I checked in to a New York city hotel once upon a time (no name provided here) when the front desk noticed I was from Portland (my home town) I was asked if that was near any big city...I said it was near Salem.
The people writing or talking about “Aaaallbany” or Portland being podunk (an implication of inferiority) are of the same ilk as the ESPN writer who chose to do an article yesterday about OSU women’s team’s potential loss of players to the portal after this year because of the PAC’s contraction. Right after they won against ND to reach the elite 8. Our compulsion as humans to focus and dwell on the negative is astounding. It’s not denial of reality to want more stories about the positive side of things. It’s just a need for a fair exposure of good and positive.
This is why we appreciate this and the many other stories you do, John. Thanks.
I read that ESPN story as well. I think Rueck will convince the players to return as they’re likely going to be competing for a National Championship next year if they all return . I’m guessing the OSU NIL Collective will have to step up and give these players a bit more money though.
For whatever reason OSU is also a Nike school. The swoosh on the women's unis got a lot of exposure this week. Maybe someone with ties to Nike can quietly send some cash to the NIL Collective to make it a little easier to keep this team together. If so, they're a pre-season top ten easy.
ESPN was very involved and/or responsible for the breakup of the PAC 12. Instead of talking about what a shame the PAC 12 break up is, how it will harm most student athletes, they talk about potential losses to the portal because of it.
Having followed women’s basketball for some years in mostly empty venues it is an absolute joy to see the following and support these young athletes are given.
John - great column and reflection on the changes in women's sports. BTW - Kathy is also an All American in women's basketball and played in the NAIA Women's volleyball championship final. She and I were reflecting on the days we played to empty gyms and had to wash our own uniforms. I played soccer at Lewis and Clark and our uni's were the hand me downs from the men's team - ripped and worn out. But we were happy to play and gave it our all. I am grateful for the opportunities I had when I started sports 40 plus years ago (we could play three sports!) but so happy to see how far women's sports has come. Huge kudo's to all of those who have guided us to where we are today - for every Caitlin Clark there are hundreds of coaches, parents, fans and others who have paved the way.
Hat tip to all those Oregon Womens' High School Basketball Coaches who sold the sport with their passion and knowledge and continue to do so today :). Oregon Womens' hoops at the high school level has been good for quite some time now. Thank you for your dedication and passion :)
I sat with many of them at the OSU Regional (attendance was great in Corvallis too) and we also had a group of former Women's college and high school players (OSU alums, U of P alums and Oregon alums) and we talked about how great the attendance was and how explosive the growth has been and how the Women should earn the same monetary credits that the men earn. I'm quite certain the NCAA (Black Nobility behind it) is pilfering that money supply, quite certain it doesn't get back to the conferences, the schools or the Women who are responsible for the entertainment in and of itself.
To me one of the greatest things about women’s sports is that they are not men’s sports. Yes they deserve more recognition which is happening and more money which will follow. But I hope this doesn’t come at the expense of accessibility etc. Where have these “expert voices” complaining about sites been for the past ten years?
The older I get the more the wind blows in my eyes…especially with Dad stories…
Thanks, John, for stopping for a chat before the SC/Baylor game yesterday…it was a pleasure to meet you and your family…Hope to see you at Saturday Market this Fall…
I think, as you touched on, one reason for the successful ticket sales in these cities is precisely that fans don't often have the opportunity to watch such events because the bigger cities host. More fans are eager to watch because of it.
Portland is a great host city for women’s basketball but as someone who flies a lot I wholeheartedly agree that it is harder, and more expensive, to get to compared to other major cities.
Define "a lot". 2M miles on Delta, roughly 250K on other airlines over the past 25 years. All but 1 trip to Hamburg have been domestic. Are there any non-stops to Dubuque or Omaha? No, but the only places I've found in N America that I haven't been able to get to in 2 hops were Halifax and Moncton (and I only had to visit those places once each). I have a list a mile long of things I dislike about the area, but being hard to get to and from would check in somewhere around the 2 mile mark.
I also have 2M miles on Delta and probably a million on the others, combined. I have been to Halifax (on Westjet) but not to Moncton, so you've got me there! LOL. Comparing all the small airports I have been to, like Bentonville, AR, Portland, ME, Grand Island, NE and Pierre, SD, PDX is a substantial, well designed and appointed airport. It is easier to get around than SEA or SFO with just as many flights, though it is not a hub, like those two, and so fewer direct flights. I think the entire "podunk" argument is a bad joke.
Normally I would agree with you completely, but it sounds like you may not have been through PDX much in the past year. Their latest remodel has made it rather a mess with very long hikes required to get to the gates. But for small airports - I've been going back and forth to Knoxville, TN a lot lately. I think TYS is my favorite airport. I've yet to wait behind more than 2 people at TSA, the walk from dropping off my rental car to being at the gate is typically around 10 min max. A total of about 10 gates (although by numbers they say 12). Great little airport. When you mention Bentonville, you have my sympathies. If it was to visit Walmart perhaps we can meet and compare bullet wounds some day! ;-)
The PDX expansion will be done soon and the new version will be great. Much better than most bigger airports. I have nearly 3M miles of flying and I never had an issue getting from PDX to wherever I needed to go domestically or internationally.
Yes, it has been about a year since my last PDX visit. Doing EUG much more since it is smaller and easier and lower car rentals with less tax. Can take Allegiant from Phoenix (Mesa airport) to EUG for around $100 one way and that holds down American prices.
It is certainly not impossible to get to PDX, but it is more difficult, and usually more expensive, because there are fewer flights in and out of Portland compared to a city like Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, etc.
Concur. Flew to Europe last summer and the airfare from Seattle in comparison to Portland was enough cheaper that I could pay the extra domestic fare getting to Seattle and still save money. Likewise, more direct flights from Seattle to USA locations without a stopover.
Great column, John. The current popularity of women’s basketball is terrific. Such popularity will continue to grow, in my view, so long as there are individual, compelling stars, like our own Sabrina!
As host cities such as Portland and Albany show the huge positive economic value of hosting these games, have to wonder if bigger cities don't start stepping up and submit a bid. A dollar is a dollar regardless of who spends it.
Congratulations to Portland and their supporters being selected to host the 2030 Final Four!
P.S. Harder to get to Spokane, WA than Portland, OR.
And by the way, have made the drive from Eugene to Spokane (7.5 hours) and Sacramento (7 hrs) on many occasions to watch the NCAA Tournament. It's not hard, and with a group of people it was actually quite fun, one of those life defining moments and trips with family and friends (my kids loved it and still talk often about it).
We even decided to fly one year...caught a flight from Eugene (less than 10 minutes from my home to the airport) to Seattle...walked off one plane to another (after a 90 minute layover) and flew to Spokane. Total trip time was 4 hours. My kids complained because they missed the (7hr trip in the car and all the fun family games (ABC & Slug bug)) conversations that would occur on the long family drives. Go figure!
I'm just messing with you Hank, but I wouldn't think twice (at age 57) at hopping in a van with a group of friends and driving 7 hours to a baseball or basketball tournament, or even a bowl game. That's called livin' :)
I checked in to a New York city hotel once upon a time (no name provided here) when the front desk noticed I was from Portland (my home town) I was asked if that was near any big city...I said it was near Salem.
Too funny.
The people writing or talking about “Aaaallbany” or Portland being podunk (an implication of inferiority) are of the same ilk as the ESPN writer who chose to do an article yesterday about OSU women’s team’s potential loss of players to the portal after this year because of the PAC’s contraction. Right after they won against ND to reach the elite 8. Our compulsion as humans to focus and dwell on the negative is astounding. It’s not denial of reality to want more stories about the positive side of things. It’s just a need for a fair exposure of good and positive.
This is why we appreciate this and the many other stories you do, John. Thanks.
I read that ESPN story as well. I think Rueck will convince the players to return as they’re likely going to be competing for a National Championship next year if they all return . I’m guessing the OSU NIL Collective will have to step up and give these players a bit more money though.
Culture will be tested. I say it passes.
For whatever reason OSU is also a Nike school. The swoosh on the women's unis got a lot of exposure this week. Maybe someone with ties to Nike can quietly send some cash to the NIL Collective to make it a little easier to keep this team together. If so, they're a pre-season top ten easy.
Absolutely right. Hopefully they see the benefit of staying rather than starting over with another team for $.
Thank you Ed.
ESPN was very involved and/or responsible for the breakup of the PAC 12. Instead of talking about what a shame the PAC 12 break up is, how it will harm most student athletes, they talk about potential losses to the portal because of it.
I’m too big a sports fanatic to actually go through with that and #resepct to you for doing it.
Having followed women’s basketball for some years in mostly empty venues it is an absolute joy to see the following and support these young athletes are given.
Truly inspiring.
John - great column and reflection on the changes in women's sports. BTW - Kathy is also an All American in women's basketball and played in the NAIA Women's volleyball championship final. She and I were reflecting on the days we played to empty gyms and had to wash our own uniforms. I played soccer at Lewis and Clark and our uni's were the hand me downs from the men's team - ripped and worn out. But we were happy to play and gave it our all. I am grateful for the opportunities I had when I started sports 40 plus years ago (we could play three sports!) but so happy to see how far women's sports has come. Huge kudo's to all of those who have guided us to where we are today - for every Caitlin Clark there are hundreds of coaches, parents, fans and others who have paved the way.
Kathy is a star, even today. Thank you so much for this.
Happy Easter, everyone!!! HE IS RISEN!!!
He is risen!
Hat tip to all those Oregon Womens' High School Basketball Coaches who sold the sport with their passion and knowledge and continue to do so today :). Oregon Womens' hoops at the high school level has been good for quite some time now. Thank you for your dedication and passion :)
Great point.
I sat with many of them at the OSU Regional (attendance was great in Corvallis too) and we also had a group of former Women's college and high school players (OSU alums, U of P alums and Oregon alums) and we talked about how great the attendance was and how explosive the growth has been and how the Women should earn the same monetary credits that the men earn. I'm quite certain the NCAA (Black Nobility behind it) is pilfering that money supply, quite certain it doesn't get back to the conferences, the schools or the Women who are responsible for the entertainment in and of itself.
awesome comment Ben!
To me one of the greatest things about women’s sports is that they are not men’s sports. Yes they deserve more recognition which is happening and more money which will follow. But I hope this doesn’t come at the expense of accessibility etc. Where have these “expert voices” complaining about sites been for the past ten years?
Thanks Keith. Great stuff.
The older I get the more the wind blows in my eyes…especially with Dad stories…
Thanks, John, for stopping for a chat before the SC/Baylor game yesterday…it was a pleasure to meet you and your family…Hope to see you at Saturday Market this Fall…
Go Beavs..
Awesome to meet you!
I think, as you touched on, one reason for the successful ticket sales in these cities is precisely that fans don't often have the opportunity to watch such events because the bigger cities host. More fans are eager to watch because of it.
Thanks for this.
Love the spotlight on Portland and Oregon. They have been so supportive of women’s basketball!
Sunny days... blue skies... great basketball.
Portland is a great host city for women’s basketball but as someone who flies a lot I wholeheartedly agree that it is harder, and more expensive, to get to compared to other major cities.
I dunno. I lived in the Bay Area for decades... the drive to the airports don't compare. Portland easier to get in and out of.
Define "a lot". 2M miles on Delta, roughly 250K on other airlines over the past 25 years. All but 1 trip to Hamburg have been domestic. Are there any non-stops to Dubuque or Omaha? No, but the only places I've found in N America that I haven't been able to get to in 2 hops were Halifax and Moncton (and I only had to visit those places once each). I have a list a mile long of things I dislike about the area, but being hard to get to and from would check in somewhere around the 2 mile mark.
I also have 2M miles on Delta and probably a million on the others, combined. I have been to Halifax (on Westjet) but not to Moncton, so you've got me there! LOL. Comparing all the small airports I have been to, like Bentonville, AR, Portland, ME, Grand Island, NE and Pierre, SD, PDX is a substantial, well designed and appointed airport. It is easier to get around than SEA or SFO with just as many flights, though it is not a hub, like those two, and so fewer direct flights. I think the entire "podunk" argument is a bad joke.
Normally I would agree with you completely, but it sounds like you may not have been through PDX much in the past year. Their latest remodel has made it rather a mess with very long hikes required to get to the gates. But for small airports - I've been going back and forth to Knoxville, TN a lot lately. I think TYS is my favorite airport. I've yet to wait behind more than 2 people at TSA, the walk from dropping off my rental car to being at the gate is typically around 10 min max. A total of about 10 gates (although by numbers they say 12). Great little airport. When you mention Bentonville, you have my sympathies. If it was to visit Walmart perhaps we can meet and compare bullet wounds some day! ;-)
The PDX expansion will be done soon and the new version will be great. Much better than most bigger airports. I have nearly 3M miles of flying and I never had an issue getting from PDX to wherever I needed to go domestically or internationally.
Yes, it has been about a year since my last PDX visit. Doing EUG much more since it is smaller and easier and lower car rentals with less tax. Can take Allegiant from Phoenix (Mesa airport) to EUG for around $100 one way and that holds down American prices.
It is certainly not impossible to get to PDX, but it is more difficult, and usually more expensive, because there are fewer flights in and out of Portland compared to a city like Seattle, Phoenix, Denver, etc.
Concur. Flew to Europe last summer and the airfare from Seattle in comparison to Portland was enough cheaper that I could pay the extra domestic fare getting to Seattle and still save money. Likewise, more direct flights from Seattle to USA locations without a stopover.
Podunk is as Podunk does. Portland may not be New York, but we like it that way. Take your “podunk” somewhere else. 😆😝
Great column, John. The current popularity of women’s basketball is terrific. Such popularity will continue to grow, in my view, so long as there are individual, compelling stars, like our own Sabrina!
thank you.
Or our own Raegan Beers and others. Go Beavs.
As host cities such as Portland and Albany show the huge positive economic value of hosting these games, have to wonder if bigger cities don't start stepping up and submit a bid. A dollar is a dollar regardless of who spends it.
Congratulations to Portland and their supporters being selected to host the 2030 Final Four!
P.S. Harder to get to Spokane, WA than Portland, OR.
Spokane has far fewer flights.
Not really, you walk off one plane to another.
PDX: 500 flights/ day.
GEG: 43 flights/ day. https://www.flightconnections.com/flights-to-spokane-geg
11.5+X more flights to PDX. That is a big difference.
Yeah, so hard to connect on one of 83 flights either the day of or the day before...good grief.
Where does the 83 flights number come from?
I said it in gest...it doesn't matter Hank, its not hard to get to Albany or Portland or Spokane, or Sacramento. it's not hard.
And by the way, have made the drive from Eugene to Spokane (7.5 hours) and Sacramento (7 hrs) on many occasions to watch the NCAA Tournament. It's not hard, and with a group of people it was actually quite fun, one of those life defining moments and trips with family and friends (my kids loved it and still talk often about it).
We even decided to fly one year...caught a flight from Eugene (less than 10 minutes from my home to the airport) to Seattle...walked off one plane to another (after a 90 minute layover) and flew to Spokane. Total trip time was 4 hours. My kids complained because they missed the (7hr trip in the car and all the fun family games (ABC & Slug bug)) conversations that would occur on the long family drives. Go figure!
It's not hard!
I'm just messing with you Hank, but I wouldn't think twice (at age 57) at hopping in a van with a group of friends and driving 7 hours to a baseball or basketball tournament, or even a bowl game. That's called livin' :)
I’d also like to see this podunk town host the NBA All Star game.