Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

A.G. GancarskiOctober 18, 2016

In yet another piece of news coming out of a Tuesday morning media availability involving Jacksonville sporting events, JAXSPORTS Council head Rick Catlett addressed a question regarding LGBT rights in the Northeast Florida city and recruitment of sports events being relocated from North Carolina in the wake of its statewide anti-LGBT “bathroom bill” legislation. Long story short: Catlett […]

A.G. GancarskiSeptember 14, 2016

In every crisis, there is an opportunity. And the City of Jacksonville seeks to exploit the crisis the state of North Carolina faces, after its legislature passed anti-LGBT legislation earlier this year. As First Coast News reports, the NCAA is prepared to move seven championship events — including NCAA basketball tournament action, as well as soccer, lacrosse, […]

Mitch PerryMarch 21, 2016

Good morning, and welcome to the first full day of spring 2016. While ESPN was being trashed via Twitter for hailing Fidel Castro‘s “love of sports,” American fans were absorbed in watching the college basketball playoffs, where we’re now down to the Sweet 16 in what is also known as “March Madness,” a/k/a “The Final Four,” […]

Mitch PerryNovember 9, 2015

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Daily fantasy sports have exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry in recent years. Advertisements for both FanDuel and DraftKings are inescapable during broadcasts of football games and on ESPN. But is the party going to end soon? In September, New Jersey Democratic U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone requested that the Energy and Commerce Commission hold advanced hearings to determine the […]

Guest AuthorJuly 1, 2015

I have been trying to use the sports platform and the power of sports to address serious social issues during my entire adult life. The National Basketball Association has always led the other leagues on best hiring practices both for people of color and women, and has been the most progressive with its policies and […]

Mitch PerryApril 2, 2015

Tampa hosts the Womens’ Final Four college basketball tournament this weekend, and if Indiana doesn’t get its act together on its controversial religious freedom legislation the event could return to the Cigar City next year, if Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn has his way. “Sports teach us dedication, fair play and teamwork,” Buckhorn wrote to NCAA President […]

Mitch PerryMarch 20, 2015

It’s the first full weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament, the time when some writers wax absurd about “brackets” and “the insanity of March Madness.” And yes, there were a couple of thrilling upsets and buzzard-beaters Thursday to begin the first full day of the 68-team championship. As a basketball aficionado, however, I’ve been calling […]

Guest AuthorOctober 26, 2014

Recent sports news has been filled with stories about racism, gender violence, child abuse, and concussion-related brain damage for one in three former NFL players. But these bad stories have helped the public focus on broader societal problems. Since Roger Goodell became the NFL commissioner in 2006, law enforcement authorities have pursued 50 domestic-violence cases […]

Diane RobertsOctober 13, 2014

Hard rain falling here in the land where college football is the élan vital. First, the very large, very detailed, story in the New York Times: seems the Tallahassee police habitually cut Seminole football players some slack — a lot of slack — when they vandalize property, steal, and assault women. Fox Sports News had […]

Guest AuthorMay 7, 2014

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about the attempt by some Northwestern University athletes to unionize. I’m a diehard football fan. I’m a football season-ticket holder and I attend any events that show support for the University of Central Florida program. Critics say the NCAA is greedy. They cite the association’s lucrative TV deals, […]

Tag: NCAA

JAXSPORTS head talks LGBT rights, sports recruitment, and HRO

Could lack of HRO expansion hurt Jacksonville with NCAA? Lenny Curry’s not worried.

Mitch Perry Report for 3.21.16 — Trying to get with “The Program”

NJ Democrat Frank Pallone still wants hearings on fantasy sports

Richard Lapchick: My NBA all-star team of social conscience

Bob Buckhorn makes play for Women’s Final Four in Tampa again next year

Mitch Perry Report for 3.20.15 — March sadness

Richard Lapchick: Sports scandals put focus on many of society’s problems

Diane Roberts: We rabid sports fans are loving college football to death

Joe Culotta: College athletes should be grateful for their scholarships