They’re having a helluva summer.
If you don’t think Nick Saban’s had a few interns gaming this possibility for the past few months, you don’t know Nick Saban.
Daily Archives: August 12, 2020
Well, that was awkward.
I have no idea what was going on here.
But I sure would love to find out.
Filed under Urban Meyer Points and Stares
Your 8.12.20 Playpen
I promised a kindler, gentler Playpen today, so check out this news. (h/t Ben)
In 2014 Creature Comforts Brewing Company poured its first pint out of a converted warehouse in downtown Athens, Georgia. The craft beer scene was already dense at the time but the upstart found separation by focusing on a set of quality-driven, true-to-style flagships. It was a recipe for success fervently embraced by the local community. And so it grew—substantially. Over the six years since, sales have skyrocketed some 2675%. That’s enough to distinguish it as one of the fastest-growing breweries in the US. To satisfy swelling demand, Creature Comforts today announces its first ever expansion: the opening of a taproom and production facility in Downtown Los Angeles, expected by summer of 2021. Here’s an exclusive look at how it all came together.
“We grew a love for the city through visiting multiple times for collaborations with local breweries, festivals, and conferences,” recalls CEO and co-owner Chris Herron. “After running some statistical models for potential new markets we were thrilled when LA emerged at the top of that list.”
Way to go, guys. I’m sure you’ll convert plenty of West Coasters to your product.
So, let’s talk about beer today. What have you tried lately that’s tickled your fancy? If you’re in the Atlanta area and you enjoy Belgian-styled beers, let me recommend Bold Monk Brewing Co. I really like their Tripel and White Oak White, in particular. (If you’re really into recreating the Belgian dining experience, they partner well with mussels and frites.)
Anyways, share in the comments. Bottoms up!
Filed under GTP Stuff
“This sport has never needed leadership more, and it has never gotten less.”
Shot.
Chaser.
In what universe should conferences be “maneuvering” against one another during a pandemic? There is not even enough leadership in the country’s most popular college sport to get five leagues to work together during the most wicked problem in 75 years. Why exactly does an NCAA-type governing body exist if it cannot help guide schools through extraordinary circumstances such as these?
I’m pretty sure those are rhetorical questions.
Filed under College Football
A 3/5 solution?
While the Big Ten and Pac-12 bailed yesterday, the Big 12 announced it’s still hanging in there.
That leaves three of the P5 hoping to play ball in 2020. The question for the moment is whether the decision is on, for want of a better phrase, life support.
Before their presidents OK’ed to continue the season, Big 12 athletic directors got briefed for 90 minutes by a medical panel, which led to vigorous debate. Some thought it too unsafe. Others thought it safe enough. It was a back-and-forth between administrators, all the while with the season somewhat on the line. The decision among Big 12 leaders came down to ramifications of not playing a season (player mental health, structure, etc.) vs. uncertain risks of playing a season.
They settled on the former. According to league sources, the conference also decided to add an extra layer to their COVID-19 protocols, requiring more intensive, mandatory heart imaging tests—a decision rooted in virus-related cardiac issues.
But let’s not celebrate too much so quickly. Maybe this is only delaying the inevitable. After all, most medical experts are expecting August and early September to be some of the highest hurdles yet. Thousands of students will return to campus while teams begin, for the first time, colliding with one another during fall camp. It’s a recipe for viral outbreaks, which are ingredients for more interruptions and delays. You can only kick the can so far down the road before you run out of road.
“This doesn’t mean we’re going to play,” a Big 12 source told SI on Tuesday night. “Students are coming back to campus…”
That echoes something Greg Sankey said.
The return of the general student population and the immersion of football players into that mix is obviously the wild card now. Sadly, what this sounds like is a continuation of the hope for the best strategy that hasn’t actually served college football too well up until now. But when it’s all you’ve got, all we can do is hope along with them.
Filed under ACC Football, Big 12 Football, SEC Football, The Body Is A Temple
#TheyStillUnited
Judging from the statement #WeAreUnited released after Larry Scott announced he nuked the 2020 Pac-12 football season, he’s in for a stressful winter.
The financial demands have been jettisoned. Left are health concerns, frustration over having those concerns dismissed and a number of shots at the lack of leadership coming from Scott and his office. There’s also the promise/threat that they expect a voice in the shaping of whatever comes for 2021.
Like it or not, this is going to be a topic of interest between now and the start of next year, especially if the plug gets pulled on the sport nationally. There will be a vacuum and you know what they say about vacuums.
Filed under Look For The Union Label, Pac-12 Football
Ol’ Hatin’ Ass is back.
And back with a zinger.
It’s funny ’cause it’s true.
Filed under ACC Football, SEC Football, The Evil Genius
Doin’ it for the business model.
Hmmm… I wonder what the decisions of the Big Ten and Pac-12 to pull the plug on the 2020 football season might have in common. Let’s see.
I think you misspelled “will not” there, Larry, but point taken.
When they tell you it’s about the money, believe them.
Filed under Big Ten Football, It's Just Bidness, Pac-12 Football
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