On weekends I want to offer a sense of what was written over the week to the free subscribers in our midst. At House of Strauss LLC, the goal is to give you five original articles every business week. Here are some excerpts of what you may have missed…
The Justin Herbert Problem Isn’t Just the Playoffs
Ironically, Justin Herbert’s status might actually be helped by his infamy as a postseason choker. The well-known knock conveys that he simply has to overcome one issue, as opposed to a few. “But he chokes in the playoffs” is a narrative hurdle more appropriately reserved for an all-time regular season performer like Peyton Manning. But Justin Herbert isn’t that. He just looks like one, in both superficial traits and superficial output.
Arch Manning, Holly Rowe and the AI Generation Gap
To be clear, I don’t think an AI edit of Texas coach Steve Sarkisian slapping ESPN sideline reporter Holly Rowe is funny. I do, however, think vaunted quarterback prospect Arch Manning touting the video in a press conference to be extremely funny. It’s hilarious because it’s such a needless, unforced lurch into controversy for a carefully managed young man of the highest sports pedigree. The media wasn’t demanding he go there.
Australia, Please Leave Sydney Sweeney Alone
American culture is dominant in the Anglosphere, due to this nation’s size and capacity. We appreciate products from these places, like Bluey and The Great British Bake Off, but we aren’t plugged into their national discussions. They, in contrast, are always observing us, but through a kaleidoscopic lens.
Dan Le Batard and the Corporate Diversity Question
This is why, even a mogul who purportedly believes in DEI doesn’t necessarily hire according to that outlook. Absent the prospect of federal punishment, “diversity” becomes more of a stated preference than a revealed one.
Uncomfortable Possibility: What If Screwing the Players Saves College Sports?
But what if fans truly desire the anachronism? What if the noble lie of “amateurism” is actually load-bearing to the whole operation? What if, ironically, the perception of college athletes as purely money-driven mercenaries causes the entire multibillion dollar college sports system to collapse?
Nice summary. The Lebby article was the bravest while the most interesting insight came from the Sweeney/Australia topic