So, judging from the tweets and conversations I've heard as the weekend has progressed, the sting from the Rangers' loss is starting to ease. Don't get me wrong, there will be plenty of second guessing and now that the free agent period has begun, many scenarios of who will go where will be bountiful. In addition, the ineptitude from the Cowboys to put a winning team together definitely helps to keep the focus on the success experienced by the Rangers, as opposed to focusing on the negative.
However, I have to say I am absolutely disgusted by the lack of attention the Dallas Stars (@DallasStars) are garnering. There's no doubt this town is a "winner's town." The Stars have missed the playoffs for three years in a row, so I can definitely understand where people are staying away. I didn't even get too terribly upset when the attendance at home games struggled to break 8,000, as the Rangers were in the middle of their World Series run. But what I don't get...what I don't accept is all the tweets of "where's basketball," and "now that baseball is over, I have nothing to watch without basketball." Right now, the sticking point in the NBA lockout is 2%. The owners offered the players a 50-50 split on revenue. The players refused it, countering with 52-48. REALLY? TWO PERCENT? Let's put that in perspective: if the NBA is a $1,000,000,000 industry (I'm sure it's more, but it's not even 8:00 AM, I need simple numbers), that's a difference of $20,000,000. Kobe Bryant has made that much in the time it's taken me to type to this point (again, it's early...I'm slow)!!! What is there to miss? You miss watching a bunch of baby-daddies who snap and charge fans in the stands?
No thank you. Basketball can completely disappear, and I won't blink an eye. In fact, I may even throw a party. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy the Mavericks won the championship last year. Dirk Nowitski (@swish41) is about as classy as a person can be. Mark Cuban (@mcuban) earned more respect from me than I thought possible when he brought Don Carter to accept the Larry O'Brien trophy. But to see a complete gloss over by "sports fans" in DFW of the Stars is nauseating. This team was picked to be dead last in the conference by almost every so-called "expert." Not only are they NOT dead last...they're LEADING the Western Conference (tied with amazingly hot Edmonton Oilers). This team plays an incredibly aggressive style, which is evident by the large number of penalties they've taken thus far. They have a coach who's young and energetic and the players respond to that. The Stars have added players at key positions such as Sheldon Souray (@SSouray), Michael Ryder (Cup winner with last year's Boston Bruins) and most recently Eric Nystrom (@enystrom23). With last year's trade deadline pick up, Alex Goligoski (@Gollygoose33), these guys have embraced Dallas as their home, and as their team (follow them on twitter and you'll see how proud and excited they are being here).
The experts have said there's no way this team can win without Brad Richards. To put things in perspective, let me point out the fact that Souray...a defenseman, has as many goals AND assists as Brad Richards currently does. This team will be just fine without Richards. In a matter of a few weeks, the suffocating death grip of Tom Hicks will be gone, as Tom Gaglardi, a businessman from Vancouver, will have his bid accepted by the bankruptcy courts and subsequently the league and will become the team's new owner. His first item of business will be getting rear ends in the seats.
So, embarrassed by the Cowboys? Then quit buying tickets. Quit going to the games. Quit selling that place out. The biggest statement we as a group of sports fans can make to Jerry Jones is that the product he has put together over the previous 15 years is unacceptable. I doubt he'll field any phone calls, so the easiest way to make that statement is quit spending your money with the Cowboys. I remember in the mid-80's only being able to watch 3-4 home games. Why? They stunk. People refused to buy tickets so the games were blacked-out here in DFW. Let me quickly explain what that means for those of you who are younger than 30: The NFL will not show a team's home game to the local market if the game is not sold out. They would much rather you spend your money and go to the game, as they get a cut of ticket, concession and merchandise sales. Why reward the DFW area with the Cowboys on TV, if they're not willing to buy tickets. So, we would be treated to San Fransisco vs. Cleveland or Washington vs. Buffalo.
So, Dallas, take the $500 you would normally spend at a Cowboys game and take your WHOLE family to a Stars game...and have enough money left over to by a program, hat and a tee shirt. This team is good. VERY GOOD. What are you waiting for. Call 214-Go-Stars for tickets or contact @thesports007 for your tickets. You can thank me later.
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