Today is my birthday, and I’m pleased to report that I have lots of things to be happy about. Two of those things will have an effect on this site, and that’s what I’d like to talk about today.
The first happy thing is that ESPN gave me an early birthday present last week, in the form of a two-year contract that will increase my level of responsibility at Page 2. The other thing is that a personal situation has come up that will require more of my attention. I’d rather not get into specifics, but I assure you it’s a very positive development (translation: I’m not sick, nobody in my family is sick, my name didn’t turn up in any of Elliot Spitzer’s e-mails, nothing like that).
Both of these developments will place some new demands on my time, and that in turn has led me to make some decisions about the site — decisions I had already been pondering anyway. Don’t worry, Uni Watch isn’t disappearing. But after nearly two years of posting new material on a near-daily basis (plus coordinating all the advertising, raffles, membership details, keeping up with the flood of e-mails and comments, whipping those slacker interns into shape, etc.), I realize I’ve created a monster. The site’s growth has been phenomenal, and I’m extremely proud of it, but it’s reached the point where Uni Watch has become the tail that wags the dog of my life, and that was never what I’d intended.
So here are some new policies, effective pronto:
• Unless there’s breaking uni-related news, I will no longer be posting a main entry on days when I have an ESPN column running. I may still run a Ticker on these days, or maybe just a placeholder photo (like on weekends), or maybe just a “See you over on ESPN today” note. Commenting will be fully enabled, so the discussion can continue as usual.
• There may also be occasional days when I simply close up shop and turn off the commenting function, as I did last Friday when I was in Seattle. Call it a mental health day, call me lazy, call it whatever you like. This won’t happen frequently, but I assure you it will happen. I’d like everyone — myself included — to get used to the idea that a day without Uni Watch isn’t the end of the world (although it’s certainly close).
• When I go on vacation — something I’ve done exactly once since the site debuted 22 months ago — the site will go on hiatus too. Case in point: I’m gonna be in New Orleans during the week of April 28th (attending the mighty Ponderosa Stomp, among other fun stuff). Instead of stockpiling material in advance to post while I’m away, as I did during last summer’s vacation, I plan to post a “Uni Watch is taking a break this week” note and turn off the comments. I realize this may create a gaping lifestyle void for some of you, but I have faith in your ability to persevere during my absence.
• When I created the membership program last year, the idea was to generate extra revenue. It’s been a huge success, both financially and creatively — seriously, I can’t thank you all enough. But my new ESPN contract has provided me with a much higher level of security, and it’s no longer necessary or fair for me to ask for outside support. My initial thought was to shut down the program completely, but then I thought that everyone seems to enjoy the membership cards. So starting now, there will be only one membership level, and its only benefit will be the membership card itself. Enrollment will cost $15 (a fair price for the labor of designing and producing the cards) and will last forever, or until you decide you want a new card design, which will cost another $15.
Allow me to anticipate a few of your questions:
That sucked when you turned off the comments last Friday. If you need to take a day off now and then, or go on vacation, that’s fine, but why can’t you leave the commenting on for the rest of us while you’re recharging your batteries?
If the comments section is live, it’s not a day off, because the comments have to be monitored for abusive posts, childish spats, spam filter problems, etc. And even if Bryan handles all of those things, as he does on weekends, I still have to catch up on about 200 comments when the day is over. (Yeah, I know, I could just ignore them, but of course I’m way too obsessive to do that.) If I shut down the site for a day, it means I don’t even want to think about Uni Watch that day. I realize the site has become part of the daily routine for many of you — believe me, I take a lot of pride in that. But there are days when you’ll just have to learn to live without it. Think of it as a way for me to stop being your enabler (and, in turn, for you to stop being mine).
I’m one of your current or potential advertisers. What happens to my ad when you shut down the site to go on vacation?
I’ll pro-rate your ad charges to reflect time when I’m vacationing.
Haven’t you always had a contract with ESPN?
No. Up until now, I’ve been contributing, and being paid, on an article-by-article basis — no security, no guarantees. Under our new arrangement, I’ll be paid a flat annual stipend for a variety of services (primarily writing my column, but also a few other things). This doesn’t mean I’m an employee — I’m still technically a freelancer, still have to pay for my own health insurance, etc. — but now I know my column will still be running for at least the next two years, and the stipend is much more generous than what I was getting paid before.
Does the contract place any restrictions on the blog?
No. In fact, the contract specifically gives me permission to keep doing the blog. The new policies I’m announcing here today are strictly of my own volition and have nothing to do with any requests or stipulations from ESPN.
What are these new responsibilities you’ll have at ESPN?
Some of them won’t be all that visible — contributing to group projects that won’t have my name on them, stuff like that. In terms of my byline, I’ll probably be doing a few more non-uni-related pieces. Oh, and they want me to start doing some live web chats, which I’m looking forward to. Looks like the first one may be next Thursday or Friday — stay tuned.
Will you still be allowed to write for other publications, and about non-sports stuff?
Yes. But the nice thing about the new contract is that I’ll now have enough security to be much choosier about my other writing.
How will the changes in the membership program affect those of us who are already members? What about my Charter Member status? What about the T-shirts?
I promise to address all of this in the next week or two.
How old are you turning today?
Forty-four. Bryan, incidentally, sent me a package with a bunch of presents, including this book, this book, and these socks (which are actually red, not orange — blame my scanner), and you don’t want him to feel like the only sucker who gave me stuff, so feel free to send presents, cakes, strippers, etc. to the usual address.
That’s it, at least for now. Thanks for listening.
Uni Watch News Ticker: The “NCAA” patches being worn by every friggin’ team in the tournament look ridiculous (plus it looks like some of them were affixed with nothing more than a glue stick). … Yesterday’s Ticker linked to some Florida Gators photos that showed a new blue helmet stripe. But Bob Jaye has the story behind that one: “Those photos show freshmen, who all begin practice with a stripe and have to earn the right to have it removed by their effort on the field. Urban Meyer implemented this when he arrived in ’05. It doesn’t represent a change in the Gators’ game-day helmet design.” … A little birdie tells me that the following NBA teams will have new home and road uniforms next season: the Nuggets, Timberwolves, Magic, Kings, and Hornets, plus the Bucks will be getting a new alternate design. … While researching something else, I stumbled across a photo of Chief Wahoo made out of Lego. … Tony Esposito is auditioning for Friday the 13th Part 17 wore his old mask during a pregame ceremony the other day. … Forgive my brain-lock here, but aside from the Reds’ Joe Nuxhall patch, are any other MLB teams wearing memorial patches or armbands this season? I can’t think of any others, but I also can’t think of a recent season that didn’t have several uni-borne memorials, so I’m wondering if there are a couple for this year that I’m forgetting. … Thanks to everyone who entered the NCAA Tourney contest. Vince reports that we have about twice as many entries this year as last year.
#1 by Scott on 03.21.08 7:06 am |
Congratulations on your new contract, although we will all curse it when you take a much deserved day off!
#2 by Mrfish on 03.21.08 7:08 am |
Paul,
Thanks for everything and congratulations. I know I’ll miss the daily posts but life will go on and everyone deserves a break and to control their own life. Great job!
#3 by ESS on 03.21.08 7:08 am |
Paul, congrats and happy birthday.
Just give us plenty of notice so that I can stock up on my withdrawal supplies, a la Renton in Trainspotting.
#4 by ESS on 03.21.08 7:09 am |
Paul, congrats and happy birthday.
Just give us plenty of notice when you’re taking time off so that I can stock up on my withdrawal supplies, a la Renton in Trainspotting. I don’t keep tins of soup or buckets in my office normally.
#5 by Ed on 03.21.08 7:12 am |
Congratulations!
ed
#6 by Sage Confucius on 03.21.08 7:12 am |
Congrats on the contract! The off days won’t kill us..I don’t think. Also, it’s wonderful that you will have more freedom to write as you like. That is what it’s all about.
#7 by justin on 03.21.08 7:17 am |
again… the gators stripe is not blue its black.
#8 by Jason on 03.21.08 7:19 am |
Congrats on all the good news and happy birthday!
#9 by S. Bennett on 03.21.08 7:21 am |
I wonder if the new personal situation will lead to a relaxing of Paul’s anti-purple stance.
SB
#10 by Paul Lukas on 03.21.08 7:22 am |
Not a chance.
#11 by Jason Axel on 03.21.08 7:26 am |
Congrats and Happy Birthday Paul.
ESPN better realize what an asset you will be.
I think we should all custom order you an authentic Vikings home jersey with Lukas on the back and whatever number you hate most. haha
I really believe that all of us apart of the Uni-Watch community fully support your decision to help out your career more, because we all know that in your heart of hearts, this won’t die and if anything, with you in on more ESPN things, Uni-Watch will start infiltrating ESPN.
#12 by Ryan on 03.21.08 7:26 am |
Congrats on everything!
#13 by Ed on 03.21.08 7:35 am |
Hey all - a co-worker of mine who has played semi-pro football in Virginia also plays amateur rugby on the side in the Washington DC area, with the Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club. Normally, their uniform is black (or should that be “All-Black”?), but today he showed up to work wearing a special one-off uniform shirt from a 2006 tournament in Savannah, GA.
Pretty classy design, IMO.
A nice monogram logo as well.
Sorry for the crappy phonecam shots.
Oh, and congrats again!
ed
#14 by DenverGregg on 03.21.08 7:35 am |
Welcome to age 44, I hope it’s at least as good to you as it’s been to me. Hearty congratulations all around for you.
#15 by Ed on 03.21.08 7:38 am |
Oops - here’s the properly formed link for the logo.
ed
#16 by Purple Brigade on 03.21.08 7:44 am |
Congratulations, Paul.
#17 by Michael on 03.21.08 7:45 am |
What I would like to see is, on the days you have an ESPN column, a simple post that says “new ESPN column today, and here is the link.” I read you via RSS and never see the ESPN columns, unfortunately.
#18 by Kyle at IU on 03.21.08 7:45 am |
BBC America should really start showing sports, or have a second channel for sports. There are some truly lovely uniforms in both Premier League Football and Rugby Union. In fact, rugby shirts tend to be some of the simplest and most elegant uniforms out there (or at least they used to be).
On a completely different note, I noticed Kansas State wearing little NCAA logos on the right breast of their unis. They were the only team I noticed it on (mainly through not really looking for it on others), but is this a common practice?
#19 by Michael Romero on 03.21.08 7:53 am |
First off, congratulations on all the good news, and happy birthday.
On a uni-related note, maybe it’s just me, but it doesn’t seem like Denver has had the powder blues for all that long to be getting a new uni set already. Maybe I’m just having a case of memory loss…
#20 by Mike Edgerly on 03.21.08 7:58 am |
Let me add my congratulations and a Happy Birthday as well.
Speaking for myself, I truly appreciate every ounce of effort you put into this site and the Uni Watch columns. I’ve been reading them since the Village Voice days, so it’s piqued my interest in unis for many years!
Best of luck to you, whatever you do is always greatly appreciated!
#21 by Bill E. on 03.21.08 8:01 am |
HAPPY BIRTHDAY & CONGRATULATIONS PAUL!
& Happy Birthday #4 Bobby Orr (60!)
#22 by JeffDem on 03.21.08 8:02 am |
Happy birthday, Paul. I turned 44 myself a couple weeks ago.
And congrats on the Espn thing. Should be a big celebratory weekend for you, no? :)
#23 by Original Jim on 03.21.08 8:03 am |
I echo everyone’s statements Paul. Congrats and happy 44th.
Looking forward to those potential productivity-killing ESPN chats!
#24 by jesse on 03.21.08 8:04 am |
Congrats Paul. I have 2 questions for you. I noticed you offered a unique Uni watch T-shirt for the members, is that shirt still available? Also, when are you coming to Washington D.C. for a trip? Thanks, Jesse
#25 by Miguel on 03.21.08 8:06 am |
I had the same problem. I just added Paul’s ESPN RSS feed.
Happy Birthday, Paul
My only question: Will the initial UniWatcher colonists still get to keep the vaunted “charter member” designation if they update their membership card?
#26 by Ryan B. on 03.21.08 8:13 am |
Dan Shanoff reports in his blog on SportingNews.com that O.J. Mayo of USC was wearing NBA-logo socks last night against Kansas State.
Anyone find pics? I couldn’t.
#27 by Brendon on 03.21.08 8:13 am |
Congrats Paul!!!
I went insane without Uni Watch on Friday. A WHOLE WEEK WITHOUT IT?????? THE HORROR!!! THE HORROR!!!!!!!!!
You deserve your time away.
Have a great weekend!!
-B
#28 by LI Phil on 03.21.08 8:14 am |
bon anniversaire
and congrats on the WWL news!
/you’re still younger than el duque
#29 by Brendon on 03.21.08 8:16 am |
A day w/o Uni Watch is like one of the signs of the Apocalypse, isn’t it?
#30 by LI Phil on 03.21.08 8:17 am |
first pics now online from japan
“opening series” patch is visible on bob geren’s cap
#31 by Miguel on 03.21.08 8:19 am |
O.J. Mayo with NBA socks
#32 by Nathan on 03.21.08 8:27 am |
Happy birthday Paul, and congratulations. The socks look awesome. Can you tell us more about them? If they are not vintage, what brand are they?
#33 by War Damn Eagle on 03.21.08 8:28 am |
Happy Birthday, Paul. The Braves are wearing a memorial patch for Jim Beauchamp. Haven’t seen the patch yet, but I’ve read somewhere that it incorporates a Georgia peach.
http://sports.espn.g...
#34 by seven on 03.21.08 8:30 am |
Congrats Paul. All the changes sound like positives. Your readers will benefit from the days off too.
Wish I was joining you at Ponderosa Stomp. Hope you catch Joe Clay & Ronnie Spector.
#35 by James P. on 03.21.08 8:31 am |
Paul,
Happy Birthday! Congrats on the apparently kickass contract extention!
I’m still looking for a picture of that clear helmet I was telling you about!
#36 by cdm on 03.21.08 8:31 am |
Paul - congrats on the contract, i look forward to reading all sorts of stuff you write.
Just wanted to say thanks for all your hard work on the site for the enjoyment it brings us office dwellers. And the company thanks you for the little extra productivity they may now get. ;-)
#37 by Jon on 03.21.08 8:36 am |
Speaking as someone who a decade ago would desperately tear into each issue of the Village Voice hoping against hope I’d see a few grafs of Uni Watch that week, I applaud the easing back of the relentlessness that this site has become, as gentle as the decelleration is. I often find myself missing good stuff here because I’m too busy to keep pace with the awesome volume. I can imagine the strain of orchestrating it all.
Congratualations Paul on the ESPN gig, always nice to work for money. And happy B-day (B as in Bob Myrick).
By the way, I’m having a Guess-Fernando-Martinez’-Uni-Number contest at my site — all fans are encouraged to play.
#38 by al on 03.21.08 8:37 am |
Last nights Arizona vs West Virginia game showcased Nikes lack of creativity
#39 by Joey Guns on 03.21.08 8:37 am |
Congrats Paul!
This article by Darren Rovell is interesting:
Four years ago, I was going through the uniform rosters of all the NCAA Tournament teams and I found “Sports Belle” next to then No. 1 seed St. Joseph’s. I had never heard of this company. So I called them up. And found out the team that had just finished a perfect regular season was paying to wear the jerseys and shorts from this small manufacturer out of Knoxville, Tenn.
It was an awesome underdog story. And what was even better was the fact that after years of a great relationship, the deal was up after that year and one would have to believe that St. Joe’s was going to go the route of Nike or adidas.
Well, this year I checked back and, good for them, St. Joe’s is still with Sports Belle.
It’s a great against all odds story, which unfortunately didn’t get any easier on Sunday night when a fire heavily damaged its company headquarters. The company said in a press release that football and basketball uniform orders are still being shipped, but baseball orders are not being taken as of now as company officials search for a new building.
#40 by Joey Guns on 03.21.08 8:41 am |
He probably got them from Carmelo Anthony…..
#41 by Art on 03.21.08 8:41 am |
Congratulations Paul and Good Luck with the new gig. Since I found Uniwatch last year, there hasn’t been a day that I have missed reading a post and the comments. Your columns for ESPN are great. Are you planning are trips to Northeast Pennsylvania?
ART, Pittston PA
#42 by Ilana Hardesty on 03.21.08 8:41 am |
Congratulations both personally and professionally, Paul!
Now, may I solicit comments on the following? How greedy and stupid can Major League Baseball get???
http://www.capecodon...
#43 by Stephen on 03.21.08 8:44 am |
I was thinking the Braves were wearing a patch this year, but couldn’t remember why…
Happy Birthday, Paul. And congrats on the contract.
~E~
#44 by Andrew on 03.21.08 8:45 am |
The Ponderosa Stomp is great, but obviously JazzFest is the reason you’re going right? My only advice as a former New Orleans resident: EAT at Jacques-Imos on Oak St. The food there could honestly solve all the world’s problems if given a chance.
#45 by Bryan on 03.21.08 8:49 am |
Congratulations Paul, and Happy Birthday.
As mentioned earlier in previous comments, we will miss you on your days off, but we will get over it.
I still laugh when people yell at me for noticing changes in uniforms (it happened Tuesday when i left a message for a co-worker if Wade Dubielewicz changed his helmet on the Isles? He returned my call and said I can not believe you are asking that!!! By the way, he did)
#46 by Josh on 03.21.08 8:52 am |
First off, Paul, congratulations on the contract and happy birthday! I’m ecstatic to know I’ll have at least two more years of Uni-Watch to look forward to.
Second, am I the only one who thinks it’s ridiculous that the Nuggets are already changing their uniforms? They changed from the Blue and Bronze (I think?) to the Powder Blue and Gold in 03-04, and they’re ALREADY changing their look? Isn’t there some sort of rule that a team has to keep their look for at least 5 years?
#47 by Richard Craig on 03.21.08 8:52 am |
Heartiest congratulations, Paul. You’re more than entitled to take some time off. You’re also still invited to give a guest lecture the next time you’re in the Bay Area.
BTW, in honor of Paul’s birthday, what would a Uni Watch party hat look like? Anyone?
#48 by Paul Lukas on 03.21.08 8:54 am |
That’s one of many membership-related questions I’ll address later on.
DC/Balt trip will happen at some point, I’m sure…
#49 by Paul Lukas on 03.21.08 8:58 am |
That’s right — I reported this myself in the Ticker recently! Thanks for the memory-jog.
#50 by Robert on 03.21.08 8:58 am |
Congrats on the contract. Stability is good.
Prediction on the personal matter: Caitlin is pregnant and Paul will be serving as midwife during the birth.
#51 by Michael on 03.21.08 8:59 am |
Now that that membership option has been turned off, can we still hire Bryan to design logos for us, and simply go straight to him?
#52 by Russ on 03.21.08 8:59 am |
Congrats on everything…
PLEASE tell me that the Sac. Kings are updating their logo! I don’t mind the purple (I like it actually), but I hate hate hate the logos they use. I’m a big kings fan, but I can’t stand the goods.
#53 by Alan #44 on 03.21.08 9:00 am |
Paul,
CONGRATS and HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!
You are a gentleman and deserve only good things.
#54 by John T on 03.21.08 9:03 am |
Well Done ESPN, it seems like you do ‘Get it’
Nice to know that Paul is now getting the compensation he so richly deserves.
And as far as the hat goes, I can’t design for a lick, but it should end up resembeling this
#55 by Paul Lukas on 03.21.08 9:04 am |
Nope. I live in New York City — every day is jazzfest here. But the Stomp is a priceless chance to see artists who rarely perform anymore. This is my third time attending in the past four years — always a great time.
#56 by Graf Zeppelin on 03.21.08 9:05 am |
Paul –
Happy birthday, and congrats on the new K. Perhaps ESPN now fully Gets It™ as well. Excellent news.
Here’s hoping for some great reading, another Brooklyn Uni Watch gathering, and a certain major league ballclub actually wearing its home cap at home.
#57 by Dan on 03.21.08 9:06 am |
I echo all that’s been said. Congrats Paul. Enjoy!You’ve definitely earned it.
This is kind of that situation where that local band that you used to see all the time suddenly breaks through, and now everyone else is in on the secret. You’re happy for the band…but will miss the exclusiveness of having them play in the local bar! lol.
We’ll look forward to that Balt/DC trip.
#58 by Logan Light on 03.21.08 9:06 am |
Congrats. I only started reading Uni-watch 3 months ago, but it is now how I start my day at the office. Thanks for all of your hard work and I’m glad that it is paying off for you.
Just wanted to pass on that you have a great thing going for you. Much love and respect.
#59 by ScottyJ in WV on 03.21.08 9:10 am |
Happy birfday, Paul and congratulations on the ESPN contract!!!
#60 by matt on 03.21.08 9:11 am |
congrats, paul — having lived the freelance life for a few years myownself, there’s nothing quite like a little stability. (or insurance, but one step at a time.)
even with all the good news, though, the best is the potential for a new timberwolves uni. ’bout time.
and i second the request for info on your socks.
#61 by BigBootyLover58 on 03.21.08 9:11 am |
I think we can all live with a missed week or two during the year. I think we all get much more than we deserve nearly every other day of the year.
Do what you have to do, Paul. We’re behind you.
#62 by Walaitis on 03.21.08 9:14 am |
Paul -
Glad to hear your good news. You certainly deserve it!
In fact, rumor has it that to commemorate your new contract as well as your birthday, and to show what kind of chaos will be caused on days you take an exceptionally well deserved day off, that the Missouri Department of Transportation will be shutting down Interstate 44 later on today.
Now, some would say this is being done because of flooding on the roadway in the aftermath of a week of constant rain, but, we all know better. I mean, closing down Interstate 44, TODAY of all days? How can that be coincidence?
#63 by al on 03.21.08 9:14 am |
#64 by Juan Grande on 03.21.08 9:14 am |
I’m not sure how I will survive without UW but somehow I’ll mke it through. Congrats Paul and congrats to ESPN for making a wise decision!
#65 by LI Phil on 03.21.08 9:15 am |
im guaranteeing the first, confident of the second, and PRAYING for the third
#66 by John Livewell on 03.21.08 9:16 am |
Congratulations on your new contract with ESPN. May all your efforts continue to be rewarded.
Sincerely,
John from Philadelphia, PA
#67 by Shaftman on 03.21.08 9:16 am |
To Paul:
Happy Birthday, my purple hating, logo-creep defining, awesome blogging, uni-obsessed, web friend.
I am always of the opinion that hard work is always rewarded and the good news that you have shared with us today, while sad for us (during certain days and/or weeks) is fantastic for you. Congratulations on your new found security and here’s to an increase in that security in the years to come.
To Uni-watch readers:
I was watching a documentary on the History Channel regarding the carving of Mt. Rushmore. Apparently Lincoln Borglum, son of creator Gutzon Borglum, recruited workers based on their baseball skills. They fielded a team with some pretty cool uni’s but I couldn’t get a screen shot. Does anyone anyone have any pics of this? Thanks in advance.
#68 by Perry on 03.21.08 9:19 am |
No, you’re right. They’ve only had them since ‘03. Maybe they were a Kiki Vandeweghe thing; they’ve always reminded me of UCLA’s uni, although the shade of blue might be more Carolina-ish. I liked their previous ones better, maybe they’ll go back to something similar.
http://www.nuggetsin...
#69 by Paul Lukas on 03.21.08 9:20 am |
The socks in question are these . Additional socks in their product line are shown here.
#70 by Banker Bill on 03.21.08 9:20 am |
As everyone else, Paul, I wish you an extremely Happy Birthday - I was going to say you’re turning Lastings Milledge, but he’s gone, and I don’t know if the Mets have a #44 this year - and a hearty congratulations on the Bristol Developments. All well deserved.
As far as memorial patches go, it’s not a personal memorial, but aren’t the Mets wearing a Shea Stadium memorial patch this year?
#71 by Stan aka the took on 03.21.08 9:23 am |
Ohh piss it… I am not leaving my house, my room, my bed for at least 3 weeks, and after that for all the New York readers I am holding a candle night vigil at Union Sq Park for the occasional loss of uniwatch. WOE IS ME!
right… happy birthday.
#72 by Robin on 03.21.08 9:25 am |
Every day is Jazzfest in New Orleans too. The fest just opens our doors to a wider audience of Music lovers in a venue that can fit them all. The Ponderosa Stomp is phenomenal, and I’m glad Katrina did not wash it out for good.
Any possibility of a Uniwatch get together? I don’t know how many people from NOLA read regularly, but I know Kerry P and I would be there. There is a multitude of great locales for it.
#73 by Joe H on 03.21.08 9:26 am |
Our loss is ESPN’s, and the world’s, gain…Congrats Paul!
You deserve all things good for putting uni smiles on our faces every day. Just be careful to not let your new found “security” turn into a rampant shopping spree on ebay!
#74 by Ryan on 03.21.08 9:26 am |
Happy Birthday and congratulations Paul. You do a great job here and you deserve what you have coming to you from ESPN.
#75 by Vince on 03.21.08 9:27 am |
Congratulations, Paul! What a great present to get from ESPN on your birthday. Having many family members and friends in the journalism industry, I totally understand the gratification of a long-term contract! I think we all agree that it is well worth it…and even the vacation time, which will give me less to do while procrastinating. We’re all proud of you, man! Y Feliz Cumpleanos!
#76 by Joe O. on 03.21.08 9:29 am |
Happy Birthday Paul!
Should we still blast email’s to you when huge UniWatch breaking news takes place on your days off?
#77 by The Ol Goaler on 03.21.08 9:35 am |
As did the Southern California vs. Kansas State game…
That game also provided a dilemma for the Birthday Boy… Should K-State “Ditch the Black” for their actual school color… purple? Whatta dilemma!
#78 by Kevin M. on 03.21.08 9:39 am |
I think its a commemorative patch for the years at Shea, not a memorial patch.
#79 by JoeS on 03.21.08 9:39 am |
My apologies if this has been discussed in past days - I have not had time to keep up with the comments. What team are the Canadiens playing here (from the SI “The NHL’s 60 Goal Club” image gallery)? Thanks.
#80 by Walaitis on 03.21.08 9:41 am |
So what are the chances Paul demanded a Casey Stengal autographed jersey as part of his new “compensation” package?
#81 by Mark Graban on 03.21.08 9:41 am |
Congratulations and Happy Birthday!
#82 by JD on 03.21.08 9:45 am |
Congratulations Paul. You truly deserve it mate.
#83 by Phil on 03.21.08 9:45 am |
Congratulations and I hope that you working for the WWL will exceed expectations.
Following up on some comments from yesterday, I was pretty sure that OJ Mayo’s NCAA patch was falling off last night, but when I started looking around for pictures I couldn’t find one that showed more than a little shadow underneath it. Also, the Kansas State players had their patches were affixed to their jerseys at all sorts of angles which made them look even more of an afterthought.
#84 by Brett on 03.21.08 9:48 am |
Last nights Arizona vs West Virginia game showcased Nikes lack of creativity
As did the Southern California vs. Kansas State game…
That game also provided a dilemma for the Birthday Boy… Should K-State “Ditch the Black” for their actual school color… purple? Whatta dilemma!
First off, congrats Paul. I have read your stuff for years, and have learned a lot. We share a hatred of purple, and differ on our feelings of Nike and the color black in alternates. But you have always entertained me, and your hard work deserves to be rewarded. Congrats again, and Happy Birthday.
I do find it interesting that the people in the comments section crack Nike for a lack of creativity when Nike is often criticized for being too creative. And then the examples they use for the argument of not being creative is a new line of jerseys that they jersey/shorts themselves are unlike any uniforms ever made. You can say you hate the SOD’s, you can say you hate Nike, but I am not sure you can say that they are not creative. One look at the 9 million Oregon uniforms and the creative argument goes out the window.
#85 by Kevin M. on 03.21.08 9:51 am |
Looks likes it says Cleveland but I can’t read the rest.
#86 by Banker Bill on 03.21.08 9:51 am |
I can make out the word “Cleveland” I think on the logo - but I’ll be darned if I know who that is. Teebz…a little help!!!
#87 by Alan #44 on 03.21.08 9:51 am |
Cleveland Barons
#88 by tedkerwin on 03.21.08 9:52 am |
Old Harvard football photos from Library of Congress here and here
#89 by Shaftman on 03.21.08 9:52 am |
The Canadians are playing the Cleveland Barons.
Some background info on them.
#90 by Mike on 03.21.08 9:53 am |
Paul,
Happy Bday and congrats. I started reading your work in the Village Voice online before there was a blog site and have always enjoyed it. Please throw up a note on the days you have a page 2 column as I always make time to check this site but don’t make it to espn.com daily but will if that’s where I can get my fix. When my wife asks me why I read about uniforms I paraphrase Bill Murray in Stripes, ” One day Paul Lukas is going to be famous and I’ll tell people I’ve been reading him for years and I think he’s fabulous!”
Good luck!
#91 by Mike Sanderson on 03.21.08 9:53 am |
Many congratulations on the ESPN contract, Paul! It’s good to see the major network making a notice of your effort.
Also, happy birthday, big guy!
#92 by Scott in Boston on 03.21.08 9:53 am |
Paul,
Congratulations!! Well deserved! It was fun getting a chance to meet you and share in a wider Uni Watch experience here in Boston a few months back. I certainly don’t mind giving up my privilages when I know that others can have a great time at Uni Watch gatherings!
Happy Birthday!
#93 by BStu on 03.21.08 9:54 am |
Congrats! The contract is well earned and well deserved. Glad ESPN is recognizing your talents. I’ve been reading you for years and you’re a fantastic writer.
#94 by tedkerwin on 03.21.08 9:56 am |
400 Meter swim race from Hamburg
And Curt Coleman
#95 by todd krevanchi on 03.21.08 9:56 am |
i can hear finkel now,
“and from cobb county georgia, the big BOSS man.”
#96 by War Damn Eagle on 03.21.08 9:57 am |
Opening Series patch on the A’s hats:
http://sports.yahoo....
#97 by War Damn Eagle on 03.21.08 9:59 am |
Duke wore these shoes last night; apparently inspired by Kobe Bryant’s love for Coach K.
http://sports.aol.co...
#98 by GoTerriers on 03.21.08 10:00 am |
State of Ohio on the jersey crest and begin able to make out some of the blurry lettering leads me to believe that the victims of Guy Lafleur’s goal was the Cleveland Barons
#99 by War Damn Eagle on 03.21.08 10:01 am |
You can see the shoes being worn in-game, here:
http://sports.yahoo....
#100 by tedkerwin on 03.21.08 10:05 am |
Phillip “Wiley” Taylor Chicago White Sox’s from Library of Congress
#101 by Henry on 03.21.08 10:07 am |
Congrats Paul!
#102 by Matt on 03.21.08 10:07 am |
Sell out.
all joking aside, this site is the only reason I can stand my cubical job, congrats paul! seeya on espn.
*also, since you got a fat raise, does this mean you’re going to have a larger selection of tshirts available?
#103 by Tim on 03.21.08 10:08 am |
Can this jersey look anymore cluttered than this?
#104 by tedkerwin on 03.21.08 10:09 am |
Hey Paul, who says those new Olympic Swim suits are inventive? Duke Kahanamoku
#105 by Cathy on 03.21.08 10:11 am |
Paul,
Happy Birthday and congrats! You share a birthday with my grandmother, Bessie Belle Reeder of La Porte, IN, who turns 100 today!
…although I must say you have nothing in common with her…her favorite color is…wait for it… purple!
#106 by ryan c #40 on 03.21.08 10:12 am |
Happy birthday, Paul. I hooked up with a 44-year-old last year… she was WAY out of my league (right place, right time type of thing. nice girl)… not a bad age is what i’m getting at!
“And congrats on the Espn thing. Should be a big celebratory weekend for you, no?”
westerm PA (pittsburgh)??? come on!
#107 by ryan c #40 on 03.21.08 10:14 am |
My apologies if this has been discussed in past days - I have not had time to keep up with the comments. What team are the Canadiens playing here (from the SI “The NHL’s 60 Goal Club” image gallery)? Thanks.
Cleveland Barons
i think they moved the seals to cleveland… then on to minnesota… if you look close, you can see the shape of ohio in the logo!
#108 by Kenny on 03.21.08 10:16 am |
Congrats on everything
This was a diamond in the rough when I found it last year. You deserve some time off. I propose a Weekend like post on your days off, without comments, kind of like a “Food for Thought” type posting. You know something to think about and keep us up to speed. Just a suggestion, congrats again.
#109 by Nuk on 03.21.08 10:18 am |
Happy Birthday and congratulations. I appreciate this site because it helps me know that I’m not the only one who obsesses about these things.
And it’s also helped bring my wife out of her uni-watch shell (every time I watch the Cowboys now, it’s “So that’s the team with the mismatched mint silver-green pants…”
#110 by Al on 03.21.08 10:19 am |
Hmmm. Interesting.
Anyhoo, did anyone notice that the U.S. Olympic men’s qualifying team wore the old uniforms last week instead of the “rugby” shirts borrowed from Team America?
#111 by Johnny O on 03.21.08 10:20 am |
I really hope that part of Paul’s ESPN contract is designing Uni’s for teams, logos for ESPN and their affiliates, and also being a commentator where the dialog is very uni-watchish. Or maybe even producing some Uni-Watch articles in ESPN the Magazine! How sweet would that be.
All in all, I am so glad I found this site. I thought I was the only one who cared what the player’s were wearing and how they looked. This is a great family to be a part of and I would like to thank Paul and all of his lackies (j/k) for all their hard work. You guys deserve some time off once in a while, and we will survive without this site for a day of two…I hope
And happy birthday!!!
#112 by Al on 03.21.08 10:20 am |
I guess you’ve never seen a Mexican soccer match.
#113 by scott on 03.21.08 10:21 am |
Quad Cities River Bandits unveil new uniforms:
http://quadcity.rive...
I don’t know why the team insists on calling the road jersey a classic look. There is nothing classic about wearing a bright red top on the road.
#114 by Patrick on 03.21.08 10:23 am |
Good to hear the Timberwolves are finally getting rid of those clown suits. The bar has been set so low that just about anything will be an improvement.
And I’m a little perplexed by the Nuggets uni change, too - not a team I would have guessed would be changing.
Congratulations on your new ESPN deal, Paul. It is well deserved.
#115 by Johnny O on 03.21.08 10:34 am |
I really hope the Bucks go back to this or even this
I think it is great that Wisconsin sports teams have two of the greatest old school logos ever created. (I’m talking about the previously mentioned Bucks logo, and this of course
#116 by CJ on 03.21.08 10:34 am |
Yeah, they moved the Seals to Cleveland for two years, and then merged the Stars and Barons. I believe the Stars took the Barons’ place divison-wise.
#117 by Christopher on 03.21.08 10:34 am |
New Hornets unis?! Please, please, please say they involve argyle!
#118 by Steve on 03.21.08 10:35 am |
We discussed that on March 8th.
#119 by David T on 03.21.08 10:35 am |
Paul,
Salutations and congratulations on your happy events. If your travels bring you to Salt Lake City, I’ll be happy to arrange a Uni Watch gathering at one of our “private clubs.”
#120 by CJ on 03.21.08 10:36 am |
Also, thank you Paul for opening up the world of unis to me. I went to see Sunday In The Park With George (don’t), and I was stared at for noticing the two soldiers had different front buttons. One had four and the other had five.
Good luck in whatever endeavors you choose to tackle.
#121 by Jeremy on 03.21.08 10:39 am |
If by classic you mean 5 years ago, then yes!
#122 by Taylor on 03.21.08 10:39 am |
The Magic unis are pretty good if you ask me. The TWolves jerseys have needed to go for some time. The Nuggets are “ok”, the Kings have purple so they stink. I just wish the Wizards would get new unis. Theirs are very “early-90s” with the stripe down one side of the shorts but not the other.
#123 by 12US26 on 03.21.08 10:43 am |
Yet another “Congratulations, Paul, and Happy Birthday.”
#124 by Jon on 03.21.08 10:44 am |
Tony Armas Jr. was issued 44 upon his (late) arrival in Port St. Lucie. He’s destined for AAA but will probably surface at Shea before long.