Athletes In The Community: A Holiday Tradition

It is said too often that the public does not hear enough about the good deeds professional athletes perform in their communities. That's part of what we try to overcome at ProLink Sports. Not only publicizing their good deeds, but working with them to create more opportunities for building connections with fans and the general public, and helping those in need.

Athletes who recognize the opportunity and forum they have to positively impact their communities often enjoy a more fulfilling career and are rewarded with greater opportunties in retirement.

We're fortunate to see numerous examples of this in Colorado this Holiday season, as members of each professional sports franchise have taken part in numerous events to bring joy to those less fortunate.

In addition to the number of team-organized events that each franchise does a tremendous job putting together, athletes have been all over the city with events of their own.

At ProLink Sports we've been proud to organize Holiday-related outreach for Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. We kicked things off in November, bringing together King Soopers grocery stores and Meadow Gold Dairies to partner with Brian to provide 250 complete Thanksgiving meals to families in need throughout Colorado. The folks at the Salvation Army stepped up to coordinate the distribution of the meal certificates. Brian also stepped forward in December to help Toys For Tots make up a significant shortfall in toy donations compared to previous years.

We worked with Elvis to organize a Holiday shopping trip for 54 kids between the ages of 11 and 13 from the Rev. Leon Kelly's Open Door Youth Gang Alternatives Program in Denver. The Dec. 7 outing gave these children--chosen for their high achievement and dedication to the program--a chance to shop for gifts for their family members, with special help from Elvis and a few of his friends. He was joined by teammates Champ Bailey, Andra Davis, David Bruton and Darrell Reid; former Bronco Rod Smith and Colorado Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes. We would also like to thank the event's benefactors, Doug Morton and Marilyn Brown, as well as Tom Michals and the fine crew at the Stapleton Walmart store.

Many athletes "give back" to their communities and never wish to publicize their efforts. When appropriate, it's nice to shine a light on some of these good deeds because it not only raises awareness for people and organizations in need, but often serves to motivate others in the community that they too can give of themselves to make an impact. A recognizable athlete has the ability to help directly, but also a forum to rally others and generate a greater impact.

From ProLink Sports, we wish all a Happy Holiday season and thank our clients, partners and friends who help make our work possible.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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Remembering The Barrel Man

Tim McKernan, 69, of Denver, passed away in his sleep yesterday morning due to lung failure.

So long, Barrel Man. There are few in this world who follow their passion with as much zeal as McKernan, aka “The Barrel Man” followed his.

His passion was the Denver Broncos. That alone didn’t make him unique. What did was attending Broncos games wearing just a barrel around his torso, held in place by suspenders, along with a cowboy hat and boots. No matter the weather, Barrel Man was there.

In 13 years working for the Broncos I had many occasions to meet McKernan. But recalling the first such occasion brings a smile and illuminates just what an institution he was among Broncos fans.

Many don’t realize that in true sporting fashion, Barrel Man retired not once, but twice. His first “retirement” came in 1992. At the time I was in my final quarter of college at the University of Washington, and doing some game-day work for the local NBC affiliate, KING-TV. A year after interning in PR for the Seattle Seahawks, my game-day job was to arrange the player guests for KING’s postgame locker-room show, at home and at select road games.

The last of those road games in ’92 was in Denver, at Mile High Stadium, just before Christmas. The host of the postgame show was KING sportscaster and now KUSA Denver sports anchor Drew Soicher. Soicher had learned during that week that the Barrel Man was retiring, and his goal was to have him on the postgame show.

During the first quarter of what was my first trip to Mile High, we kept an eye on him in the East stands across from the press box. At the end of the quarter I set out on foot to speak with him about our idea. It was on this search that I became immediately aware of how beloved he was. Every place I checked I was one stop behind him, but stadium workers were remarkably enthusiastic in detailing for me where he had been and where they expected him to go next.

When I finally caught up with him, the character truly fit the legend. With a big beard and a gruff voice he seemed as though he was chiseled straight from the granite of the Rocky Mountains. Polite, though, he said he would love to do the interview, and that he had family in Tacoma, whom he hoped would be watching.

There were many odd things about that day—beyond the obvious of escorting an unofficial mascot of the opposing team to a TV station’s postgame show. We had to walk him through the tunnel, with a credential, to the entrance to the visitor’s locker room in the northeast corner of old Mile High. I can still recall several fans hollering out “take good care of him in Seattle,” as though we were signing him as a “mascot” free agent.

Several years later I would learn from my long-time boss, Broncos VP of Public Relations Jim Saccomano some other amusing anecdotes from that week. It seems that Barrel Man was allowed a few minutes at the podium before Dan Reeves’ Wednesday press conference, and if that juxtaposition wasn’t unconventional enough, it was made more so by McKernan declaring that he was retiring because he wanted to go out on his “own terms.”

It would have been odd to imagine at the time that for many years I would be in a position to receive countless phone calls from people who were seeking to contact McKernan for Barrel Man-related inquiries. Few knew his name, so it is not surprising they would turn to the Broncos. We often joked in the PR department, “Where else would you look in the phone book—‘Man, Barrel’?”

As I picture the snapshots in my head of Barrel Man moments, I recall seeing him standing in full Barrel regalia on the tarmac in San Diego in an extended “Mile High Salute” as our charter plane taxied toward the gate upon arrival for Super Bowl XXXII. Yes, on the tarmac. He was a mechanic for United Airlines in his non-Barrel-wearing life.

Over the years there have been short-lived “Barrel Women” and even a “Barrel Jr.” or “Barrel Intern” by his side at games. But there will only be one Barrel Man, Tim McKernan.

NFL fans around the country, and especially Broncos fans, have plenty of memories of their own. Even if they never knew his name, they knew he was a Mile High institution. There are other super-fan zealots who may be just as zany and dedicated to their teams. But you have to hand it to the Barrel Man—he was unique.

Thanks for your devotion and your passion, Tim. May you rest in peace.

Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Happy Thanksgiving from ProLink Sports

This Thanksgiving greeting comes to you from Las Vegas, where ProLink Sports is on-site continuing its work with the United Football League for the Championship Game of its “Premier Season” on Friday, Nov. 27.

Since the opening game Oct. 8 here in Las Vegas I have traveled to each of the League’s 13 games to handle media operations and provide a consistent presentation of media services. This role has also included pre- and postgame operations elements, dealing with players, coaches, game officials and the broadcasting networks.

It has been a terrific experience to work with such an impressive group, led by Commissioner Michael Huyghue. The UFL and its four teams are loaded with outstanding professionals who possess a great deal of prior NFL experience. They have created a high-quality professional football league that has proven there is an insatiable appetite for football in our country, while positioning the league as a complement to—not a competitor of—the NFL.

Television partners VERSUS HD and HDNet have delivered a high-quality productd with recognizable talent and veteran production teams, providing viewers with unprecedented sideline and locker room access through in-game interviews and “look-ins.”

Friday’s Championship Game pits the 6-0 Florida Tuskers, coached by Jim Haslett against the 4-2 Las Vegas Locomotives, coached by Jim Fassel. The game, broadcast live on VERSUS, kicks off at 3 ET/12 PT at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, which has served as a terrific host for this Championship Week.

The UFL is a league of opportunity, and the quality of play has been so impressive that some of the League’s players have already begun to sign contracts with NFL teams, and between 12 and 20 total are expected to sign within the days following Friday’s Championship Game.

The past several months have been exciting times for ProLink Sports, as we also continue to work with current and retired athletes on a number of projects and initiatives. We are proud to be working with Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins on a program to provide tickets to two deserving guests at each home game, and organizing a Thanksgiving meal program that provided complete Thanksgiving dinners to 250 families in the state of Colorado. Partners King Soopers and Meadow Gold Dairies proved to be a great fit to join Brian in this initiative to reach the greatest number of families in need. Coverage of the check presentation can be found here.

In addition, we have formalized an agreement with Ed McCaffrey to handle communications for the former NFL wide receiver with regard to his website, football camps, media/speaking opportunities and other initiatives. On-going projects also include research and broadcast prep for FOX NFL analyst and former Broncos and Buccaneers safety John Lynch, as well as media and speaking opportunities for Broncos all-time leading receiver Rod Smith.

Stay tuned for more updates and programs to be announced in the coming weeks.

Happy Thanksgiving!

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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ProLink Sports Announces "The Ed McCaffrey Show"

ProLink Sports announced today it has arranged a sponsorship agreement between Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and retired Denver Broncos great Ed McCaffrey for "The Ed McCaffrey Show" on ESPN Radio 1600 in Denver.

The show will debut Tuesday, Aug. 18 at 8:30 a.m. and continue every Tuesday throughout the 2009 NFL season to break down and analyze the stories fans are talking about surrounding the Denver Broncos and the NFL. One of the most popular and respected members of Denver's 1997 and '98 Super Bowl champion teams, McCaffrey will bring his unique insight and expertise to the Colorado radio airwaves for the first time on a regular basis since retiring from the NFL in 2004.
McCaffrey and his family have maintained a strong presence in the local community through their work with The McCaffrey Family Foundation, the eight-year run of the Ed McCaffrey Football Camp and Ed's role as TV pitch man for prominent local companies.

The "Ed McCaffrey Show" will be part of "The Sports Insiders," hosted by Vic Lombardi and Gary Miller of CBS4 Denver, which airs weekdays from 7-9 a.m. "The Sports Insiders," which launched July 13 on ESPN Radio 1600 has quickly made a significant impact on the Denver-area radio scene with an outstanding roll call of live guests and unique "insider" analysis. In addition to its delivery on AM 1600, a live video stream of the show can be found at www.viclombardi.com.

"The Ed McCaffrey Show sponsored by Red Robin Gourmet Burgers" will only enhance the strong start for the show in what has recently become a more competitive market for live, local sports talk.

Thanks to the fine folks at Greenwood Village, Colo.-based Red Robin for joining us as partners in this exciting new venture.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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NFL Training Camps Underway; Majority Now at "Home"

As of today nine NFL training camps are underway, at least for rookies, and by the weekend the majority of teams will have their full squads beginning the two-a-day regimen, or what passes for two-a-days in this era.

While the mystique of "camp" lives on, the reality is that in the past decade there has been a major shift in what it really means.

Two areas where the greatest change has occurred are training camp location and the practice schedule. Or basically, everything but heat, sweat and injuries.

As detailed in a recent press release from the NFL PR department--and noted by Patrick Smyth of Denver Broncos PR via his Twitter feed (@psmyth12)--17 teams this year will hold training camp at their permanent facilities. This figure is up from just four teams in the year 2000.

Driving this change is the continued improvement and amenities at team training facilities and the sophistication of offseason strength and conditioning programs. Put simply, when NFL players are spending four days per week at their facilities from March to July, working out together and studying the offense and defense, there isn't much need to pack up, move to a remote location, whip everybody into shape and build team unity. The players are already in terrific shape and by the time they hit the field for the first training camp practice they are working through an installation they have already experienced in May and June during their Organized Team Activities, or OTAs.

In 2003 with the Denver Broncos we made the switch from our training camp home of 20 years, the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, to stay home and train at the permanent facility at Dove Valley. Once the change was made it was remarkable how much more efficient things were without having to move the entire football operations and other football-related business operations to a new location. We typically spent as much as a week getting set up and working through things that didn't function properly (i.e., computer systems).

Sure, there was always a sense of camaraderie and team-building at UNC, but that was greatly overshadowed by the aforementioned inefficiencies for what had also become a much shorter period of time. It seems we were getting ready to tear-down and move back to Dove Valley shortly after we got set up, in contrast to the six-week camps of the '70s and early '80s.

The latter point is an important one, as the schedule now includes far fewer true two-a-day sessions and fewer practices in pads over what is now just a three- or four-week period. The entire experience is now geared more toward perfecting the offensive and defensive schemes and learning to be efficient working as a team. By this point the coaches have hours of video to evaluate players from the OTA sessions, and training camp continues that process, followed by preseason games to add game speed and reacting to an unfamilar opponent to the evaluation.

To be fair, it has been noted by the well-respected Mike Signora of NFL PR in his Twitter feed (@signoranfl) that the last four Super Bowl champions went away for training camp. While I don't think all 32 teams will train at home at any time in the near future, the previous point is more a nod to the fact there are some unique traditions that make going away the better option for some teams, as in the Steelers' 43-year run at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe, Pa. And some teams' facilities still cannot accommodate training camp, if for no other reason than the challenge of housing and food service.

But the move to teams training at their permanent facilities is a trend that is not expected to reverse any time soon. If a franchise has all the elements in place or available near its permanent facility, it is likely to prefer that location over the time, cost and inefficiency of moving away for training camp.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports
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Tragic Death of Ed Thomas Touches Many in Sports World

Reading the news today about the shooting death of Ed Thomas, football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg (Iowa) High School, made my heart sink. Reports say he was shot by a young man in the weight room of the school this morning while he worked with the next generation of outstanding student-athletes whose lives he was shaping.

As with most senseless tragedies, we search for answers or reasons. But I’m afraid in this case we will remain as dumbfounded as we typically are when confronted with news of violent crime.

I never met Coach Thomas, but knew much about him because of the number of NFL players he produced (four currently in the league: Denver’s Casey Wiegmann, Green Bay’s Aaron Kampman, Detroit’s Jared DeVries and Jacksonville’s Brad Meester) and because of my ties to Iowa through my wife’s family.

Most sports fans—whether they remember the name or not—might have first heard of Ed Thomas not just for his remarkable record of 292 wins in 37 years of coaching, but for his tireless work as a pillar of strength in the town’s recovery from a devastating EF5 tornado last Memorial Day weekend.

I was driving through Iowa with my family that weekend on the way to my in-laws’ home in the North Central part of the state, and recall being just 50 miles from Parkersburg when the tornado hit. Over the next few days we could not escape images of the damage and loss, which sadly included seven lives.

The tornado ravaged much of the school grounds, including the football field named for Thomas, in addition to Thomas’ home. Though he and his family lost so much personally, Thomas immediately rallied people by making the rebuilding of the school and the reclaiming of the football field—nicknamed by locals the “Sacred Acre”—a focal point by setting a goal of playing their first home game on schedule come September.

It is fashionable in times of tragedy to say sports pales in importance to matters of life and death. And it does. But to over-simplify to that degree is to miss the point. Looked at properly it is revealing to see the role sports can play in rallying people to find collective strength they could not muster on their own.

Sports Illustrated senior NFL writer Peter King captured the impact of that tragedy and its aftermath last year in a very poignant edition of his popular Monday Morning Quarterback column. King eloquently captured the impact of Ed Thomas through his actions, his words and those of his former players who King typically chronicles for their on-field exploits. Details of Thomas personally combing the field on his hands and knees to collect debris—broken glass, jagged metal, wood, etc.—show the leadership by example that made him such a remarkable man.

With the loss of life it is easy to say today’s tragedy is not a sports story, and technically it’s not. Our prayers go out to Thomas’ family, friends and all who knew and loved him. But in the face of this tragedy there is also a place to remember the way this special man became the focal point in leading his community toward recovery through his role as high school football coach.

Last September, Aplington-Parkersburg High School did open its 2008 football season on schedule, defeating West Marshall 53-20, at Ed Thomas Field.

Just like they did many times before. Only nothing was like it was before. And to an even more tragic degree now, it never will be.

For more on the 2008 tornado and the town’s recovery, led by Ed Thomas, click here.

--Paul Kirk/ProLink Sports

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A Bad Bounce?

The Orlando Magic's Courtney Lee has become a topic of discussion in the sports world after missing a potential game-winning shot in the final seconds of an NBA Finals game last night.

On the sport's biggest stage, the buzz is understandable. It's the type of moment athletes dream about from the time they are children. This one was a little unique in that it didn't require Lee to create a shot in the traditional sense of finding a space on the perimeter or taking a defender--or two--off the dribble.

In this case the shot came to Lee by virtue of a gutsy play call and a picture-perfect inbounds pass. The timing of the play was perfect as well, even if Lee was grabbed by the almighty Kobe Bryant as he rubbed off a screen. That's a call you're never going to get at that moment, and especially not against Bryant.

So what led to Lee's failure? Nerves? The enormity of the moment? Too aggressive?

No, it was something more subtle, but something that befalls many an athlete in big moments: His failure was that he didn't go after the ball and put it back up at the height of his jump, with arms extended. He waited a split-second too long for the ball to come to him and ended up having to lift it back up from chest level while drifting beneath the backboard. This produced the unnatural angle that led to the miss.

In the biggest moments the best players go make it happen. Lee was there, and he did a fine job to time his jump and put himself in position. He just didn't seize the moment when it presented itself.

Funny thing about sports--and life. There's a fine line between hero and goat.

It's a little like what athletes need to remember about PR and image: If you wait for things to come to you, you might miss your moment, or let others tell your story how they see it. If you get out in front of things--good or bad--and tell it your way, you are almost always better off.

Go seize the moment. Make it yours.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net / www.twitter.com/ProLinkSports

Lynch Foundation Keeps Giving

John Lynch retired from the NFL in 2008 after 15 seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Denver Broncos.

But the John Lynch Foundation has not retired. Together with his wife Linda, John today hosted the 11th annual Salute the Stars luncheon at INVESCO Field at Mile High. Exceptional scholar-athletes from across Colorado were honored for their achievements, fulfilling the foundation's mission to develop quality young leaders.

The highlight of the sun-splashed ceremony was the awarding of two Lynch Family Legacy Scholarships of $10,000 to deserving scholar-athletes, bringing the program's total to $271,000 awarded to 61 high school students since its inception. The program also included the Star of the Year Award, Exceptional Star of the Year and Most Valuable Teacher/Coach.

John's former Stanford teammate Ed McCaffrey delivered the keynote address and talked about living a life driven by a strong set of core values. It's not only imperative to identify those values, but to live by them. His address also touched on the process of dreams becoming adventures, and that there's more to life than a scoreboard. Play to win and have passion for what you do, but don't be afraid to fail.

As one who embodies that message himself, John announced today he is embarking on a new adventure this fall, serving as a color analyst on Fox Sports' NFL game broadcasts. He is somewhat of a pioneer in that respect, coming to the anlayst role as a defensive player. The majority of former players occupying that seat hail from the offensive side of the ball.

He closed the ceremony noting that it's often popular for people to talk about what's wrong with our youth, but the remarkable students honored today prove there is a lot that's right.

If this group is any indication, our future is in good hands. And thanks to John and Linda Lynch they'll have a little help fulfilling their dreams.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

NFL Draft Memories

The NFL Draft is upon us. It’s not just a two-day festival once known so understatedly as the "NFL Player Selection Meeting,” but a four-month odyssey that has become one of the major sports unto itself, alongside the NBA and MLB.

It begins, really, the day a team’s season ends in the fan’s mind—and sometimes sooner depending on how bad the season was. And then it’s the Combine, the college Pro Days, the individual workouts, combined with the rhetoric and bluster from agents, the misinformation and smokescreens thrown out by the teams, and fans’ insatiable desire to know which players are going to come in and save their team. It is incredible what a two-day “selection meeting” has become.

And when it’s over, nobody—not fans, media or the teams themselves—actually knows for sure what they have. Not for 2-3 years will those answers begin to emerge, but that doesn’t stop every media outlet far and wide from offering instant analysis and judgment. It’s their job, and the fans want it. So keep the machine cranking—there’s another mock draft to post in 10 minutes!

Over the course of 13 NFL Drafts as a media relations executive with the Denver Broncos, quite a few memories come back to me this time of year, mostly about the individuals who came and went as a result of those drafts. There were years we selected a whopping 12 players (1996 and ’99) and a year we chose only three (1997); a year when our first pick didn’t come until round four (1995), and two when we were finished by the end of that round. Some of the highlights:

--As far as personalities and commanding presence, I’ll never forget the day we first laid eyes on Al Wilson, a day after the linebacker was made our first-round choice in 1999. He was joining a two-time defending champion, and looked like he could step on the field that day and be the leader of the defense. In his press conference we learned that he had been a boxer as a teenager, and I’m not sure there was a person in that room who didn’t picture the poor victims he had likely pummeled and wondered how—or if—they had survived the beating.

--For pure entertainment value, nothing tops the choice of Ohio State running back Maurice Clarett in 2005. At the time there was hope his talent could be harnessed in “the right environment,” but this one was over almost before it began. Two memories: One was knowing we were about to select him with the final pick of day one (3rd round/101 overall), and strolling into the media room to watch the reaction from our assembled media. As a story they would love him—but maybe about four hours earlier. Not right before deadline with their stories already written and waiting for a nondescript name to add to the pile and call it a night. The collective groan and spewing forth of expletives said it all. The other memory came the next day when Clarett was asked to hold up his jersey at the podium for the overflow media crowd before his introductory press conference. Broncos VP of PR—and my former boss—Jim Saccomano instructed Maurice to “smile like you mean it.” He did smile, and was generally pleasant to deal with that day, but to say that was his best performance as a Bronco would not be a stretch.

--The 1998 selection of Michigan quarterback Brian Griese gave us our first glimpse of how self-assured he was, having grown up the son of a Hall of Fame quarterback. For starters, he did not arrive in Denver the day after his selection with fellow first-day choices Marcus Nash and Eric Brown, I think for no other reason than he just wasn’t in that much of a hurry. He came in on Monday, and I remember after he was finished with his press conference and the rest of the dog-and-pony show, I went searching for him to put him on the phone for one more interview. I found him in the office of offensive coordinator/QBs coach Gary Kubiak—no doubt having probably memorized a good portion of the offensive playbook by that time—sitting at Gary’s desk. To say he looked comfortable would be a colossal understatement. Heck, he looked more relaxed sitting in Kubes’ chair than…well, Kubes himself ever did. To this day I have the utmost respect for Brian as both a player and person, and I recall thinking at the time that he is a not guy who is in awe of any part of this experience. It’s tremendous to see him entering his 12th NFL season and to see what he has done with his life’s mission to help children with the establishment of Judi’s House in Denver.

--Finally, in 2000, after we had begun to notice the run of alliteration we had going with consecutive selections of Kenoy Kennedy, Chris Cole, Jerry Johnson, Cooper Carlisle and Muneer Moore, the streak was broken with the choice of Utah running back Mike Anderson. As an attempt at humor, then-GM Neal Dahlen offered to the media, with a smile, that Mike’s real first name was Andy. To which one of the beat writers responded incredulously, “Really?” Again, the draft can be a mind-numbing experience.

If only it had been true, because the next selection was Jarious Jackson.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

Pat's Run Keeps Tillman's Legacy Alive

Pat's Run is coming. You have one week to get in shape.

On second thought, don't worry about getting in shape. Just run, or walk, or roll. Just participate. That's what Pat would have done.

While most of the sporting world in April turns its attention to the opening of baseball season, the NBA and NHL playoffs and the NFL Draft, two cities prepare for an event that, while associated with sports, should resonate with all Americans: Pat's Run, which honors the legacy of former U.S. Army Ranger Pat Tillman.

His association with sports comes obviously from his football exploits at Arizona State University and with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, but his place in history is framed by his decision to walk away from the NFL at age 25 to become a U.S. Army Ranger. Inspired by a sense of duty in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States, Tillman saw a greater purpose to his life and chose to serve his country. He was killed in Afghanistan on April 22, 2004.

The story of Pat's life and the people he impacted transcends sports. It is the reason his family and friend created the Pat Tillman Foundation with a mission statement to help people make positive changes in themselves and the people around them. Its flagship program, Leadership Through Action, was implemented at his alma mater Arizona State in 2005, and its chief fundraising and awareness event, Pat's Run, kicked off the same year in Tempe, Ariz.

We're just a week away now from the Fifth Annual Pat's Run in Tempe, April 18, followed by the Fourth Annual Pat's Run in his hometown of San Jose, Calif., April 25. The event has grown enormously since its inception, with a record a record of more than 15,000 people representating nearly every state taking part in last year's Tempe run and more than 5,000 in San Jose.

If you can get there, do it. If you can't, please consider donating to the Pat Tillman Foundation, and honoring the legacy of a great American. I didn't know Pat well; I met him through my work in the ASU athletic department when he was a freshman. But if you met him once, you'll never forget him.

Learn more at www.pattillmanfoundation.org and www.patsrun.com.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

March Madness On Demand a Success

The opening weekend of the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament shines a light on the overwhelming success of March Madness On Demand (MMOD), launched in 2003 by the NCAA and CBS Sports, but made available free of charge for the past four tournaments.

March Madness on Demand provides viewers the ability to watch via computer and broadband internet connection every game of the tournament, and has grown and improved in quality and functionality each year.

The biggest leap of faith came in 2006 when the subscription model was dropped in favor of advertisements from some of its most prominent sponsors, most notably presenting sponsors Courtyard by Marriott and Dell.

Even with the free model, available bandwidth was regulated by requiring users to register for “VIP Passes,” while those who did not were subject to pass through a “virtual waiting room” and risk being bumped out when capacity is reached.

By 2008 the registration process was dropped as bandwidth was increased and the ability to accommodate the explosion in traffic resulted in even greater popularity for MMOD. In turn, advertisers continued to be rewarded and greater innovations were applied, setting the stage for record numbers in 2009.

The traffic numbers for the first three days of this year's tournament already surpassed the those for the entire 2008 tournament, according to Sports Business Daily. Through my own use I can attest the product is better than ever, and even more convenient to use, further proving the tremendous vision of the parties involved to capture and build on the popularity of the NCAA Tournament.

Instead of worrying about fragmenting the TV audience, CBS Sports and the NCAA counted on the fact that, when possible, viewers would still watch on TV, but that increased access to the games people want would only increase passion for college basketball, and ultimately bring more eyeballs to the coveted television broadcasts of the games. It was a winning idea all the way around, and the biggest winners have been college basketball fans everywhere.

Score one for the NCAA and CBS Sports, who were bold enough to create a new model to reach viewers and fans amidst a fast-changing technological world. Instead of playing victim to these forces, they harnessed their power and have only served to increase the popularity of the tournament while finding a way to monetize the innovation.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

ProLink on Campus

This week afforded us the chance to be back on campus when we were invited by the University of Colorado athletic department to speak to student-athletes about the importance of image and the transition from collegiate student-athlete to professional athlete.

We spoke to draft-eligible football players who had worked out earlier in the day for NFL scouts during their on-campus Pro Day. Our presentation focused on the benefits of establishing a positive image, effective ways to build that image, media training and financial awareness, with an assist from our friends at Alliance Bernstein, certified NFLPA financial planners. Whether drafted or not, any player who has the opportunity to get into an NFL training camp not only has a tremendous opportunity, but an enormous challenge. We wanted to open their eyes to the way NFL franchises are structured, the differences they will see compared to the support that surrounded them in college and some of the realities of the current sports business environment.

The week also saw ProLink Sports featured in an NBCSports.com piece by veteran NFL writer Tom Curran, about the obstacles and challenges any franchise would encounter in the hypothetical situation that they were to acquire quarterback Michael Vick, if and when he was reinstated by Commissioner Roger Goodell. We were asked to outline what steps that franchise would take in its efforts to navigate what would undoubtedly be a very controversial decision.

This is a topic about which people have some very strong opinions. As to our place in the conversation, it's important to note we're speaking from the standpoint that the franchise has already made the decision, and now the question is how to handle it. Like a relief pitcher entering the game with the bases loaded and nobody out. Good luck putting out the fire.

Thanks for checking in to the ProLink Sports blog.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

Domonique Foxworth, One of the Good Guys

Today's opening of the 2009 NFL free agency period was marked by the usual flurry of news regarding player visits, signings and contract terms. And while many of the players in the news today could probably be described as "good guys," one of them, Domonique Foxworth, is truly one of the game's finest ambassadors.

When he played for the Denver Broncos from 2005 through the 2008 preseason, Foxworth proved not only to be an effective player, but also an asset to his community. He was very visible in trying to improve the lives of Colorado's youth, whether appearing in television commercials for CollegeinColorado.org, teaching a writing class at the Broncos Branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, or helping to create the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center at that branch, to honor his former teammate and friend.

Foxworth, after being traded to Atlanta on the eve of the 2008 season opener, was rewarded Friday in his first foray into free-agency with a reported four-year, $27.2 million contract--including $16.5 million in guaranteed money--from his hometown Baltimore Ravens. Foxworth grew up in Maryland and played his college ball at the University of Maryland.

It is the ultimate homecoming for Foxworth, the kind rarely seen in professional sports. And while the money is staggering, this post isn't meant to focus on the money. We all know professional athletes make great money. My point is that today fans can take heart in knowing that one of those who was handsomely rewarded is the kind of player they can get behind and cheer for with no reservations. Domonique Foxworth is truly one of the NFL's "good guys."

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

Farewell, Rocky Mountain News

For anybody who has practiced PR in the Denver area, the final printing of the Rocky Mountain News on Friday brought sadness and reflection on the many friendships and professional acquaintances developed over the years.

Many times the relationship between PR professionals and journalists can be challenging, but the mutual respect developed over the years leaves me feeling a great deal of sadness for the many true professionals who are suddenly jobless. And regardless of whether we agreed in every instance with the handling of a particular story, the presence of two newspapers competing for stories and challenging one another made our community better.

So, thank you to all of you at the Rocky Mountain News who have been a big part of our professional lives, especially our good friends in sports, Sam Adams, Jeff Legwold, Lee Rasizer, Dave Krieger, Aaron Lopez, Lynn DeBruin and Kevin "Moose" Huhn, to name just a few.

Here's hoping brighter days are ahead.

--Paul Kirk / www.prolinksports.net

ProLink Sports Blog

Welcome to the first blog post from ProLink Sports, an athlete representation firm based in Denver, Colo. Launched in 2008 by Paul Kirk and Judianne Atencio, ProLink Sports specializes in image management, brand-building, media relations and philanthropy for professional athletes.

We provide clients with services designed to engage them in the community in a more effective and meaningful way, while building brand identity through innovative and professional handling of outreach to media, fans and the local community. Expertise also includes services to guide corporate clients who wish to identify professional athletes for speaking opportunities, and to enhance their company’s products and/or services, as well as fundraising and event planning.

Learn more about ProLink Sports at www.prolinksports.net.
--Paul Kirk