MIXED MESSAGES IN PRO SPORTS!

I understand that there are salary cap ramifications involved here, 

but it seems as though the same people who

 do NOT want "un-proven" rookies to be paid huge salaries

 when they enter professional sports 

are the same people who

 do NOT want Kobe Bryant to be rewarded with a huge contract 

for what he HAS accomplished.

 You CANNOT have it both ways.

Management can choose to either 

pay a young "just out of college" player for his potential

 or 

pay proven pros for what they have actually done and the successes they have actually earned. 

If you choose the former, you roll the dice.

If  you choose the latter, there is no expiration date.

**

DIVING INTO THE FIFA WORLD CUP!

THINGS I HAVE SEEN DURING THE

 2014 FIFA WORLD CUP IN BRAZIL!

1. More grown men flopping in two weeks time than in the history of boxer shorts!

2. More dives than in a Jacques Cousteau special.

3. More bad acting than in WWE RAW!

How can so many world-class athletes flop so badly on the great international stage of the World Cup and why do the highly-trained referees keep falling for such horrendous acting?

**

I'M BAAAACK!!!!

I don't know where it went, 

but I am happy to report that the website is baaaack!

Aliens? Gremlins? Website witches?

I have no clue, but it is grew to be back and I am celebrating with a piece on Lebron James that I participated in for bio.com.

http://www.biography.com/people/lebron-james-399748#awesm=~oHQLixedTIDNqz

**

SIGN UP DURANT!!!

SIGN I WANT TO SEE AT THE CLIPPERS V OKC GAME AT STAPLES CENTER IN L.A.

---

KEVIN DURANT ISNT 

"FRAMILY"

HE IS THE 

"FRENEMY"!!!!!

---

**

L.A. SPARKS' FANS! THANK YOU!

"THANKS"

 for all your notes, comments, messages and kind thoughts.

 It has only been a few days since I was informed that my 

"services would no longer be required" 

on upcoming L.A. Sparks' broadcasts.

Trust me! 

That caught me off-guard and by surprise!

 After 16 years on the job, I was unceremoniously dumped just two weeks before the start of the Sparks' 2014 season. 

There was no reason given and zero contact from the Sparks. Instead, Time Warner Cable informed my agent that "new Sparks' management wanted to completely revamp its broadcast team"

 and I was out.

As you might expect, that decision baffled and troubled me. 

It still does! 

The Sparks were a large part of my life and my career. 

It really hurt when the ties were severed so impersonally, but your kindness and concern have helped to soothe the wound.

 I cannot tell you how much it has meant to me 

to hear from so many of you. 

Your support, thoughtfulness, and inspiring words

 have been overwhelming.

 I may be unemployed right now, but I am truly blessed.

I can honestly say that it was always a treat to walk into the 

Forum or Staples Center on game nights.

 I loved seeing and interacting with you whether I was 

working on the pre-game show, walking through the stands, 

or talking with you after the post-game player interview.

 I have known some of you from way back in the old days when the Sparks' games were on minuscule radio stations that seemed to have even smaller coverage areas.

 I never knew if anyone could hear those games, but I tried to call each one as if it was a major network broadcast. 

We really had a great run and a lot of fun together! 

Now, it is time for a new chapter. 

The pages are blank right now, but I hope to fill them with adventures and challenges that are even more exciting and enjoyable as my career to date.

 Your encouraging words are greatly appreciated!

Your friendships are cherished!

Thank you for a great run, Sparks' fans! 

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Larry B.

**

AN OPEN LETTER TO L.A. SPARKS' PLAYERS!!

I wanted to personally let you know that, after 16 seasons on the job, I am being replaced as the Sparks' team broadcaster and play-by-play announcer. The news came from Time Warner Cable just a few days ago and, to say the least, I was surprised. I was never contacted by the Sparks, but TWC informed my agent that the "Sparks' new management had decided to completely revamp their broadcast team and that 

my services would no longer be needed."

I am very disappointed! 

You and the Sparks have been a big part of my career and my life for a long time, but management has the right to do what they think is best for the organization. I understand that, but I would be lying if I said that the decision, and the timing of it, did not hurt.

That being said, I had a great run in the WNBA. I was a part of two championship teams, and got to call some of the most exciting action in the history of women's basketball. 

I have never met a more pleasant, 

or accommodating group of athletes. 

We laughed a lot and, win or lose, you made time for me. 

I can't thank you enough. 

In return, I tried to treat you fairly and respectfully while bringing a knowledge and enthusiasm to the sport that

 I felt was truly deserved. 

I made some great friends during my time in the WNBA (1998-2013) and I am glad to count you among them. 

Unfortunately, I do not have contact information for all the current, and former, Sparks' players that I have worked with over the years, so I would appreciate your passing this note

 on to those that you know.

I am not sure what lies ahead for me professionally, 

but I know that whatever I do and wherever I go,

 I will always carry fond memories of my

 great years with the L.A. Sparks!

I wish you the very best success & happiness! 

Larry B.

NO MORE SPARKS!!

I am sad to report that, after 16 seasons on the job, I am being replaced as the "Voice of the Los Angeles Sparks".  I received word, this week through Time Warner Cable, that the Sparks' new management team has decided to "completely revamp the Sparks' broadcast team". Needless to say, I was surprised to get the news and to get it while the Sparks are already in training camp and just two weeks away from their 2014 WNBA season opener.

I loved working with the Sparks! 

Johnny Buss hired me to call Sparks' games on the radio in 1998 and, at times in the early years at the Forum, we were on stations that were so small that fans could not pick up the post-game show from the arena parking lot. I had 15 more one-year contracts with the organization and eventually moved to calling Sparks' simulcasts & televised games. 

Along the way, I outlasted a few team owners, numerous team presidents, coaches, players, some great broadcast partners, and an unimaginable number of P.R directors. 

We had a great run together, won a couple of championships, and enjoyed some very memorable moments, so I am extremely disappointed to see my "best summer job ever" come to an end.

There isn't much that shocks me in the sports broadcasting business anymore. I know there isn't much loyalty or respect and I reluctantly understand that working hard and doing a good job is no guarantee of success or employment. I know that I gave the Sparks everything that I had, supported the team and promoted the WNBA to the best of my ability. 

The Sparks' new management has every right to make the changes they deem necessary. They have a business to run. I wish the best to the team and my friends in the organization. 

My only regret is that not one of those friends felt it was important to inform me, in a timely fashion, of changes that would impact my career and my family, and nobody called to say

 "thanks" for a great ride. 

So, let me say it.

"Thanks to all the Sparks' players, coaches and fans for your friendship and kindness and for an amazing 16 year ride!"

**