Blogs With Balls Radio, Episode 4

This week’s Blogs With Balls Show on the JoeSportsFan Radio Network is now available.

Download Episode 4 Here.

This week we have a big announcement (that we can't really announce). But the important detail we can share is that later this week, we will announce that a very prominent partner has come on board who will sponsor registration for a limited time that will result in $100 tickets for Blogs With Balls-only attendees at Blog World Expo. This price will not only include the formal program, but also an invite-only party sponsored by the partner, as well as the rest of the goodies/watch parties/fun-and-games we have lined up for our sports-bloggin' brethren. Plus, you know, it's Vegas.

Our Blog With Balls of the Week is "Going Pro" - a triathlon blog. Didn't know they existed did you? An interesting pick indeed, but Chris justifies its nomination well - not only does the author have a unique audience, but he's a damn good writer. These two things, if focused properly, could position the site favorably in an under-served market.

Our guest this week is the incomparable Gary Vaynerchuk. Before the event, Gary was considered by many a somewhat odd choice as our featured speaker at Blogs With Balls 1.0, but gave the audience a talk they'll remember and certainly should have learned from. VaynerMedia, a social media firm he and his brother AJ started and run, represents BwB2.0 featured speaker Jalen Rose, among other sports figures and entities. His first book, as part of a 7-figure deal he signed with Harper Studio is due out in October and is currently available for presale.

Of course, no guest appearance would be complete without challenging them to a game of “Skyped Up.” We mix two of Gary's favorite things - wine and sports.

This week’s links of interest:

• BlogsWithBalls.com
  
• JoeSportsFan.com
  
• ChrisBagg.blogspot.com
  
• Wine Library TV
  
• GaryVaynerchuk.com
  
• Crush It
  
• VaynerMedia
  
• Twitter.com/GaryVee
  
• Twitter.com/VaynerMedia
  

You can drop us comments, suggestions and hate mail at podcast[at]blogswithballs[dot]com.

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Living Strong: PED Users United

From Lance Armstrong's Twitter feed:

Here, Lance, brush up:

Pats' Harrison suspended for violating NFL's drugs policy

Follow us on Twitter @HHReynolds or Click Here to get HHR in your inbox.

Totally Legal Blow

I believe it's called a "forearm shiver."

Great form. Great concentration. Head's up. Focused. Bang.

Take that, hippie.



H/T to reader Jeff the Greek.

HEY WATCH OUT FOR THAT...

sign.



totallyupyours.com via Jeff the Greek.

Ladies on the View Cackle with Kate Hudson on Lance Armstrong

Does Barbara not sound like a hungry, old cougar looking for some sexy details? And why must Star Jones always bring the conversation around to food?

Lone Star Shuffling with Roger & Lance

I can't honestly say that I am what you'd call a fan of Selena Roberts. I usually find her commentary on the Sports Reporters, for the lack of better terms, "underwhelming."

That said, I applaud her effort in this week's Point After in Sports Illustrated.

While the media and fans alike continually vilify the likes of Roger Clemens, Barry Bonds and now, to an extent, Bill Belichick, inspirational hero and champion Lance Armstrong is conversely deified for his humanitarianism and courage.

Finally, in the wake of Congressional hearings and debate over the legitimacy of our sports' respective record books and championships, Roberts steps forward and calls a spade a spade - noting that Armstrong's demeanor and actions are no different than his fellow Texan Roger Clemens'.

While she chalks it up to Texas bravado, it's more like pompousness. "In recent months Clemens has been in near lockstep with Armstrong's don't-mess-with-Texas methodology: Deny defiantly, sue aggressively."

The difference between Roger and Lance, she concedes, is that the Rocket overstayed his welcome, whereas Armstorng "had the savy to exit before a raft of elite racers from his era surfaced in scandals that have savaged cycling."

On Roger, "As a serial retiree he could have departed as planned in 2003. Removed from baseball, in a different state of mind, he might have spoken to former senator George Mitchell if asked. He might have saved himself with righteousness." Instead, "Roger has no moral cover. He can't borrow Lance's halo."

It is up to us, then, as fans, to hold everyone, or no one, accountable. Roberts deserves credit for pointing out the double standards we in society have. A good PR campaign can far outweigh facts and alters perceptions, which if you think about it is exactly what they are intended to do. It is up to us to see through it.