Lin played at Harvard. Anytime an Ivy Leaguer finds success in a major professional sports organization, it will be newsworthy. Book smarts + athletic ability = huge upside. In an industry where most players enter the league with barely a year of college under their belt, the educated Harvard man stands tall.
3) Market.
He’s in New York. The Knicks have been starving for relevancy for years now. So there is a fan base and media corps ready to jump on something hot and ride the wave. You can also say that being close to ESPN’s home base of Bristol, CT, plays a role, too. Trust me, Linsanity wouldn’t be so Linsane if he played in Milwaukee (no disrespect meant to the fine city, but it’s the truth).
4) Timing.
The Super Bowl is over. Spring Training doesn’t fully kick-in for another few weeks. The Peyton Manning story is dragging. Basically, if there was ever a moment for a basketball star to emerge, this is it.
5) Excellence.
The #1 component is his out-of-this-world play. He has scored more points in his first five starts than any other player in NBA history. Think about that. He is off to the best start ever, topping Michael Jordan, Shaq, Bill Russell and others. Hitting the game-winning 3-pointer on the road against Toronto on Tuesday will only increase the hype. But the fact of the matter is, he’s bringing the steak and the sizzle.
6) Connection.
Watch a Knicks game and you’ll see shirts, signs, posters, jerseys (which are selling quite nicely – by some accounts, the most NBA jerseys sold since Feb. 4), face paint and more. People want to see this guy succeed.
7) Instant Value.
On Monday, Forbes claimed his “brand” was worth $14 million. Three weeks ago, nobody knew who he was. And that claim was made BEFORE Tuesday’s game-winning shot. I’m certain brands are trying to strike while the iron is hot and maximize his promotional value – or get in on “the cheap.”
This was illustrated/mocked by Stephen Colbert Monday night on Comedy Central. The man is a cross-over star now.
Will the Legend of Lin continue to grow?
Or will he fizzle and disappear the the back of the bench in a few weeks?
At this point, does it matter?
His one-of-a-kind background and record-settling plat has made him a phenomenon. He’s a made man and a marketing machine in waiting.
With the new MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement in place, odds-making site Bodog.net has placed odds on who will fail the new HGH blood testing. Here’s the screen grab…
In a New York Timesarticle this past weekend, Phoenix Suns President Rick Welts came out and will live as an openly gay man.
It’s no secret that mens’ sports is not the most accepting environment in the world.
Despite the fact that a good team is filled with different skill sets and personality profiles, sexual orientation has long been taboo.
But professional sports is about two things: 1) winning and 2) business.
And Welts has a long career of being successful in both aspects.
As the President and CEO of the Suns, he has overseen one of the most exciting brands of basketball in decades. He has been part of the league for over 30 years in various capacities.
If there is any justice in the world, the league will collectively shrug their shoulders and get back to basketball.
I applaud Welts for deciding to live his life in the open, and I know I’m writing about it, but this should be a NON-STORY in the NBA.
The sex life of a team executive, unless it’s something illegal, is of no matter to the league, advertisers, players or fans. If he breaks a law, we should care. But if he is gay, it should not be a big deal. Let the man live his life in peace.
I sincerely hope that this is a good thing for Welts, the Suns and the NBA. His admission took the type of guts, and hopefully he can soon feel complete.
I also hope for the day where nobody would need to “come out” because it won’t really matter. Even in sports.
I am not a fan of the Star-Spangled Banner being played before sporting events.
Did you know that the tradition started during World War II to drum up support for the “war effort?”
It, in effect, politicized sports. And the only place that belongs is in the Olympics, in my opinion.
With that being said, the new Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer [former client], did something REALLY cool in their home opener Thursday night: instead of bringing in a professional singer or local talent to perform the anthem, they had the FANS do it!
Brilliant!
What better way to create an instant soccer community than to have your fans sing the anthem.
Honestly, I hope this is not a one-off thing for the Timbers. Portland has very little identity as a sports town, and this “fans sing the anthem” thing could help spark one.
