Barnes & Noble's Up For Sale

Founder Leonard Riggio Opts To Test Auction Waters, Will He Succeed?

By Amir Ali Said

The world's biggest bookstore chain, Barnes & Noble is up for sale. They've got shrinking cash, and declines in sales that have pushed the company to this point. Founder and top shareholder Leonard Riggio, whose family has run the company as its business declined, wants partners for a bid. However, he's having trouble finding somebody to back the bookstore chain.

Now here's the problem. Riggio has a 29.9 percent stake in Barnes & Noble. A billionaire investor, Ron Burkle holds more than 19 percent of the company and has made it clear that he believes Barnes & Noble has been mismanaged. Plus, word on the street is, nobody is going to show up for the selling party. Instead, Standard & Poor's Michael Souers, believes Burkle and Riggio are going to be bidding against each other. Apparently, Riggio is incredibly attached to Barnes & Noble, and couldn't stand selling out.

I've long been a Barnes & Noble fan. Over the years, I've bought at least 60 or more books from Barnes & Noble. I never expected the world's biggest bookstore chain to have problems. I'm not sure if this is problem is because people are online more, and don't have the capacity to sit down and read a book. Plus, with the release of the Amazon Kindle and the I-Pad Barnes & Noble and the Nook were kind of left behind. I've never seen anybody in New York with the Nook, but I've seen plenty with the Kindle and I-Pad. Point is, Barnes & Noble would have to come up with some crazy piece of innovation in order to stay alive, or else they'll be sold.

Historic Players Headlining Video Games, New Trend?

Michael Jordan to Be On Cover of NBA 2K11

By Amir Ali Said

News came over the past two weeks that will decide the fate of NBA Elite 11 (formerly NBA Live) and NBA 2K11. NBA 2K11 came out with a statement that mentioned signing with Michael Jordan for the cover of NBA 2K11. There goes a quarter to forty percent of NBA Elite 11's sales. Just think about the idea of having a video game with Michael Jordan on the cover. Then toss in the fact that Michael Jordan, and possibly players during his tenure with the Bulls, may be able to be used in the game. NBA Elite 11 can't match that! The only way they could is if they did the same thing, minus Jordan on the cover, and if they do a better job than 2K sports.

But let's be realistic, even if NBA Elite 11 is better than NBA 2K11, who's not going to buy NBA 2K11 just because Jordan's on the cover? I know for certain that I plan on buying a copy of NBA 2K11. First of all, I already like the 2K sports franchise when it comes to basketball way better than EA sports. But now that 2K announced that Jordan is going to be on the cover, I want it even more. A couple years from now NBA 2K11 could be very valuable. Jordan is the best player in NBA history, and I think this is about to set off a trend of historic players headlining video games across the sports world.

If I where EA Sports I would make up the money they're going to lose with the Madden franchise, 2K sports can't stick with EA in football. EA sports should have an iconic/legendary football player on the cover of Madden 12. That would be the best way for EA sports to make up this money. But then again, they'll probably make up their money with Madden 11. Still, Madden 12 would certainly make a lot of money if EA manages to place a huge name onto their cover.

Armando Galarraga's Robbed Of Perfect Game

Umpire Jim Joyce Stops Young Tiger Pitcher From Entering History

By Amir Ali Said

By now you've probably heard the story of Armando Galarraga. A quick glance on twitter last night, and a switch of a channel to ESPN would've given you all the information you needed. Armando Galarraga is a 28 year old pitcher for the Detroit Tigers. Last night he was robbed of a perfect game by umpire Jim Joyce. But here's some context. There's two outs in the top of the 9th inning, and Jason Donald is up to bat. Donald hits a ground ball to first basemen, Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera tosses it over to Armando Galarraga who's touches first base, a step ahead of Donald. The camera pans to show Jim Joyce, and he calls Donald safe!

Now to be fair, in real-time it was a very close call. However, when you see the play on replay and in slow motion, you clearly see that Donald is out. But like I said, in real-time its a very close call. Needless to say, with Galarraga's perfect game on the line, I don't think Jim Joyce should have gave the tie to the runner. I understand that it's a close call, but I mean come on somebody's perfect game is on the line. Major League baseball Players don't just pitch perfect games everyday. In fact, only 20 pitchers have done so in Major League Baseball history.

Here's videos of the controversial call in real-time and slow-motion.

Real-Time

Slow-Motion

'Iron Man 2' Grosses Huge Midnight Sales

Iron Man 2 On Track to do Big Numbers This Weekend

By Amir Ali Said

Iron Man 2 has gotten off to a great start. It was reported on Variety.com that Iron Man 2 has opened up with midnight grosses totaling $7.5 million. That's midnight alone, on a Friday. How do you think the weekend is going to be? How do you think tonight is going to be? Then again, I wonder how Iron Man 2 is going to finish this three day weekend, they may reach $100 million plus in total grosses.

I expect Iron Man 2 to do huge numbers this weekend and in the future. For Iron Man 2 to have gotten $7.5 million in midnight grosses is incredible. Dark Knight has the record for midnight grosses with $18.5 million. Dark Knight also holds the record for most grosses in a three day weekend with $158.4 million. I'm not sure if Iron Man 2 will do those numbers, but I think it'll get pretty close.

Goldman Sachs Senate Hearing, Hysterically Significant

By Amir Ali Said

While watching the Goldman Sachs senate hearing I laughed a lot at the top executives who faced the Senate. Senators had all of the executives freezing up and looking like morons. The executives where stuttering at times. Goldman CEO, Lloyd Blankfein didn’t get any special treatment. But he was able to answer the Senators questions much better than the other executives in question. The reason why Goldman Sachs was called to question is because the SEC charged the firm with fraud for its role in creating and selling an investment that Goldman knew would fail.

In Goldman's defense they've argued that they were only looking out for their clients best interests. Huh? That's bullshit. There is no possible way that Goldman Sachs was looking out for there client's best interest if they were betting against the investment, and hoping it would fail. At the Senate Hearing the Goldman executives acted as if they did nothing wrong, or they weren’t aware of certain events taking place. I think that it’s clear that Goldman Sachs is guilty of some wrongdoing. I think Goldman is guilty of what the SEC charged them with, so its going to be interesting to see what’s done to Goldman Sachs.

Apple & Facebook Gear Up For Epic Battle Against Google

By Amir Ali Said

After reading Liz Gannes article on Apple and Facebook taking down Google, I had to give it some thought. When I first started reading, I thought there was no way Google could be taken down. But as I continued reading, I thought to myself, "Wait, this could actually happen." Whether this happens or not, its a great topic to bring up. I gave it some thought and I think its going to happen. Google over the past few years have been getting out of the search market, but is it to late? Does Apple and other companies already have markets on lock, to the point where Google can't eat a substantial part of their money? My answer is no, I think its too late for Google, and this news won't help at all.

Apple is very large company. They started off putting a lock on the computer market, but they learned very fast that they could branch out into other markets. Apple has gotten into the cell phone market, to be specific, the smart phone market. In the smart phone, market Apple has a substantial hold, shared by Research in Motion (makers of the Blackberry) and some Verizon cell phones. Apple also creates computer software. Nonetheless, Apple is a big company who is capable, teamed up with the right ally to take down Google.

Facebook is a social networking website with a strong base. Along with Twitter, they’re the leaders in Social Networking. They have more than 400 Million active users. Facebook is a huge social networking site, teamed with Apple could be disastrous for some companies. Case in point, Google. In this article, you see just how disastrous this team could be, not only to Google but Amazon and PayPal as well.

Google was a company built by Larry Page and Sergey Brin on search. Together, they intended to create a much better search engine. They originally called their search engine "BackRub." Well, that went on to become "Google" as we know their search engine today. The ironic thing about Google's IPO is that its top competitor, Yahoo! made $8.4 million before the company had an IPO. Since the creation of Google, the company has branched out into the cell phone, web browsing, and operating systems markets. In each market, Google has tried to establish its self, but search is their native land. However, Google has had success in the cell phone market.

Apple & Facebook Vs Google

Return Of the Power Back

By Amir Ali Said

I think Toby Gerhart will be the key to the return of the power back. Gerhart is strictly power and a little bit of quickness/speed. I hadn't heard of Gerhart or seen him play until this year. But boy was I impressed when I saw him play vs Notre Dame this year. He literally led Stanford to a win over Notre Dame. He clearly dominated the game and Notre Dame's defense. Gerhart was running like a madman! Without elusiveness, just a little bit of speed/quickness and a lot of Power.

With the NFL Draft coming up, I think Gerhart is the definition of a Power Back. In fact, I think that's why he'll be drafted really high in the upcoming draft. Possibly late 1st round or early 2nd. He would be a great fit for a lot of rebuilding teams, like the Patriots. Or a team like that Buccaneers for the team to build an offense around. I have high hopes for Gerhart as a Pro running back and I don't expect him to be let down. Gerhart has my full support, since I think he'll have an impact on the NFL as running back.

House Passes Historic Health Care Bill

By Amir Ali Said

The House has passed Health care in America. President Barack Obama has completed his promise for health care reform. Yesterday, President Obama signed the bill into law.Two days ago the bill was passed by a vote of 219-212, surpassing 216 for passage of health care reform. Now that health care reform is passed, I think President Obama's plan is in motion and in it's 3rd stage, to have Universal Health Care for all Americans.

With this health care reform bill passing, health care for Americans is forever changed. Now, all that has to be done is a couple changes to the current bill and Universal Health Care will come to fruition. This bill is historic and significant, for two reasons, there has been no health reform for sixty years and this is the first attempt at reform for sixty years.

My Picks For the Hectic Tournament

By Amir Ali Said

With the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament officially starting tonight I'd like to give my picks for the tournament. Actually, I'll give my temporary picks as of today. I won't finalize my bracket until Wednesday night. I'll start with the Midwest region. The Midwest is by far the toughest region. Unlike some sports analysts, I think Kansas won't make it to the final four. Instead, I've got Ohio St taking the Midwest region. I understand that Kansas is the number one overall seed but I don't think they'll make it to the final four. If Ohio St and Kansas don't make it to the final four, leave it up to Georgetown to make a run.

In the West region I have Syracuse going to the final four. I understand that Syracuse struggled heading into the last stages of the season. But I still believe Syracuse is a strong team and will be able to get through the teams in the South Region. But I think Syracuse is going to have to beat Gonzaga, Murray St. and Kansas St. Yes, I agree with ESPN analyst, Jay Bilas, who said that Murray St is going to Vanderbilt in the first round. Besides Syracuse, Kansas St or Butler could make it to the final four.

In the East Region I have Kentucky making it to the final four. I think they'll have to get through Texas, Cornell, and West Virginia. Kentucky should be a little happy though because of who they have to face until the Elite 8 matchup against West Virginia. West Virginia on the other hand doesn't have such a great deal; I think they'll face Missouri, Marquette and Kentucky. That's certainly not an easy lineup to make it to the final four. The deciding game will be in the Elite 8 when I think Kentucky will face West Virginia.

In the South region, I've got Villanova heading to the final four. For all those Duke fans, you don't deserve the number one seed, and I think Duke's going to lose in the 2nd round to Louisville. You can stop laughing now Pop. However, I think Louisville is going to lose the following game to Texas A & M after defeating Duke. I think Villanova has to go through Richmond, Baylor and Texas A & M. Then Villanova will be home free in the final four.

For the Championship game I've got Syracuse vs. Kentucky. I think that will be a tough and exiting game. With great guard and center play look forward to a shootout if this matchup comes true. Here are my picks, What are yours?

What Happen to the Storm?

By Amir Ali Said

Snow storm? What snow storm? Last time I checked there wasn't a flake of snow in Manhattan. But there was a good amount of snow in Brooklyn. This morning, it looked like a little slow plane in the middle of the road. But I never heard anything about it snowing in Brooklyn. I heard 4-5 inches in Manhattan. But this morning I didn't hear of any snow. Now, in Brooklyn the snow has decreased, in fact, I haven't seen snow in about four hours. Needless to say, its rather unfortunate that there wasn't a snow storm, or even a couple inches. Snow is mad cool. But their is a flip side.

To get the flip side of snow just go to Washington, D.C. right now. A blizzard hit! Villanova and Georgetown almost didn't play today because of the snow. I doubt anybody in Washington, D.C. likes snow at the moment. Then you could also check out Pennsylvania because they also got a good amount of snow. Hence, New York is very fortunate that they missed the snow storm.