also notable... the $9 million figure quoted for a team eliminated in the Round of 16

Except you're completely wrong.

If it's continued to be treated as a developmental program by U.S. Soccer and the Canadian association (and maybe select national team players subsidized by some others, such as Mexico and other CONCACAF nations) it may have legs, but if it's asked to stand on its own merits, I don't think it has great chances of…

And the Players Association (comprised of current NBA players, some of whose jobs are taken by new players when they enter the league) works with the NBA to continue the workplace rules that include that restriction.

What's the deal with taxes for someone in this situation - how much would he be taxed in China and then how much of his income is taxable in the U.S.?

The world was much different in 1996. Kobe lasted until the 13th pick.

And you're competing against grown men for the first time instead of staying within your approximate age group.

He wasn't railroaded out because of his personal beliefs.

Your attempt to equate Tebow to Sam is really flawed and pretty irrelevant to the conversation about Sam and Dungy's comments about it.

The only (and by that I literally mean just one) intriguing aspect of a World Cup in Qatar is the potential to be able to attend every^ match. The venues would essentially be in the equivalent of one metropolitan area and I think high-speed rail will connect them.

Lackluster indeed.

I'm partial to #171 because it allowed me to be a bit less tense for the last ten minutes of USA-Germany.

While I don't think Western N.Y. is a sustainable market for an NFL franchise, I gotta give Ralph Wilson, Jr. props for what he's done there. He was able to really leverage New York State politicians for a great deal of handouts, given that the Bills are the only NFL franchise that operates in the state. He made them…

He's a Cardinal, so Martinez must have decided this constitutes loading the bases the right way.

Syracuse's finest...

Ahhh... good tip. So by that rationale, it's a good idea to have a woman at ease so her shoulders aren't tense and forward, right?

I know - bras cost a lot! And some of them involve some impressive technical achievement and advanced fabrics. But I'm still trying to figure out how the damn clasp operates! They're not consistent! You think you've figured one out and the next time you encounter one, it's a whole different thing!

Nah, confessing it is enough. Now go watch a couple Hail Marys and try to be a better person until the next time you go to confession.

Same accent?

agreed.