The NBA and the NHL are both on a break right now, adopting different approaches to what has generally been a weekend of stars festivities.
The NBA has decided to ruin its exhibition even more with an absurd format. The NHL confronts the 4 nations, a gadget that at least produces observable games but serves as an too long mid-season distraction.
Spring MLB training is still in the launch phase, while the Twins are preparing for their first exhibition match on Saturday. Major League Soccer also starts on Saturday; The first Loons’ home game is a week later on March 1, and I hope no one receives frostbite.
The NFL season is over, the Super Bowl played more than a week ago, although it is obvious now (apart from greed) why the league wants to add a more weekend to its version and Have the Super Bowl during the weekend of the presidents day:
Someone has to fill the vacuum of insane professional sports because the one in charge of the collective calendar at the moment should be dismissed – something that Patrick Reusse and I talked about the Daily delivery podcast on Monday.
This is perhaps the problem contained in the diatribe: no one is specifically in charge of all professional sports. We could use a GM supervising all the leagues to develop a shared common interest for fans.
Because there is no reason why in Minnesota, we will spend five full days, starting on Sunday with Thursday, without even an exhibition game with the Wolves, Wild, Twins, Loons, Vikings or Lynx.
It is not mid-July and the break of baseball stars, where at least we have the WNBA and at least everyone prefers to be at the lake. It was in mid-February, and we were abandoned when we are more likely to snuggle up under covers and watch TV.