NO HOMO - Homophobic Backlash After Toronto Raptors' Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans Hold Hands

Leandro Barbosa and Reggie Evans hold hands.. so!

By Rod2.0

The Toronto Raptors snapped a six-game losing streak with a 102-98 win over the Orlando Magic on Sunday. Guard Leandro Barbosa had some 14 points ... should be reason to celebrate, right?

In a light-hearted moment, Barbosa took the hand of teammate Reggie Evans enroute to the locker room. The innoucous image has caused a "no homo" gay panic backlash across the 'net.

Hundreds of gay-baiting comments were left on YouTube and othersites. YouTube commenting is now disabled but OutSportscaptured some of the flavor: "How romantic…ha, faggs." "Reggie Evans is GAY" "Not only does [head coach] jay triano have to deal with barnani and calderon but these fags has well! its a miracle they even won 21 games!"

The backlash against the ballers is reminiscent of the January 2008 University of Louisville incident. The image of two Louisvile players embracing produced hundreds of gay panic comments.

Sad. The intense homophobic culture surrounding American sports is exactly why few athletes are willing to come out.

Cool: Puma Ditches Boxes for 'Clever Little Bag'

By Kiran Aditham

It took 21 months, 2000 ideas and 40-plus packaging prototypes to pore over, but Puma along with designer Yves Behar and his team at Fuseproject have come up with a new sustainable packaging system for Puma sneakers: Clever Little Bag. The product, which will begin rolling out next year, marks the next phase of the brand's social and green-themed initiative PumaVision.

While Puma chief exec Jochen Zeitz said that the brand would not necessarily save money with the new packaging, he adds, "Sustainability is not only absolutely necessary considering the situation our planet is in, we as companies are also overdue to take responsibility. We can't wait for governments. Companies have to lead the way and we want to be among the leaders." Behar meanwhile offers his two cents about the project to Fast Company, which also posts Puma's estimates on Clever Little Bag's impact.

The Summer 2010 - Musclefesto!!!

EAS launched a print and TV campaign promoting its Myoplex shakes to a mainstream audience of people who work out regularly, not just body builders and elite athletes. "Musclefesto" features shirtless athletes playing basketball, football, water polo and rock climbing. "If you use muscles, use Myoplex," concludes the ad.

If muscled legs are your thing, then you will love this next spot. "Legs" focuses on toned, sweaty game playing soccer, running steps, swimming, running track and jump roping.

Click here to see video at: http://eas.com

Fight for your Business Life as an Entrepreneur

The MEGA World of Lil Mogul

Watching Olympic athletes compete, we’re taken to a place where special humans participate in a noble cause. These heroes commit countless hours over many years, pushing their minds and bodies to achieve a level of excellence that might qualify them to … merely to be on an Olympic team to represent their country.

Notice neither winning medals nor glory were mentioned. Most Olympians find neither, and yet they try.

Watching an event, we’re at once self-conscious and grateful when the long lens of the camera invades that private moment just prior to the competition. Self-conscious because of the intrusion but grateful to share this moment and benefit vicariously from the Herculean effort about to be displayed.

The camera moves in closer. We can see the Olympian’s eyes and imagine their thoughts. The runner is thinking, “Twelve years and it all comes down to the next few seconds. Must remember the fundamentals.” The gymnast is having a word with herself, “Today, nothing less than my personal best.”

Then the long lens captures the mouth. There’s a lick to fight the cotton mouth that only those who risk failure have tasted. The lips move slightly to offer a prayer or claim an affirmation.

Small business owners are a lot like Olympic athletes: They commit countless hours over many years, pushing mind and body to achieve a level of excellence that might somehow allow them to … merely make a living. Medals and glory? Most small business owners find neither and yet they show up, year after year, to work, to deliver and to contribute.

Like an Olympic race, the future of a small business often rides on the owner’s performance over a very short period. If the camera could take you in close, you would see the owner thinking: “All these years of work and risk could come down to how well I deliver this proposal in the next few minutes. Must remember the fundamentals.” The long lens would capture the mouth. There’s the lick to lessen the cotton mouth that only those who risk failure have tasted. Then the lips move, ever so slightly, to offer a prayer or claim an affirmation.

Olympians and small business owners are dedicated to what they love. They work hard, take great risks and seek excellence, against all odds and usually at their own expense. To all my entrepreneurs continue the FIGHT within and live that MEGA Dream. The spirit of Olympians and Small Business Owners makes the world a better place.

The City of Cleveland wins the 2014 Gay Games

By Jay Shaff

In Cologne, Germany, The Federation of Gay Games (FGG) yesterday selected Cleveland, Ohio as the site for the 2014 Gay Games. Cleveland was chosen over Boston and Washington D.C. which had been competing for the eight day event.

The Gay Games, also known as the Gay Olympics, will expect to draw over 12,000 athletes from around the world. Chicago hosted the Gay Games in 2006. As a mid-sized city, Cleveland offers a unique venue to the games. Transportation in and out of the city is excellent, and unlike other major cities where the games have been held in the past, Cleveland will prove to be much more affordable to athletes, spectators and the event itself. Hotel and daily living rates will likely cost half what larger metropolitan cities command. Unlike subsidized and sponsored International Olympic Committee (IOC) athletes, participants in the Gay Games shoulder their own costs of training, travel and participation. Lower costs could boost athlete and spectator participation.

Activity and cash starved businesses in the Cleveland/Akron area, hit especially hard by the recession and automobile crisis will be offering great facilities, enticing pricing and open arms to the 2014 Gay Games. The City of Cleveland and the Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau (ASCVB) together have committed $800,000 to the event.

"Right now, we're over the moon. This is the largest event that has ever come to our area as far as the number of people, economic impact and national exposure," said Susan Hamo, ASCVB President.

Kevin Boyer, Co-Vice Chair for the 2006 Chicago Gay Games and FGG spokesperson offered: "A Gay Games selection process is always inspiring. Either Boston, Cleveland and Washington, DC, would have been great 2014 hosts. Cleveland gives the Gay Games movement a chance to create significant change. They have demonstrated already that they understand the mission of the Gay Games and they will be a great host."