COMMENTARY – SAY WHAT YOU MEAN?

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I got a coupla things burning on my mind today so I thought I’d share them both. That’s why you’re here after all:

#1 – They say we’re days away from the announcement of a merger between the XFL and USFL. Both fledgling U.S. spring football leagues lost in the tens of millions of dollars last year and have decided to stop trying to compete against each other, and work together.

Who didn’t see this coming? But I have my doubts it’ll ever work because in the States if you’re not named “NFL” or “College Football”, people largely aren’t interested.

I’m still a proponent of the CFL expanding into the States because clearly expansion isn’t going to happen in Canada, but you don’t hear me beating that drum anymore because I’ve given up on it. They’d never challenge the NFL but there’s room for a strong development league.

If there’s one thing CFL leaders hate – for reasons I’ll never know – it’s change. A lot of the league’s great fans agree with them. On the other hand I favour variety and growth. Potato / potatoe.

So it’s their league and they can do what they want with it.

And #2 – I’ve gotta think Steven Stamkos’s comments on the day before Tampa Bay Lightning training camp are more than just a tempest in a teapot. But maybe not.

Tampa’s long-time captain said this week he’s “disappointed” and “frustrated” that the team hasn’t been willing to open contract talks on his deal which expires at the end of this season.

Here we go again.

Overall I can’t say I feel sorry for a guy making $8.5-million per season in a state with no income tax, but when it comes to sports, dollars and sense these days, just throw common sense out the window and go from there.

For the team’s part, Lightning GM Julien Brisebois says they’ll get to it when they get to it and he’s gotta find a way to move some money around.

I still think Stamkos is the guy who should get what he wants and he’s not slowing down. He played nearly every game the past two seasons, was a point per game at least, and is the face of the franchise.

But if this is all one big game of posturing – which it likely is – then just wake me up when it’s over.

I don’t say anything I don’t mean and can’t figure out why anyone would have a problem with that.

At least with me, you always know where you stand.

That’s today’s Rod Pedersen Commentary

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily at 12 pm & 5 pm ET on Game+TV, WQEE Radio, YouTube Live & Podcast)