What Would the Commish Do?

Tweet "Does all of this excitement "save" racing and bring us back to our glory days? I don't think so—because racing doesn't need a savior."
~ The NTRA CEO in his latest post Thoughts from 35,000 feet

My retort: Nope, we need just a commissioner, with some backbone and who has authority to make decisions for the well being of the sport. Why Hollywood Park for the next accreditation, a facility that most likely will be condos this time next year?? Does that make sense?

In addition to my comment, 15 other brave souls also commented. What would the over/under on a blog post by NBA commissioner David Stern be during the NBA Finals? Certainly more than the 16 generated by racing's CEO during Triple Crown season. But I digress. The two main chords that were struck here are: (1) Why the heck did the NTRA accredit Hollywood Park with all the turmoil and unknown that track is currently facing and; (2) Do we need a commissioner with authority?

Here are some of the better comments that touched on the Hollywood Park issue:

"I agree with other posters, why spend the time and resources accrediting Hollywood Park when its days are numbered? According to what I understand for accreditation, Hollywood Park spent $15,000 and the NTRA spent an additional $15,000 to perform the site inspection and other essentials. Why? Isn't that simply throwing away $30,000? Where was the NTRA or anyone else for that matter when the Inglewood City Council held public meetings to decide whether to pass the environmental impact report for the development? The minutes even show that the city council specifically said that the leadership of horse racing should have been present. It's likely that in a year the track will be a rubble pile much like Bay Meadows is now." ~Concerned in CA

"I'm very concerned about the future of Santa Anita given the track is about ready to be auctioned. What are the chances that racing will continue there after 2009 if ownership changes? It's already bad enough that we are going to lose Hollywood Park. " ~John Tucker

Concerned in CA's comment was right on point. She gets it. Why weren't racing's leaders at the public hearing? Makes no sense to me. What is our sport's position on losing a prestigious track such as Hollywood Park? Perplexing that only a grass roots effort is being put forth to save the track. (There is a website which outlines the issues and what you can do to help at savehollywoodpark.com.)

My commissioner comment also received some traction with others:

"Alex, my friend, as much as I respect and deeply admire you, you are the candy-man incarnate. Gene the Machine is spot-on: only one thing will save this sport, and it's the same thing that saved baseball after the Black Sox scandal; saved football from the AFL and basketball from the ABA; saved hockey from itself; and helped propel the PGA Tour to heights unimagined -- a Commissioner! As of this writing, only two "major" sports remain without a Commissioner -- horse racing and tennis, and both are on their proverbial death-beds. Jeez, Alex, how much more history do you need? Or, as my Dad liked to put it, "Whadda need, a building to fall on you, or wot (sic)?" And, please, don't tell me it can't be done. Don't give me all the "too many independent jurisdictions ..." and "too much state involvement" song-and-dance. With giants like Bob Lewis and Jim McKay before their deaths ... and more recently Gary Stevens, Jerry Bailey, Randy Moss, Andy Beyer, and others all on public record crying-out for a Commissioner, why does our game's (arguably) most powerful and influential figure -- YOU -- continue to dodge the concept like the plague? Where is that blog?" ~Octave-the-in Rave

"When I hear talk about "saving the sport", it usually strikes me as very self-serving. I'm a fan, in no way connected with the industry........if you're serving yourself instead of me, don't ask me to save you. If the sport were to become truly motivated by what was good for the public, then the public would become motivated to support it." ~Screamingbird

"I cannot agree with your statement that racing doesn't need to be saved. It does; from its leadership that continues to remain apathetic towards its customer and unyielding to work together for the benefit of all. Horse racing's future is anything but rosy. Betting is everything in this game and the average age of the bettor is getting older and older. Perhaps you were serendipitous in finding a twenty something who knew about horse racing. Most young people have no idea and no interest in the sport because at some point the sport stopped trying to get their attention. Horse racing gave up a long time ago on its customer and became too self-absorbed. Now we're feeling the effects of that. Horse racing will always exist, what form though depends on what actions and what lengths the leadership is willing to take." ~Concerned in CA

"This sport needs a central authority, central marketing, international connections, modern track facilities to draw a younger audience, art events, music, so much could be done! One successful Triple Crown season cannot do enough for the sport - we can learn from the NBA how it is done. One Michael Jordan was not enough to make the NBA what it is today, either." ~Angelika Hala

"Thanks for wanting our input: 1. Get a Commisioner (sic): racetracks are like teams, they need to co-ordinate the rules. Get a commissioner and "they will come." ~Rachel A. (for real!)

Hmm...even though there were only a couple handfuls of commenters, the theme was ringing loud and clear. Do you think Roger Goodell would squander money on a track that could go dark, or would he be out fighting for the track to survive? Bud Selig suspended Manny 50 games for drugs....how powerful an example is that? So, what would a real commish do...go accredit a track being turned into mixed-use development or go to the meeting to try and prevent its demise?