Jordan Kobritz is a former attorney, CPA, and Minor League Baseball team owner. He is a professor and the chair of the Sport Management Department at SUNY Cortland. Jordan maintains the blog: http://sportsbeyondthelines.com and can be reached at jordan.kobritz@cortland.edu.
Recent Stories
Kobritz: Baseball needs to address its declining attendance
Beyond the Lines
As MLB takes a break from the regular season to play the 89th All-Star Game, one of the hot topics this year has been attendance, or rather, the lack of it. According to Baseball-Reference, overall league attendance is down over 2.5 million this year, with 22 of 30 clubs showing a decline from 2017 numbers.
Kobritz: Predictions of doom over the creation of super teams in the NBA is much ado about nothing
Beyond the Lines
The predictions of doom over the creation of super teams in the NBA is much ado about nothing. The wailing comes from people who aren’t old enough to remember the league’s early days or those who haven’t checked the history books.
Kobritz: Does Oregon State’s Luke Heimlich deserve a chance?
Beyond the Lines
In an increasingly polarized world, a host of issues are viewed in black and white – our President, climate control, abortion, to name a few. One issue may stand out above all others: sex abuse.
Kobritz: Phillie Phanatic injures fan with flying hot dog
Beyond the Lines
Ballpark and stadium entertainment is a staple at sporting events, a necessary means of attracting and entertaining fans young and old. Most entertainment routines are harmless, even if they border on being sexist or inappropriate, like cheerleaders at NFL and NBA games and ice girls at NHL games.
Kobritz: North America snags the World Cup
Beyond the Lines
The World Cup, the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet, is coming to North America. The combined U.S., Mexico and Canada proposal, dubbed the “United Bid,” for the 2026 World Cup was overwhelmingly approved last week by delegates from 199 countries. The United bid prevailed over rival Morocco by a 2-1 margin.
Kobritz: Justify among one of the greatest race horses of all time
Beyond the Lines
Justify thrilled the racing world along with millions of people around the globe when he became the 13th horse in history to win the Triple Crown.
Kobritz: NFL’s new anthem policy will do exact opposite of what it intends
Beyond the Lines
After spending months in discussions, NFL owners announced a compromise that, according to them, will end a two-year run of player national anthem protests.
Kobritz: Dying sport, huh? More children flocking to baseball
Beyond the Lines
Hold your horses on the notion that baseball is a dying sport. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), a non-profit trade organization that promotes sports and fitness participation, youth participation in baseball is on the rise.
Kobritz: Major League Baseball needs to lighten up
Beyond the Lines
Major League Baseball has an identity problem. It’s a $10 billion a year business with 30 divisions, all of which are profitable, but management and labor can’t agree on what they want the sport to be.
Kobritz: Track’s new gender rules simple, yet complex
Column: Beyond the Lines
If you prefer to consume your sports without sex, this week’s column may not be for you. In an effort to maintain “fair and meaningful competition within the female classification,” and ensure a level playing field, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), track and field’s world governing body, recently published regulations limiting testosterone levels in female athletes who compete on the world stage.
