Mississippi College School of Law: New Website

I have been meaning to post this for some time: as many of you know, I teach at Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson. We have a brand new website. I hope you take a look, and learn more about our school, which also recently opened a dynamic, start-of-the art facility (with high-tech classrooms and an extraordinarily-nice student center -- it is really first class). We'll be celebrating our new campus with a ribbon cutting and building dedication on Thursday, December 1. Excellent times here in Jackson.

Now, if we could just get rid of the NBA's new age floor, I would be truly content . . .

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Theo Epstein Offered Lucrative Gambling Position in Costa Rica

It didn't take long for an "unemployed" Theo Epstein to attract interest on the job market. As we discussed on Monday, Epstein essentially quit as Red Sox general manager this week, after declining a 3-year contract extension worth $1.5 million a year. According to the Boston Herald, the Costa Rican-based Nine Online Sports Betting has offered Epstein a position that would pay him $2 million a year. (Scott Van Vorhis, "Gambling Site Makes Offer to Theo," Boston Herald, Nov. 3, 2005). In the position, Epstein would set odds for Major League games.

But the package includes more than mere mucho dinero. Indeed, Epstein would receive rather plush housing accommodations: a 6,000-square foot mansion in the mountains of Costa Rica, along with a "small army of maids and other help," as well as an assortment of on-site athletic facilities, including a soccer field and a tennis court.

At least based on the compensation, it seems hard to imagine a better setting for a single, 31-year old guy like Epstein--particularly given his recent high-stress, all-consuming, yet incredibly successful tenure as Red Sox GM. He really could walk away into the sunset, head held-high, having accomplished more than most will in their entire lives.

But is this merely a publicity stunt for Nine Online? Probably, particularly given that 1) Epstein has already been in contact with another MLB team about becoming its general manager (and if I were a gambler, I'd put my money on him becoming GM of the Washington Nationals by the end of next week) and 2) Epstein has expressed interest in eventually pursuing politics, and I think it is safe to assume that being a gambling jefé in Costa Rica probably wouldn't be great resume fodder for an aspiring U.S. Senator.

But who knows. $2 million a year + king-like treatment + a tropical paradise all to merely set odds for baseball games? That doesn't sound like such a bad gig, does it?

Update: Wes raises a great question in the comments:

This is an interesting proposition to say the least. However, given the stance MLB takes toward gambling, legal or otherwise, I find it hard to believe that he would be allowed to actaully set odds for an offshore gambling site for two years and then return to MLB in any capacity, especially as the general manager of a team. I wonder, if Epstein were to take this job, and then attempt a comeback to MLB in the future, would his return be met with heavy opposition from the powers that be? Wouldn't it be somewhat hypocritical to ban from the game those who place bets on the lines, and then allow participation by those who actually set them?

Terrific point. So maybe this isn't such a great opportunity for Epstein, unless he wants to walk away from the game for good. I know Larry Lucchino was tough to work for, but was he that tough?

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Three Dollars in the Mail

I got three dollars in the mail today from The State newspaper. I sent an email to complain about missing sections from the Sunday edition of the newspaper. They were prompt and courteous in getting to the bottom of it, and they refunded me 3 whole bucks. I wish the government did this type of thing.

 

I am finding that the squeaky wheel does indeed get the grease.

 

In other news, I am considering speaking before the Camden City Council about their possible proposal to ban tattoo parlors from our town. This is distinct from the county's efforts to do the same thing. It should be fun if I decide to go.

 

Also, I feel that I will be gainfully employed in the next week or so. Or it could be constipation. You can never tell with these things.

 

 

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Early Evening Audio/Video Links

New England Cable News has video links to Theo Epstein's farewell press conference from today (a must watch, especially once he starts answering questions), as well as to Red Sox owner John Henry's poignant remarks. For fan reaction (and even press conference play-by-play), check out this thread on Sons of Sam Horn. Interestingly, although not surprisingly, Larry Lucchino was not at Epstein's press conference.

Also, and thanks to University of Pennsylvania Law School student Rebecca Lacher, here is the working link to yesterday's BBC discussion on the NBA Dress Code and race. The discussion featured Greg, me, Colleen Hammond, and Sean Gonsalvez. The program is called "World Have Your Say," and our discussion occurs from minutes 38:27 to 47:54. The debate is very lively.

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A-Rod Gate? Yankees Warn Alex Rodriguez Against Partaking in Illegal Gambling Activities

In addition to slapping opposing players' arms and struggling in the playoffs, Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez apparently has an affinity for illegal gambling. According to the New York Daily News, Rodriguez is frequenting illegal city poker clubs, where it is thought that those who bet on baseball may also frequent. (Jim Rich et. al, "Play-Rod's Bets Called," N.Y. Daily News, 11/2/2005). Rodriguez, who is the highest paid athlete in the world (10-year, $252 million contract), is apparently not breaking the law by gambling at these operations, as under New York law, only the actual operators face liability.

The nefarious behavior is especially abhorrent to Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, who is one of the strictest owners in pro sports. However, the Daily News quotes an unnamed Yankees executive who states that Rodriguez has not violated his contract's morals clause. Most moral clauses feature the following type of language (and thanks to Frascogna Courtney LLC in Jackson, Mississippi for this info):

The Player agrees to perform his services hereunder diligently and faithfully, to keep himself in first-class physical condition and to obey the Club's training rules, and pledges himself to the American public and to the Club to conform to high standards of personal conduct, fair play and good sportsmanship

I suspect if it is proved that Rodriguez is playing poker with those who also bet on baseball, the Yankees could more closely investigate the possibility of terminating his astronomical contract, or at least threatening to do so. Regularly mingling with those who bet on baseball may not "conform to high standards of personal conduct." It is also possible that Major League Baseball would intervene at that point, and threaten suspension. After the Pete Rose betting scandal, the MLB would seem to have little tolerance for those who associate with baseball bettors.

Regardless, A-Rod's gambling activities cast a poor light on a player seemingly obsessed with his image. One would think that A-Rod could get his gambling "fix" in his own clubhouse, as many players like to play cards. Or he could have poker games in his own home. But instead, he chooses to frequent illegal gambling operations, and associate with serious, hardened gamblers. Maybe he shouldn't have skipped college after-all!

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DVD- Kingdom of Heaven

I finally got around to watching this one. Brett Greer panned it and most people who have seen it say it is a bit of a letdown. I am not overly enthusiastic about it either.

 

Kingdom of Heaven fails because it ends in a happy ending. it isn't about honor at all. The guy ends up back home with his woman, and they live happily ever after in obscurity. Meanwhile, the movie pretty much sums up what the Crusades and the Middle East crap of today is all about--fanatics jousting over stones and real estate. But hey, at least the guy wasn't eviscerated like Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

 

It is a notch below Troy which means it is watchable.

 

Out.

 

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New Law School Rankings

Professor Brian Leiter of the University of Texas School of Law has just released his annual law school rankings. He uses slightly different criteria than U.S. News and World Reports. Namely, he looks at only three facts: LSAT score, GPA, and class size. For that reason, I think his methodology is better, since he bases his rankings only on tangible data (rather than more subjective, less empirical qualities, like "assessment score by lawyers/judges," which is part of U.S. News and World Reports):

Here is the Top 10 List:

Rank	School	75th Percentile LSAT	75th Percentile GPA	Class Size
1	Harvard University	175	3.94	550
2	Yale University	175	3.96	200
3	Columbia University	173	3.83	400
4	New York University	172	3.85	400
5	Stanford University	172	3.94	150
6	University of Virginia	171	3.82	350
7	University of Pennsylvania	171	3.81	250
8	University of Chicago	171	3.78	200
9	Georgetown University	170	3.80	450
10	Northwestern University	170	3.78	200

Update: Jeff in the Comments section raises a good question about Professor Leiter's methodology: "Do the Leiter rankings value large class size over small class size? I've always thought of small class size as a strength. Harvard and Yale have the same LSAT, Yale has a higher GPA, and Yale has smaller class size. Why is it #2?"

I had a similar reaction to Jeff when I read the rankings. But Professor Leiter responds with a very good explanation:

Class size (rounded to the nearest 50) served as a tie breaker: the larger school with the same LSAT credentials was ranked higher.

For Harvard to boast a 75th percentile LSAT of 175, just like Yale, requires Harvard to recruit nearly three times as many students as Yale with those credentials. That speaks both to Harvard’s attractiveness, and to the existence at Harvard of an enormous pool of highly credentialed students, a fact, needless to say, that prospective employers register.

I hadn't thought of class size that way, but it makes a lot of sense. If Harvard Law School and Yale Law School students are essentially of "equal quality" (which Leiter's numbers suggest), then Harvard Law School appears "stronger" by featuring a class 3 times larger than that of Yale Law School. Moreover, there are a lot more Harvard Law grads than Yale Law grads, and if the two groups are indeed equal, then a Harvard Law degree would seem to have greater professional value just by virtue of enjoying more alumns in "prestigious" positions, as well as enhanced fundraising opportunities.

At least that is how I read it. Of course, Carl also makes a great point in the Comments section: where one attends law school is merely a proxy for a lot of things; it is no by means definitive about anything--which is sort of like using age as a proxy for when one should be able to enter a pro sports league: sometimes proxies aren't always true.

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