Category: Sports

It’s official, folks!

WASHINGTON (AP)—Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney was confirmed by the Senate on Thursday as U.S. ambassador to Ireland.

The nomination was approved by voice vote.

Rooney was a lifelong Republican who backed President Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton during Pennsylvania’s presidential primary last year. He later campaigned for Obama in western Pennsylvania and helped him win the state in November.

In the 1970s, he helped found the American Ireland Fund, an organization that has raised millions for advocacy of peace and education in Ireland.

Rooney’s father, Arthur J. Rooney, founded the Steelers in 1933. The son took over the presidency of the team in 1975 and is a Hall of Fame owner. His Steelers won the Super Bowl this year.

The “Rooney Rule,” which requires any team with a head coaching vacancy to interview at least one minority candidate, was developed by an NFL committee Rooney chaired. Rooney has also participated in labor negotiations between the league and players.

via Steelers owner Rooney now ambassador to Ireland – NFL – Yahoo! Sports.

Rob Ullman is an illustrator that specializes in “bikini-tiki” era art. He is also a huge Pittsburgh Penguins fan. Enjoy these sexy pics of his “Penguin girl” pulling for the Pens:

As the Stanley Cup finals begin tonight, I just wanted to mention that some of us haven’t forgotten that little… “incident” from the previous round of the playoffs:

Shame on you, Coach Cowher… Shame on you!

One of the worst-kept secrets of the NBA has finally been made public: Bob Johnson wants to sell the Charlotte Bobcats.

This post over at the QC Sports Blog lays it out better than any local news site I’ve seen. You should read it for yourself, but here’s the short version: Johnson has gone from a billionaire to a $500 millionaire in the past couple of years. He has made it perfectly clear that he owns the Bobcats as a business investment, not from any passion for the game or the people of Charlotte. And now that he is hemorrhaging money, he needs to get rid of the team ASAP.

The “good news” for the city (if you want to call it that), is that an NBA team will remain here no matter what. The contract the Johnson signed with the city includes a $200 million penalty if the team tries to leave before 2010, and a $150 million penalty until 2015 (read more here). So whoever buys the Bobs will either keep them here or pay a penalty (worth almost as much as the team itself) to move them.

So – who will the new owner be? Right now, the trendy pick is currently minority owner Michael Jordan, although this comes with its own set of baggage. We don’t know if Jordan has the finances to pull it off, much less if he’s even interested in buying the team outright. Plus, there was that whole “gambling thing” a few years back, and we don’t know if the NBA will allow an admitted gambler to buy a team. Plus, Jordan is reluctant to mingle with fans, something a good owner would do.

I don’t know… but I do agree with the blog that whoever ends up with the Bobs out to rename the team. Johnson’s ownership has been a joke, and it’s an insult to the people of Charlotte to keep Johnson’s name with the team.

Vinnie Iyer of the Sporting News has picked his Top 10 rivalries in the NFL. Take a wild guess which matchup took the top spot:

1. Baltimore Ravens vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

In retirement, John Madden didn’t leave us with enough onomatopoeia to describe all the hard-hitting, head-snapping, clock-cleaning and slobber-knocking that happens when Baltimore and Pittsburgh trade blows. The NFL’s most visceral rivalry isn’t for the faint of heart, stomach, mind or body. This is physical football at its best.

The defenses fly around smacking everything, but the offenses also have enough tough personalities to stand up and fight for every extra yard. Two players who come to mind immediately are Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis and Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward.

The teams clearly are the class of the AFC North, and playing each other three times a season might become a habit.

I hate hate hate the Bawlmerr fucking Ravens, and nothing makes me happier than watching us beat the snot out of them. But I’ve gotta admit – these games bring out the best (or worst, depending on your view) of these teams. Any time the Steelers play the Ratbirds you know it’s gonna be a old-fashioned “street fight” kind of game. Last year, Mike Tomlin said even a scrimmage between these two teams would be a big deal, and you know what? He’s right. If you like your football to be like the 12th round of a heavyweight boxing match… then the Steelers\Ravens is for you.

I’m not sure about some of his other picks, though. “Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys”… when was the last time that was relevant at all? “Atlanta Falcons vs. Carolina Panthers”… I hate to break it to you, Vinnie, but the Falcons main rival always has been (and always will be) the New Orleans ‘Aints.

via Yahoo! Sports.