Monday, July 5 through Sunday, July 11, 2021
Issue No. 388
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Sports Profile:
Andy Dolich, Part I
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Grizz jerseys for the Stones first event at FedExForum
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Andy Dolich is the brains behind some of the most successful promotions in sports history
By Liam Isola
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Andy Dolich, a long-time Bay Area sports marketing executive, was the subject of a feature article in OSDBSports.com last week which traced his long career as a marketing savant, starting from his early days with the Philadelphia 76ers to his present position as EVP of the Fan Controlled League. Reprinted courtesy of OSDB Sports.
Part II and Part III will appear in successive issues.
With a wealth of experience in sports management, Andy Dolich is still innovating five decades into his career. In a sports odyssey that has taken him into front offices of teams in every major professional sports league, Dolich is now the Chief Operating Officer of Fan Controlled Football and just released Loss of Logo, an e-book about the world of sports management.
Fan Controlled Football’s first season concluded in March. For the uninitiated, FC is the first professional sports league where all of the plays are called by fans. The league includes a live weekly player draft based on fan voting and encourages players to celebrate TDs.
The league currently has four teams and its 7v7, hour-long games are played in a studio arena and streamed live on Twitch. Over two million people tuned in for the playoffs, signifying the fledgling league is gaining traction. FCF also has an impressive ownership group which includes Quavo from Migos, Richard Sherman and Marshawn Lynch, among others.
Dolich, a Bay-Area transplant from Long Island, is in his 70s and may seem like an unlikely candidate to be involved in such a forward-thinking league. That’s until you get to know him and the places his career has taken him.
Dolich graduated with a degree in government from American University and made the varsity basketball team. Instead of pursuing a career in the State Department, he ultimately decided to go to Ohio University to earn a Masters in sports administration, the first such program of its kind in the USA.
“So I really appreciated, without knowing it, what teamwork was about and that people from all different walks of life could come together and either be a good team, or be dysfunctional, or both,” he told OSDB Sports recently.
“At American, I’d speak to someone and say ‘Hi, what’s your dad do?’ ‘Oh, he’s the ambassador from Turkey,’ and I’d go, ‘Hmmm, my dad’s a salesman in the garment district,’ or ‘Hi, what’s your mom do?’ ‘She’s the undersecretary of agriculture.’ So I realized pretty quickly that government wasn’t going to be a place I could mature into.”
The program at Ohio was the brainchild of late Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley and included a six-month internship with a professional team. Then Philadelphia 76ers GM Don DeJardin hired Dolich and a few others from Ohio University and Dolich stayed on full-time after earning his degree.
As fortune, or misfortune would have it, that Sixers team would end up making history. The 9-73 record the Sixers compiled in the 1972-73 season remains the worst 82-game record in NBA history.
“So, without realizing it at the time 9-73 is my Cal Ripken, my Joe DiMaggio, my Wilt Chamberlain 100, that’s my personal record,” Dolich said with pride. “I never want it to be broken and what was it, the Charlotte team in the strike shortened year, they were 6-60, I think if you look back. You can’t pawn off a strike-shortened season as something real. Nobody’s ever going to be this bad again for so many reasons: the number of teams, the quality of play and I truly believe that. It’s a record that will stay forever.”
Following that unceremonious season, DeJardin was fired. That gave Dolich and a bunch of other twenty-somethings free reign, something unimaginable in today’s NBA.
“We had more ability to help make decisions and try stuff than we ever would have, let’s say at that time if we were working for a great organization like the Knicks or the Celtics or something like that,” he said.
At that time young Sixers employees would sell tickets door-to-door. Some innovative promotions were also important in driving attendance for a team in disarray.
“Nobody was coming to Sixer games and when you go to games teams would give away such crap. ‘Hey, it’s a poster of Leroy Ellis.’ 'Who cares?' Dolich said. “By the time people left the game it would be in the garbage can.”
“So we came up with something called the Year of the Uniform and figured we’d dress kids, and even though we were terrible, younger kids don’t know the team is terrible. ‘Hey, I got a free T-shirt, I got gym shorts, I got socks, I got a cap, I got a gym bag,’ and parents would like it. If you came to selected games, you would get that item.
“I think we changed the dynamic; a lot of times teams would give stuff away on really crappy games, meaning games that they thought they wouldn’t draw, to bring a few extra people. We created something called Power Promotion.
“So, let’s take the games like the Knicks and the Celtics or somebody else that was really good and let’s promote those games. So maybe we get to a sellout and maybe we get an upset and people will walk out with a free piece of the uniform and be ecstatic and tell everybody, ‘We had a great time, we got free stuff and we’re coming back to the next game because we can get the gym bag.’ ”
Dolich credits Eddie Gottlieb, who drafted Chamberlain, and Harvey Pollack, who was responsible for the creation of the triple-double, as mentors. Dolich’s advice for young people looking to break into sports management: “Run to chaos and disaster, that’s the place where you’re going to be able to build a career,” he suggests. “If you look at whoever wins the NBA championship in a few weeks, think about how many resumes they’re going to get that week and then go and look at the team with the worst record of the past season, how many are they going to get?"
“My advice is go to the place that’s falling apart, that’s having difficulty. That’s where you’re going to learn the most and where you’re going to probably get the skills you’re going to need to move up the ladder.”
In 1974 Dolich became the business manager of the Maryland Arrows of the National Lacrosse League. He was the Director of Marketing for the Washington Capitals from 1976-1978 and later executive VP and General Manager of the Washington Diplomats of the North American Soccer League from 1978-1980. Dolich certainly wasn’t, and still isn’t, afraid to try new things.
“We did pretty well in attendance for the Arrows and when the Caps were looking for a marketing director I just happened to be in the right place at the right time,” he said. “Because there were connections between the NHL and the NLL, hard to conceptualize this, but there were some NHL stars that played in our league to stay in shape in the off season.”
“Doug Favell, who was the goalie for the Flyers, played in our league. Rick Dudley, who was a terrific player for the Buffalo Sabres, played in our league. Can you imagine that today?
“When Madison Square Garden became the owner of the Diplomats, as the NASL was growing and the Cosmos were the national story, I was offered the job as general manager. I’m like, ‘Holy crap, are you kidding me, a punk from Valley Stream, Long Island? Yeah, I’ll take it. I had a chance to work with one of the greatest 10 superstars in the history of soccer, a guy named Johan Cruyff.”
The Diplomats folded in 1980 and Dolich once again ran towards chaos and disaster and took a job with the Oakland Athletics. The A’s had the MLB's lowest attendance the previous year and Dolich said the state of the franchise at that time was “worse than many AAA franchises in every way, shape, or form.”
With the Haas family buying the team midway through the 1980 season, things were starting to trend upward.
Part II and Part III, which further chronicles Andy Dolich's marketing career, will appear in successive editions. Liam Isola recently completed a service term as an AmeriCorps Literacy Tutor while working in a law firm and studying for a TEFL certificate.
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The Fan Controlled League, where all plays are called by fans, concluded its first season in March. The fledging league has attracted the interest of Joe Montana and Marshawn Lynch, among others. |
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Letters to the Editor
In our last issue contributor Mitch Juricich expressed frustration with Peacock, a new video streaming service operated by NBCUniversal which usurped three San Francisco Giants games last weekend against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies. Here are several voices
Mitch stirred up:
Peacock
A Shout Out for Mitch Juricich and his take on Peacock and the apparently inevitable techno-changes in sports-content delivery. I could stream these games, but won't. The arrogant, heavy handed way loyal viewers were told "Guess what: no television for you, but you can watch these miniaturized players on a i-Phone, and be part of a survey by corporate" was a turn-off and an insult. Way to vent, Bro! You speak for thousands of fans, I'm quite sure.
Robert A. Moselle, Esq.
Executive Director
Center for Continuing Education
Monterey, CA 93940
A Mitch Fan
I’m inspired by the gentleman who vented over the Giants streaming some games. For the record, I totally agree with him.
Arif Khatib
Oakland, CA
Let us know what YOU think!
Write to us at: sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
Monday Morning Reward
Thank you for the new issue and for the conversation this morning. You made my day! As I mentioned, your Guide always make my Monday morning a bit better! Keep going as long as you can as I know your job is appreciated by so many folks. “Carpe Diem.”
Elisabeth (Betty) C.
Livermore, CA
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Contents
Columns
Hardly Trivial by T. Buff
Games
Oakland A's 7, Boston Red Sox 6, 12 innings
Oakland Roots SC 0, San Diego Loyal 1
San Francisco Giants 5, Arizona Diamondbacks 2
San Jose Earthquakes 2, Minnesota United 2
Features
Andy Dolich is the brains behind some of the most successful promotions in sports history, by Liam Isola. Part 1
Organizations
San Jose State University Spartans
Sonoma Raceway
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San Francisco Giants 5
Arizona Diamondbacks 2
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Oakland A's 7
Boston Red Sox 6, 12 innings
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Oakland Athletics left fielder Tony Kemp is mobbed by teammates as the A's scored three runs in the 12th inning to defeat the Boston Red Sox, 7-6, at RingCentral Coliseum on Saturday, July 3. Caption and photo
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Right fielder Seth Brown hits a triple in the second inning, scoring catcher Sean Murphy. Brown went 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Caption and photo
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49ers, A's & Giants Schedules |
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Posey, Gausman and Crawford are 2021 All-Stars
Buster Posey finished first among NL catchers in All-Star Balloting and will start the 2021 MLB All-Star Game in Colorado! His teammates, Kevin Gausman and Brandon Crawford will join him on the National League All-Star Team. Be sure to watch your Giants in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard® on FOX next Tuesday, July 13.
Update: Buster Posey sustained a left thumb contusion after he was struck by a foul ball in Sunday evening's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. X-rays were reported to be negative.
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Oakland A's Grants Now Available
Applications for our 2021 grant program are now open! Our Oakland A's Community Fund Grant Program distributes funds annually to organizations that support and uplift the greater Bay Area community. The deadline for organizations to apply for a grant is July 16. Learn More
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Editor's Note
Have a favorite Sports Moment you would like to share?
With perhaps with a photo or two? Send a brief description along with any photos and we'll make room.
Why not bring those memories to life?
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Hardly Trivial by T. Buff |
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September 8th isn't so far away we can't start talking about it.
The 8th of September is the induction ceremony for the Baseball Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame's 2021 Induction Ceremony will honor the members of the Class of 2020: Derek Jeter, Marvin Miller, Ted Simmons and Larry Walker.
No candidates were elected for induction in 2021.
With that said, what MLB franchise has the most MLB
Hall of Fame inductees with 56?
(See answer below...)
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The Quakes celebrate Benji Kikanovic's first career goal,
a late equalizer
MATCH RECAP: Earthquakes 2, Minnesota United FC 2
Kikanovic scores first MLS goal, Nathan makes MLS debut
SAINT PAUL, Minn. - The San Jose Earthquakes earned a 2-2 draw against Minnesota United FC on Saturday evening at Allianz Field. Minnesota entered the match on a six-game unbeaten run (4-0-2) in which they allowed two total goals.
Defender Nathan made his MLS debut, starting and playing all 90 minutes, while 21-year-old forward Benji Kikanovic scored the late equalizer, marking his first career MLS goal.
San Jose jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute when Cristian Espinoza dispossessed Bakaye Dibassy and sent a pass across the box to 17-year-old Cade Cowell for the close-range goal. It marked Cowell's team-leading fourth goal of the season.
Minnesota found the equalizer on what would be the final touch of the first half when Brent Kallman snuck his left-footed shot just inside the near post from an acute angle. Minnesota would then take the lead in the 69th minute through Ramon Abila. After video review awarded Minnesota a penalty kick, Abila's low shot was saved by Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski, but the rebound was put away.
The Earthquakes equalized in the 82nd minute. Kikanovic received a pass from Shea Salinas at the edge of the box, dribbled around his defender and sent a powerful shot past goalkeeper Tyler Miller.
The Earthquakes will now return to San Jose for a bye week before hitting the road again to face the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, July 17. The match kicks off from Dick's Sporting Goods Park at 6:00 p.m. PT and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Bay Area, KNBR 1050 and 1370 KZSF.
GAME NOTES
- The Earthquakes now hold a 3-7-2 record (11 pts.) during the 2021 MLS regular season and are currently in 10th place in the Western Conference.
- The Quakes are now 4-3-1 all-time vs. Minnesota, including a 2-1-1 away record.
- San Jose became the first team to score 2+ goals vs. Minnesota since May 8, snapping a streak of six matches with one or fewer conceded.
- Cade Cowell scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season and fifth of his MLS career. He has now scored in each of the last two matches.
- Cristian Espinoza tallied an assist on Cade Cowell's goal, marking his third assist of the season and 25th of his MLS career. Espinoza is now in sole possession of 10th place on the team's all-time assists leaderboard.
- Forward Benji Kikanovic scored his first career MLS goal in his fourth career appearance.
- Midfielder Shea Salinas tallied an assist on Benji Kikanovic's goal, marking his second assist of the season and 53rd of his MLS career. It also marked his 50th assist with the Earthquakes, extending his club assists record.
- Defender Nathan made his MLS debut, starting and playing 90 minutes.
- Goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski made his 12th start of the season, the most starts he's made in a single season in his MLS career.
- Cade Cowell (17 years and 263 days) and Benji Kikanovic (21 years and 179 days), the Earthquakes' two goal-scorers tonight, have a combined average age of 19 years and 226 days.
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San Diego Tops Oakland in a First-Ever Meeting
San Diego Loyal dominated possession early, but could not find the goal as Zeus de la Paz came up with a couple of important first half saves to send the teams into the half level. The second half began in a similar fashion until substitute Miguel Ibarra scored in the 72nd minute to break the deadlock. This was the first of four meetings between the two sides as Oakland next heads to Sacramento ahead of a three game home stand.
Oakland Roots SC vs. San Diego Loyal
USL Championship | June 29, 2021
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego, CA
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. PT
Weather: 68 degrees
SCORELINE: 1 2 FT
OAK 0 0 0
SD 0 1 1
SCORING SUMMARY:
SD: Miguel Ibarra 72’
DISCIPLINE SUMMARY:
OAK: Memo Diaz (Yellow 32’)
SD: Elijah Martin (Yellow 60’)
OAK: Max Ornstil (Yellow 90’)
SD: Austin Guerrero (Yellow 90’)
OAKLAND ROOTS LINEUP:
Zeus De La Paz, Ariel Mbumba (Lindo Mfeka 45’), Jeremy Bokila, Kai Greene, Tarek Morad (Max Ornstil 74’), Matias Fissore (Tarn Weir 82’), Jesus Enriquez, Akeem O’Connor-Ward, Memo Diaz (Soya Takahashi 45’), Saalih Muhammed (Emrah Klimenta 60’), Danny Flores
Unused Substitutes:
Wal Fall, Taylor Bailey
Shots: 5 | Shots On Goal: 2 | Corner Kicks: 5 | Fouls: 17 | Offside: 1 |
SAN DIEGO LOYAL LINEUP:
Austin Guerrero, Jack Metcalf, Josh Yaro, Callum Montgomery, Elijah Martin, Charlie Adams, Collin Martin, Jack Blake (Miguel Ibarra 67’), Tumi Moshobane (Grant Stoneman 89’), Corey Hertzog (Alejandro Guido 55’), Ben Spencer (Miguel Berry 55’)
Unused Substitutes:
Morgan Hackworth, Sal Zizzo, Trey Muse
Shots: 12 | Shots On Goal: 3 | Corner Kicks: 7 | Fouls: 16 | Offside: 1 |
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Elvis Osmanovic
Assistant Referee 1: Baboucarr Jallow
Assistant Referee 2: Jose Vega
4th Official: Samantha Martinez
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San Jose State Spartans
Tokyo Olympics Update
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Above, Colton Brown (left) and Robyn Stevens
The following people with San Jose State ties are headed to the
Tokyo Olympics later this month
Colton Brown, USA men's judo; Robyn Stevens, USA women's track and field (20k race walking), San Jose State women's cross country 2003; Michelle Cox, Australia softball, San Jose State softball (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015); Emma Entzminger, Canada softball, San Jose State softball (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018);
Greg Massialas, USA fencing head coach, San Jose State fencing
in the late 1970's.
As countries declare team rosters, additions to this list are possible.
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In the Shadow of Obscurity |
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Author Arif Khatib (above left)
As a person who has traveled the world and chronicled his journey, and recently completed his memoirs for his family, Arif Khatib set out to create a book that would combine three of his passions: sports, history and social justice, while shining a much-needed light on the contributions of forgotten and unheard-of athletes of color. The Shadow of Obscurity: Toiling in a Reluctant Society realizes his vision.
Author Pete Elman (above right)
Pete Elman is a musician, journalist, author and teacher. Originally from Washington, D.C., he grew up loving rock and roll, sports and history. His father, a Justice Department lawyer who argued cases in the Supreme Court—most notably Brown vs. Board of Education—imbued in young Peter a strong sense of social justice.
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(L-R) Arif Khatib, Dr. John Carlos, Jeff Wilson in Atlanta for Mr. Khatib’s
book and film screening tour
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Where The Bay Comes To Play! |
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The BEST Bay Area sports photos from
Michael Zagaris, Ed Jay, Rich Yee, Darren Yamashita,
Ron Sellers, Alex Ho, Rob Edwards, Kenneth Wong,
Timothy Reynolds and Larry Rosa
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Sonoma Raceway Announces Construction of Turn 11 Club Hospitality
SONOMA, Calif. (June 29, 2021) - Sonoma Raceway has broken ground on an upgraded hospitality facility overlooking the hairpin Turn 11 on the iconic Sonoma Valley road course. The Turn 11 Club at Sonoma Raceway will offer a premium, luxury hospitality and viewing experience on major event race weekends as well as at year-round racing events at the track.
The existing Turn 11 building, which was the original raceway administration building and the oldest building on property, will be demolished this week and construction of the new façade will continue throughout the summer and fall months. A formal unveiling of the hospitality area will take place prior to the 2022 Toyota/Save Mart 350 NASCAR Cup Series weekend.
“Our goal is to create a welcoming and high-end focal point for our facility that represents Sonoma Valley well,” said Sonoma Raceway executive vice president and general manager Jill Gregory. “We look forward to entertaining our guests in this new space beginning next summer.”
Sonoma Raceway has worked closely with the Sonoma County Permit and Resource Management Department on all approvals, and will continue to work in lock step as the project continues. All construction activity will be located on Sonoma Raceway property, and the facility does not anticipate any traffic or lifestyle disruptions.
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Hardly Trivial Answer by T. Buff |
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I was surprised it wasn't the New York Yankees.
The San Francisco Giants have the most Hall of Fame inductees of any organization with 56.
Another thing I was surprised to find is the different groups that have voted a player in over the years. Never fans, though...
Suggestions? Caught me off-base for misinformation?
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Recent Facebook Albums to Enjoy |
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For the best real estate listings homes and property on
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Consider!
ARE YOU A GEEK?
The USG needs an Influencer!
The Ultimate Sports Guide needs people (as in more than one) familiar with basic social media technology and e-marketing. Utilize your technical skills to advance your career, add to your resume and learn from sports industry professionals. Send a note and resume to sportstoday@ultimatesportsguide.net
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Back Issues
not to be missed!
Offering superb photography and
entertaining chronicles
* Click here for 2019 editions.
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Weekly Bay Area
Sports Calendar
Monday, July 5 through
Sunday, July 11, 2021
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Monday, July 5
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 2:05 p.m.
Tuesday, July 6
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Wednesday, July 7
San Francisco Giants vs. St. Louis Cardinals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 5:10 p.m.
Thursday, July 8
Oakland A's @ Houston Astros, 11:10 a.m.
Friday, July 9
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 6:45 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Texas Rangers, 5:05 p.m.
Saturday, July 10
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Texas Rangers, 1:05 p.m.
Sunday, July 11
San Francisco Giants vs. Washington Nationals, 1:05 p.m.
Oakland A's @ Texas Rangers, 11:35 a.m.
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Enjoy the
Under the ultra-skilled leadership of Cal graduate Ricky Liu, a team of talented Cal students assembled the elegant Ultimate Sports Guide website for your readers. Ricky's team included Natalie Leung, Yafei Liang and Kasey Woo. Visit www.ultimatesportsguide.net
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This is an eBook available in .epub or .mobi file formats.
Navigating a career in any business is highly complex, especially in the world of sports and entertainment. Knowing how to separate the logo on your business card from your personal identity is a valuable skill for creating your own career path. Building a career in the sports industry is easier said than done, especially since the business is extremely addictive. Cool corporate logos and titles should never control your true sense of self; your name on the card is much more important! Welcome to the world of LOL, or “Loss of Logo.”
Written for aspiring sports professionals, current sports industry professionals, and any career enthusiasts who are chasing the fancy logo and corner office, LOL, Loss of Logo: What’s Your Next Move? offers valuable takeaways for everyone. Comprised of powerful perspectives from 38 multitalented industry professionals, this book will give you the tools to succeed in the industry, with or without your logo.
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Many people -- maybe even you -- have been getting out on their bikes more during Shelter-in-Place. "Check for Bikes" clings and bumper stickers are great ways to keep bicyclists safer out there on the road by promoting awareness by drivers to share the road. Keep safe out there and keep your neighbors safe by using or passing along vinyl clings for inside a car window or windshield and
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The Ultimate Sports Guide is very appreciative to the ongoing contributions made by former staff photographer Kenny Karst and Robert Moselle. Mr. Karst, now retired, continues to contribute through helpful ideas and his archives.
Mr. Moselle is now lending his extensive editorial experience and marketing savvy to the publication.
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