Ultimate Sports Decor Blog

It’s that time of year again, folks. It’s time to get mad…over basketball. On Sunday, March 14 at 7:00 PM EST, the brackets for the Men’s Basketball Tournament will be revealed, which means basketball fans all over the nation will be going made drafting their own bracket bets and contests. By the time Thursday, March 18th rolls around (the tip off of the first game is at 12:00 PM EST), you can bet that you’ll have at least 5 brackets posted on your desk and three more guys begging you to buy into their bets. Yep, it’s March alright.

While you prepare for March Madness, be sure that you check out some of these must-see ESPN and ESPNU specials before the big games start:

1.)Bracketology - a two-hour discussion of the brackets hosted by Rece Davis with Digger Phelps, Hubert Davis, Jay Bilas and Dick Vitale at 7:00 PM EST on Sunday, March 14. You’ll find out which teams got in, the matchups and which teams fell just short.

2.)NCAA Press Conferences: press conferences with coaches and players in Thursday’s games will be aired live Wednesday, March 17, from 2:00 – 6:00 PM on ESPNU. Expect to see ESPN playing highlights and footage throughout their broadcasts that day.

3.)The Bracket: All Nighter: this late night show (midnight EST) will last for three hours on ESPNU and will cover college preparations, pep rallies, picks, and other excitement from on the road before the first game. ESPNU anchor Lowell Galindo and analysts Mike Kelly and Jay Williams will host.

Basketball fans – it’s your time of year. March Madness starts, well, tomorrow with the beginning of the month and if you’re looking to whip up a dish that’s as impressive as your bracket, you’ll love this recipe for fried mozzarella balls, which are perfect for serving up throughout the game.

Ingredients
Vegetable oil for frying
8-ounce container fresh mozzarella balls (bite-size)
½ cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
1 egg
2 teaspoons hot sauce
½ cup Italian seasoned breadcrumbs
¼ cup panko breadcrumbs
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
First, pour a couple of inches of oil into a medium saucepan and bring it up to 350 degrees. Then, drain liquid from the mozzarella balls and pat dry with paper towels. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, salt and pepper. Place egg and hot sauce into a second bowl, then whisk to combine. Place breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese into a third bowl and mix until well combined. Next, roll mozzarella in flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumb mixture.
Carefully place 4 to 5 coated balls into hot oil, taking care to move them around using a heat-proof spatula. Cook for 30 to 60 seconds or until golden. Remove from oil and transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off excess grease. Continue until all have been fried. Serve warm with marinara sauce for dipping as a great alternative to mozzarella sticks, or as a game day snack!

If anyone knows sports, it’s ESPN Zone. With a restaurant, bar, arcade games and screening room featuring 13 televisions airing sporting events, it is the obvious destination for a die-hard sports fan’s night out in Chicago, Baltimore, New York, Las Vegas, Washington, D.C, and California.

Therefore, it comes as no surprise that ESPN Zone is also home to the annual Ultimate Couch Potato contest, in which four participants compete to see who can sit and watch televised sports for the longest period of time. The contests are held in Chicago, Baltimore and New York.

In Chicago, a good friend of UltimateSportsDecor, Jeff Miller has earned the title for three consecutive years. Combined, his three titled represent more than 151 hours of sports…We’re thrilled to call him a friend and we couldn’t be more proud.

No one can question that Miller is a sports fan. He plays flag football, basketball and sand volleyball, and cheers on the NFL’s Chicago Bears, MLB’s Chicago Cubs, NBA’s Chicago Bulls and a bevy of collegiate basketball teams, including the University of Wisconsin (where he went to school) and the University of Iowa (his native state).

“I’m pretty up-to-date with what’s going on. I can always talk sports with people. When I’m working, I’m generally listening to sports radio,” said Miller, who owns real estate and web-developing businesses.

He is particularly enthusiastic about NFL games and NCAA’s March Madness tournament.

However, when he entered his first ESPN Zone Ultimate Couch Potato contest in 2008, it was not to prove his passion for sports or take a break from his active lifestyle. Instead, he did so with one goal in mind: he wanted to win the prize package, which included a new television.

“We had just bought a new place and my girlfriend said, ‘We need a bigger TV. Why don’t you enter this competition?’” Miller recalled.

He won the Chicago competition by watching sports for more than 40 consecutive hours, and in 2009 couldn’t resist the invitation to defend his title. His second victory required just 39 hours of couch time.

Then came 2010.

Geared up for another win, Miller settled into his seat, alongside three competitors, at 10 a.m. Jan. 1. One opponent lasted less than 24 hours; the second made it less than 48. Miller’s final opponent proved a little tougher to beat.

Forty hours passed. Then 50. And 60.

“This was the first year I’ve ever considered giving up,” he said.

But he persevered.

Miller’s strategy to stay awake — those who fall asleep are eliminated — includes getting into whatever game is playing, whether it’s a live event or a replay of a game from the 1980s.

When the NFL’s New York Jets played the Cincinnati Bengals the evening of Jan. 3 — about 60 hours after the Couch Potato competition began — “I just rooted for the Jets,” Miller said. “I’ve never been a Jets fan, but I had to get behind someone to stay awake.”

The competition is grueling. Contestants get a 15-minute bathroom break once every eight hours, and a five-minute stretch break each hour. Otherwise, they are restricted to sitting and watching televised sports.

Participants also have unlimited access to food and beverages.

Miller said he chose healthier foods, opting for salads over pizza, to help him stay awake as the contest progressed.

Though some might be tempted to fuel up with caffeine, Miller said he made a point to avoid it. “I actually stay away from caffeine so there’s no ‘come down,’” he said. “I mostly drank just water and an occasional Diet Coke.”

His strategy paid off. Miller noticed his final opponent begin to nod off in the early hours of Jan. 4. “I made sure the judges saw it, too,” he said. When he finally fell asleep at 4:21 a.m., Miller declared victory. “There was definitely a sigh of relief,” he said.

But while he could have called it quits then, Miller opted to keep going. Without an opponent beside him, “it was much more difficult to focus,” Miller said. Still, he stayed seated, with both eyes on sports, until 10 a.m. Jan. 4 — a full 72 hours after the competition began — setting a new ESPN Zone record (previously held by a contestant in Baltimore, who sat for 70 hours) and an unofficial Guiness World Record.

As Chicago’s Ultimate Couch Potato, Miller is guaranteed a spot in the 2011 competition. Think you have what it takes to beat him? Other contestants are selected based on short essays based on their “passion for sports, competitive spirit and overall creativity,” and their responses during a taped interview, according to an ESPN Zone press release.

Watch for details later this year at http://www.espnzone.com/ultimatecouchpotato/.

Game day promotions are always a hit amongst fans, especially after paying top dollar for the ticket. But when the game is over and you’re crying over your broken bank and perhaps spirit, remember that you get to walk away with something special. Take for instance the Giants. The Giants are giving away skateboard decks to the first 7,500 kids 14 and under on May 30, 2010. Seriously. We’re not kidding. Or there’s the action figures that The Dodgers are doling out in June and JUly. Have the marketing departments at the stadiums gone nuts - or are we just tired of getting those commemorative programs that end up squished in between the seats of our cars until we remember them a few months later?

2010 seems to be the year of the odd and interesting ball park and stadium promotions, and at UltimateSportsDecor.com, we can’t say that we’re not thrilled. Promo merch has always delighted us and when it comes down to game day, we want more than just some gum on the bottom of our shoes to show that we got our money’s worth. Here are some of the promos we’ve gotten wind of for the 2010 baseball season (thanks to MLB.com):

Bobbleheads are always a popular stadium find, especially when they’re billed as “limited-edition”. Here are some of the bobbles you should look for when you hit up the stadiums in 2010: Chris Sabo in Cincinnati (July 17), Vince Coleman in St. Louis (July 30), Elvis Andrus in Texas (April 24), Matt Wieters in Baltimore (June 30) and Pablo Sandoval (April 24), Willie Mays “The Catch” (May 16) and SF Seals’ Joe DiMaggio (Aug. 28) in San Francisco. Also, Seattle is offering Ken Griffey Jr. on three separate days — “The Kid” featuring a backward cap (April 16), “The ‘95 Slide” (May 7) and “Cooperstown Bound.” Oh - the titles alone make these bobbleheads worth the trip.

Then there were Snuggies. These fuzzy, backwards bathrobes have taken everyone by storm and in 2010, expect these fashion faux-pas to end up as part of your favorite game. In St. Louis (April 30) and Oakland (April 15), be prepared to receive “sluggies” - since they didn’t want to violate the made-for-TV trademark.

Garden Gnomes! The Angels are giving away a garden gnome on May 25, but don’t think you’ll miss out if you can’t make that game. The Reds are also offering garden gnomes on August 14. Still want to get your hands on some baseball garden gnomes? Don’t worry - you can get ‘em year round at GnomeFrenzy.com

Finally, if you want some home-grown baseball charm at yoru house, you can get a bag of Scott’s Great American Ballpark grass seed on April 24 from The Reds. Yep - because you REALLY need that on your lawn.

What are your favorite pieces of ball park swag? Share your stories and suggestions for what these teams should be giving out!

Several years ago I took my little brother to his first major league baseball game. My brother is a baseball player himself as he plays in his in town little league.

We went to a Sox game at US Cellular and it was White Sox vs Indians. My brother and I made sure we got there for batting practice to hope to grab a ball. Well we did one better than that as I actually played high school ball with Cleveland’s left fielder, Jody Gerut. I hadn’t spoken with Jody since high school, so to get his attention I shouted out our varsity baseball coach’s last name.

He spotted me in the crowd and came over to talk with me and meet my little brother. Jody also signed a baseball for him, something my brother still talks about to this day. It was really a great day, my brother’s first MLB game and a chance to meet a professional MLB player.

Joe - Illinois

On Sunday, the New Orleans Saints took home a first-ever Super Bowl win. In honor of their triumph – and for the people of the Big Easy – we’re sharing our favorite recipe for seafood gumbo, which is perfect for serving up any cold day this winter.

Ingredients
2 pounds shell-on shrimp
1 medium yellow onion, chopped – keep the onion skins!
1 gallon plus 1 cup water
Vegetable oil for frying as needed, plus ½ cup (divided)
2 pounds okra, cut into small slices
1 cup flour
3 ribs celery, chopped
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
4 gumbo crabs
1 can (16 ounces) whole tomatoes
2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bunch green onions, chopped

Directions:
First, peel and remove the veins of the shrimp. Set them aside and save the shells. Combine shells and onion skins in a stockpot. Add 1 gallon plus 1 cup water; boil 20 minutes. Strain and set aside. This is your shrimp stock.
Then, to a large skillet over medium-high heat, add about ½ inch oil. Add okra and fry until lightly browned. Remove from skillet and drain on paper towels to remove excess grease.

In large stockpot, whisk ½ cup oil together with flour over medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until color becomes light brown, about 30 minutes. Add onions to this mixture, stirring until it darkens to a dark brown color, about 5 minutes more. Add celery and bell pepper. Cook for about 5 minutes, then add the gumbo crabs, tomatoes, the fried okra, thyme, bay leaf and the shrimp stock. Add garlic and salt and pepper. Simmer 45 minutes. Add shrimp and green onions. Cook for another 10 minutes and serve.

The Super Bowl is a national holiday. For over forty years, the National Football League has brought us the final confrontation between the two best teams.

With New Orleans fans still celebrating the Saints’ victory in Super Bowl XLIV, and Indianapolis Colts fans still licking their wounds, lets examine one of the best and one of the worst Super Bowls in the history of the NFL.

BEST:

Super Bowl XXXIV
January 30, 2000 Georgia Dome Atlanta, Georgia
St. Louis Rams: 23
Tennessee Titans: 16
MVP: Kurt Warner, QB, St. Louis

Although the lower score does not dictate a game with a lot of fireworks, anyone who watched the game live will remember the dramatics of the finals seconds of regulation.

In the third quarter, the Rams had a 16-0 lead over the Titans. The Titans were playing in their first Super Bowl since the franchise had moved from Houston to Tennessee. The Rams were playing in their first Super Bowl as well. Despite being down by 16 points, the Titans were able to tie the game. A few minutes later, St. Louis took the lead, 23-16.

On the Titans last drive, with only a few seconds remaining, Titans QB Steve McNair hit WR Kevin Dyson on the 3-yard line. Mike Jones, of the Rams, tackled Dyson as he stretched the ball out to the 1-yard line. The Titans were only one yard shy of sending the game into overtime. The image of Dyson stretching the ball toward the goal line has become iconic in the Super Bowl image archives.

WORST

Super Bowl XXIV
January 29, 1990 Louisiana Superdome New Orleans, Lousisiana
San Francisco 49ers: 55
Denver Broncos: 10
MVP: Joe Montana, QB, San Francisco

This Super Bowl probably was not entertaining to watch unless you were a 49ers fan. The 49ers dominated the Broncos from the very beginning.

Although several members of the 49ers teams set multiple records, such as Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, the game was in no way competitive. There were no last minute dramatics, no prayer for a come from behind victory, and no chance for the Broncos. Although it will go down in history as the best Super Bowl appearance by the 49ers, it will not go down as one of the best Super Bowls in NFL history.

For diehard football fans, the time between the Conference Championship games and the actual Super Bowl can feel like an eternity. Luckily, this year we have the Pro Bowl to keep us entertained, although a lot of people think that the Pro Bowl should not have been moved.

But the Pro Bowl aside, what else is there to watch, that is football related, before the big game? Each year the NFL hosts a number of events in the host city the week before the Super Bowl. These are known as the “NFL Experience.”

On Tuesday, fans can watch the AFC/NFC Media day. This is when members of the media, from a variety of mediums, have the opportunity to interview members of both teams. Not only can you see the player’s responses, but you can also see the insight of coaches, coordinators, general managers, and owners.

Friday brings the Commissioner’s News Conference. This is the opportunity for the NFL Commissioner to give the “State of the League” address to both fans and media. It is during this press conference when the Commissioner will comment on the happens of the league during the past season, while at the same time looking ahead to changes in the upcoming season. This is extremely important because it will illustrate how teams will prepare for the next year based upon the changes happening within the league.

One of the most important events comes on Saturday. It is this day when the fans hear the Hall of Fame Class Announcement for that particular year. It is the time when we honor the living legends that helped make the game what it is today.

Although there are a slew of other events for both fans and players, these are the three most significant that any fan should make every attempt to see.

Let’s face it – some of us just watch the Super Bowl for the commercials and each year, there’s the good, the bad, and the just-plain-awful. Here’s some of our favorite successes and flops when it comes to Super Bowl spots:

Best Commercials
Let’s start out with a classic: three frogs sitting on a log and croaking the words “buuuud,” “wiiiise” and “errrr.” This 90’s Budweiser commercial unleashed an entire campaign of ads that delighted audiences. Hilarious, simple, and of course, memorable.

Apple’s “1984” commercial not only wowed Super Bowl audiences, but also went down in advertising text books as one of the best ads of all time. Here’s the skinny on what happens: A fascist image is broken up by a woman in red Dolphin shorts, who hurls a sledgehammer through a theater screen. Then we see this text: “On January 24th, Apple will introduce Macintosh. And you’ll see why 1984 won’t be like ‘1984.’” It’s strong, sleek – and we all know how Apple changed the world.

Finally, our favorite is Coca-Cola’s “Mean Joe Greene” spot. Here’s the plot: Greene meets a kid in a stadium tunnel after the game. The kid offers Greene a Coke, and the player smiles and gives him a jersey. This ad from 1979 is still remembered by sports fans around the world.

Worst Commercials
For every great commercial, there’s about 100 flops. Here are the ones that fell the hardest in our opinion:

In 1997, Holiday Inn offended more than just Super Bowl watchers. In their sex change ad, a woman at a high school turns out to be a man, which then segues into a message that equates her sex change with Holiday Inn’s recent renovations at its hotels. Ick.

Then in 1999, Just for Feet debuted an advertisement that critics despised and audiences called “racist” and “imperialist.” The spot features a group of mercenaries in a Humvee chasing down a barefoot Kenyan running in Africa. They then drug him unconscious and force a pair of running shoes on his feet. The question isn’t what’s wrong with this ad – it’s what isn’t wrong with it.

Finally, for our worst spot, we’re going to say Burger King’s “Herb” series was absolutely the worst. In 1986, BK ran a spot that probably turned a lot of people into vegetarians. The commercial featured a very annoying character, Herb, who had never tried a BK burger. The call to action – get Herb to try one. It’s unfocused, annoying, and rated to be one of the worst ad campaigns in history.

This year, the world of Super Bowl sponsors has been shaken up as popular advertisers, Pepsi, FedEx, and General Motors have opted out of the game. However, in their place, come new and popular companies that many fans are excited to see. On the roster so far are Dr. Pepper, Boost Mobile, Electronic Arts games, Dockers, the Census Bureau, Motorola, Pop-Secret, truTV, HomeAway, Kia, Hyundai, and Volkswagen.

Finally, to crown off the list, Papa John’s Pizza will become a first-time Super Bowl sponsor , giving it the title of Official Pizza Sponsor of the National Football League and Super Bowl XLIV. In honor of the event, Papa John’s will be offering a special deal: a Super XL IV Pizza (extra-large with four toppings) for a great price of $11.99. Trust us – if you want this deal, you’re going to have to come early as Papa John’s is estimating on selling more than 750,000 pizzas during the game.

What’s even more staggering than the list of this year’s advertisers is the price tag. The Times is reporting that 30 second spots are running between $2.5 million and $2.8 million. Wow. These commercials had better be good.

What are your expectations for this year’s Super Bowl ad line up? Where do you think you’ll find the funniest/best/most obnoxious spots?