Saints’ former long snapper loses investment and job. Andrew Brandt
Today’s Wednesday Whys feature several questions from readers, plus a few of my own from recent news items.
Why is the release of a Saints long snapper interesting from the perspective of a failed investment in a film studio in New Orleans?
This is a fascinating under-the-radar story that has emerged since the Saints – in an oddly timed move – released their long snapper, Kevin Houser, and replaced him with an older long snapper, Jason Kyle.
Houser, it turns out, was an investor in a movie studio designed to take advantage of a tax credit program offered through Louisiana's motion picture studio incentives. Houser put in $125,000 and must have had some strong marketing skills, as he convinced teammates, friends, coaches and colleagues to put in another combined $1.8 million into the project.
Among the investors were defensive end Charles Grant, with the largest investment of $425,000; former punter Mitch Berger at $250,000, and Saints coach Sean Payton at $144,000. The group also included $80,000 from Jeremy Shockey and Archie Manning.
The selling point to the investors was that for every dollar invested, they would receive $1.33 in a credit lowering their state income tax, all in the name of encouraging movie studios to film their projects in Louisiana.
It all sounded good until, well, it didn’t work. The 27 investors have since discovered that the studio project – Louisiana Film Studios -- never received state authorization for the credits, and now their money is gone. Studio officials are saying the money will be returned to the investors once they get new investors. Sound familiar, Mr. Madoff?
Manning has said that Houser originally contacted him about the investment, suggesting some initial marketing of the campaign by Houser. Is his late-June release following the revelation of this failed investment just a coincidence? The timing is curious.
Tough week for Houser. He lost his $125,000 investment and his job. Moreover, it is this week’s cautionary tale for professional football players and their limited earnings. With people like Bernie Kosar, one of the most cerebral players to play the game, and Michael Vick, once the highest-paid player in the sport, now in bankruptcy, the message can’t get any louder: It’s not what you make, it’s what you keep.
Why are some people judging Michael Jackson’s personal life, yet we’re not hearing much about Steve McNair’s supposed cheating on his wife, only his football achievements?
Although there certainly has been discussion of the circumstances surrounding McNair’s personal life at the time of his death, this is a fair question. At the end of the day, however, we remember the good about people. For Jackson, it was his special music, dancing and creative talents that were a part of an entire generation (mine).
APSteve McNair
For McNair, we will always remember his toughness, natural leadership and ability to succeed from a background where so many have failed. It’s clear from comments and reactions that he had a dramatic effect on people he knew and played with. As I wrote Monday, his agent, Bus Cook – someone I have known for more than a decade through Brett Favre – truly loved the guy.
The other fact I’ve learned in more than 20 years of working with professional football players is that, for the most part, they live in a different world than you or I. Too often, though, that world comes crashing down when the music stops – their playing days and celebrity wane. For a player like McNair, his popularity had staying power, especially in Nashville, where he achieved his greatest professional accomplishments.
Let’s not forget, however, what the truly unfortunate story is here: There are four children who lost their father. More than anything that’s been said or written about McNair, they are the story. Our hearts ache for them.
Why did Darnell Dockett announce that he would not be holding out from training camp with the Cardinals?
It’s the latest strategy from Dockett and his agent, Drew Rosenhaus, to get the new deal he’s been seeking. The previous strategy, to complain publicly and seek a trade, did not work. Of course, he really didn’t want to be traded; he wanted a new contract, and still does.
APDockett says he will be at camp on time.
Dockett can look around the locker room and read the tea leaves. Adrian Wilson, who was quiet about his under-market contract, was recently rewarded with what I felt was an extremely strong contract given his age and position (five years, $39 million, $18.5M guaranteed for a safety who will be 30 in October). On the other side of the locker room, Anquan Boldin has been asking for a renegotiation for two years, sometimes quite publicly, with no results. Wilson’s method, which Dockett is now publicly following, seems to be the winner in Arizona. The problem for Dockett is that he has three years remaining on his deal, compared to one for Wilson when he did his deal and two for Boldin.
Why do the Vikings make fans buy tickets to a preseason game if they want to see the Packers game?
This is nothing new and occurred when Favre was playing for the guys in green and gold. It’s a simple way of ensuring ticket sales to a game that has little appeal by tying it to a game that will always sell out, no matter who’s playing quarterback.
Variable pricing is becoming the norm in sports for single-game ticket sales. Although this is not a typical case of variable pricing, its effect is the same.
Why is Favre making the Vikings wait so long before formally signing with them?
Because he can.
Why do Commissioner Roger Goodell and I have something in common climbing the highest peaks in the country?
Goodell is attempting to climb the second-highest peak in the lower 48 states, Mt. Rainier at 14, 411 feet. On July 20, yours truly will attempt to summit the highest peak in the lower 48, Mount Whitney, at 14, 496 feet. Unlike the reasoned and well-organized commissioner, who is summitting over a couple days with a guide, I will attempt to do Whitney in one day, leaving in the wee hours of the morning to try to reach the 11 miles by noon before heading down. Assuming altitude sickness does not get the better of me, I will be writing my Wednesday Whys the next day. God willing…
Follow me on Twitter: adbrandt.
Steve McNair had problems in his personal life..lots of people do. Michael Jackson was a seriously disturbed individual who if not for his wealth and fame would have been institutionalized. There is no comparison
"Michael Jackson was a seriously disturbed individual..." - true. But any 40-something married man with four children who takes advantage of a 20 year old girl, and lets face it - he was - is equally disturbed.
first, let me say what McNair was engaging in was sleezy, not the least of which stems from what he could have passed from that tramp back to his unsuspecting wife.
I'm not saying he deserved what happened--NOT AT ALL.
But I also think it's unreasonable to paint him as the perpetrator and the "20 year old girl" as the victim--she was living the high life, dating a sports star with oodles of cash and bought her a new Escalade...if anything, this is a VERY cautionary tale for current young NFL players about how they can get "played" by a (pretty/young/persistent) female admirer.
Sure some fake film studio can take your cash (Saints, anyone?), but crazy people who run in bad circles can cost you your life.
And here I was thinking that the Vikings were requiring a preseason game ticket purchase to see this Viking-Packer game in order to prevent too many Packer fans from showing up & booing their shiny, new, decrepit toy.
Unfortunately, for McNairs's children it sounds as they had already lost him before this event happened. According to neighbors, they thought he was already living there.
I do not condone cheating on spouses, however McNair's transgression is so common that in my opionion it should not warrant the label of disturbed nor should it be in the same realm of the pederasty accusations leveled on Michael Jackson. The average joe has a propensity to cheat, let alone a famous athlete. The numbers on "admitted" cheating are about a third for men and a quarter for women. Now this doesn't make it right, but folks should be a bit more diplomatic with how they compare wholly different controversies. Lastly, the media has touched upon the respective controversies for both McNair and Jackson.
Also, I'd like to thank Mr. Brandt for his writings on finance and football. They are concise, informative and entertaining.
Have to agree. McNair had either a screw loose or was not the guy he was perceived to be.
With a wife and four children, he sets up with a 20 year old nut who repays him by shooting him in his sleep.
Bus Cook's clients seem to go off the end in their mid/late 30's.
At least Jay Cutler has another ten years before we worry about him.
The Dockett situations drives me nuts. Not 1 or even 2 years left on his deal, but THREE!!! Suck it up, play football, and watch your value continue to rise. Next offseason you can start the contract talk, but man- THREE YEARS LEFT! Why would the team ever do something now???
Thanks Jimbo...Moral Relativism is alive and well
InFact-
Hope I can enjoy those views without altitude sickness, thanks.
Jimbo-
Thanks for the kind comments, nice to hear we are doing what we set out to do.
Mack-
Bus's clients do seem to have some drama and, now, a tragic ending, yes.
Andrew, I recommend taking the mountainers route up Mt. Whitney. Much shorter, a little steeper but very doable. You can research it on the web. ( it's easier than the photos lead you to believe ) If you don't know whether you get altitude sickness or not take dramamine for a couple of days prior to the hike. I did this hike 2 years ago at 47 and I'm not a regular hiker. I came down the regular trail. I will probably hike it again this year or next and would definatly do it the same way. Enjoy!
Big money scheme in Nawlins, what is the Long and short of the scam(with all respects to your memory, Huey P.) in this deal?
Well we didn't exactly try to sell the Brooklyn Bridge to you, but one named after the most popular Governor would be possible. If you get in on it now I can get you a good price on one spanning Pontchartrain as well....
Andrew, have been following you for a while on Twitter...can we expect a twitpic from the summit??
Re: Michael Jackson/Steve McNair comparison
There is no moral equivalency between pedophilia and adultery. For one thing, the latter is not a crime.
It's comical to me that we regular Joes think we can judge McNair's morals. Imagine being so attractive to women from high school forward that you could have sex with virtually any woman you cast your eye on. That waitress catches your eye? Hey! It's there for you! Personally, I've never had to deal with that kind of temptation. (Up to now it never occurred to me that being unattractive may have saved me from being killed by some crazy (w)itch who gave not one instant's thought what it would do to my children.)
History Channel quotes JKF as saying if he didn't have sex with a different woman every 3 days he would get a headache. These celebrities live in a different world than us, boys.
This website publishes photos every Friday of some knockout women that are so sexy and unattainable they may as well be aliens for all the good it does me. But if you're a Steve McNair, you can actually hook up with them. If you found yourself alone with one of these women, decked out just like in the photos, and she's receptive - you really sure you're gonna walk away thinking about your family? I can't judge him.
Andrew:
Great work, BUT why cheapen your site with Eight In The Box wherein prurient/sexy photos are present?
No need.
Please remove.
Kevin-
Thanks, with a group that's intent on the longer trail. Turn 49 the day before we go. Appreciate the insight..
"It’s a simple way of ensuring ticket sales to a game that has little appeal by tying it to a game that will always sell out, no matter who’s playing quarterback."
Sure speaks alot to the "great" loyalty of fans as pathetic as Viking fans. When was the last time the Packers had a problem selling out a pre-season game?!?!
Since I live in Washington state about 70 miles from Mt. Rainier, I wish we could take credit for having the second tallest mountain in the continental US. However, Mt. Elbert in Colorado is about 30 feet taller than Mt. Rainier.
I hope you had a great time climbing Mt. Whitney. I will admit that Mt. Rainier is a much more impressive looking mountain than Mt. Whitney since that mountin is simply the highest of several peaks in range, while Mt. Rainier basically stands on its own.
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Jul 08, 2009
12:56 PM
Andrew:
1. I admire your spirit of wonder and query, given your imminent Mt. Whitney trek. Enjoy the views (!);
2. Your upcoming views on Favre's obvious search and wander to find revenge would be appreciated, given it's obvious he will soon wear purple;
3. Yes, the four children of McNair are innocent victims, and it's all tragic, but what about the scruples of a married 36-year-old man who allows himself to get interested in a 20-year-old waitress whom he met while visiting her restaurant with his family?
The minds of NFL/pro players never cease to amaze me.