BBTV

That's not what we're talking about. The Dodgers are required to put his salary in escrow, so that 1) they can't use this deal just to have more cash on hand for other players, and 2) they cant blow it and screw him later. But the escrow amount is lower than it seems like it should be, which implies that the "today value" deal is more like 10//$460M (the 44 in escrow each year plus 2 he's receiving in cash), and the $700M number is what he'll eventually get paid out if you include interest made on the escrow account. You're right about there being a formula to calc tax, but they'd still have to put the full amount in the account. So I'm not sure there's another explaination. Oh, and for the Giants fans that are "done with baseball", they offered the exact same deal.

If Ohtani were to move to Florida or one of the no-tax states in 2034, would he be exempt from tax for the deferred payments? He's not technically working in California at that point, and I'm not sure how the IRS treats situations like this.

But after George died, the Yankees caved to every silly gimmick uniform MLB has trotted out (or at least hats)like the father's day. They kinda lost their "we value our brand too much for this" cred, which is a shame, because I respected them for it. George probably wouldn't even have allowed the swoosh - or at least would have resisted as much as possible.

In theory, the tournament winner is a good team, so awarding them an extra win affects competitive balance even more. In reality, it's currently not possible to evaluate the quality of the winner based solely on the tournament, since it's so randomized with games on seemingly-random days and some teams caring more than others But even if that changes, an extra win would be a no go. An alternate reward could be to give the IST winner the automatic tiebreaker when it comes to seeding, even if they go 0-4 against whoever they're tied with. If two teams are tied for the #1 seed, using the IST as tiebreaker could be some motivation. For some team on the fringe of the playoffs that just happens to win the thing, that could mean everything.

I assume he's referring to how the MLB logo is now under the placket stitching, forcing the NOB (and number) to be lower by a couple of inches. If they cant put the MLB logo inside Nike's new-reduced placket, then they should move it to the sleeve where the Majestic logo was.

Say what you want about the Flyers / Comcast / Spectacor, but the Wells Fargo center has had more than 500M in renovations just in the past 3 years, and hundreds of millions before that - all privately financed - and is (IMO) a fantastic-modern arena - and is 28 years old.

When the Dodgers owner opens up a restaurant in the Ozarks, or a car wash in New Mexico, we’ll talk about money laundering.

I'm not sure how this is relevant. Should they not spend just because half the other owners are greedy or crying poor? That's collusion. In real life, I agree with the arguments about splitting have from have-not. But sports isn't real life.

I'm not sure you know what money laundering is. Also, they're keeping payroll down for tax purposes. They're still paying the cash every year, it's just that his share goes into escrow. It only helps them sign players because of the tax break (though we don't know how much that actually is) not because they have all that extra money to give to other players.

Just read this on ESPN.com which explains it pretty well, with one BIG exception*. It is kinda like a Bonilla deal, assuming the money earns interest in escrow. But the wacky part is how MLB discounts (they till count, just not 1:1) the deferrals for tax purposes - I can't imagine why that would be. Maybe someone could help explain why they'd encourage deferrals. Regardless, anyone can do it, so I'm not sure what the problem is. * this line: "teams have to set aside the present-day value of the deferred money -- in Ohtani's case, around $44 million in cash each year -- into an escrow account" doesn't make sense... UNLESS his deal is NOT for $700M in today's money, but actually much less, and the $700M is what he'll get total by 2044. Adjusting for present value, that's actually way less than it seems. If that's the case, which I'm not sure of, but would explain the $44M in escrow part.

I thought they used AAV for luxury tax purposes, no? This seems like some NFL-style manipulation, and I don't see the problem, because anyone can do it as long as the player doesn't need the up-front cash. Had Toronto been serious players - and I'm not sure there's any evidence that they were - they could have done the same. I assume (I don't know) that the deferred money is paid with interest, so Ohtani will probably even make more in the long run, albeit not like a Bonilla situation. So as long as it's a good rate, good for him. It's absurd money, and I hate that my (tax-paying) team now has slimmer odds, but the Pirates of the world can rejoice because their EBT cards will get loaded with a few extra dollars (that they won't spend) thanks to this. That's who to be mad at.

I know, I know. Unlikely, but still at least some possibility. There's just something different about the Cowboys I saw last night vs the ones that are always good but then fall on their faces. Dak may have me fooled - I hope so. And let me rephrase my earlier statement. Of course, #1 is always better than #2. The bye week alone is probably worth at least as much as the home-field in the CG. My point was simply that there's at least some silver lining if they fail and finish 2 (though at this point, it could very easily be 5, behind a sub-.500 team.) But you'd always choose playing 2 games at home vs playing 3 anywhere, regardless of opponents.

Continuing the Eaglejack, just heard that if they get the #2 seed, which they would by them and SF winning out, then Dallas would play in SF, thereby eliminating one of them, and then if Eagles win their home games, Dallas (if they beat SF) would play the NFCCG in Philadelphia. So while they look like one of the worst teams in the NFL right now, there's still a chance that they can get right "enough" to end up in a good spot. Ironically, getting the #2 is better than getting #1, where to get to the SB, they'd have to beat both Dallas and SF, which we just saw ain't going to happen, no matter how "right enough" they can get themselves.

IDK. Maybe the 49ers DC said "ok, instead of this zone, let's put you on him and you on the other one", or some similar adjustment. Then the Eagles OC was like "oh poop.... I have nothing."

I do think they have an elite line, and AJ Brown and Devonta Smith are elite receivers, and Hurts does have elite mobility and excellent accuracy. Dallas Goedert is an upper-tier TE, and D'andre Swift is also upper tier. The talent is absolutely not the problem. They don't ever seem to have plays where they create mismatches, like some dopey LB covering an elite WR or TE, or have quick-developing slants, or get into some good running rhythm that opens up play action. It hasn't been all year - they've had some games where things have looked well-oiled, but overall, this year has been bad, and they keep saying after every game "we're not firing on all cylinders, we have to clean things up." Talent is enough to win a few games, but not against elite teams like SF and Dallas. And when you have that talent, it comes down to coaching, which is clearly not there. I guess that's what can happen when you're good and lose your coordinators. Gannon was a complete tool on defense, but it's hard to argue with the results. They seem to like what they call the "Vic Fangio" scheme, which is basically "try to sack them, but if not, give them whatever they want, just don't let them by you" - except they're forgetting about that last part.

Not as much as the Eagles. An anonymous player told a reporter that they're pissed off about how much better the Cowboys play design is than theirs, and how the Cowboys plays are designed to get the ball out of Dak's hands quickly, while their plays take 10 minutes to develop and result in fire drills where Jalen either gets sacked or has to motion for guys to go somewhere they weren't supposed to. That's pretty much unheard of for this team in the Sirianni era, and especially with Jalen Hurts, who is among the best leaders I've ever seen. That's clearly a shot at their overmatched OC, and a potential sign that they're falling apart.

Look closer. I don't know about Mahomes' specific objection, but I think the big thing is that the refs usually say "hey 85, back up a step". But that's when they're split wide, and he didn't even check anyway. Now they're saying that they may have let it go, except that he was obstructing the side judge's view of the ball, so he felt like he had to throw the flag even if it may normally have been let go or resulted in a mere warning. I think this is a pretty good explanation from the referee. I don't blame Chiefs fans from being upset - we all would if it was our team, but as a non-partisan fan and especially after reading that, I can say that it should have been called - and I would imagine that rational Chiefs fans will eventually agree.

The Angels aren't competitive, so it's not like they just need to fill a hole or two, but since they have an open DH slot, maybe they can give Reese Hoskins a nice one or two year 'prove it' deal since he's back from ACL and the Phillies are reluctantly moving on. LA would give him a soft landing and he doesn't have much leverage to choose his next city right now. and is a very low-risk / high-reward guy. EDIT: and is friends with Trout through the Harper connection.

In a normal year I'd agree with you, but this doesn't seem like a normal year. I think they're legit good, and Dak doesn't seem to be ass - at least not yet. Even if the Eagles win the division, I haven't looked at what the bracket would be, but they'd need to hope that Dallas chokes on the road and someone beats SF in the division round. I cannot see them getting past the division round, even though it'd be at home if they win out. At this point, it's moot, because I can't see the Eagles d-backs stopping even the lowly Giants, unless they send Big Dom on a mission to break Tommy Devito's knees, which sounds like the Sopranoiest thing that could ever happen. As an Eagles fan, the only solace that we can take is that the Eagles have been playing top teams each week for the past 5, with a short week mixed in, while SF and DAL were coming off of mini-byes and were theoretically well rested. It doesn't get better, as they have to fly to Seattle for a Monday night game, then fly back across country on what is another short week. But that still doesn't explain getting totally routed - that's simply not being good enough. I hate Sean Desai and Briain Johnson with a passion, and am pretty sure at least one of them is fired by Howie, whether Siriani likes it or not. Overpaying for complete turds like Slay, at the expense of slot and safety depth should be enough to teach Howie a lesson that he's not infallible. The September Eagles, while not firing on all cylindars even then, would beat the December Eagles by 3 scores. I still think the Eagles are better than any of those fraud Vik.... you now what - never mind. They're probably not.

That’s an offensive off sides? On a guard? Lol ok. Dallas is doing a good enough job whooping the Eagles without that, thx. Though if that’s a 1st, the turnover doesn’t happen, so kinda important. There’s no universe in which that was offensive offsides, other than Goodell wants to kill the push.

1st pic - that looks about as artificial as it gets. 2nd pic - that's a night game. Of course it's darker than an outdoor day game would be (it's also not representative of what the game looks like when viewed on TV.)

Those things are posted every week, and there's tons of situations like that for and against all teams. I think one of the playoff games the Eagles won last year was "against" a crew that they'd never won "against". In other officiating news, it's fun seeing Mahomes complaining about how the referees "denied greatness", when his dude was lined up practically in front of the center. I always thought WRs "checked in" with the referees to ensure they were on the line (or off of it), but I guess since he was inside, he didn't?

If he wasn't suspended, I'd put Big Dom in at linebacker right now (or Defensive Coordinator). He can't be any worse than the steaming sacks of crap at either spot.

LOL New York negated the holding flag? Even though they just showed that it was clearly some legit holding, which drew an actual flag. Clowns.

Ironically, how many people ran on the field from the 49ers bench when they were fighting with the Seahawks late in that game? Photos show at least 3 or 4. Not defending Big Dom, but let's see if anything's made about that.