Sure it's loaded with opinions, but The Checkdown isn't your typical "rant-and-rave" sports blog. As trained journalists and ad men, we offer a unique perspective on the sports world and the endless airtime and column-inches dedicated to its coverage.

Just like all zealous sports fans, a steady diet of sports media is a staple of our daily routine. With the ESPNs, the FOX Sportses, CNN/SI and countless others operating 'round-the-clock, there's literally a never-ending supply of sports news and analysis available on TV, in print and online.

But as we conversed at bars and social gatherings, we found we spent as much time analyzing the way the story was covered – and the subsequent 'spin' – as we did the stories themselves. Then we started to think, "maybe we're not alone." And we're not: What sports fan hasn't griped about an analyst's assessment of their favorite player or objected to the way a commentator called their team's game?

There's a phenomenon in journalism (which is widely held as negative) where the journalist becomes part of the story. Well, through our "lens," the sports journalist is nearly inseparable from the story. Though it's a stretch to consider us a sports "media watchdog" – We like to call it meta-coverage.

Our definition of "sports media" extends beyond the pundits and anchors, to all sports/entertainment periphery. Whether it's contract negotiations, video games and movies or fantasy sports, we’re converging every aspect of sports media and spitting out our take on it. Check out the list below for a complete breakdown of our site sections.

So thanks for "checking-down" to us. While we aren't aiming to be your primary target for sports opinions (hence the name), this site is intended to be a sounding board – for all types opinions – on sports and how they are covered.

Get reading. Get typing. Use The Checkdown.

Press Coverage

This section is what we're all about. We take a look at what's happening in the sports world; We break down the story, the impact and the way it's being covered by the mainstream media. Here you'll find features like "Headliners," where we preview a game and the storylines the coverage teams will be discussing. You'll also find "Leading Off," a look at a major outlets top headlines - both the stories and the headline writing.

Contract Year

What would a day in sports news be with out a major signing, contract negotiation or deadline deal? Here we look at the fiscal-side of sports – contracts, trades, endorsements and more.

Player's Lounge

There's a world of sports entertainment out there beyound the athletic contests. In the Player's Lounge, you'll find posts dealing with sports TV, movies and video games... and if Allen Iverson ever puts out another rap album, I suppose we'd review that too.

Fantasy Fix

What die-hard sports fan isn't also fantasy owner? We are; We play endlessly, pouring over our line-ups and rocking the waiver wire, so we figured, why not write about it too. We also sponsor/participate in several leagues - this is where we'll chat about those.