5. Tiger Woods – Tiger Woods gave golf a shot of adrenalin when he first came on the scene. For the next several years, all he did was win. He accumulated trophies at nearly the same rate he accumulated sponsorships. But it all came crashing down Thanksgiving weekend of 2009. On Friday morning, the world was treated to a bizarre story about Tiger crashing his car on his own property, possibly after a fight with his wife, supermodel Elin Nordegren. Then came the admissions of infidelity and subsequent divorce. Tiger’s game has yet to recover.

4. Mark McGwire – All baseball fans remember the Great Homerun Race of 1998, where the Cardinals’ Mark McGwire and the Cubs’ Sammy Sosa battled it out to see who could break Roger Maris’ longstanding record of 61 home runs in a single season. McGwire eventually won out with a final tally of 70 dingers. Soon after, allegations of steroid use cropped up and McGwire himself finally admitted using steroids in 2005. His reputation has never been the same.

3. Michael Vick – Then an Atlanta Falcons QB known for his toughness and quick feet, Michael Vick was a threat both in the air and on the ground. In 2007, at the height of his game, it became known that Vick had participated in an illegal dogfighting ring and had personally executed animals in less-than-humane ways. He was suspended from the league and served jail time. Though back in the NFL, there are many who can never forgive him.

2. Joe Paterno – At one time the winningest coach in all of college football, JoePa was embroiled in the Jerry Sandusky molestation scandal that rocked Penn State. It turned out, Paterno and members of his staff had knowledge of the acts, but did not alert the proper authorities. Paterno was relieved of his position and passed away shortly thereafter. It was a sad way for such a giant of college football to end his tenure.

1. Pete Rose – Pete Rose, “Charlie Hustle” is the all-time MLB leaders in hits, games played, at-bats, and outs. He also notched 17 All-Star appearances at five different positions, a feat still unmatched in professional baseball. However, Rose admitted to gambling on baseball, even his own team (the Cincinatti Reds), both as a player and a manager. He is officially barred from the Hall of Fame, though there are those that think the ban should be lifted.

According to an IDC study, 79 percent of people between the age of 18-44 use their smart phones as soon as they wake up each day. Many sports fans are grabbing their phones to get the latest scores, adjust their fantasy football teams or check in at the arena. Sports Marketing Group recognizes that and has assembled a high-level team to produce mobile apps for brands, athletes, teams and leagues. These apps will bring an enhanced user experience that not only mirrors what is seen on standard web sites, but goes well beyond it.

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About Sports Marketing Group

The Sports Marketing Group has a combined 50+ years of experience in the sports marketing industry. Our staff knows the keys to effective marketing through sports and can help you to achieve your marketing objectives. For more information, please visit http://sportsmarketinggroup.net.

As our world becomes increasingly connected via social media, so too has the world of sports. Fans log in daily to Twitter, Facebook or YouTube to get their favorite athlete’s thoughts on the big win, get information on upcoming fan nights at the ballpark or watch that unbelievable play one more time. Sports Marketing Group has responded to this by procuring the top minds in the field of sports-related social media and will create strategies that drive ROI for brands, teams, athletes and leagues.

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About Sports Marketing Group

The Sports Marketing Group has a combined 50+ years of experience in the sports marketing industry. Our staff knows the keys to effective marketing through sports and can help you to achieve your marketing objectives. For more information, please visit http://sportsmarketinggroup.net.

The most important component of America’s team also happens to be the main reason the Dallas Cowboys are out: winning tradition. While Dallas may have more Super Bowl trophies all-time than Green Bay, it’s been almost 17 years since they’ve made it back to the big stage.  Since that time the Packers are 2-1 in the Super Bowl, and there’s no question that they look better prepared than the Cowboys to continue that winning tradition for the next five to ten years.  Dallas may have built up a winning tradition through the mid 90’s, but since that time it has been an up and down road for the organization without any true franchise players to lean on.

One of the reasons the Dallas Cowboys were originally described as America’s team in 1978 is because the filmmakers felt that the players “appear on television so often that their faces are as familiar to the public as presidents and movie stars,” according to NFL correspondent Simon Samano. While this may have been the case in 1978, the Cowboys have suffered a severe loss of identity since then, with Tony Romo being their only recognizable player to the general public. On the Packers; however, I’d bet a lot of money that Clay Matthews, Aaron Rodgers and B.J. Raji get recognized almost anywhere they go due to their many commercial appearances.

The last aspect in defining America’s team is where the Green Bay Packers really separate themselves from the competition: the long-standing culture and tradition of the organization. One of the first teams to ever play in the NFL and the winners of the first two Super Bowls, the Packers are simply unrivaled in their rich football history. The culture of football in the Green Bay area is something that cannot be taught or rendered anywhere else, as it goes back a long way to when the program was first founded and immediately beloved in the state of Wisconsin. And although the new Cowboys Stadium may be the largest and most impressive stadium in the NFL, the $1.2 billion spent to build it couldn’t buy the charm you find at Lambeau Field.

Many fans bashed the new name via Twitter when the news was announced mainly citing that “the pelicans” are not intimidating. They have obviously never been attacked by one like I have. They are some feisty birds and their size is scary when they are flying right at your head.  The team also considered Krewe and Brass for nicknames.

Charlotte Bobcat fans are hoping to reclaim their old name. The Hornet franchise left Charlotte in 2002 and was replaced two years later by an expansion team, The Bobcats.

Honestly, I don’t think it really matters what they call themselves as long as they prove themselves on the court. That is what really matters. Some fans said they were concerned about resigning Anthony Davis when his contract is up with a name change but I am sure he will follow the money.

Samsung Galaxy

The stars have aligned for this one, literally. Who can refuse comedic duo Seth Rogen and Paul Rudd? Not to mention the commercial is rumored to be directed by Jon Favreau, the mastermind behind Iron Man, to mention just one. This teaser should definitely get you anticipating the real commercial to debut during the game.

Hyundai Santa Fe

Who can combine the Flaming Lips, cute kids, skateboards, motorcycles, human bowling and ostriches? Hyundai can and they do in their action packed Hyundai Santa Fe commercial. Not enough for you? Their second commercial titled “team” is equally heartwarming with a group of neighborhood boys teaming up to take back their football from bullies.

Mercedes Benz CLA

At 90 seconds in length, this commercial may be hotter than the new Mercedes CLA being advertised. With Kate Upton, Willem Dafoe, and Usher, the millions spent are worth every penny.

Allstate

If you don’t already love Allstate’s pitchman, this year’s commercial will give you an elongated chance to fall in love with him as he makes us all chuckle again. In this commercial, Allstate and their pitchman Mayhem reveal a brief history from biblical times to present day, with all the destruction that has occurred between and suggesting how necessary insurance really is.

Bud Light

This can almost go unsaid. With 30 years of advertising history, Bud Light has nailed down what it takes to “wow” an audience, starting all the way back in the ‘80s with their commercial featuring the partying dog Spuds McKenzie. In fact, every year—except for the year I had a minor obsession with Mazda’s “zoom zoom” commercial—Bud Light has been my favorite. I mean you have to admit that beer-fetching dog last year was not only awesome but he was adorable. This year, Bud Light will be back but what their commercial actually is, is yet to be known. Bud Light has so far only released a commercial of their commercial—I suppose we could call that a meta-commercial—but other than the recliner two men are dragging, it is yet to be seen what they have in store for us.

-Mary Slagel

When fans, media, et al see Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco, they see a quiet, calm and many (including his dad) say boring demeanor. Some go as far as to say that Flacco appears uninspired. Not like Jay Cutler uninspired but just plain, perhaps even bored. However, Flacco maybe three days away from Super Bowl immortality. Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Montana, Joe Namath, that’s the company that Flacco could be rubbing shoulders with after Sunday night. They all get a lot of face time, will Flacco?

Flacco’s career has netted exactly one endorsement deal thus far. Haribo, the German company that invented gummy bears, selected him to take a few pictures with their product. According to a story on ESPN.com, Flacco was approached by Haribo for a number of reasons, but mainly because he likes the brand.

This is important to note. In an increasingly skeptical world, a (super)star that appears real and honest can move product, maybe in a way that the flashier guys can’t. The days of superstars grinning and holding a cup of Maxwell House or running through the airport are gone. It’s more about the positive aspects of your personality. LeBron is clown. Kevin Durant has skater-kid swag. Ray Lewis is intense about everything.

So what will it be for Flacco? Maybe integrity? Work ethic? Flacco did come from a small school to be an integral part of perennial contender. In any case, if the Ravens win on Sunday and even if they lose, expect to see more of Flacco’s plain mug.

Once again, there are four ways to judge out which head coaching job is the best:

• Division strength
• Current team
• Draft status
• Front Office

Here’s the SMG scorecard on the teams:

Division Strength

When talking the division strength, you always want to go with the weakest division; the one that you can come into quickly and own. It’s worked for former college coaches Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll. Trying to eat the bear in the NFC or AFC East will get you more notoriety, if you can do it. However, most have failed and subsequently drifted into obscurity (see Chan Gailey.) With that said, the weakest conference in football is the AFC West. Denver’s dominance makes it slightly less “up for grabs”, but who knows how long Peyton will play after this year. Advantage: Kansas City (good job Andy Reid) and San Diego

Current Team

The crazy thing about it is that, with exception of Kansas City and Cleveland, none of these teams are bad teams. I think they are all just a little broken. That said, the reason why Lovie Smith got the boot in Chicago was because they built the team to win this year and they couldn’t do it. The next coach of the Bears will inherit a petulant but brilliantly talented Jay Cutler, a solid back in Matt Forte, a great receiving core and an aging but still staunch defense. The next coach will have a good shot at winning games right away. Advantage: Chicago

Draft Status

Now, this is already settled because Andy Reid has been hired in Kansas City, but clearly, the number 1 pick in the draft trumps all. The next highest pick; the Philadelphia Eagles at number 4. That’s not bad when you consider they still have LaSean McCoy, Desean Jackson and T Cole. The cupboard is not bare here. Advantage: Philadelphia

Front Office

Once again, Chicago is not a bad team, their just a little broken. They win one more game and we aren’t even having this discussion. They’ve drafted well over the years and have done a good job of keeping iconic stars like Brian Urlacher and Devon Hester in place. They want to win and will likely give a coach what he needs. Firing Smith aside, they’ve mostly made good moves. Advantage: Chicago

So there you have it, a good team in place on the field and in the front office makes Chicago a prime position for any heading coaching candidate.

Ranking the coaching positions:

1. Chicago
2. Philadelphia
3. San Diego
4. Kansas City
5. Arizona
6. Cleveland
7. Buffalo

As much as it normally kills me to see a school or group of schools uproot their tradition and abandon their long-time conference rivals, leaving the Big East would be the best thing for these seven schools, hands down. With most of the other basketball powerhouses in the Big East either gone already or on their way out, the Big East has acquired several new school to replace them, none of which have very strong basketball teams. This has made the seven Catholic schools concerned that a lack of talent depth across the league will hinder their strength of schedule, and therefore make it more difficult to obtain NCAA tournament bids.

So where would the seven Catholic schools go? According to Notre Dame Basketball coach Mike Brey, the presidents of each university have been discussing the possibility of creating a national Catholic conference consisting of these seven schools plus Xavier, Creighton, Saint Louis, Dayton, Gonzaga, and Saint Mary’s. This would form arguably one of the deepest basketball conferences in the country, as any of these thirteen teams are a legitimate threat to make a run in the NCAA tournament each year. Look for the presidents of each Catholic Big East university to get these plans finalized before they ultimately decide to leave the Big East.

Essentially, the future of the Big East could be decided by these seven Catholic schools. According to the Big East bylaws, the conference can be dissolved by a two thirds majority vote of member universities, and these schools make up 7 out of 10 members with voting privileges (Temple doesn’t have a vote on dissolution of the league). In this case, remaining members UConn, South Florida, and Cincinnati would all be forced to join other conferences, as would the universities currently set to join the Big East in 2014. If the Catholic schools decide not to dissolve the conference, the Big East will likely seek out other universities to fill the void they leave behind.

All things considered, and contrary to the opinions of many college football fans, putting Northern Illinois in the Orange Bowl was potentially a great move for this historic bowl game. Call me crazy if you want, but first let me explain my reasoning.

The first thing that came to my mind when I heard about this year’s Orange Bowl matchup was the 2007 Fiesta Bowl between Oklahoma and Boise State. This was the first time that Boise State had ever played in a BCS bowl, and although they were 12-0 and the ninth ranked team in the country, nobody thought of them as a legitimate opponent for Oklahoma. Long story short, the game went into overtime, Boise State won on a trick play, and this win is now regarded as one of the greatest upsets in the history of college sports. Just because Northern Illinois doesn’t play in a major conference does not mean they should be taken lightly by Florida State. As far as we know, this might be the big break that they’ve long been waiting for.   

Think back to the 2011 BCS championship game between Oregon and Auburn. The anticipation of that game was incredible; two teams loaded with offensive talent, neither of which had ever played in the BCS championship before. And while the 2012 BCS championship between LSU and Alabama looked much more intriguing on paper, television viewership dropped by 14% from the previous year. During bowl week, fans want to see matchups between unfamiliar opponents that nobody could have anticipated at the beginning of the season. Not matchups between the same low-scoring, ground and pound football teams they’ve been watching during primetime all season long.