Jim Lang

The NFL has hired The Who, or what’s left of it, as the halftime act for Super Bowl 44. While Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend can still rock, they’re not quite the same group that terrorized rock and roll in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Easily the angriest group of musicians in the history of rock, The Who of that era would crush pretty much any modern day band. For your listening pleasure, check out this YouTube video of the original Who lineup from the Isle of Wight in 1970.

Now, that’s rock and roll. And now on to this week’s question.

Name: Andrew

Comment:

A few of us have been trying to figure something out and I know with your "inside contacts" we'll get the true answer.

What was considered the first pay-per-view sporting event? Looking up our sources (the internet - hey, if you can't trust it, what can you trust?) we've come up with a few different events, WWF included, that all say the WWF was the first to be a pay-per-view event.

Go hit your sources and put us out of our misery. Who started it all?

Thanks, love the column.

Answer:

Hi Andrew. Thanks for the kind words and all the best in 2010. After doing some research, this answer is a lot more complicated than I thought. The genesis to what we know now as “pay-per-view” sports began on March 8, 1971, when Joe Frazier took on Muhammad Ali in the so-called “Fight of the Century.” An estimated 300 million people around the world watched the fight on what was then called “closed-circuit television.” From there it evolved into something much bigger. In 1977, the Portland Trailblazers experimented with airing some of their games on a pay-per-view basis.

The first true pay-per-view event as we know it today is believed to have taken place on Sept. 16, 1981 when Sugar Ray Leonard took on Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns in a bout for the welterweight championship.

The buildup to this bout was insane. Sugar Ray was the golden boy of his time; smooth, good looking and the media darling of the boxing world. An eight-time world champion, The Hitman was from the mean streets of Detroit and a disciple of the legendary Kronk gym. In what turned out to be a tremendous fight, Sugar Ray won via a TKO in the 14th round.

Pay-per-view sports were here to stay.

Pro wrestling soon realized the money that could be made from this new way of doing things and quickly got on board. Both the WWF (now WWE) and the vastly underrated NWA began to put main events on pay-per-view in the mid 1980’s. Now, the UFC is the undisputed king of pay-per-view sports.

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Name: Tristan

Comment:

Hey Jim, I've always wondered how referees land a job in the NHL. Do they start reffing in the minor leagues and get called up for good work or what?

P.S. Love the military history, keep it up!

Answer:

Thanks Tristan, I aim to please. Making it as a ref in the NHL is a lot harder than you think. The first thing you need to do if you want to be a ref in the NHL is to have exceptional skating skills and world-class cardiovascular levels. Think about it: a ref in the NHL has to be able to keep up with the play and the only time they leave the ice is at the end of the period.

Terry Gregson told me some horror stories once about the training camp NHL officials hold every year. The physical testing they do is not for the faint of heart.

Assuming you are a great skater and keep yourself in good shape, you have to pay your dues. It starts with reffing minor hockey and working your way up from league to league while earning higher qualifications. From there, hopefully you are good enough and you can ref at the CHL level or AHL level. That is a great springboard to the Show.

Once you’re reffing in the WHL, OHL or AHL, the NHL will start scouting you and evaluating your skill level. Just like players, the NHL scouts junior hockey and the minor leagues looking for potential talent. That’s why you don’t see many 25-year-old refs in the NHL. To make it as a ref in the NHL takes a lot of hard work and experience. At the age of 30, David Banfield is one of the youngest refs in the NHL. The majority of the top refs in the NHL range anywhere from their late 30s to late 40s.

Like everyone, I have cursed many refs during the course of a hockey game. But when you step back and think about the kind of job they do and the speed of the game, then you realize just how tough it is to be a top level referee in the NHL.

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Name: Sean

Comment:

The Olympic national squad rosters have been named and that leaves six weeks before the Olympics. My idea is that the NHL should have the national flag of all players named to their national squads displayed as a crest on the chest. It should be in the exact same spot as where the Stanley Cup crests are displayed on the jerseys of the teams competing in the finals every year. I feel that this idea would increase fan awareness and build anticipation especially in a rival situation. Imagine FLYERS playing PENGUINS on Jan 7, 2010, you could see soon-to-be Canadian teammates Mike Richards and Chris Pronger battling Sidney Crosby. Or the same scenario with Evgeni Malkin and Pronger soon to bring their rivalry to an international level. In another example, fans watching the Kings may have elevated interest in Dustin Brown knowing that he will be on Team USA.

Consider it.

Answer:

Sean, I’ve considered it and I love it. Look, money is a big deal to players in the NHL. But so is national pride. Don't kid yourself, bragging rights inside an NHL locker room is a big deal. Especially when it comes to the kind of bragging rights that comes with winning an Olympic gold medal.

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Name: Adriana in Timmins

Comment:

Hi Jim, great blog. I love your work on Sportsnet, you rock. Quick question: I know you're a big football fan, so what's your least favourite NFL jersey?

Answer:

Hi Adriana, I love any question from Timmins. To be honest, I don’t have many problems with any of the modern day NFL jerseys. What I can’t stand is the old school, AFL era Denver Broncos jerseys. My retinas are still burning from watching them earlier this season. As a matter of fact, I blame those hideous jerseys and those God awful socks for the Broncos late-season collapse and all of those meltdowns from Josh McDaniels.

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Name: Mathew The Celica GTS man

Comment:

With the Leafs somewhat back in the playoff race, do you see Brian Burke standing pat and letting the season ride out with what he has? Possibly unloading Stajan, Poni and Stempniak for whatever draft picks he can get?

The Toronto Sun reported last week that Jeff Carter may be available. Carter was obviously on Fletcher's (currently a consultant to Burke) radar a year ago. Any insight if this could be an opportunity for Burke to improve the Leafs for now and going forward? The Leafs don’t have picks to trade but it's no secret Philly has always had interest in Kaberle and we do have some kids (Stalberg, Hanson, Bozak) to offer. Carter would fit the rebuilding system Burke seems to be following. Proven players (just like Kessel) that are YOUNG!!! Not the old has been ala Quinn and JFJ.

Your Thoughts?

Answer:

Hi Mathew, loving the Celica GTS. My buddy had a 1984 GTS and that car was amazing. I thought Toyota ruined a great car by tinkering too much with the design. As far as Jeff Carter is concerned, I spoke to a high-ranking NHL executive and he pointed out that as much as the Leafs might covet Jeff Carter, they simply don’t have the assets to get him. The Flyers are looking to receive two first-round draft picks in exchange for Carter. Because of the Phil Kessel trade, the Leafs simply can’t meet those kinds of demands. Cap space is another big issue for the Leafs as well.

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Name: Bobby The Bod from The Score

Comment:

Lang, you's a busta

Answer:

Hey Bobby. Even though you called me "a busta" it's all good. Full respect to you and all your peeps in the New Year. Sunnyvale Trailer Park mean street posse represent. Say hi to Sid and Tim for me, those dudes are the bomb.

Peace out