10 WEEKEND THINGS

RODSERVATIONS…

1 – WHAT WAS THAT?: You’re really scraping the bottom of the barrel when one of the highlights of the year is a Made-For-TV prize fight between two boxers in their 50s which goes the distance, and ends in a no-decision. However that’s exactly what we saw Saturday night, and the much-hyped bout between Mike Tyson and Roy Jones Jr. was officially ruled a draw. BUT it was a fantastic night out (thanks to Ballers for buying the PPV and Access TV for making it available), the broadcast was a thrill-a-minute, and it provided a lot of laughs which are hard to come by these days. It was also great to see The Champ dashing around the ring like the 90’s, and trash-talking afterwards. Rematch anyone?

2 – CHUCKY CHEESE: It’s been a big 10 days for Roughriders defensive end Charleston Hughes. He was voted the #1 CFL rush end of the decade during Grey Cup Unite, and this week he was named a CFLPA player rep for Saskatchewan. Charleston turns 38 next month and he’s just 28 sacks behind Grover Covington for #1 all-time in CFL history. We pray he’ll have the chance to pursue that record when the CFL returns. (I feel he will). Saturday night Hughes invited me into a Suicide Wing Eating Challenge at Ballers however I declined, having announced my retirement long ago. Back in the day a competition like that would’ve denigrated into us smashing heads in the parking lot. Older, wiser.

3 – SO LONG HOCKEY: For now. Hockey, and sports in general, was dealt a crushing blow this week by the cease order sent down by the government. It matches similar edicts from our neighbours in Manitoba and Alberta. SJHL coaches were allowed to vent in the media or on Twitter but the fact remains, the government’s in charge. (Ask the Denver Broncos if health officials are to be messed with!) Sask Health’s mandate is the well-being of the citizens of this province and they’re doing the best they can. Hockey people decried the packed shopping malls and jammed big box stores this weekend, to no avail. Really, this goes above Scott Moe. The Premiers have been threatened by the Prime Minister to get the Covid cases down “or else”. The only way we’ll get back on the ice is by following the orders & guidelines – not by revolting –  so please do so!

4 – THE FUTURE: Sports fans and sports workers alike (including the athletes) are wondering what’s in store for 2021 as far as the various leagues go. With the “sports at all levels must cease immediately” order, even the CFL couldn’t play under these current conditions. Forget about fans in the stands; right now the PLAYERS can’t gather. This has thrown into question the World Junior Hockey Championship scheduled for Edmonton over the Christmas Holidays. I predict the tournament will still be held, only if the other countries can get their teams into Alberta Covid-free. The bubble template has been set successfully by the NHL. The WJHC is Canada’s version of college football and if you’ve noticed, they’re playing come hell or high water.

Some of the American leagues (NFL and NCAAF specifically) are being criticized for not taking a knee during the pandemic. But some people just don’t give up so easily and if you have the financial backing to play and follow safety protocols, why not?

5 – THE CFL: It says here the Canadian Football League faces incredibly long odds to get onto the field in 2021. The presence of Covid and the uncertain future of wide-spread vaccinations aside, the league STILL needs to whack and slash salaries both on and off the field. Will the Players Association go for that?

Meanwhile Sun Media writer Gerry Moddejonge took the CFL to task for the results of its draft lottery. The Flying Dutchman feels it’s unfair that the bingo balls fell this way for Round 1 with the top three picks: 1 – Hamilton (15-3 record), 2 – Saskatchewan (13-5 record), and 3 – Winnipeg (defending Grey Cup champions). I never thought about it, but he has a point. I wonder if the Edmonton Football Club – where Gerry resides – put a bug in his ear about that.

FURTHERMORE don’t forget BC Lions GM Ed Hervey won the 2020 Draft by trading up to get LB Jordan Williams (considered the best player in the draft) at #1, and took top QB prospect Nathan Rourke in Round 2. His reward? An apple and a road map.

6 – THE DUB: We’re all watching the WHL very closely. Cases will need to go down and restrictions relaxed for the Western Hockey League to get on the ice. As one hockey person said this week, “They’ve got $5-million budgets. They can’t make it work at 150 per game.” Will creativity and more off-ice revenue generation allow them to play? The suspense is scintillating and we’re eager to help in any way.

7 – WE’RE DAMN LUCKY: I learned years and years ago through my travels in the U.S. that the best sports media business model is sports talk shows, rather than play-by-play. You’re not paying outrageous rights fees to teams and, with the right host, you can always find something to talk about, and entertain. (See the term: Deliverables.) CJME’s Greenzone has apparently figured this out, announcing the move recently to go to 4-hours daily. I overheard one of the RP Show staffers saying this week, “I’ll always have a job because Rod can talk sports even when there IS no sports”. Combine that with the news we received from Game+ TV this week that ratings spike 50% when our show comes on air, and you see why we’re very pleased. Thanks for the support!!!!!

Incidentally we’ve partnered with sports betting outfit ComeOn! and for a second straight week they’re offering juicy odds, this time the Buffalo Bills at +1500 against the Chargers. Claim your sign-up bonus and create an account here.

8 – ROGERS CENTRE MEMORIES: Sports fans seemed more upset than the players and media about the news Friday that Rogers and the Blue Jays have a plan to implode Rogers Centre, and build a new outdoor downtown ballpark. That facility should hold tremendous fondness for Roughriders fans since the franchise won two of their four Grey Cups there. As Jays fans, we also hold the 1992 and 1993 World Series wins near and dear. However the fact is the stadium is an inanimate object, its 30-year lifespan is up, and it’s time to move on. Any glum feelings are simply between your ears.

9 – NHL: If you’ve noticed, they’re incredibly quiet right now. Is that good or bad? I suppose we’ll find out whenever they make an announcement on a 2021 season. NHL Network analyst Darren Pang predicted on The RP Show this week that the NHL will indeed drop the puck on January 15. Reports indicate the players and owners haven’t spoken in over a week and presumably that’s due to a squabble over money (there isn’t any). While we’re praying for the other leagues, might as well throw another one up for the NHL.

10 – RANDOMS: 2020 wants you to know the Ron MacLean/Don Cherry fiasco occurred in 2019. … I get emails from NFL Canada everyday. They’re aggressive. … It’s a little early for all this Christmas programming on TV, don’cha think? What are they going to air at Christmas time? … Wonderful to see Michael Buffer – the GOAT and O.G. of announcers – announcing the Tyson/Jones Jr. fight. 20 years ago he was charging $50,000 per appearance, and trademarked “LLLLLLLet’s get ready to rumble!” … I was upset this week when a TSN analyst questioned if Diego Maradona’s addiction battle would taint his legacy. NEWSFLASH: Those of us who’ve battled addiction aren’t defined by our struggles, but rather how we overcome them. … A sign of how tough times are in Saskatchewan: people are selling their prized Roughriders memorabilia online. This isn’t funny. Now more than ever before, we need to support each other. … I’ve already petitioned Apple to include a Moose emoji in their next iOS update. Now, I’ve discovered, we also need a barn. How could those things have been excluded? … Hockey fans are really loving our series of hockey stories from coaching legends over at DUBNetwork.ca. So far we’ve featured Parry Shockey and Lorne Molleken over five instalments. Any requests? People have asked for Terry Simpson, Bobby Lowes and Bryan Maxwell. The fact is, it’s a bottomless pit and I’m here for it. … My inbox is jammed from young people struggling during this pandemic. (Four new cases this weekend alone.) Most have lost their jobs and don’t want to go down the wrong road. Smart kids! My first inkling is to call my Dad for help, but he’s gone. Gotta do this on my own, so thank God for the tools he gave me. The Old Guy used to tap his temple and say “Use this.”  Take care out there!

Y’er welcome,
RP
@rodpedersen