BECAUSE I'M WORTH IT by Steve Tannen

So the conversation over cordials turned to a bit of anger from a buddy over the Dodgers pondering a 100 million dollar deal for ace lefty Clayton Kershaw.  The usual line of thinking about priorities, values and all that crap!  Yes, I said crap.  A professional sports franchise with a value in the neighborhood of a billion dollars isn't paying salaries it can not afford.  Here are some numbers for annual TV deals alone for the Big 3.  NFL:  3 billion annually from it's network partners through 2022.  NBA:  A mere 950 million.  MLB:  Last October signed an 8 year, 12.5 billion dollar deal.  You do the math.  This doesn't include dough from licensing, stadium deals, concessions, parking, local cable, ect.
So, in those sports, who would you guarantee 100 million dollars, starting the next season for 5 total years.  Last week we went with our Elite 8 of current jocks who would make the Ultimate Hall of Fame.  Let's keep that theory?  Again, call the show from 3-6pm on our Oregon Fuel Injection Hotline at 541 284 8542, text me now at 541 321 0824, tweet at me @sportstalk953 or email:  stevetannen@live.com
My suggestions based on the most recent numbers cranked out this season:  No wrong answers, it's your $$.
I'm leaving out anyone in the neighborhood of 30 and older for sanity sakes.

NFL:  Colin Kaepernick, Andrew Luck, Russell Wilson, Cam Newton, AJ Green, DeMaryius Thomas, Dez Bryant, DeSean Jackson, TY Hilton, Calvin Johnson, Shady McCoy, Eddie Lacey, Kiko Alonso, Luke Kuechly, Navorro Bowman, Robert Quinn, Richard Sherman, Lavonte David

NBA:  Kevin Durant, Chris Paul, Kevin Love, LeMarcus Aldridge, Damien Lillard, LeBron James, Kyrie Irving, John Wall, James Harden, Dwight Howard, Anthony Davis, Steph Curry, Paul George, Blake Griffin

MLB:  Clay Kershaw,  Chris Sale, Jose Fernandez, Felix Hernandez, Steve Strassburg, Max Scherzer, Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, Buster Posey, Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera, Paul Goldschmidt, Freddie Freeman, Andrew McCutchen, Troy Tulowitzki, Jon Lester

ULTIMATE HALL OF FAME by Steve Tannen

Yesterday's MLB Hall of Fame vote got me thinking about exactly who we are watching.  How many of the current performers will receive the ultimate honor in their sport.  Let's narrow it down.  I'll give you my list by sport.  No cheaters so don't look for Aroid or David Ortiz.  I'm also leaving off Mariano Rivera because he's retired and a lock.  My list is a guideline.  Of the dozens of athletes you find below, pick your Elite 8 for our fan Hall of Fame.  Send me your list via text 541 321 0824, Twitter @sportstalk953 call the show or email it to stevetannen@live.com

MLB:  Derek Jeter, Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander, Ichiro Suzuki
NFL:  Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Adrian Peterson, Tony Gonzalez, Calvin Johnson, Reggie Wayne, Jered Allen, Charles Woodson, Champ Bailey, Ed Reed, Troy Polamalu
NBA:  Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Dwayne Wade
NHL:  Sid Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Martin Brodeur, Jaromir Jagr, Teemu Selanne
GOLF:  Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Ernie Els
TENNIS:  Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic
OTHER:  Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Shaun White, Floyd Mayweather

Curious to see who you pick!