A slightly-delayed follow to the Pac-12 realignment news of late last week … By my calculations, Cal’s receiving about $8.5 million in annual distributions from the conference while Stanford takes home about $7.5. (The exact figure for each varies by the year based on the number of football TV appearances and the conference’s performance in the NCAA tournament.) If the Pac-12 hits minimal revenue expectations with its new media rights deal and football championship game — on top of the continuing cash flow from the BCS and March Madness — then each school stands to receive at least $13 million annually. How will Cal and Stanford put that $5-6 million infusion to work? Both athletic directors were on teleconferences last week to discuss realignment, and I asked how they planned to use the additional revenue. * Stanford’s Bob Bowlsby was up front on the topic. “Given the past two years (Stanford has laid off athletic department employees because … [Read more...] about Cal and Stanford athletics: Putting the Pac-12 dollars to work
Work
Craig Robinson, the Obamas and Oregon State: How he makes it work
*** Note: This is a slightly-updated version of the column that ran in Thursday’s Mercury News, for those who missed it (and care) … No college basketball coach in history has had a year like Oregon State’s Craig Robinson. From his speech at the Democratic Convention to his essay for Time Magazine to his prominent position at the Inauguration, Robinson has thrived in his role as First Brother-in-Law. It’s heady stuff, for sure. But Robinson’s greatest feat of the past six months just might be reviving the OSU basketball program. One year after becoming the first team to go 0-18 in Pacific-10 Conference action, the Beavers have beaten USC and Cal, taken Washington State to overtime and bettered by one last season’s overall victory total (six). Robinson, 46, was hired in April after two seasons at Brown. He’s charismatic, eloquent, super smart — he has a master’s in finance from the University of Chicago — and learned the game … [Read more...] about Craig Robinson, the Obamas and Oregon State: How he makes it work
Pete DeBoer mentioned Blues’ penalty issues at start of series; Has it worked?
(Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group) Before the Western Conference finals began, and even after Game 1, Sharks coach Pete DeBoer reminded everyone that the St. Louis Blues were one of the league’s most penalized teams, both in the regular season and playoffs. Although circumstances change for each game, one could argue that bringing up the Blues’ tendency to commit infractions was working — at least through five games. In their first round series against the Chicago Blackhawks, St. Louis was put on the penalty kill 19 times, or an average of 2.7 times a game. In the second round against the Dallas Stars, the Blues had to kill 20 penalties, or 2.8 kills a game. Through five games of the conference final, the Sharks had 18 power plays, or an average of 3.6 power plays chances per game. Of those 18 chances, they had converted four times. The Blues had 16 power play chances through five games, also scoring four times, including twice in Game 4. In Game 5, Robby Fabbri scored … [Read more...] about Pete DeBoer mentioned Blues’ penalty issues at start of series; Has it worked?
Stanley Cup: Joe Thornton and his beard: “It looks pretty, but it’s hard work”
(Josie Lepe/Bay Area News Group) Joe Thornton’s beard might have been the star of Stanley Cup media day at Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh. At least, that’s what Thornton spent a few minutes talking about Sunday, along with, you know, the Stanley Cup and Game 1 against the Pittsburgh Penguins the following night. Thornton has let his beard grow for the better part of the season. It’s at the point now where it looks a more like a hive of bees has surrounded his neck. “My brother John, he always has a huge beard, so I’m kind of following him and (Brent Burns’) footsteps,” Thornton said. “So, I got two mentors that I can look up to.” How long are you keeping it? “I don’t know. I said earlier its day-to-day. Come tomorrow, it could be gone. Come 10 years from now, I could still have it. So we’ll see.” On the issue of upkeep, Thornton said, “Burnzie actually helps me. He gets me all the oils, the combs. … [Read more...] about Stanley Cup: Joe Thornton and his beard: “It looks pretty, but it’s hard work”
Sharks vs. Blue Jackets postgame: DeBoer close to making changes to third, fourth lines “because it’s not working”
The Sharks’ third and fourth lines aren’t expected to fill the scoresheet every night. But they are expected to contribute in some fashion so the Sharks can play the type of pressure game it wants. You can’t roll four lines if only the top two are going. Including Tuesday’s 5-2 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, the Sharks’ bottom six forwards have combined for four points in the last four games. Matt Nieto leads the way with two points, Tommy Wingels and Barclay Goodrow each have one, and Chris Tierney, Mike Brown, Bryan Lerg and Ben Smith each have zero. “I’ve had no problem with our top six. I thought both those lines have showed up,” Sharks coach Pete DeBoer said after the loss. “They might not get on the board every night, but both of them are pushing the pace. They spent quality shifts in the other team’s end even if they’re not scoring. “I’m not getting enough out of our bottom six, or whatever you … [Read more...] about Sharks vs. Blue Jackets postgame: DeBoer close to making changes to third, fourth lines “because it’s not working”