WPBT2 and Frontline Shed Light on the Rising Debate Over the NCAA

Should college basketball players be entitled to earn money from their college playing careers or should the NCAA be allowed to continue prohibiting players from earning compensation on the grounds of amateurism?

March Madness is in full swing with more than 140 million people all over the nation tuning in to watch one of the biggest sporting events on earth- the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.  But as with most sports, this is no longer just a tournament.  It has become big business with television rights alone worth $10.8 billion over 14 years.

In Frontline presents Money and March Madness, airing Tuesday, March 29, 2011, at 10:00pm on WPBT2, Frontline correspondent Lowell Bergman takes a hard look at the economics of the annual NCAA tournament and gains access to Sonny Vaccaro, a former marketing executive at Nike, Adidas and Reebok, who helped bring about the rapid commercialization of college basketball.  

Vaccaro’s success made coaches, administrators and companies rich. But the players remain at the mercy of the NCAA, which, despite a new $10.8 billion contract for its basketball tournament, has continued to insist that the athletes don’t get paid. Now, Vaccaro has left the business world, and he’s spearheading a class-action lawsuit that aims to ensure that players get a piece of the action.

 

WPBT2 Premieres Jews and Baseball

WPBT2 will air Jews and Baseball: An American Love Story on Sunday, March 6 at 4:00pm. 

Follow Dustin Hoffman as he narrates this story, which explores the connection between Jewish Americans and baseball, our nation’s most iconic institution. More than a film about sports, it is a story of immigration, assimilation, bigotry, heroism, the passing on of traditions, and the shattering of stereotypes

Interviews include fans, writers, executives, and especially players – including Al Rosen, Kevin Youkilis, Shawn Green, Norm Sherry, Ron Blomberg, Bob Feller, Yogi Berra, and a rare interview with the legendary Hall of Fame pitcher Sandy Koufax. Fans Ron Howard and Larry King speak of the meaning of Jewish ballplayers in their own lives, while historians and even two baseball-loving rabbis relate the stories of Jewish players to the turbulent history of the last centur

 

Batter Up!

Take your family and friends out to the ball game!  The 23^rd annual Joe DiMaggio Legends Game will be held on Saturday, January 29, 2011 at 1:00 p.m. at the Fort Lauderdale Stadium, former spring training home of the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees. 

This year’s roster includes This year’s roster includes Jackie Hernandez, Pittsburgh Pirates; Minnie Minoso, Chicago White Sox; Cookie Rojas, Florida Marlins and Ron Swoboda, New York Mets.  Watch these players and many more from teams all over the country battle it out on the field.

Don’t forget to stop by the WPBT2 booth for a special gift, raffles and information on the Ken Burn’s Baseball series.

For more information, visit legendsgame.net.