FIFA helps Haiti, kind of

This is one time when the promotion of sport needs to take a back seat. Anyone and everyone helping the people of Haiti needs to be commended, but FIFA has missed the point.

The worlds largest soccer organization has pledged $3 million to Haiti. No, not for food, not for clean water, hospitals, medicine, or schools, but for soccer of course.

It seems ill-timed and almost ridiculous that such a large international organization would focus on rebuilding their sport in a nation like Haiti, instead of providing basic supplies that are necessary for survival.

Call me crazy, but I think that soccer will be the last thing on the mind of the Haitian people for quite some time. After 9-11, baseball seemed to re-unite the American people. This however, is not 9-11. This was the destruction of a nation, the loss of 200,000 lives.

Soccer is a wonderful game and is a sport that is played in many third-world and developing countries, but it does not take the place of food and shelter.

Immediately following the earthquake in Haiti, FIFA also donated approximately $250,000. The donations I'm sure, are both greatly appreciated, however, the discrepency between what was given for basic human survival, and the amount given for a game, seems illogical.

Either way, FIFA should be applauded for helping to rebuild Haiti. Even if they are only rebuilding soccer fields.

Let the games begin.

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Another reason why the NHL will remain the smallest of the big four

Forget the ratings and forget the attendance numbers. The NHL will remain the smallest of the big 4 (NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL) for one main reason: poor leadership and decision making.

In a recent move, the NBA, NFL, and MLB all donated $1 million to the Haiti relief funds. On the flip side, the NHL only donated $100,000. I can name more than a dozen individuals who donated more than that.

As pointed out by London Free Press writer Steve Simmons, most of the NHL's extra money this season is going to their own personal disaster, the Phoenix Coyotes.

In reality, however, this comes back to another bonehead move by Gary Bettman. Bettman who has tried for years to sell the NHL to Southern markets, who quite frankly, could care less about the league, is the bumbling leader who is ruining this league.

The product is fast, exciting, easy to understand, and filled with charismatic players. The leader, Mr. Gary Bettman, is one of the darkest clouds hanging over this league. He is the mastermind behind the Phoenix fiasco and two, count them, two, lockouts.

Until the NHLPA and others in power step up and oust Gary Bettman, the NHL will remain the smallest of the big 4.

Let the games begin.