Yesterday, it was reported that boxing megastar Floyd “Money” Mayweather was stripped of the WBO title that he earned after defeating fellow boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao on Saturday, May 2nd.
The decision to take Mayweather’s title came as a surprise for many, and has rightfully caused outrage from the members of his camp. The story that broke yesterday has re-opened the door of speculation among Melanoid people, particularly members of Black Society who are avid sports fans. For years now, Mr. Mayweather has been the subject of excessive criticism and scorn, which many believe stems from the simple fact that a young Melanoid man such as Floyd Mayweather is fully aware of his talents and impact on the sport of boxing, and makes no apologies about the storied career he has successfully tailored. Another reason of hate for Mayweather is perhaps the reason that is the most glaring: the immense fortune he has amassed from his prolific boxing career. In conjunction with Mayweather’s enviable boxing winnings, one Melanoid man has been a highly instrumental figure in making this happen. His name, you ask? Al Haymon.
Haymon, whose shrewd acumen has been an asset to Floyd Mayweather (Haymon also serves as an adviser to Mayweather), has long been a man in an authoritative position in the world of entertainment. Despite the power moves, Mr. Haymon is for the most part a low-profile figure, instead preferring to call the shots from behind the scenes…”like a boss”. Haymon’s business savvy could be one that Melanoid people in sports take notes from.
Al Haymon (shown on the left) is often recognized as boxing’s “mystery man”, but he’s no mystery to his famous mentee.
The NBA, which to many has been thought of as a Black sport for the past three-plus decades, is no exception to the need for Black ownership. Although Michael Jordan serves as the majority owner of the Charlotte Hornets, the sport which is known as perhaps the world’s “Blackest sport” is severely lacking Black owners to take the reins of some of the other 29 NBA franchises.
NBA legend Michael Jordan has served as the majority of the NBA’s Charlotte franchise since 2010.
During the 2011 NBA lockout which saw the NBA’s owners and players reach a rift in collective bargaining, there were discussions of some of the league’s highest profile players (with most–if not all–of the players in mention being Melanoid) form new basketball teams which would barnstorm around the country, putting up their own money to rent out venues and use their immense talents to put on what would’ve been a highly entertaining display of basketball for fans across the country. The rumors of the basketball players leaving the NBA’s negotiation tables for the prospect of putting their fortunes (and ownership of their basketball related business affairs) even prompted well-known veteran journalist Bryant Gumbel to speak on the restrictive nature of the NBA’s hierarchy. Here is what Gumbel had to say:
“[Then-NBA Commissioner] Stern’s version of what has been going on behind closed doors has of course been disputed, but his efforts were typical of a commissioner who has always seemed eager to be viewed as some kind of modern plantation overseer, treating NBA men as if they were his boys. It’s part of Stern’s M.O., like his past self-serving edicts on dress code and the questioning of officials. His moves were intended to do little more than show how he’s the one keeping the hired hands in their place.”
Gumbel’s criticism of then-NBA Commissioner can be seen in the following video.
The NFL is now generally regarded as America’s most popular sport. The professional football league, which boasts an approximately 70 percent Black population as of the beginning of the 2014 NFL season, has no Black owners residing over any of the league’s 32 franchises.
There is a shared belief in some circles of Black Society that harbor disapproval for Melanoid people being involved in entertainment in any capacity, including sports. However, professional sports, just like manufacturing, retail, healthcare, etc. is a business just like any of the previously mentioned examples that represent various sectors of the economy. While many of us in Black Society have come to a consensus that it is no longer a recommended notion to encourage our youth (particularly our boys) to choose a career as an NBA or NFL player, it is possible that the conversation with our youth can be slightly modified to encourage them to strive for ownership/management positions in sports instead. If much of the entertainment that the dominant society consumes and watches is based on marketing influenced by Black culture, shouldn’t it be wise for us to aim for ownership in entertainment-driven industries such as sports?
Agreed.
Excellent seeds planted
Is is a good article, but the question is more so, on how we can do this? Whee need thinkers and money movers for such a move. Where are those kind of people at in our community? Tell them to come forward and let’s all discuss something.
Great article! Black people can be more than the workers in the fieds we dominate with our talent. We can also own those fields….or at least a porton of those fields.
I concur that the black child’s mind needs to be equally concerned with owning the team as making the team. If not moreso leaning to the fomer than the latter.
And I’m glad Bryant Gumbel’s monologue was used. People tend to joke on Bryant Gumbel as being a Carlton Banks type, but from what I’ve seen on his shows, he tends to have much more hardline view on race than most other black public figures.
Marcus and Elijah told us to leave those people alone. I hope to see melanoid people , in my lifetime, co operating without house negros and mr. Charlie..big respect to melenoid nation
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