I usually like the TMQ on ESPN, even when he's ripping on coaches en masse, however he did something of which he is a huge criticizer. He didn't Check his FACTS!!

IF you are familiar with the article, he often critisizes other writers, annnouncers, and sports figures for not checking his facts, when he did not in his newest article on ESPN. He often notes that mistakes are printed on page 1 in the New York Times, but corrections are printed on page 37.

"Abney notes public money is being thrown in to make the Michigan Stadium super-lavish for the well-off, even as the university's tuition price has risen almost two-thirds in this decade. He writes, "Not only are public funds being used to build luxury suites the average fan and typical university alum will never be able to afford, the cost to purchase access to said seating areas is considered a charitable contribution and therefore billed to the federal taxpayer."

 

Now we know that the athletic department completely funds itself, which may be a rarity in college sports, but is true in the case of Michigan. In fact the stadium construction is being funded by private donations and the Athletic Department. So public funds are not being used to build luxury tax shelters for the very rich.

Now many people will aruge that the since many of the "donations" needed to have a suite are tax deductible that it is a tax shelter for the very rich. Possibly they are right, but it's not the sinister thing Easterbrook makes it out to be.

".... federal taxpayers will be hit for about $16 million in a year in subsidies for the rich people sitting in the fancy new parts of the facility. That's fairly disgusting. Perhaps a fitting punishment for all those subsidized wealthy twits is … Rich Rodriguez. The football gods have, after all, a sense of humor. "

He then finished with the cheap shot at Coach Rod, which for a NFL columnist, is out of line.

Like I said, I usually like his articles, and even enjoyed some of the other points in the article but this one was way out of line and unfounded. He should be complaining about schools that DON'T self sufficiently fund their athletic departments, you know like all of the rest of the country. (ok not all)

I wrote him a comment to his email, with the link to the correct information. I am not expecting a reply.

Don't Believe Everything you Read