The NCAA exploits amateur athletes to no end by raking in millions while amateurs aren’t even allowed to get gifts. The worst part is, the guys that do not go on to the pros never get a penny after they lose their amateur status either.

Former UCLA basketball great Ed O’Bannon seeks to change just that as he has filed suit against the NCAA, claiming that they owe him royalties for using his likeness and name in DVDs, video games, and jerseys. (more…)

Pat Riley masterminded a brilliant trade as the Miami Heat traded Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks to the Toronto Raptors for Jermaine O’Neal, Jamario Moon, and a lottery-protected first round draft pick. Basically he dominated former NBA Executive of the Year, Bryan Colangelo, and now has a team that can make some waves in the East this postseason. This trade is so much better for the Heat on so many levels. (more…)

Talks have stalled between the New York Knicks and Memphis Grizzlies over a potential deal that will send Zach Randolph to the Grizzlies for Darko Milicic and Marko Jaric, because it is believed that Memphis is seeking a first-round pick as part of the deal.  But how can Memphis justify that request?  Are they hammered?

While Randolph isn’t known for his defensive prowess, he is an extremely effective scorer and rebounder with toughness in the post. He is a proven 20-10 guy in the Western Conference and will immediately team with O.J. Mayo and Rudy Gay to form a dynamic inside-outside game that Hakim Warrick obviously is never going to deliver. (more…)

With the writer’s strike still going strong, the WGA has denied invitations to prepare material for the Golden Globes on January 13 and the Oscars in February. If both events didn’t seem crappy enough last time, they should be craptacular this time around.

(See what happens when you don’t get pros to make jokes for you?)

This situation raises a red flag for the Oscars in particular. With Jon Stewart returning as host it’s assumed that he will have to “wing it” without any writer’s assistance. Sure, Stewart can handle a fair share of improvisation – but an entire show? That’s a tall order. (more…)

When I came to college, I didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my future. So, being young and naïve I decided to major in English. My thought process: an English degree can get me into any grad program and basically get me any job I would ever want.

Turns out, I made a big (HUGE) mistake.

According to recent stats by some important people at the Wall Street Journal, a major in liberal arts is…well, worthless.

OK, maybe not worthless, but definitely not nearly as valuable as majoring something a little more 21st century. Just check out these stats for first year earnings in various fields:

Accounting: $46,000
Consulting: $47,000
Aerospace: $54,000
Engineering: $49,000
Retail: $34,000
Education: $30,000
Journalism: $23,000

Depressing, right? Well, it doesn’t have to be. (more…)

A few weeks back we honored the sad, lonely lives of water boys and sparring partners; this week we give props to the most exciting (and highest paying) jobs for non-athletes in sports. Some of these professions require skill, finesse and a past-career in the sport while others…well, you’ll see.

Honorable mention: the beer guy. Yeah, it’s amazing to offer up beer to rabid sports fans, but you don’t get to drink any brews on the job. Well, at least legally.

Check out the Top 10 after the jump! (more…)

Imagine combining the joys of Aladdin’s ‘Whole New World’ with the hedonism of Huxley’s ‘Brave New World‘ and you’ll be feeling pretty good about your post-college-in-my-own-apartment-sweet-life. Well au contraire, my friend whom I occasionally speak French with: before you start buying cool things like solo cups and Franzia, follow these basic financial rules:

Make a Budget

First of all, if you own your own jet or flying car, stop reading this column immediately and buy me something awesome (like a flying car). If you are, however, with the rest of us, you might want to consider making a budget: a list of all planned expenses and revenues. (more…)