Looking for Racism- Gene Csakany

In last Tuesday’s class we spoke on many different things including the Lebron and Gisele on Vogue picture.  It was said that this picture depicts racism because of the famous picture of King Kong holding up the white, blonde, female who appears to be in peril.  This specifically got me quite annoyed that this picture caused any type of controversy over racism in today’s society.  The issue of the magazine clearly elaborates that’s this specific magazine focuses on “Secrets of the Best Bodies”.  Lebron is in very good shape, he is basically not human in that sense and in our society today, the way the term “beast” or “not human” is used not to demean anyone.  The type of people that look at this and instantly see racism are the type of people that search for racism in every situation.  If you look hard enough for something like racism and distort the actuality or intent of what you are seeing, then of course you could form a racist opinion.  But that is just it; just because one person raises the idea that this picture is racist, just means simply that is there belief and they are entitled to it, but they are the same people searching for racism in a situation just to raise a debate and get the sympathy for the individuals that suffered many years ago, when the sympathy of those individuals is fully understood, there is no reason to bring the horrors of the past and relate it to those of today just to cause a stir.  I am certain if such a public figure like Lebron James felt he was being put in a racist situation, he would not have done this photo shoot.  When asked the question “Does racism still exist to the extent that it is depicted”, I simply say no racism does not really exist anymore, but ignorance still does. 

Indian Wells (Williams' Sisters)

A quick summary of the situation that went on at Indian Wells is originally, On March 15, 2001, Venus and Serena were supposed to play against each other in a match, but Venus dropped out 4 minutes before game time claiming she had tendinitis.  On an average day, if something is wrong with the athlete, they will let officials know at least 30 minutes before a match, but that did not happen in this case.  Some people speculated that the Williams’ sister’s father wanted Serena to win, so he told Venus to lose on purpose/drop out the match, but that was false.  Also, a lot of people think that Venus should have least went out on the court and tried, but I disagree because one move the wrong way could have made the injury even worse than what it was.  Two Days after that day, on March 17, 2001, Venus and her dad arrived at Indian Wells to watch Serena play, and while walking down the stairs, almost the whole stadium booed them, their father even mention he heard some pretty racial slurs as well.  My opinion on all of this is, I think that Venus should have let the officials know that there would be a slight chance that she wouldn’t be playing, just so that they could have a heads up.  Lastly, I understand that fans were upset that they were not able to see Serena and Venus play against each other, but yelling out racial slurs was just disrespectful in my eyes.  My question is, do you think that race played a huge part in the booing on March 17, 2001?

-Turea Moore

Lebron James Leaving

Last week in class we talked heavily about Lebron James taking his talents to South Beach.  This was a kind of sensitive topic for me since I am from Cleveland and a fan of the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Lebron James leaving Cleveland had a huge impact on the city, one that was bigger than just basketball.  However, I don't fault Lebron for leaving nor do I have a huge problem with the way he did it.

Lebron James leaving the city of Cleveland had a impact that was bigger than just basketball. Him leaving meant that the city wouldn't bring in as much business to the small businesses around the city and arena.  Lebron James bought many people into the city that wouldn't have came if he wasn't there.  We all know that small business is a huge part of a city's economy, and him leaving left the city wondering how they would be able to generate that same amount of interest to the small businesses that was there when he was playing for Cleveland.

At the end of the day many faulted Lebron for his decision however, people forget that the NBA is a business.  Lebron James fulfilled his contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers and had the right to go wherever he wanted.  Many would then say that he shouldn't have waited to the last minute to tell the Cavaliers that he was leaving.  Like I previously stated, it's a business so why would he tell the Cavaliers, a team in the Eastern Conference that he was leaving if he knew he was going to go to another team in the Eastern Conference.  It doesn't make sense for him to do that because the Cavs would of had a chance to try and grab players and end up beating Lebron James and his new team. Lebron didn't want that so he waited to the last minute not to be a prick but it was a smart business decision.

In all I believe that Lebron James left the way he did because of business decisions. I don't think he did it to disrespect the Cavaliers, fans, or the city of Cleveland.  I believe that he did it thinking as a business minded person because at the end of the day the NBA is just that, a business.  

Tim Love

Celebranding

Branding is a direct relation that is experienced when a consumer hears a brand name or sees a recognizable company product. Function of a brand is how it builds a presence and emotion is the feeling it instills in their customers about a product and how they connect with a brand.

By utilizing brand extension, many teams, athletes, and sport (consumer good) producers have used existing well known brands to create a new category of product or personality to market to consumers.

With personality and "celebranding" sport has been able to use famous athletes to further their consumer interest and loyalty, increasing revenues.

The Davie-Brown Index shows the affect celebrity endorsers have on their represented brands and how fans consume the endorsed products.

The Beefcake/Cheesecake Factors are utilized in celebranding to attach attractive sport personalities to products seeking endorsements in the sport industry. For example Anna Kournikova or Raphael Nadal marketing non-tennis related products like clothing or watches.

We discussed some well-known celebrands in class such as Michael Jordan, and how he has dominated a culture with his personality branding, as well as brand extension to clothing, shoes, backpacks, etc. Michael Jordan has almost always emulated a role model for consumers. But does celebranding as a concept provide a positive externality for athletes? Who truly benefits from celebranding?

We also discussed LeBron James and "The Decison." Was this form of celebranding worthwhile to his image? To his team(s)? Or to the NBA?

Stephanie Loomis

Orenthal James Simpson

Discussions from last Tuesday's class referred to athletes such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant as ones who transcended 'race.'  One of the athletes who we didn't get to talk about was O.J Simpson.  In my eyes, Simpson did similar things that Jordan did as he was a superstar athlete in college and in the pros.  After winning the Heisman Trophy at USC, he went on to become an elite running back with the Buffalo Bills or 'America's Team.'  With the Bills, he became the first running back in history to rush for more than 2000 yards in one season.  He also played in 6 Pro-Bowls and became a member of the NFL Hall of Fame in 1985.  Off the field, however was where he transcended 'race' as he went on to become the spokesperson for Hertz Rental Car Company and also owned two Pioneer Chicken franchises.  His career also carried over to the movie theaters as he appeared in The Naked Gun Trilogy  in which he was a decent actor who seemed to fit each role perfectly as another member of a bumbling Los Angeles Police Squad.  My overall point is that straight out of college, he became a beloved hero for people of all ages as he seemed to 'do it all' and was flawless at every task he had his hands in.  That is why, when it came out that he had murdered his wife and his wife's friend, the entire country was shocked.  It created a stir that everyone tuned in to watch on just about every major news network during the summer of 1994.  Although it was a horrendous crime and I do believe O.J got away with the murder of two people, it remains as evidence on the effect Simpson had on the entire country.

-Chris Cournan

Nike gets the most out of their Celebrities- Gene Csakany

We talked about many different things in last Tuesday’s class.  One thing we mentioned was that of celebrity endorsers.  We briefly touched on this in class, although I happen to think this is an interesting phenomenon.  Myself, personally when I think of celebrity endorsers I immediately think about Nike.  I really believe there is not a brand out there that does it better then Nike.  Gatorade does a good job, Coca Cola does great as well, but I feel as though there is not a single company that comes close to the type of growth and marketing Nike has established.  I think Nike is solely responsible for individuals who bridge the gap between “athlete” and “celebrity”.  There are many athletes out there that are popular and known very well throughout their respected leagues, but the athletes endorsed by Nike become much more than “notable” athletes.  The biggest athlete we have covered in that aspect is obviously Michael Jordan.  He is obviously the greatest basketball player to live, but is that the only reason he became so popular amongst not only sport followers, but around the world?  No, I believe he has much credit owed to the advertising minds behind Nike.  Take his Jordan sneaker for example.  That is not just a shoe that is worn in basketball by basketball players.  Jordan has cleats for football, sweatshirts, watches and even casual wear.  None of those items have anything to do with basketball, yet people still buy them buy the masses.  Nike has not only done this for Michael Jordan, but also Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, and even made a household name for Tiger Woods, at a time when if someone thinks athlete they don’t refer to golf, but somehow Tiger Woods received the award for best male athletes in consecutive years at the top of his game.  There are even athletes such as Maria Sharapova and Michelle Wie whose sports I can honestly say I never watched compete yet I know of them and their multimillion dollar Nike endorsement deals.  Nike has become masters at getting the most out of their “celebrity” endorsers while directly benefiting the athlete in more ways than just financially. 

Opinions on October 9th's Class

      This blog post is my opinion about a few things that were discussed during October 9^th’s class period.  First off, I know the question is will Kobe be the next Michael Jordan, and my answer to that is, “Kobe is the closest person statistically”.  If anybody wants to compare stats, rings, championships, ability to close and win games consistently and etc, then Kobe Bryant is the person to look to.  On the other hand, there is a guy named LeBron James that averages around the same numbers as Michael, maybe a little better, he has many endorsements, his own shoe line through Nike (just like Michael has) and also has a great image off the court.  So off the court and along with some of his abilities on the court as well, I would say LeBron can possibly be the next MJ.

      When we discussed the slide about the “Role of a Black Athlete”, I agree with Steph Loomis when she stated in class, “that athletes should not have to play active roles in political issues, but it would be nice if they did because so many people look up to them.”  There is no way in the world Michael Jordan should have been criticized because he did not play an active role; it is his choice if he wants to do anything.

      Lastly, I commented on Aaron’s post saying this as well, but personally I think that if the 2012 USA team and 92 Dream Team played against each other, the 2012 Team would edge out with a win.  I think this because the athleticism today is on a whole different level than it was at back in 1992, along with the fact that nobody has an answer for LeBron James (due to his strength, speed, quickness, basketball iq, and etc). I am sure that many people think otherwise, but that is my opinion.

-Turea Moore