How to Fake Fanaticism

Even LeBron James makes the list—relatively speaking, of course

(NEWSER) - If you set aside the fact that even the minimum-earning NBA player ($457,558) is still in the top 1% of American earners, you can appreciate that some sports standouts are relatively underpaid. Yahoo! Sports lists some of the biggies:

• Tim Lincecum, MLB, San Francisco Giants: Though he’s set to win a second straight Cy Young Award, he makes nearly 20 times less than another pitcher on his team at $695,000.
• LeBron James, NBA, Cleveland Cavaliers: He’s making the maximum possible—nearly $16 million—and he’s still a steal, considering he saved his franchise.

Off the field, most team records aren't promising

(NEWSER) - As investment portfolios dwindle and businesses suffer, more professional sports teams' owners are falling on hard times. League bosses worry that potential buyers, already an endangered breed, won't go for newly available teams because their primary businesses are foundering. Even the Cubs, one of MLB's few profitable franchises, can't find an owner, reports the Wall Street Journal. More»

City of Brotherly Love has been trophy-less since 1983

(NEWSER) - The Flyers’ elimination from the NHL playoffs was more than the end to a hockey season in Philadelphia—it was the 100th consecutive season to see one of the local teams came up short of a championship. “Fans have been conditioned for failure,” suggests Sports Illustrated, which chronicles the 100 worst moments in Philadelphia sports since the city last raised a banner in 1983. More»

His ABA gave us the Nuggets, Spurs the three-pointer and more

(NEWSER) - Gary Davidson may not be a household name to many sports fans. But the man who founded the World Football League and co-founded the ABA and WHA certainly has been influential in the nation’s professional sports landscape by challenging three of the big four sports leagues, writes the LA Times. The NBA’s San Antonio Spurs, are a remnant of his ABA. More»

He was probably joking though... right?

(NEWSER) - With the lockout officially cutting into the NBA season , would LeBron James consider suiting up for the NFL? Probably not, but the King is definitely stoking speculation. Last week his highness donned his pads and practiced with the Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary high school team, then tweeted that it “felt great being back on the field. Should I?” Last night he took it a step further, asking ESPN NFL guru John Clayton via Twitter when the deadline to sign free agents was. More»