like to watch at least one NBA Finals game to it's conclusion without having to slug through the next day at work thanks to being overly tired.

In the days of DVRs, I am sure if a West Coaster wants to see the beginning of the game they will record the game and easily be able to catch up. What with all of the television commercials (but that is another story).