BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com BloggingStocks http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/media/feedlogo.gif BloggingStocks http://www.bloggingstocks.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Jarden, Under Armour, PepsiCo, Hibbet Sports, Sirius: Five Big Hits with the Boys of Summer]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/jarden-under-armour-pepsico-hibbet-sports-sirius-five-big-h/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/jarden-under-armour-pepsico-hibbet-sports-sirius-five-big-h/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/04/08/jarden-under-armour-pepsico-hibbet-sports-sirius-five-big-h/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , ,

Baseball season is officially under way and it's all a numbers game. Kiplinger has highlighted five stocks that may be in play --- Jarden, Under Armour, PepsiCo, Hibbett Sports and Siriius Radio-- so here is their pitch and my thoughts on taking a swing at any of them.

Oddly, the Kiplinger story makes note of the fact that baseball and investing are both driven by numbers, yet provides very few of them to support their thesis.


Continue reading Jarden, Under Armour, PepsiCo, Hibbet Sports, Sirius: Five Big Hits with the Boys of Summer

Jarden, Under Armour, PepsiCo, Hibbet Sports, Sirius: Five Big Hits with the Boys of Summer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 08 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaseballfeaturedHIBBhibbett sport storesJAHjarden corp.KiplingersMLBOpening DayPEPpepsicoSIRIsirius satellite radioUAunder armourThu, 08 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Todd Stottlemyre Looks to Cash in with Multi-Level Marketing]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/18/todd-stottlemyre-looks-to-cash-in-with-multi-level-marketing/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/18/todd-stottlemyre-looks-to-cash-in-with-multi-level-marketing/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2010/03/18/todd-stottlemyre-looks-to-cash-in-with-multi-level-marketing/#commentsBack in August, former pitcher Todd Stottlemyre, a veteran of 14 Major League seasons who last pitched with the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2002, was looking to start his own hedge fund in the wake of fellow retired baseball player Lenny Dykstra's spectacular crash and burn.

These days, his financial aspirations seem to be a little less high finance. Actually, a lot less. The Globe and Mail reports that Stottlemyre "wants Canadians to join his network at ACN, a multi-level marketing company that promises an ongoing stream of commissions for members who manage to convince friends and associates to buy telecom services through them from companies such as Telus Corp. and Verizon Communications Inc."

Continue reading Todd Stottlemyre Looks to Cash in with Multi-Level Marketing

Todd Stottlemyre Looks to Cash in with Multi-Level Marketing originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acnLenny DykstramlbTodd StottlemyreThu, 18 Mar 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Why isn't anyone watching baseball?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/26/why-isnt-anyone-watching-baseball/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/26/why-isnt-anyone-watching-baseball/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/26/why-isnt-anyone-watching-baseball/#commentsFiled under:

The 2008 Major League Baseball World Series achieved the event's lowest television ratings in history, and the league is off to a similarly lousy start to the 2009 season.

Ratings for Fox Saturday Baseball have slipped 9% since last season and 23% since 2000. The Wall Street Journal reports (subscription required) that Fox executives will be meeting with MLB Commissioner Bud Selig next week to try to come up with ways to boost ratings.

Executives are not panicking yet -- the real test will be the All-Star Game and the Playoffs, which account for 90% of the revenue under licensing deals.

Continue reading Why isn't anyone watching baseball?

Why isn't anyone watching baseball? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 May 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredMajor League BaseballMajorLeagueBaseballMLBTue, 26 May 2009 13:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Texas Rangers owner in a world of financial trouble]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/10/texas-rangers-owner-in-a-world-of-financial-trouble/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/10/texas-rangers-owner-in-a-world-of-financial-trouble/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/05/10/texas-rangers-owner-in-a-world-of-financial-trouble/#commentsFiled under:

Tom Hicks, the owner of the Texas Rangers baseball team and the Dallas Stars NHL franchise, has defaulted on a $525 million loan related to the teams.

Hicks has downplayed the importance of the default, saying that it's just a bargaining tactic to bring the lenders back to the bargaining table to negotiate better terms. But industry experts tell The Associated Press that that's unlikely to be the full extent of it. A default on a loan is usually a sign of serious financial problems, but analysts think that Hicks has enough equity in his teams to maintain control -- even if he does end up selling minority stakes to outside investors.

Continue reading Texas Rangers owner in a world of financial trouble

Texas Rangers owner in a world of financial trouble originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 10 May 2009 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Buster OlneyMajor League BaseballMLBTom HicksSun, 10 May 2009 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Yankees cut ticket prices from outrageous to 'merely' absurd]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/yankees-cut-ticket-prices-from-outrageous-to-merely-absurd/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/yankees-cut-ticket-prices-from-outrageous-to-merely-absurd/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/30/yankees-cut-ticket-prices-from-outrageous-to-merely-absurd/#commentsFiled under: ,

New York Yankee executives apparently read BloggingStocks. A day or so after posting on the American League baseball franchise's truly-stratospheric plus-$2,000 ticket prices (and empty seats) at the new Yankee Stadium, the Yankees announced a ticket price cut.

The Yankees cut prices on most premium seats, including a 50% cut in the top Legend Suite seats, to $1,250 from $2,500. Season ticket and partial ticket plan holders who purchased tickets at the previous price will receive additional, complimentary tickets as compensation or a credit.

Continue reading Yankees cut ticket prices from outrageous to 'merely' absurd

Yankees cut ticket prices from outrageous to 'merely' absurd originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballMajor League BaseballMLBNew York Yankeesticket pricesticketsYankee StadiumYankeesThu, 30 Apr 2009 17:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Yankees overestimate demand for pricey seats]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/yankees-overestimate-demand-for-pricey-seats/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/yankees-overestimate-demand-for-pricey-seats/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/04/28/yankees-overestimate-demand-for-pricey-seats/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's a sign of the times: the New York Yankees, who just opened a cathedral of baseball, the $1.5 billion new Yankee Stadium, have underestimated the impact of the U.S. recession on sports/entertainment/leisure spending.

About 1,800 high-priced seats -- with prices up to $2,625 for each game -- have not sold. Imagine that. The Yankees began the inaugural season at their new home in the Bronx, located across the street from The House That Ruth Built, by increasing ticket prices anywhere from 5 to 50% per seat.

Continue reading Yankees overestimate demand for pricey seats

Yankees overestimate demand for pricey seats originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballMajor League BaseballMLBNew Yankee StadiumticketsYankee StadiumTue, 28 Apr 2009 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Tough timing for baseball's free agents]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/11/tough-timing-for-baseballs-free-agents/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/11/tough-timing-for-baseballs-free-agents/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/11/tough-timing-for-baseballs-free-agents/#commentsFiled under: ,

It's a tough job market for everyone. In addition to all the investment bankers facing smaller bonuses, there's another group of people deserving of our sympathy: professional baseball players.

The sagging economy has Major League Baseball teams feeling a little bit cautious as far as free agent signings and on top of that, there is somewhat of a glut of players on the market. Experts are forecasting a drop in ticket sales, but baseball may prove to be somewhat recession proof because the deals with television networks that make up a large portion of revenue are long-term guaranteed contracts: Even if advertising revenue declines, that won't effect the league or its teams directly.

ESPN analyst Buster Olney tells BusinessWeek that the Boston Red Sox are "absolutely loaded" and well-poised to take advantage of the weak economy to score some good bargains on free agents.

The Red Sox are a great example of well-managed company. By not bowing to the pressure to overspend in good times (letting pricey free agents like Pedro Martinez and Johnny Damon walk), they have left themselves in a strong financial position that allows them to be take advantage of weakness and get more bang for their free agent buck when times are rough.

It's a shame more public companies aren't managed that way.

Tough timing for baseball's free agents originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaseballMajor League BaseballMLBSun, 11 Jan 2009 16:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Scott Boras on why Major League Baseball is better without a Salary Cap]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/02/scott-boras-on-why-major-league-baseball-is-better-without-a-sal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/02/scott-boras-on-why-major-league-baseball-is-better-without-a-sal/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2009/01/02/scott-boras-on-why-major-league-baseball-is-better-without-a-sal/#commentsFiled under:

After the New York Yankees signed the three biggest free agents on the market, Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio sent an email to Bloomberg calling for a salary cap: "At the rate the Yankees are going, I'm not sure anyone can compete with them. Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap." He added that "I paid $220 million for my team; now they get three players for $420 million."

Under a salary cap system, teams would be limited as far as how much they can spend on player salaries each year -- the idea is to allow smaller-market teams to be competitive.

But in an interview with CNBC, Scott Boras -- the controversial super-agent who represents Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez and many others -- explained why he doesn't think baseball should have a salary cap. Of course it's a pretty self-serving argument but here's what he said: "I'm not sure what a salary cap does other than it prevents choices."

Of course Scott Boras could sell a champion sailor to a guy in the desert, but he actually might be onto something with this one: The free agent frenzy of out of control spending adds a "Hot Stove" season to baseball that others sports lack. And for all the talk about big budget teams killing competitiveness, the two teams that made it to the World Series ranked 13th and 29th (second to last) on the list of teams with the biggest budgets.

Scott Boras on why Major League Baseball is better without a Salary Cap originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaseballfeaturedMajor League BaseballMajorLeagueBaseballMilwaukee BrewersMilwaukeeBrewersMLBNew York YankeesNewYorkYankeesSalary CapSalaryCapScott BorasScottBorasWorld seriesWorldSeriesFri, 02 Jan 2009 09:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Does Major League Baseball need a salary cap?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/25/does-major-league-baseball-need-a-salary-cap/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/25/does-major-league-baseball-need-a-salary-cap/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/12/25/does-major-league-baseball-need-a-salary-cap/#commentsFiled under:

With the signings of C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, The New York Yankees have signed the three biggest contracts of the off-season.

That spending spree is raising concerns about competitive balance in baseball, and Milwaukee Brewers owner Mark Attanasio is none too pleased. In an email to Bloomberg, he wrote that "At the rate the Yankees are going, I'm not sure anyone can compete with them. Frankly, the sport might need a salary cap."

In a phone interview with Bloomberg, he added that "I paid $220 million for my team; now they get three players for $420 million." Brewers assistant general manager Gord Ash had some fighting words for the Yankees: "This is very reminiscent of what they have tried before. It didn't work then, and I'm not sure it's going to work now."

Whether baseball will ever end up with a salary cap is an open question. Under the current system, teams that spend huge sums of money on players are required to pay a "luxury tax" to the league, but that seems to do little to dissuade these signings.

For the sport as a business, a salary cap seems to be the way to go. This arms race hurts profitability for all teams, and it certainly seems to be having a negative impact on team values. According to Forbes, the average National Football League team, which operates under a salary cap with non-guaranteed contracts, is worth $1.04 billion. In baseball, only the Yankees are valued at more than $1 billion, and the league average is just $472 million.

Does Major League Baseball need a salary cap? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BrewersMajor League BaseballMajorLeagueBaseballMLBSalary CapSalaryCapThu, 25 Dec 2008 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Was the Red Sox comeback just another bear rally?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/was-the-red-sox-comeback-just-another-bear-rally/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/was-the-red-sox-comeback-just-another-bear-rally/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/was-the-red-sox-comeback-just-another-bear-rally/#commentsFiled under: ,

Without a hint of irony, the Associated Press reported that "Trailing by seven runs with seven outs left in their season, the Red Sox pulled off the biggest postseason rally since 1929. Boston staved off elimination in the AL championship series with an 8-7 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays on Thursday night when J.D. Drew singled home the winning run with two outs in the ninth."

That's right: in the midst of a market meltdown, the Red Sox pulled off the greatest comeback in playoff history since 1929, and they did it on October 16th, just 13 days before the anniversary of Black Tuesday. Coincidence? Who knows?

But given that there are a lot of people making predictions about the future of the market -- and none of them really know what they're talking about -- I'm proposing a new method. If the Red Sox come back to win the next two games and shock the Tampa Bay Rays out of their first ALCS title, then the comeback is real -- and the markets have bottomed.

But if the Red Sox break their fans hearts by losing after such a glorious comeback, then we'll have to chalk the market's modest gains of the past week up to a bear rally -- sucking in optimists only to destroy still more wealth.

Was the Red Sox comeback just another bear rally? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Black TuesdayBostoninthenewsMLBplayoffsRed SoxStock MarketTampa BaySat, 18 Oct 2008 14:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Will economic collapse hurt contracts for baseball players?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/will-economic-collapse-hurt-contracts-for-baseball-players/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/will-economic-collapse-hurt-contracts-for-baseball-players/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/10/18/will-economic-collapse-hurt-contracts-for-baseball-players/#commentsFiled under: ,

In light of current economic conditions, you might be worried about your situation: your job security, your home's value, your 401(k), and how you're going to pay for your kid's college.

But hey: quit being so selfish, and have a little sympathy for the real victims of this mess. That's right: professional athletes. MLB.com's Hal Bodley reports that "Economic uncertainties facing virtually every professional sports team, every player and, of course, each and every fan undoubtedly will have a trickle-down effect during baseball's offseason."

He goes on to say that teams are expected to be "more cautious, if not conservative, in locking up those not considered superstars," as they cut spending in anticipation of depressed attendance and advertising revenue.

But 2008 revenue hit a record high and some commentators, including agent Scott Boras, who is of course biased, say that baseball may well prove to be recession-proof. But I'm not so sure. It may be that attendance and consumer interest in the game will remain robust, but leading sponsors, especially in the financial industry, may be less aggressive with their marketing dollars. The PGA Tour is certainly seeing that effect already.

It looks like it could be a blue Christmas for Manny Ramirez.

Will economic collapse hurt contracts for baseball players? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sat, 18 Oct 2008 08:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaseballC.C. SabathiaHal BodleyinthenewsManny RamirezMLBPGAScott BorasSat, 18 Oct 2008 08:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Will Bush throw a change-up at Yankee Stadium?]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/will-bush-throw-a-change-up-at-yankee-stadium/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/will-bush-throw-a-change-up-at-yankee-stadium/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/07/15/will-bush-throw-a-change-up-at-yankee-stadium/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

There are many ironies in the fact that President George W. Bush will throw the first pitch at Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in New York. For one, President Bush is the first managing general partner of a Major League team (the Texas Rangers) to become President of the United States.

President Franklin Roosevelt was the first to attend an All-Star Game and throw out the first pitch, starting the tradition. He too had to deal with a poor economy and by the time he threw out that first ball the groundwork was being laid for World War II. President Bush has had to contend with his own war.

While there are differing views as to whether we should have gone into Iraq and whether we should stay or get out, this will always be viewed as George's war, fair or not. And the state of our economy in 2008 will also be viewed as George's economy, fair or not.

The ultimate irony for me is that Yankee Stadium is scheduled to be torn apart at the end of the season. This is YANKEE Stadium and the last president to set foot in it will be George W. Bush. The stadium with the greatest heritage in baseball, the 'House That Ruth Built', is going to be torn apart while our economy is also being torn apart. It is being torn out at its roots.

Continue reading Will Bush throw a change-up at Yankee Stadium?

Will Bush throw a change-up at Yankee Stadium? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 15 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>All-Star GameAll-starGameBaseballCharles SchwabCharlesSchwabEconomyend of recessionEndOfRecessionfeaturedFederal ReserveFederalReserveGeorge W. BushGeorgeW.BushJPMJPMorgan ChaseJpmorganChaseLEHLehman Br HoldingsLehmanBrHoldingsLUVMERMerrill LynchMerrillLynchMLBSCHWSheldon LiberSheldonLiberSouthwest AirlinesSouthwestAirlinesWells FargoWellsFargoWFCTue, 15 Jul 2008 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Fantasy sports fans score a Supreme Court victory]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/fantasy-sports-fans-score-a-supreme-court-victory/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/fantasy-sports-fans-score-a-supreme-court-victory/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2008/06/03/fantasy-sports-fans-score-a-supreme-court-victory/#commentsFiled under: ,

Back in June, Georges Yared blogged about one of the silliest lawsuits in sports history: Major League Baseball decided that it would take on fantasy baseball leagues, battling for a licensing fee for the use of statistics, such as batting averages, home runs and earned run averages. Major League Baseball sought to limit the number of companies that could use its data for operating fantasy baseball websites in exchange for a fee, and CDM Fantasy Sports Corp sued, essentially arguing that data about a factual event such as the outcome of a baseball game was not proprietary because it could be garnered from various sources other than the league itself.

CDM won in federal court and baseball appealed to the Supreme Court, which declined to hear the case. According to the Wall Street Journal, "In taking on the fantasy-baseball operators, and losing, MLB has likely cost every pro sports league millions of dollars. All the leagues had been getting fees from fantasy operators."

It's good to see Major League Baseball lose here: after failing miserably to protect the game's integrity from the threat of illegal drugs, gouging fantasy players for fees should have been the last thing on the league's mind. MLB doesn't need any more controversy right now, and should never have waded into this battle in the first place.

Fantasy sports fans score a Supreme Court victory originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Jun 2008 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BaseballMLBSupreme CourtSupremeCourtTue, 03 Jun 2008 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[A-Rod and the Yankees: Reunited and it feels ... oh, whatever]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/a-rod-and-the-yankees-reuinted-and-it-feels-oh-whatever/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/a-rod-and-the-yankees-reuinted-and-it-feels-oh-whatever/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/16/a-rod-and-the-yankees-reuinted-and-it-feels-oh-whatever/#commentsFiled under: ,

Alex Rodriguez It was less than 3 weeks ago when Alex Rodriguez decided that the middle of World Series Game 4 was the opportune time to announce he was ditching the Yankees through a clause in his contract. At the time, Howard Stern sidekick (and lifelong Yankees fanatic) Artie Lange quipped: "Don't let the free-agency door hit you on the way out" (I'm paraphrasing to keep it clean, folks).

In the wake of this stunt, our own Georges Yared referred to A-Rod as a "crybaby extraordinaire" and a "selfish, self-centered you-know-what." Georges also noted that, "The attempt to upstage the Red Sox and Rockies should not be forgiven nor forgotten by the baseball brethren." Indeed, it was a classless move, one likely perpetrated by A-Rod's agent, but certainly given the green light by the third baseman himself.

And yet, here it is mid-November, and hijo pródigo A-Rod and the Yanks are back at the table. It's all sorts of amusing, really. This morning, it hit newswires that negotiations mediated by Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS) officials have resulted in a new contract for the clutch player who isn't. Reportedly, A-Rod wanted to restart negotiations with the team, but chose to use a third party (Goldman representatives) instead of his agent, Scott Boras.

Continue reading A-Rod and the Yankees: Reunited and it feels ... oh, whatever

A-Rod and the Yankees: Reunited and it feels ... oh, whatever originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 16 Nov 2007 15:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>A-RodAlex RodriguezAlexRodriguezbaseballGSMLBnegotiationsNew YorkNewYorkNYCYankeesFri, 16 Nov 2007 15:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Barry Bonds facing 30 years in jail and a rough financial future]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/barry-bonds-indicted-and-facing-a-rough-financial-future/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/barry-bonds-indicted-and-facing-a-rough-financial-future/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/11/15/barry-bonds-indicted-and-facing-a-rough-financial-future/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Shortly after the market closed today, I got one of my familiar MarketWatch.com bulletins in my in-box. But it wasn't concerning after-hours earnings or the Dow's (latest) triple-digit drop. Rather, it simply stated: "Home-run king Barry Bonds indicted on perjury, obstruction of justice charges."

Yowsa. While everyone always just assumed Bonds used the juice at some point in his career, I think this comes as a surprise to many sports fans. A federal grand jury has accused Bonds of lying under oath when he said he was unaware that substances handed out by personal trainer Greg Anderson were steroids. Bonds has also maintained that he did not use steroids in 2001, as he chased the single-season home-run record, then held by Mark McGwire.

According to MarketWatch, John Burris, "one of" Bonds' lawyers, told San Francisco radio station KCBS the Bonds would plead "not guilty." Burris also asserted that Bonds "will be found not guilty." Burris says the indictment was a shock, as the government doesn't have proper evidence to bring such a claim.

Continue reading Barry Bonds facing 30 years in jail and a rough financial future

Barry Bonds facing 30 years in jail and a rough financial future originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 15 Nov 2007 20:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>756Barry BondsBarryBondsbaseballcrimeFederal grand juryFederalGrandJuryMLBobstruction of justiceObstructionOfJusticeperjurySan Francisco GiantsSanFranciscoGiantsscandalssteroid useSteroidUseThu, 15 Nov 2007 20:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Free tacos tomorrow! Taco Bell's World Series promo pays up]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/free-tacos-tomorrow-taco-bells-stolen-base-promo-pays-off/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/free-tacos-tomorrow-taco-bells-stolen-base-promo-pays-off/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/29/free-tacos-tomorrow-taco-bells-stolen-base-promo-pays-off/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

As Barry pointed out last week, Taco Bell -- my favorite arm of the Yum! Brands (NYSE: YUM) empire -- introduced a "Steal a Base, Steal a Taco" gimmick wherein free crunchy beef tacos (one per customer) would be handed out if a base was stolen in the 2007 World Series. Thanks to a speedy move from Boston Red Sox rookie center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, free tacos are on the table.

There are, of course, some catches. The offer must be redeemed between 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. local time tomorrow, October 30. And the deal is valid at participating locations only.

The site advertising the Free-Tacos deal, however, could use some updating. It closes with "Watch the 2007 MLB World Series Live on FOX." As fans of the national pastime already know, the Red Sox again nabbed the World Series trophy in a four-game sweep of their opponents. (They committed the same offense against the St. Louis Cardinals in 2004). Colorado Rockies fans should be entitled to two tacos as a consolation prize, but the bitter taste of defeat might have a negative effect.

Meanwhile, at YUM, regular tacos currently run somewhere around 89 cents to 99 cents a pop, depending on the market. That's a lot of free ground beef, cheese, and red sauce, even for a 3-hour window. I'm assuming YUM officials are counting on most free-taco bandits also ordering other menu items, or a drink.

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Free tacos tomorrow! Taco Bell's World Series promo pays up originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>baseballBoston Red SoxBostonRedSoxColorado RockiesColoradoRockiesfree tacosFreeTacosinthenewsMLBstolen basesStolenBasesTaco BellTacoBelltacosWorld SeriesWorldSeriesYUMMon, 29 Oct 2007 14:10:00 EST<![CDATA[G-III Apparel Group (GIII): not losing as much money as fast]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/23/g-iii-apparel-group-giii-not-losing-as-much-money-as-fast/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/23/g-iii-apparel-group-giii-not-losing-as-much-money-as-fast/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/23/g-iii-apparel-group-giii-not-losing-as-much-money-as-fast/#commentsYou have to admire the courage of senior management teams who agree to present at financial conferences, especially when the president of the company is unloading stock, and the best spin the CFO can put on the numbers is that they aren't as bad as they used to be. Such is the case with G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIII), which manufactures and distributes higher end coats and jackets under label for Calvin Klein, Guess?, Tommy Hilfiger and others, as well as licensed sportswear. G-III licenses jackets for the NHL, NBA, MLB, and dozens of major colleges and universities. They control a brand portfolio to envy. So why is it that the best the company can do is not lose as much money as quickly?

To its credit, G-III has narrowed its losses in 3Q 2007 by almost 60%, down to about $0.05 per share, compared with $0.14 per share a year ago. Net sales for the recent quarter were up 21% to $84 million. CEO Morris Goldfarb was so pleased with the posted loss that was well below what was expected that he has raised FY2007 guidance to $0.90-$0.95 per diluted share based on a $10 million increase in sales to $510 million.

This positive spin does not at all address the problems facing G-III. Are its costs not yet under control? Are its licensing deals structured in such a way that it is difficult to turn a profit? It manufactures team jackets for most major American sports leagues. Surely some of them must be widely popular with sports fans. Yet even CEO Goldfarb admits that sportswear is not yet a "meaningful" contributor to the bottom line. Investors should hope he accelerates his search for meaning and soon.

G-III Apparel Group (GIII): not losing as much money as fast originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Calvin KelinCalvinKelinG-III Apparel Group, Ltd.G-iiiApparelGroup,Ltd.GIIIGuess?MLBMorris GoldfarbMorrisGoldfarbNBANHLsportswearTommy HilfigerTommyHilfigerTue, 23 Oct 2007 19:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Joe Torre rejects Yanks' offer]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/18/joe-torre-rejects-yanks-offer/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/18/joe-torre-rejects-yanks-offer/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/10/18/joe-torre-rejects-yanks-offer/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

To those of you sitting at home who often think you can manage your favorite baseball team better than those actually in charge -- a position just came open.

On the heels of the New York Yankees bowing out in the first round of post-season play -- again -- Joe Torre has parted ways with the legendary club, but on his terms. Instead of being dismissed, as many fans and sports analysts were anticipating, Torre was actually given the option of a one-year contract carrying a price tag of $8 million (including incentives).

But the former Yankees skipper -- who held the title for 12 years and ranks second in the club's history for number of wins (at 1,173, trailing only Joe McCarthy) -- met Thursday afternoon with Yankee general manager Brian Cashman and owner George Steinbrenner to turn down the offer.

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Joe Torre rejects Yanks' offer originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Baseball is heating up big-time, and the biggest story of the year, if not the decade, is the success of the streaking Colorado Rockies. A month ago -- a month ago! -- this team was in fourth place in its six-team division. They were given up for dead and out of the playoff hunt.

The Rockies went on to win 14 of their last 15 regular season games, and a one-game playoff versus the San Diego Padres to claim the National League wild-card in the playoffs. They beat San Diego to advance to the divisional series, and went on to sweep the Philadelphia Phillies in three games; then they swept the Arizona Diamondbacks, four games to none in the National League Championship series. They will face the winner of the Cleveland Indians-Boston Red Sox American League Championship series (Go Indians -- up 3 games to one!! My hometown team!!) in the World Series. The Rockies have won an unbelievable 21 of their last 22 games. But their greatest gesture was done with class and quietness.

Back on July 22, coach Mike Coolbaugh of the Rockies' Double AA minor league team, the Tulsa Drillers, was killed by a line drive to the head. It was a totally freak accident, as he was hit on exactly the right spot that could cause death. Its never happened in baseball before. Mike Coolbaugh was coaching first base when the tragic accident happened. Coolbaugh, only 32 years old, left behind a widow and two young sons. A revered coach with a passion for the game and its players was so senselessly lost.

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The Colorado Rockies' magnificent gesture originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 17 Oct 2007 17:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Amanda CoolbaughAmandaCoolbaughbaseballColorado RockiesColoradoRockiesMike CoolbaughMikeCoolbaughMLBNational LeagueNationalLeagueplayoffsRockiesTulsa DrillersTulsaDrillersWed, 17 Oct 2007 17:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Taking a $752,467 stand: Bonds' ball to be branded]]>http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/26/taking-a-752-467-stand-bonds-ball-to-be-branded/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/26/taking-a-752-467-stand-bonds-ball-to-be-branded/http://www.bloggingstocks.com/2007/09/26/taking-a-752-467-stand-bonds-ball-to-be-branded/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During the past week or so, fashion designer Marc Ecko has been tabulating votes to decide what to do with Barry Bonds' 756th home-run ball. The three choices offered in an online poll were: Bestow It, Brand It, Banish It.

The fans have spoken, and door-number-2 was selected; the ball -- bought by Ecko for $752,467 -- will be marked with an asterisk before being handed over to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. According to the site Ecko set up for the express purpose of voting, 34% favored giving the ball, unblemished, to the Hall of Fame. 19% of voters wanted the ball banished, and 47% preferred branding it. The asterisk merely serves as a permanent reminder that Hank Aaron's record was toppled by someone facing allegations of steroid use. Bonds has repeatedly denied knowingly taking any performance-enhancing drugs.

Ecko and Hall of Fame president Dale Petroskey both appeared on NBC's Today show to discuss the matter. Petroskey noted that, regardless of the asterisk, "We're happy to get [the ball] ... we're a nonprofit history museum, so this ball wouldn't be coming to Cooperstown without Marc Ecko buying it from the fan who caught it."

Bonds, naturally, had a compelling opinion on the matter, telling The San Francisco Chronicle, "[Marc Ecko's] stupid. He's an idiot ... What he's doing is stupid."

Beth Gaston Moon is an analyst at Schaeffer's Investment Research.

Taking a $752,467 stand: Bonds' ball to be branded originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 26 Sep 2007 16:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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