doych

Beckham runs into new advertising

Literally.

His laser-rocket foot sped his momentum smack into an ad board. Never fear... the knee injury won't keep his US millions away.

His old bones ligaments will recover in 4-6 weeks.

Ladies, start your engines...

  ...But you may have to keep it idling for a while.

Harlequin (that familiar leading publisher of romance novels) has partnered with Nascar for some extra "brand building." Harlequin has already published three Nascar-theme books, including one in which the heroine, an ex-kindergarten teacher, falls in love with a Nascar driver after first being hit by his car and then driving his enormous motor coach from race to race.

Keeping in mind that Nascar is a "family" brand, Harlequin writers must abide by some rules: no drugs, no alcohol, and no... sex. These books are guaranteed to have hours of engine idling and zero climatic clutch-popping, therefor making it sound about as exciting as watching cars go around a track for 3 hours.

What happens in Vegas sits, rolls over and stays in Vegas

For the first time in the 131-year history of the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, odds have been made on the outcome and posted on the sports book in Las Vegas.

John Avello, director of race and sports book operations at the Wynn Las Vegas says “No money will change hands and it’s purely for entertainment.”

Uh, yeah right.

The English Springer spaniel is the favorite at 25-1. Forget betting on the dogs we're accustomed to - greyhounds have 1000-1 odds. Damn. Don't tell my boy Rocky.

Avello also has the odds on a dog from the terrier group winning the title listed at 2-1, with a dog ranked at 1-2 over a bitch at 9-5. He also believes that the odds favor a male handler being on the other end of the leash of the winning dog.

It kind of brings a new meaning to "Over-Under."

Holy Triceps, Batman!

Congrats, Serena Williams, on the Australian Open victory.  I think your dad can reduce the telephoto lens on his camera now. We really can see what you're made of. Wow.

Oh, and do the earrings ever get just a *little* annoying? Come on, admit it.

Is 2007 the new 1975 for the MLS?

Drink up, David Beckham, for your reported $250 million contract on U.S. soil, or turf, depending on the venue.

The question that weighs heavy on his contract is this: Can this extremely handsome face do for a failing U.S. sport what Pelé did for it in 1975? I don't think so.

For 32 years our country has been ridiculed by, basically, the rest of the world, for grabbing the skill-deteriorating soccer greats from other countries to attempt a kick-start in soccer sales, soccer attention, soccer anything.

Last year, Brazil's Ronaldo was rumored to have been offered $120 million for ten years with the New York Red Bulls. THAT would get me out more to Giants Stadium. Ronaldo is amazing to watch. At 29 years old, he'll stay with Real Madrid but may also be looking to a U.S. team for his "retirement years."

Pele was 35 on his signing in 1975 (for $7 million) to the NASL's New York Cosmos, compared to Beckham who is now 31 and signed with the MLS' LA Galaxy for 5 years. How did it work for Pele? It's simple - he brought beauty to the game itself. He made the game magical and astonishing to watch. His intentions were not financial gain - although with his signing he was the world's highest paid athlete of the time. He claimed he'd rather help make soccer "truly popular" in the U.S.

I don't see that passion in Beckham.

Need a new manicure

Nail-biting but they did it. First round was all I cared about.

Now back to the real sport.