Some quick shots...

• In the latest realignment aftermath Illinois congressman Bobby Rush is quoted saying: "I think they're just one of the most vicious, most ruthless organizations ever created by mankind," He also said: "I think you would compare the NCAA to Al Capone and to the Mafia.". Yet another politician acknowledging the fact that something is wrong with America's collegiate sports system.
• Boise State was now officially invited to join the BIG EAST college Football conference. So the biggest "BCS Buster" in recent years is now open to enter a BCS conference (  automatic-qualifying conference) and some BCS officials will probably exhale in relieve. Boise State comes from the Mountain West Conference (MW), a non-automatic-qualifying conference, and was one of the most successful programs in NCAA football in recent years. As we know from Economics a cartel can become more powerful the more members join. In order to keep the BCS, and maybe the BIG EAST, alive the Boise States of FBS have to be in.
• Today the NBA should have the opening night of the 2011/12 season. It should have, but the strike is still on and labor talks are still intense and far from a solution. Now is the time when it starts hurting, as profits are left on the street. Which side will give in first? 
• Can you buy success in sports? This is a good and important question. The latest World Series featured two teams ranked 11th (St. Louis Cardinals) and 13th (Texas Rangers). The heavy-spending New York Yankees fell short this year, although they have almost the same payroll as the Texas Rangers and Cardinals together. Let's see how Bayern Munich finishes in the German Bundesliga this year...
• Yes, money and success in sports are not always (closely) related. Chris Johnson, NFL Running Back for the Tennessee Titans, was awarded a $53.5 million (including $30 million guaranteed) contract extension with the Titans after holding out for an extended period and creating a big media drama. Now, 8 games into the NFL season, Johnson continues to struggle big time and he has to share carries with his backup Javon Ringer. Ringer, who is obviously playing much better right now, has a contract of only around 5 percent of Johnson's. The future will tell if Johnson is worth the money. Right now this investment is not paying the right dividends.