LestersLegends.com » NHL

AccuScore Launches Sports Forecasting App

LestersLegends — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 09:00:01 +0000

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AccuScore, the leading sports forecasting company, renowned for offering the most comprehensive and accurate sports forecasting engine anywhere, has launched the free AccuScore App to bring its proven track record to the mobile devices of all sports fans. AccuScore provides users with everything they need to know before the game.
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AccuScore is so proven effective that it is used by many top sports media companies including ESPN, CBS Sports, Yahoo! Sports, Sporting News and The Wall Street Journal. The AccuScore App brings all of this information to the mobile platform with its new FREE App.
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“It’d be amazing to see into the future. While it’s not quite possible just yet, sports fans can at least use apps like AccuScore to see the latest statistical forecasts for numerous games and the players participating in them,“ says 148apps.com.
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The AccuScore App offers forecasts for NFL, MLB, NCAA, College Football & Basketball, NHL and NBA games. Included in the free app are the forecasted winner, winning percentage for each team, forecasted player statistics, real-time alerts and one free tip per day that projects margin of victory, total points scored in the game and who will win.
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Additionally, the AccuScore App includes the leading sports fan communication network called FanConnect, connecting you with fans of all teams in all sports, via team lounges so you can chat, compare notes and forecasts, share, heckle, and more.
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In-app purchases unlock further details for those who need even more information on their respective games.
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AccuScore is out now for iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch.
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Download the free app at http://tinyurl.com/3ew4o4u and get started seeing into your sports future:
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The AccuScore App was developed in partnership with The APP Company, a leading mobile software developer and maker of numerous hit iPhone, iPad and Android apps (TheAPPCompany.com).

The Ten Biggest Endorsement Deals in Athletic History

LestersLegends — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 17:00:51 +0000

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By Online Degree
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Professional athletes can make millions in no time, but in order to secure this kind of hefty income they will often shoot for the biggest and best endorsement deals out there. Big name athletes are usually the first to get signed to endorsement contracts, but every once in a while a big brand will take a chance on a rookie or lesser-known player and strike gold. Here are the 10 biggest endorsement deals in athletic history:

Tiger Woods and Nike

Tiger Woods is by far the most endorsed and highest paid athlete in sports history. Although Woods has lost some major endorsement contracts since his 2009 scandal, he still managed to earn an estimated $70 million in endorsements in 2010. One of the biggest names to stick by Tiger is Nike, who in 2000 offered the gold superstar a five-year, $100-million endorsement deal. At the time, this was the largest deal ever offered to an active athlete.
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Michael Jordan and Nike

Before Michael Jordan reached the big leagues, Nike offered the rookie $500,000 and his own shoe line if he signed with them. This was one of the biggest and riskiest endorsement deals to ever happen to sports, especially since Jordan hadn’t played in the NBA yet and was leaning towards signing with Adidas. Jordan took Nike up on the deal and created the ever-so popular Nike Air Jordans.
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David Beckham and Adidas

David Beckham agreed to one of the biggest endorsement deals in athletic history when he teamed up with Adidas for $160.8 million in 2003. This massive lifetime contract came about because Adidas feared Beckham would be persuaded to switch to their rival brand, Nike. Out of all of Adidas’ clients, Beckham is the top-selling endorser.
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Allen Iverson

In 2001, Allen Iverson signed with the Sixers and signed a lifetime endorsement and marketing contract with Reebok for $50 million. Although the terms of the deal weren’t disclosed, we do know that the contract will extend beyond his career as a player. Iverson’s signature shoe “The Answer” was very successful and helped resurge Reebok’s place in basketball.
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LeBron James and Nike

In 2010, basketball megastar LeBron James signed a sever-year basketball shoe endorsement deal with Nike worth $90 million. This contract was particularly huge because LeBron hadn’t played a minute in the NBA when Nike signed him. According to the Associated Press, the Nike deal includes a shoe and apparel line for James, which he has an artistic say-so in.
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Tony Romo

In September 2008, Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo signed a five-year, $10-million endorsement deal with apparel brand, Starter. The footwear and apparel contract is believed to be the biggest endorsement deal in NFL history. Despite his endorsement deal, Romo does not wear Starter footwear during games because the company does not have a contract with the NFL.
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George Foreman and Salton, Inc.

The former heavyweight boxing champ George Foreman reached new levels of success with his popular “Lean Mean Grilling Machine,” but scored an even bigger deal by selling his name to grill maker Salton, Inc. in 1999. The company agreed to pay Foreman $137.5 million in cash and stock in exchange for using his name and image to sell food-preparation products.
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Anna Kournikova and Adidas

Anna Kournikova is a highly sponsored tennis player with a wide array of endorsement deals with big name brands like Omega watches, Internet search engine Lycos and Berlei lingerie. One of her biggest and tennis’ richest deals was signing a six-year contract with Adidas worth $50 million. The catch was that in order to receive all of the $50 million, Kournikova would have to succeed on the tennis court. Since this didn’t come easy to the blonde beauty, she took home the guaranteed $3 million.
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Sidney Crosby and Reebok

Sidney Crosby is one of the most endorsed hockey players in the league. In May 2010, Crosby signed an endorsement deal with Reebok worth $1.4 million a year for five to seven years. This is the richest contract the NHL has ever seen. When Crosby first entered the NHL as a 17-year-old superstar, he had a five-year, $2.5-million deal with Reebok, in addition to several other big name brands.
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Venus Williams and Reebok

Venus Williams struck gold in 2000 when she signed a five-year, $40-million endorsement contract with Reebok. The endorsement came after Williams won both the Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. In 2003, Reebok decided not to renew their contract with Williams because of her inconsistent play throughout the years. However, the company still pays Williams to wear Reebok, even though she is not contracted to do so.

The Commish’s Corner: “Dues” Diligence

LestersLegends — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 13:00:33 +0000

By Adam Holtz
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When you pay your annual dues for a fantasy league, what happens to that money? Is your commissioner almost too happy to accept cash from you? Does he make a comment about how he can pay his rent now? Or mumble something about a gift for his latest girlfriend? Or maybe he goes straight to the vending machine, using one of your singles to buy himself a refreshment.
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The truth is that not many fantasy players actually know what happens with their dues money. All too often, commissioners will either deposit it in their bank account or spend it straight out of their wallet (that is, if you pay your dues with cash – which is probably your own fault to begin with). Then, when the season ends, the commish either struggles to pay the winner(s), or flat out doesn’t pay winnings (“I guess I forgot – I’ll take care of it soon”) at all.
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Worse yet, when the commissioner does actually pay prizes, he probably pays out less money than the winner is expecting, using an excuse of, “Well, a couple guys never paid the dues this year, so the prize money is less.”
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Do any of these scenarios sound familiar to you? They shouldn’t, but you know they do. They happen all the time. Commissioners are imperfect people with good intentions (or sometimes bad people with nefarious intentions) who can (and do) make mistakes and poor decisions. People get away without paying in for the year, and commissioners get away with paying out less than they take in, as well as paying in an untimely fashion. And while these people are seldom penalized for such laziness and/or selfishness, the people who do things the “right” way are likewise never rewarded for having done so. Not cool.
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Your dues money – or more exactly, the league’s dues money, once paid – should be collected on time, kept safely in reserve, and paid out promptly. Those three points are not negotiable. No exceptions. Your commissioner owes it to your league, and all people playing in the league owe each other the respect of prompt payment. Put most simply, it is a matter of character: do the owners in your league have enough character to respect each other in this way – and if not, does the commissioner have the character to enforce these hard-and-fast rules?
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While the mode of collection and payment – as well as method of keeping the money – is open to discussion, the three main points are simply absolute. If your commissioner cannot follow those three rules for you and your league-mates, you have the following options: (a) get a different commissioner who will make sure they do follow those rules, (b) make your league a no-money league, or (c) leave the league.
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There are no excuses here, commissioners. Collect the dues money on time. Don’t insult the courtesy of those people who pay dues on time by allowing others to skate by. Enforce the deadline. Announce it weeks – even months – in advance. Threaten penalties – monetary, or maybe points, if necessary. And if someone cannot or will not pay, it’s simple: find someone else to run that team. It sounds brash, but look at it from this perspective: others pay promptly, so allowing someone a free pass for not paying on time (or at all) does those good people a disservice, and makes your life more difficult as well. Fix the problem by eliminating it. Don’t let any faux friendships get in the way, either (“Aw, c’mon, man, we’re buds – you know I’m good for it!”). Everyone agreed to pay the dues; they know the score. Now it’s time to pay the piper. However you collect the money is up to you and the people in your league – cash (not recommended), check, Paypal, bank transfer, etc. – just make sure everyone knows how they can pay, and when they need to pay.
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When it comes to holding other people’s money, it is a responsibility that cannot be taken seriously enough. It makes no difference what the amount is – it’s not your money! What belongs to the league must absolutely be kept separate from one’s personal spending money. (For a real estate broker, such co-mingling of personal and business money would land you in jail.) Whether you open up a separate bank account, put all the money in a jar in your closet, whatever. But don’t you dare use that money to buy anything for yourself – or anyone else! Not even for the cute girl who’s flirting with you from across the room at the bar (besides, you’re tipsy anyway – who knows if she’s flirting with you or with the other guy sitting at the very next table?); trust me, that money is much better off being kept in your pocket than being spent on drinks for her (this advice goes double if you are married). Again, just remember, it’s not your money!
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If you do your job on steps 1 and 2 (collecting and keeping), then step 3 (paying out) will be a breeze. Everyone who has prize money coming will know that you have it and will be able to pay them promptly. It’s not your money anyway, right? You collected from everybody, right? You’ve kept it separate from your money…right? So now you’ll pay them all immediately after the season ends…. RIGHT? So do it! Easy! ‘Nuff said.
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Now, here is where we get into the disclaimer portion of the column. No one is advocating for or against any of the companies named below. I am simply mentioning some of the most widely used companies, and I encourage readers to go and check for themselves which one they think is best for their league(s). There, disclaimer done.
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The commissioner’s job can be made much, MUCH simpler (not to mention more transparent and trustworthy) with the help of an online dues service. There are a couple of sites out there offering these services; the ones I hear mentioned most often are LeagueSafe and Fantasy Sports Vault. With services such as these, your members can securely pay dues online with a credit card or e-check, or even with paper checks to the commish or the service’s home office, who then submit electronic payments on those owners’ behalf (these options vary depending on provider and specific league settings). Then, the money is held securely by the service provider’s bank on your behalf, with a detailed accounting of who paid in what and when. After the season, prizes are paid out according to your league’s specific rules. Pretty straight forward.
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Using a service such as this will make the commissioner’s life easier in a number of ways: Everyone gets the exact same notifications to pay their dues; everyone can see when the deadline is, and what penalties apply if they fail to pay on time; everyone knows where the money is kept; everyone knows the winner(s) will be paid promptly. And best of all, most of the services provided by these sites is completely FREE. (Some options are provided for a fee, but there is always at least one “free option” for paying dues and receiving prize money.)
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Commissioners: Your job is not always easy, but you know that. You do it anyway. There’s no problem in looking out for yourself, as well as for your league’s integrity. I’m not necessarily advocating for the use of an online dues management service; however, I am advocating for the three firm rules I mentioned above: on-time collection, legitimate safe keeping of dues money, and prompt payouts. If a commissioner can do all three without the online help, then by all means, feel free. But I don’t see a situation where using such a service makes the commish’s job more difficult. If there is one, I’d like to hear about it! Comments or emails are welcomed, as always.
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Adam Holtz is a former college sports information director living in southern Minnesota. His 15 years of playing fantasy sports – as well as 15 years of commissioner work – have given him a wealth of experience on which to draw. In fact, he’s probably a better commissioner than he is a fantasy player: his wife’s team swept him in two head-to-head games last football season. He is very eager to get some revenge – and to sleep on the couch.
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Email the Commish: adam.holtz(at)gmail.com or check out his blog at champguy.blogspot.com.

Hockey and TBI

LestersLegends — Mon, 10 May 2010 20:11:57 +0000

Author Bio:

Chelsea Travers is an outreach representative forCareMeridian, a subacute care facility located throughout the Western United States for patients suffering from traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury or medical complexities, such as neuromuscular or congenital anomalies.

Hockey and TBI
Hockey is arguably one of the most physical professional sports. Hockey players are constantly getting body checked, slammed into boards, falling to the ice, slapped by a stick, hit by a dense, speeding puck or getting punched during a fight. If that isn’t bad enough, hockey players take part in one of the longest regular seasons of any sport, effectively taking on harsher pain for a longer amount of time throughout the year. Risk of injury couldn’t be clearer as you all too commonly see hockey players missing their front two teeth. With all of the injuries that can occur, one of the most dangerous is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A TBI is a silent injury that can cause harm to the mind and body of an individual. An injury to the head or brain can alter someone’s life and can even require long-term rehabilitation and care from a skilled nursing facility. These injuries are often far too common in the sport of hockey and if not properly treated can permanently leave a hockey player’s life challenging than the game they play.

TBI is an injury that Philadelphia Flyers player Ian Laperriere knows all too well. In game 5 of an NHL playoff game with the New Jersey Devils, Laperriere took a slap shot to the face that immediately caused him to bleed excessively from the wound above his eye and lose sight. Laperriere was diagnosed with a brain contusion after having a MRI a few days later. While Laperriere may have originally thought that losing sight in one of his eyes was the worst of the two injuries, in reality the bigger concern could wind up being the long-term effects of the brain injury.

A concussions have been dismissed as minor injuries because the physical nature of most sports causes them to occur regularly, but, frequently occurring or not, they are still head injuries where the brain is forced to move violently within the skull and the way it functions could change permanently. When the brain moves in such a manner, it can bruise, bleed, and even tear, which can cause irreversible damage to the victim. For a sport like hockey, this type of injury is very common and unfortunately at times ignored. Many hockey players don’t take into account the possible effects of the injury and because it might not seem like a serious problem exists at first, they keep on skating as if nothing occurred. Their unawareness of the injury makes the it so much more dangerous because a mild brain injury can turn into a life threatening injury in a very short period of time without seeking immediate medical treatment.

Studies by the National Academy of Neuropsychology’s Sports Concussion Symposium in New York have shown that since 1997, 759 NHL players have been diagnosed with a concussion. Broken down, that averages out to 76 players per season and 31 concussions per 1,000 games of hockey. That is far too frequent of an occurrence for such a serious injury. It’s a frightening statistic that should send up a red flag to hockey officials that actions need to be taken to further prevent this type of injury from occurring.

The best, and sometimes only, treatment for TBI is prevention. For the National Hockey League new rules are being considered that preserve the game but also help protect the players. Rule changes concerning blindside hits, rink size (which effects players space from each other and their proximity to walls), and stronger helmet requirements all have been considered to help curb TBI and its effects. This demonstrates that the NHL is aware of the seriousness of the injury and is taking proactive steps to help prevent it from happening.

Hockey is one of the most popular sports in North America and has millions of people participating in it every year. Unfortunately, the sport comes with the risk of a TBI. With the right awareness of the injury and the necessary precautions in place, the game should be able to continue with players excited to lace up their skates and enjoy it.

Lester’s Blue Line Specials Volume 17

LestersLegends — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:00:13 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Shelly Castellano ICON SMI

Need some help with your fantasy hockey team? You’ve come to the right place. Try these hot players on for size.

In Need of Goals
Mike Modano, C, Dallas Stars
4 goals last week with 1 assist, a +4 plus/minus rating, 1 power play point, 11 shots on goal, 31 face-offs won
5 percent Yahoo! ownership

Sergei Samsonov, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
3 goals last week with 1 assist, a +4 rating, and 6 shots on goal
4 percent Yahoo! ownership

Jussi Jokinen, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
3 goals last week with a +1 rating, 1 power play point, 11 shots on goal, and 2 face-offs won
35 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Assists
Alexei Ponikarovsky, LW, Toronto Maple Leafs
4 assists last week with 1 goal, a +1 rating, 1 power play point, 6 shots on goal and 1 face-off won
55 percent Yahoo! ownership

Valtteri Filppula, C, Detroit Red Wings
4 assists last week with a +1 rating, 2 power play points, 4 shots on goal, and 22 face-offs won
7 percent Yahoo! ownership

Tom Kostopoulos, RW, Carolina Hurricanes
4 assists last week with a +3 rating, 6 shots on goal, and 1 face-off won
1 percent Yahoo! ownership

T.J. Galiardi, LW, Colorado Avalanche
4 assists last week with 1 goal, a +4 rating, 2 short-handed points, 9 shots on goal, and 2 face-offs won
1 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of +/- Rating
Tom Poti, D, Washington Capitals
+6 rating, 3 assists, 6 shots on goal
14 percent Yahoo! ownership

Keith Yandle, D, Phoenix Coyotes
+5 rating, 2 goals, 1 assist, 1 power play point, 6 shots on goal
49 percent Yahoo! ownership

Andrew Alberts, D, Carolina Hurricanes
+5 rating, 1 goal, 3 assists, 4 shot on goal
Less than 1 percent Yahoo! ownership

Steve Downie, RW, Tampa Bay Lighting
+4 rating, 3 assists, 8 shots on goal
35 percent Yahoo! ownership

+4 rating mentioned above: Mike Modano, Sergei Samsonov, T.J. Galiardi

In Need of Power Play Points
Jason Demers, D, San Jose Sharks
3 power play points, 2 goals, 2 assists, -1 rating, 8 shots on goal
5 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Face-offs Won
Vernon Fiddler, LW, Phoenix Coyotes
35 face-offs won, 2 assists, -2 rating, 6 shots on goal
2 percent Yahoo! ownership

Eric Belanger, C, Minnesota Wild
33 face-offs won, 2 assists, even rating, 1 power play point, 13 shots on goal
6 percent Yahoo! ownership

Michael Handzus, C, Los Angeles Kings
33 face-offs won, 1 goal, 1 assist, +2 rating, 1 power play point, 4 shots on goal
5 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Goalie Help
Brian Elliott, Ottawa Senators
2 wins, 1.46 goals against average, .950 save percentage
51 percent Yahoo! ownership

Josh Harding, Minnesota Wild
2 wins, 2.34 goals against average, .925 save percentage, 1 shutout
4 percent Yahoo! ownership

Alex Auld, Dallas Stars
2 wins, 2.95 goals against average, .892 save percentage
9 percent Yahoo! ownership

Antero Niittymaki, Tampa Bay Lighting
2 wins, 0.65 goals against average, .978 save percentage, 1 shutout
29 percent Yahoo! ownership

Jose Theodore, Washington Capitals
2 wins, 1.50 goals against average, .957 save percentage
55 percent Yahoo! ownership

Lester’s Blue Line Specials Volume 16

LestersLegends — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:00:31 +0000

Photo Courtesy of Shelly Castellano ICON SMI

Need some help with your fantasy hockey team? You’ve come to the right place. Try these hot players on for size.

In Need of Goals
Benoit Pouliot, LW, Montreal Canadiens
4 goals last week, +3 plus/minus rating, 2 power play points, 16 shots on goal
16 percent Yahoo! ownership

Scottie Upshaw, RW, Phoenix Coyotes
4 goals, 1 assist, +2 rating, 1 power play point, 13 shots on goal
15 percent Yahoo! ownership

Sam Gagner, C, Edmonton Oilers
3 goals, +1 rating, 1 power play point, 14 shots on goal, 15 face-offs won
12 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Assists
Jussi Jokinen, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
5 assists, 2 goals, +2 rating, 4 power play points, 6 shots on goal, 2 face-offs won
24 percent Yahoo! ownership

Tomas Fleischmann, LW/RW, Washington Capitals
4 assists, 1 goal, +2 rating, 2 power play points, 7 shots on goal, 17 face-offs won
44 percent Yahoo! ownership

Ruslan Fedotenko, LW, Pittsburgh Penguins
4 assists, +1 rating, 1 power play point, 6 shots on goal
5 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of +/- Rating
Paul Kariya, LW, St. Louis Blues
+5 rating, 1 goal, 2 assists, 12 shots on goal
22 percent Yahoo! ownership

Shaone Morrisonn, D, Washington Capitals
+4 rating, 3 assists, 1 shot on goal
1 percent Yahoo! ownership

T.J. Oshie, C, St. Louis Blues
+4 rating, 1 goal, 2 assists, 4 shots on goal, 20 face-offs won
8 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Power Play Points
Jussi Jokinen, LW, Carolina Hurricanes
Already mentioned.

Peter Regin, C, Ottawa Senators
3 power play points, 1 goal, 2 assists, -1 rating, 6 shots on goal, 19 face-offs won
1 percent Yahoo! ownership

Marc-Andre Bergeron, D, Montreal Canadiens
3 power play points, 3 assists, +1 rating, 3 shots on goal

In Need of Face-offs Won
Antoine Vermette, C, Columbus Blue Jackets
35 face-offs won, 2 goals, 1 assist, -1 rating, 7 shots on goal
22 percent Yahoo! ownership

Scott Gomez, C, New York Rangers
34 face-offs won, 1 goal, 2 assists, +1 rating, 9 shots on goal,
47 percent Yahoo! ownership

In Need of Goalie Help
Brian Elliot, Ottawa Senators
3 wins, 1.00 goals against average, .965 save percentage, 1 shutout
33 percent Yahoo! ownership

Ty Conklin, St. Louis Blues
2 wins, 1.46 goals against average, .958 save percentage, 1 shutout
24 percent Yahoo! ownership

Antero Niittymaki, Tampa Bay Lightning
2 wins, 1.39 goals against average, .950 save percentage
23 percent Yahoo! ownership