The Insurance Doctor

Category: sports

  • Crime Pays… in some pro sports

    Crime Pays… in some pro sports

    In last week’s New York Times, the front-page article was titled, “Baseball’s Integrity Crisis: Doctored Balls.”  Cheating in sports has been bothering me for a long-time now!  It is one reason why I retired from all fantasy sports in 2019 and have not read any sports box scores (those that know me this is crazy) since 2019.

    The money is sports is so lucrative that it often “pays to cheat!”  Most sports do NOT have a clear policy against cheating, and those that do, do NOT take back performance bonuses earned due to cheating.  Baseball cheating is probably the worst of all sports, other sports are not far behind. 

    See some of the most memorable cheats below:

    1. Lance Armstrong: Lance, a former American bike racing specialist (and cancer survivor) won 7 consecutive “Tour de France” races from 1999-2005 and catapulted the sports global popularity.  Lance was investigated and stripped of all his medals; however, he earned over $125 million during his career.
    2. Bob Baffert: Arguably horse racing’s most famous trainer, his 2021 Kentucky Derby winning horse, Medina Spirit, was treated with an ointment containing a steroid, which caused him to fail the postrace drug test.  Medina Spirit’s failed drug test is the 5th medication violation in the past 13 months for Baffert.
    3. Ben Johnson: On September 24th, 1988, Canadian sprinter Ben Johnson ran the 100-meter dash in 9.79 seconds to win the gold at the summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea.  He tested positive for steroids 3 days later and was stripped of the medal. 
    4. Tim Donaghy and Pete Rose: NBA referee Tim Donaghy was a gambling addict who made bets on the games he refereed.  Pete Rose, who was a player and manager also bet on games he managed.  Donaghy resigned from the league amidst an FBI investigation that he bet on games that he officiated.  Donaghy pled guilty and spent 11 months in jail.  Pete Rose was suspended from baseball for life!
    5. Serena Williams: Serena Williams received illegal coaching signals during her 2018 U.S. Tennis Open Finals loss to then 20-year-old Naomi Osaka.  Her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, admitted to sending her signals saying, “all the coaches do it!”  She received a warning, then a one-point penalty for racket abuse, then a game penalty for verbal use of chair umpire Carlos Ramos calling him “a liar and a thief!”  She made $1.85 million as the 2018 runner-up.  She was NOT penalized for cheating, nor did she have to return any winnings from finishing 2nd!
    6. Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Alex Rodriguez:  These 3 major league baseball players (and many others) have been accused of taking PEDs (performing enhancement drugs).  Clemens “misremembered” and only Alex Rodriguez was given a 1 season suspension.  Although these 3 may never make the hall of fame because of it, they have made many millions since those accusations.
    7. The Houston Astros:  The Houston Astros were caught using technology to steal signs from opposing teams during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.  They beat the Yankees, then the Dodgers and won the 2017 World Series.  No players were fined, nor did they lose playoff bonus money.  Instead, the league fined the Astros $5 million (the maximum allowed) and suspended the general manager and manager 1 season each. 
    8. New England Patriots: In what was called “Spygate,” the Patriots were disciplined by the NFL in 2007 for videotaping coaching signals during NFL games.  They were then caught illegally filming N.Y. Jet practices.  They even had a library of illegal videotapes from all teams across the league.  The NFL fined Bill Belichick $500,000 and the Patriots $250,000 and docked them a 1st round draft pick.  In 2014, Tom Brady was caught intentionally deflating footballs (which made them easier to catch) in the AFC championship game, which was known as “deflate-gate!” He was investigated but never fined.  In 2021, Bill Belichick is still coaching the New England Patriots!  

    To me, it seems that Professional Sports not only need to clean up their act, they also need to clearly define and set stiffer monetary penalties for offenders as there are double standards across the board!  Why should players and teams like the Houston Astros and New England Patriots stop cheating when they are making 100’s of millions of dollars from winning, bonuses, and endorsement deals when they will only get a “slap on the wrist?” 

  • Pro Sports, COVID-19, and Revenue Crash

    It is Tuesday August 5thas I write this article, and in Rockaway Beach, a big storm (Isaias) is brewing, and the ocean is rough.  As a surfer kid, we craved these “big wave” opportunities. 

    Another 2020 storm has been brewing in the COVID-Era for the “Big 4” professional sports teams; Baseball, Basketball, Football and Hockey.  The incoming “Financial Waves” have been rough and there is no calm in sight!  Are they doomed this year?  I will break this down as a fan and as a businessman.

    AS A FAN: Team sports have always been a huge part of my life. In my youth my father used to shuttle my brother Ross and I from game to game, sometimes attending as many a 3 games in one day.  As an adult, I have had season tickets to the Jets, the Brooklyn Nets and Yankees.  I have travelled to London twice, once to watch the Jets vs Dolphins at Wembley Stadium, and last summer to watch the Yankees sweep the Red Sox in a converted soccer stadium.  Until 2020 I had played in fantasy sports league every year since 1989.

    The bottom line is that pro team sports are in big trouble!  COVID-19 has upended our daily routines making team sports less relevant for many.  Instead of working 9-5 then watching sports at night, most of us are at home all day, and there is no need to watch live sports when we can simply stream it online.  We can DVR events to watch at our convenience.  I am starting not to miss it.  There is a chance all 4 sports will be shut down by October.

    AS A BUSINESSMAN: The average annual salaries of professional athletes in Pro sports are; NBA $7.7 Million, MLB $3.82 Million, NHL $2.58 Million and NFL $2 Million per year.  The average NBA player earns 140 times the average annual salary of an American worker which is roughly $55,000 per year.  If an NBA player decides to “opt out” or “sit out” one game, the player makes $93,000 per game in an 82-game season.  How can the average American struggling to provide during Covid-19, feel empathy for the NBA player? 

    The National Basketball Association has decided to mix politics and sports by painting “Black Lives Matter” on all courts.  To me, sports is “an escape” from politics, business, and everyday stresses that we deal with in our daily lives.

    Major league baseball, in my opinion, has handled this the worst of the Big 4 sports.  I call it the 2020 “Corona Beer League!”  Drastic rule changes and 7 inning doubleheaders, are you serious?  We played 7 inning doubleheaders in my fastpitch softball league when I played shortstop for Michael’s (of Brooklyn) Catering.  This reminds me of the movie “Bronx Tale” when Chazz Palminteri (aka Sonny) tells C (his protégé), “who cares about Mickey Mantle, does he care about you, nobody cares.”  Baseball took 10 years to recover from the strike-shortened 1993-94 season.

    This week there has been an outbreak on the St. Louis Cardinals, joining Derek Jeter’s Miami Marlins.  If there are one or two more team outbreaks, I see the season being scrapped before the end of September.  Players can “opt out” and still get paid 3 times more than the average American for “not playing.”  Can you imagine if we go tell our bosses we are “opting out” so give us a percentage of our salary and we will do something else in the meantime?

    I personally have been battling with “Bold Tickets” to get a full refund for the Yankee vs K.C. Royals tickets for the Tuesday June 10th game that was never played.  The boys were graduating on June 9th, so this was going to be special.  Instead, I have been double-talked by Bold Tickets, who are giving me 12 months to spend a $1500 “credit” to purchase a “donut hole.”  I will be reaching out to NBC’s “Better Get Baquero,” and let you know how that goes.

    If MLB is cancelled, think about the ripple effect for the support businesses and the ecosystems surrounding the ballparks.  Take the Yankees for example.  What happens to Stan’s and the other bars and restaurants surrounding the stadium?  What about tailgating, the vendors, memorabilia sellers and parking lot attendants etc.?

    The NHL (National Hockey League) has handled this the best, in my opinion.  Commissioner Gary Bettman has been in close contact with Dr. Anthony Fauci and all hockey games are being played in Canada.  They are being split between Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Rogers Place in Edmonton.  Is this by accident, of course not!  They are unique because all of their support personnel are quarantining “in the bubble.”  Canada has handled Covid-19 much better than the USA and Rogers Communications has paid more money for NHL rights than NBC, which is why games are not being played here.

    I don’t see how the NFL (National Football League) has a fighting chance the way the game is played.  Both offensive and defensive lines are 2 feet apart and wearing a mask under a helmet will severely impact breathing.  Think about this. Fox Sports TV negotiated and put NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes and his Super-bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs into primetime for 6 weeks.  What happens if Mahomes decides to “opt-out?”  What type of quality football will there be? With the Washington Redskins and Canada’s Edmonton Eskimo’s changing their names, what happens to all their merchandise?

    This will all shake out over the next 2 months.  With New York State in a $16 Billion deficit, I see sports wagering and marijuana becoming legal very soon so the New York State can tax it! Hopefully, we get a vaccine and the 2021 sports season can get back to normal!

    I am very interested in your feedback regarding the Big 4 pro sports.  Feel free to reach out to me at Rob@InsuranceDoctor.us and Keep the Faith!!

  • 10 Tailgating Tips

    10 Tailgating Tips

    One of the best things about the fall aside from the foliage is football season which means tailgating.  Over the years I’ve seen some crazy things at tailgates such as 6 cars going on fire at the Jet’s opening day game in 2016.  Follow these tips to ensure a safe and fun tailgate.

    1. Time it right: Try to arrive about 3 hours before kickoff to get the perfect spot.  If you are not tailgating postgame, pack up 30 minutes before kickoff.tg-jets

    2. Invest in real estate: Seek out spaces (or send somebody else to go early) by the grass, edge of the parking lot and close to the bathroom.  Fewer neighbors mean fewer issues.

    3. Be a tool: Fill a toolbox with your favorite grilling essentials (utensils, zip lock bags, napkins, bottle opener etc).

    4. Rethink your drink: We suggest multi-colored cups to identify which is yours as drinks can get nasty.  Also use cups with straws to protect from insects.

    5. Reduce, reuse, recycle:  Cardboard drink carriers make good snack holders.  Less is more and makes cleanups easier.

    6. Koozie up:  Always keep between 5-10 koozies in your car for guests.

    7. Freeze it: Putting your water in the freezer the night before equals a giant ice cube which comes in very handy on game day .

    8. Dress in layers:  There can be huge temperature swings this time of year especially 4p games when the sun goes down in the middle of the game.

    9. Keep a duffle bag in your trunk:  keep extra clothes, hats, flashlights, batteries, bungee cords and a fire extinguisher can etc.

    10. Dump coals in specified bins:  Almost all stadiums have specified bins for dumping hot coals.  Leaving smoldering coals is hazardous to you and everybody else!

  • 5 Observations from the 2018 US Tennis Open

    Fans flocked to see this year’s US Tennis Open.  In fact, the all-time attendance record was set with over 800,000 people going through the Billy Jean King stadium turnstiles!  Having gone every year since the 1980’s when my brother and I were ball boy kids, I have the following observations:

    1. The ITF (International Tennis Federation): needs to tighten up how they communicate and enforce their codes of conduct. It’s a disgrace that I feel the need to list this as #1 this year!
    2. Roger Federer is not the same player: One of my favorites didn’t look the same in his loss to John Millman.
    3. Flushing Meadows need a new A/C: There was no airflow and it had a huge effect on the tournament.  Refer to #2 above and YouTube the match. Several quality players had to retire due to the heat.
    1. The food is as good as ever: They get about 20% turnover on the food vendors and it makes me proud to be from Queens where you see so much diverse and delicious ethnic specialties ?
    2. Men and women should not be paid the same: Unless the men are playing best of 3 sets or the women switch to a best of 5 format, I don’t think the prize money should be the same. As an avid tennis fan, I’m open to your thoughts on all of these topics!

  • 7 Places to take your kids this summer outside Manhattan

    Parents are always looking for fun places to take kids this summer.  Whether it’s education or to tire them out, these places will leave lasting impressions on your loved ones:

    1. New York Hall of Science: Located at 47-01 111th in Corona queens and open 7 days. Many interactive science exhibits and attractions to keep your child’s interest.
    2. Indoor Extreme Sports: Play paintball and Black Ops laser tag this place gets the adrenaline pumping. Located in Long Island city and Staten Island.  We have thrown birthday parties here and I will tell you big kids like it too, LOL!insurance, New York City, financial services
    3. Bounce U: Another great birthday place, Bounce U can be found in Brooklyn and College Point, Queens. Open 7 days and not just for parties as they have open bounce hours to wipe out the most feisty children.
    4. The Queens Zoo: Located in Corona, Queens and close to #1 the Hall of Science. The Zoo is open daily and easier to navigate and less crowded than other Borough Zoo’s although they’re all good.
    5. Kids Fun House: Located on fresh pond road in Ridgewood, Queens it’s for children up to 12 years old. There’s a socks only play area for small children while the bigger kids go thru the maze or play arcade games.  There’s also an on-site café.
    6. Museum of the Moving Image: Open wed-sun this place is really fun and was recently renovated. Took the boys last year to the “Behind the Screen” exhibit with Star Wars props etc.  Also, somewhat hidden is an old-school arcade with Ms Pacman, galaga and other games baby boomers will be familiar with.
    7. Artistic Stitch Sports Complex: Located on Cooper Ave. in Glendale, Queens and open from mon-sat. If you have older children, this place has something for everyone.  Soccer, dodgeball, wiffleball and rock climbing to name a few.
  • 10 Interesting March Madness NCAA Facts

    10 Interesting March Madness NCAA Facts

    March Madness is upon us!  One of my favorite times of the year.  Check out these fun facts about the men’s NCAA basketball tournament:

    1. Started in 1939: In the first year there were only 8 teams and the Oregon Webfoots defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes.
    2. March Madness Phrase: It was first uttered by Brent Musberger in 1982 during the tournament telecast.
    3. First NCAA bracket pool: In 1977 the first bracket pool was invented at Joey’s Club Forest bar in Staten Island, NY. It was a draft, there were 88 teams and it was $10/team. The pool was up to $1.5m in 2005 and was shut down in 2006 by the IRS due to tax evasion.
    4. NCAA tourney single-game scoring record: Notre Dame shooting guard Austin Carr scored 61 points in an opening-round game vs. Ohio. David Robinson is 2nd all-time scoring 50 points in a game for Navy in 1987.
    5. One coach has won NCAA and NBA titles: This was accomplished by Larry Brown with Kansas in 1988 and the Detroit Pistons in 2004.
    6. UCONN Men and Women: UCONN is the only school that has fielded the men’s and women’s champs in the same year having done it twice in 2004 and 2014.
    7. The most NCAA titles: UCLA has won the most titles with 11. They won 7 in a row under legendary coach John Wooden from 1967-73.  Kentucky is in 2nd place all-time with 8 titles.
    8. 16 seed vs. 1seed: This year the #16 seed UMBC aka the University of Maryland Baltimore County beat #1 seed Virginia Cavaliers for the first time in NCAA tourney history!
    9. The lowest seed to win: The 8th seeded Villanova Wildcats were the lowest seed to ever win the tournament in an epic game beating Georgetown in 1985 when there was no shot clock.
    10. Betting and work loss: Wallethub estimates $1.9b in lost hourly corporate losses due to workers’ productivity being diverted to the NCAA. Other than the Super Bowl, the NCAA tournament is the 2nd most betted sporting event of the year!