“One Man’s Opinion” by Gordon Curvey

I have been in television production for over thirty years. That’s right, over thirty years. Since I first started “Music Inner City TV” in 1990, I have always mixed entertainment and sports.

Because in reality, sports and entertainment mix. Because sports is entertainment. When I watch a NBA game, it is entertainment, when I watch a NFL game, it is entertainment. When I watch boxing, it is entertainment. When I watch track and field, it is entertainment.

When Tiger Woods is leading a PGA event, it is entertainment. When I watch Venus and Serena play, it is entertainment. When I watch a college football game, it is entertainment. When I watch a college basketball game, it is entertainment.

Now let me get to MLB. MLB is a sport that is stuck in 1948. Last time I checked it is May 2021. MLB plays “God Bless America” at the 7th. Give me a freakin break readers!!

Truth be told, do you think the few African Americans in attendance at MLB games are happy to stand up and sing “God Bless America”? I do not think so ladies and gentlemen.

Plus MLB is a very slow game. With pitchers taking up to 25 to 30 seconds to pitch. And batters messing with their batting gloves sometimes after EVERY pitch!! EVEN WHEN THEY DO NOT SWING OR TAKE A BALL!!

This makes long three hour or so games. A main reason why young inner city African American youth turn to hoops and football by age 12. Do not believe me? Then go to a major city and attend a high school or college baseball game and the teams will be mainly white sorry to say ladies and gentlemen.

A 20 second clock is needed in MLB. And batters cannot mess with their batting gloves. They have to stay at the plate and be ready for the next pitch.

This is why MLB attendance has went downhill the last few years before COVID19. Plenty of vacant seats in MLB games before the virus. Singing of “God Bless America” at the 7th inning ain’t helping to reach inner city African American youth in America. Their was ONLY 69 African American players in MLB last season.

MLB was fun to me and many African Americans when our Seattle Mariners has Hall Of Famer Ken Griffey Jr. playing here in Seattle. A very very exciting player.

Just like the San Diego Padres young star Fernando Tatis Jr. This young man is one of few exciting players in my opinion in MLB. And another reason why I love sports. When this young man comes to the plate, like Grif Jr. was, you never know what exciting thing may happen.

Tatis Jr, is getting heat from old timers or even younger fans because when he hits a long homer, he flips the bat and has fun running the bases. Yes, he gets pitchers mad at him too. SHOUT OUT to Fernando Tatis Jr. for making baseball fun to watch. Another reason why I love sports.

Thanks to the Seattle Mariners for allowing me for years to interview Mariner players and visiting player and managers at T-Mobile Park. My goal is to interview African American players to try to get young kids to know African American players in Major League Baseball.

GIVE ME A BREAK!! Fernando Jr. is having fun!! Making his growing fan base that includes me happy! MLB needs more Fernando Tatis Jr type players. Guys who grab the “hip-hop generation” not the “rock n roll” generation” that MLB is full of. Statistics show MLB is very popular among late 50’s and older white folks.

Do not get mad at me. These are facts. I want to have fun watching MLB. But right now I cannot. Unlike watching NFL and NBA games. I love to watch Curry knocking down 3 after 3 after 3. Or make a great drive to the hoop.

I love to watch the budding star, Luka Doncic of the Mavericks play and Damian Lillard of Portland play and of course Lebron play and many many other NBA stars. I love to watch former guest on “Music Inner City TV” our own Russell Wilson play. I love to watch Pat Mahomes play.

I love to watch young Jason Tatum play and many many other play. I love sports because it is release from being a black man in America and it is a release from the terrible COVID19.

We need fans to return to MLB and NFL and NBA games. It will make the games much more fun to watch. I hope it will happen very very soon. Not having fans at games is NOT fun at all. Having fans at games makes it fun for players also. Do not believe me? Just ask a player.

“Sports Inner City TV” is needed. Coming at ya with news and issues from the African American point of view and people of color point of view.

In reality, their is not to many African Americans/people of color in the sports media here in the Pacific Northwest and this is a fact. Very few on sports radio and on TV. The NBA and NFL is 70% to 75% African American so programs like mine is badly needed.

I hope everyone will watch “Sports Inner City TV” on TV on Comcast Xfinity On Demand and Xfinity X1/Washington State-Oregon and California. And watch us via a webcast here on our website. Do so via your smartphone, tablet, mac or desktop 24 hours a day worldwide!!

Covering the NBA, NFL and MLB and other sports. As I have tried to explain in this article, I have always mixed entertainment and sports in my media. Truth be told as I have said, it is fun covering sports. Oh yeah, PLEASE listen to “MUSIC INNER CITY RADIO” PODCASTS!!

When I first thought about being in broadcasting when I was a teenager, I wanted to be a radio DJ. I have been producing podcasts since 2000. So I am not a johnny come lately like some around here. I consider myself a professional broadcaster.

Covering mainly sports news from the NBA, NFL and MLB. Plus classic soul and hip-hop music and exclusive interviews and public service announcements and more. Just click the “podcast” link and enjoy!!

Special thanks to the Seattle Seahawks, Seattle Mariners, the Dallas Mavericks and the Golden State Warriors for their support. Also to Mr. Network (Theo Hall), Edawg, Craig Jackson, Seattle Mariners lead broadcaster Dave Sims and a big THANK YOU to my longtime friend, Bishop Zachary Bruce.

One thing for sure, I will continue to love sports!!! And give my views on urban sports on my webcasts, TV programs and online here on “S.I.C-TV.” Have not been working on this sports site like I should BUT that is changing because their is SO MUCH to discuss in the urban sports world!!

“One Man’s Opinion” by Gordon Curvey

Ladies and gentlemen I love sports. This is why I have always mixed entertainment and sports in the media I have produced for over 30 years. It is why I started “Sports Inner City TV.” Covering the NBA, the NFL, MLB and boxing and more.

Covering sports is relaxing for me most of the time. Also and very importantly, their is no age limit in covering sports. Real talk!!

I covered the morning shootarounds at Seattle’s Key Arena (now Climate Change Arena) of our dearly departed Seattle Sonics and visiting teams. I had the chance to interview many many NBA players INCLUDING Michael Jordan in his last visit as a member of the Chicago Bulls in 1998. That day no other local media had a chance for a one on one interview with MJ. But god was on my side that day. I did get a one on one with MJ.

I TRULY miss our Sonics. I miss the NBA here in Seattle. I hope and pray we can obtain a expansion team soon. It would make myself and many many NBA fans happy. I have also covered our Seattle Mariners and our Seattle Seahawks. Special thanks to both of the teams!!

Again, god was on my side. Because I obtained a EXCLUSIVE one on one interview with Seahawks QB Russell Wilson.  Many many media have not had a chance to interview Russ one on one but with god’s help and the Seahawks and of course Russ, I did!

Over the years I have also interviewed legends like Reggie Jackson, Derek Jeter, Shaq, Charles Barkley, Gary Payton, Phil Jackson, Chris Webber, my friend Shawn Kemp and my friend Jamal Crawford. Also CeCe Sabathia and George Karl, Richard Sherman and many many more.

Covering entertainment has for some reason brought me a lot of drama and I have even lost longtime friends. Why? I just do not understand. But 90% of the time, covering sports has been fun and has brought me a lot of happiness over the years.

My sports media is BADLY needed in my opinion in the Seattle area and the Northwest. Because of the makeup of sports radio hosts on 710 ESPN and sports radio KJR.

People that I know have tried to follow me in covering sports. But I consider myself a leader and not a follower. Yes the followers are African American. I have to stay in my lane and with god’s help, stay on the grind. Why a few folks that I know want to follow me truthfully upsets me. I cannot lie. Especially when I hear others using questions I ask during my interviews. Also when I hear other things I use during my interviews over the years.

But I cannot stop them right. I just cannot. As I said, I have to stay in my lane.

Many of you know, I have spoke out about the lack marketing by Major League Baseball.  I do NOT see MLB players doing commercials on TV. Here is a question, why? I see PLENTY of NBA and NFL players doing marketing of products on TV. Current and ex.

Like Chris Paul, Charles Barkley, Joe Namath, Anthony Davis, Lebron James, Michael Jordan, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Payton Manning, Pat Mahomes, Reggie Miller, Jerry Rice, Brett Farve, Joe Montana, Steph Curry, Damian Lillard, Kenny “The Jet” Smith, Tony Romo, Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, Joel Embiid, Kawhi Leonard, Shaq and more.

BUT how about current or ex Major League Baseball players? I see ex player Frank Thomas and that is about it. This is crazy!! Again, the question is why ladies and gentlemen?

I do not see Mookie Betts, do not see David Price. Do not see Reggie Jackson or Derek Jeter. Do not see Mike Trout and I do not see Clayton Kershaw. Do not see Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Do not see Fernando Tatis Jr. Do not see A-Rod and I do not see Dusty Baker and many many more. Former Mariner superstar and one of best EVER to play Ken Griffey Jr. Do not see him doing commercials. Again, the question is WHY?

Young African American kids do NOT see MLB players of any color on TV doing commercials. So because of that, most African American kids turns to hoops and football by age 12.

They do not have MLB players on their wall at home. And if you go ask a group of young African American youth to name one or two MLB players, THEY CANNOT DO IT!!! These are facts!! If you do not believe me go and ask a group of young black kids. This will prove my point readers.

Most African American kids think MLB is very very boring. Which keeping it real, the game IS very slow. With too many three hour slow games.

With pitchers taking up to 30 seconds to pitch and batters messing with their batting gloves EVEN WHEN THEY DO NOT SWING OR WHEN THEY TAKE A BALL!!! This slows down the game big time!! MLB needs a 10 second pitch clock. And a rule that batters cannot mess with their freakin batting gloves.

Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Bucks was called for a 10 sec to shoot free throw rule. MLB needs a 10 sec to pitch rule ASAP. The game needs to be quicker. It is just that simple. Too many three hour games.

NFL players and NBA players have personalities but MLB players do not. Have you heard a interview with a MLB player? They talk like their dog run away. No personality what so ever. This is a main reason I think we do not see MLB players doing commercials on TV. Players have no charisma.

I might pass out if I see a MLB player, current or ex doing a funny commercial. Something inner city African American will see and like.

Time for some major changes in MLB. It is time to reach inner city youth. The way the game is played now. The way the game is marketed now, the game will continue to see young inner city kids turn to loving the NBA and NFL by age 12. These are facts ladies and gentlemen.

Full story on espn.com (click here)

Tonight as I type this to you the readers, I am very very upset and yes even mad. As a black man in America I am upset and mad over ANOTHER shooting of a African American man in the streets of America.

This time Jacob Blake was shot SEVEN TIMES in the back in Kenosha, Wisconsin. WHY was this man shot SEVEN TIMES in the back? The brotha is a father who had his three kids with him. Word is Jacob was at his ex ladies residence where he was not allowed to be.

I do not care ladies and gentlemen about if he was not suppose to at ex ladies house! What I care about is Jacob Blake is in a hospital after being shot SEVEN TIMES IN THE BACK by the police!

Then we learn today after watching video of the event that a white fella with a long and big rifle, shot and killed two people. But here is the problem. The fella laid on the ground with the rifle while people yelled “The guy shot somebody.” The police just went right past the fella!!! Ladies and gentlemen, HOW CAN THAT HAPPEN??

If that was a black man who was on the ground with a long rifle and people yelling that he shot somebody, that black man would not be here. HE WOULD BE DEAD!!

Too many black men are being shot by white police in America. These are just facts readers. Some of you might get mad at me for typing this article. Well I guess you have to be mad at me because as I said, I am TIRED of seeing and hearing about another black man shot by the police.

And most of the time the white police officer is found not guilty and is allowed to go home to their kids and have a nice steak and some red wine. While the black man they shot is six feet under. This has to stop. The shooting of unarmed black men has to stop!

Well since this is a sports website. Why am I not talking about sports? Well I will right now. I am VERY VERY happy to see teams in the 2020 NBA Playoffs in the bubble in Florida, took a stand over the shooting of brotha Blake.

The players of course was playing in Florida at arena with no fans because of the terrible COVID19 virus. The boycott started with the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee is near Kenosha where Jacob Blake was shot. The team decided not to play their playoff game against the Orlando Magic. Then other teams followed the Bucks and decided not to play their playoff games too.

Then I turn on ESPN and learn later in the day that some Major League Baseball games were postponed. Some soccer games were postponed. AND check this out, young 22 year old tennis star Naomi Osaka took a stand after the shooting of Blake. WOW! She refused to play in a tennis event. Shout out to the young lady!!

Our own Seattle Mariners led by former guest on “Sports Inner City TV” Dee Gordon, decided not to play a game against the San Diego Padres. I am impressed with Dee Gordon. He is a very intelligent black man who is not afraid to speak out on issues that deal with the African American community.

I want to keep it 100, I am shocked that pro teams and others decided to boycott games and events. But then again, black people and upset. We are asking WHEN WILL THE SHOOTING OF BLACK MEN STOP BY THE POLICE?

We are being shot like cattle in a farm. It seems BLACK LIVES DO NOT MATTER! After the murder of George Floyd, the senseless murder of Breanna Taylor who was shot EIGHT TIMES IN HER HOME and many more. No police officer has been charged in the killing of Ms Taylor!! WHAT THE HELL!!

The athletes in the NBA and MLB and oh yeah, the WNBA are tired of shooting of black men. Yes the WNBA boycotted playoff games also.

Yes a HUGE wake up call in the sports world was made. I will follow up this story with more news on the sports world taking a stand after the shooting of Jacob Blake. By the way, we have a problem here in Seattle. The problem is on sports radio 710 ESPN/Seattle.

The station has a grand total of ZERO regular African American voices on the air. So when issues of race and racism comes up like the boycott by pro teams etc, the current regular on air staff at 710 CANNOT relate or understand the plight of black men in America. No understanding of the African American culture. NONE WHAT SO EVER!!

Everyone PLEASE wear your masks and wash your hands and STAY WELL!!

“One Man’s Opinion” by Gordon Curvey

Full story from nbcsports.com (click here)

I am a fella who thinks players or just people in general should get a second chance with they make a mistake in most cases except for murder or a huge robbery or a rape or things like that.

In reality I get REALLY upset at cats who are from the inner city and because of a gift from god they are playing in the NBA or NFL or MLB or in pro sports and all of a sudden are making MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of dollars but then something happens that makes me shake my head.

And readers I am trying very hard in my sports coverage to stay as positive as I can when it comes to African Americans or people of color. Yes Ray Rice was wrong and others were wrong. And now former Seattle Seahawk and a many time NFL All Pro is wrong. Big time wrong.

Earl Thomas in my opinion needs to realize that when you are in the public eye you have to be VERY VERY careful at what you do off the field or in Thomas case, on and off the field.

Thomas was suppose to make a WHOPPING $10 million this season!!! TEN MILLION!! WTF!! Give me a break ladies and gentlemen! How on god’s green earth can Thomas put himself in ANY position to possibly in trouble that in the end he did. I have ZERO pity for Earl. ZERO!!

This brotha is one of the best safeties in the NFL. Has been for years. A great player for sure. All football fans and sports fans no this. At 31 he still has a few great years ahead of him.

Yes Thomas is a very emotional dude. He is showing it off the field and off. And because of this he is where he is at the moment. A great player not signed to a team after he gets into a very heated fight with a Raven player at practice recently. Word is other Raven players wanted Earl gone from the team.

Remember this. Do you remember Thomas flipping off Coach Carroll when he was being taken off the field after being hurt as a member of the Seahawks a few years ago?

Let’s keep it real. What in the hell was Earl doing when he did that? That was just plain WRONG. PERIOD. I do not care about his contract situation at the time with our Seahawks. Flipping off the head coach, especially head coach Carroll was just plain wrong by Thomas.

And there is some domestic violence stuff going on too regarding Earl. I will not comment on the domestic situation because I was not their. This is between Thomas and the female. But I will say it is not a good look. It just is not.

I have always said. When you are in the public eye as a professional athlete or entertainer whatever, you have to remember you have a reputation that young kids look up too.

Young kids look up to Earl Thomas. When I park my car and walk a mile to Century Link Field to cover the Seahawks game, I see hella kids wearing Thomas jerseys. Even if he with another team I still see kids wearing his jersey.

Guys like Thomas and others need to realize god picked them to play a sport and make millions of dollars and be able to take care of their families. I don’t care what Charles Barkley said back in the day. He and many other players are role models to young kids in the inner city.

Will a team pick up Thomas after the Ravens cut him? I hear rumors about the Cowboys. These rumor about the Cowboys is not new. Before he signed with the Ravens, rumors were all over the place about Earl signing with the Cowboys. In the state he was born in.

No, the Seahawks do not need Thomas after the team picked up Jamal Adams and a few others. Let’s see where Earl Thomas will end up. One thing is for sure, someone will sign Thomas. He is too good of a player. This is for sure.

Maybe this is a wake up call for Earl. Maybe he needs to see someone about his temper. Something is not right when it comes to Thomas. Come to think of it.

I have never seen Earl smile. I am sure he has right? I just have not seem him smile. I have seen other Seahawks smile especially when the team was on their Super Bowl runs. But still, Earl Thomas is one of the best safeties in the NFL and one of the greatest at his position in the history of the NFL.

Coach Carroll said he feels for Thomas. I just would like to see Thomas hold a press conference and tell everyone who looks up to him, he is sorry for his actions.

Welcome back to “Sports Inner City Online.” News and views happening in the NBA, NFL, MLB, WNBA, boxing and much more!!

A spinoff of “Music Inner City News Magazine” musicinnercity.com and “Music Inner City TV”/Comcast Xfinity On Demand and Xfinity X1/Washington State-Oregon and California 24 hours a day! And be sure to watch our sports webcast right here!

Just click the “Sports Inner City TV” webcast screen. View via your smartphone, tablet, mac, iphone or desktop WORLDWIDE!!