Diogenes in high tops -- When domes attack -- Business, never personal -- The Keyser Soze principle -- The Boss: George Steinbrenner as throwback and role model -- Clay Bennett, the Seattle SuperSonics, and the questions of ownership -- Money laundering for the Lord : Charlie Monfort and Dick DeVos keep the faith -- Peter Angelos and the shredding of the Oriole way -- Dan Snyder : when Constanza got hair -- Donald Sterling : slumlord billionaire -- The Wal-Mart way : David Glass and the Kansas City Royals -- James Dolan : serpent in Eden -- The NHL : skating on slush? -- The unholy grail of the Paulsons -- For a few steroids more -- "What's a scouser?" : Tom Hicks goes European -- Outro : looking toward Green Bay.
Summary:
This book is a look at the big business and immoral practices behind professional sports. The fastest growing sector of today's sports audience is the alienated fan. Complaints abound: from inflated ticket prices, $6 hot dogs, and $9 beers to owners endlessly demanding new multimillion dollar stadiums funded by public tax dollars. Those sitting in the owners' boxes are increasingly placing profit over players' performances and fan loyalty. This book cuts through the hype and bombast to zero in on tales of abusive, dictatorial owners who move their teams thousands of miles away from their fan base, use their stadiums as religious and political platforms, or hold communities ransom for millions of dollars of taxpayer money to fund their gargantuan stadiums. As the multibillion dollar sports industrial complex continues to lumber along, the author is the voice in the wilderness, speaking out for the common fan with a tough, passionate, and intelligent voice that will remind readers that there is more to sportswriting than glowing athlete profiles.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.