A-Rod’s infidelity good for his image?
I debated writing about A-Rod’s arm candy because:
- “Ballplayers sleep around” is not news.
- It just feels like Clinton & Lewinski all over again. Who cares if A-Rod is cheating? As Charles Barkley would say, “I’m an athlete, not a role model.”
- There’s no smoking gun. If I’m gonna accuse a guy of cheating, I want to see a dress with a stain on it. Nobody even saw these two kiss!
I’m not saying I feel bad for A-Rod. Cheating is wrong. But now I see why Manny wants to get out of Boston so bad. Cheating…um…I mean PLAYING in those big media markets is tough.
Still, I’m writing about A-Rod now, not because I think his sex life matters, but because I’m curious about the fallout. Will this scandal hurt A-Rod? Or will this be his Paris Hilton sex tape, catapulting him to even greater stardom?
Frankly, I can see it going either way. After he beat the wrap on rape charges, Kobe Bryant grew a goatee and embraced the roll of NBA villain. It was the best thing that ever happened to him.
Maybe the same fate awaits A-Rod. He’s always been a little too pretty. A little too squeaky clean. But overnight, he goes from prick to badass. From the kind of guy who thinks he’s better than everyone to the kind of guy who IS better than everyone, as evidenced by the hot bleachy blonde stripper with whom he’s (presumably) knockin’ boots.
Then again, maybe the scandal distracts A-Rod and his offensive numbers plummet.
Like I said, I could see it going either way.
May 30th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Coley, I really don’t think the rape scandal helped Kobe. But more importantly, I can’t believe you just compared A-Rod stepping out with another woman with RAPE.
[Report comment]
May 30th, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Ooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhhh… Coley, your move. And it had better be a good one.
[Report comment]
May 30th, 2007 at 5:35 pm
Sarah, that’s exactly my point. Kobe Bryant was accused of rape, something you’d think would ruin a guy’s career. But it did the opposite. Sure, he lost some sponsors in the short run. But now he’s back on top, one of the truly marquee stars in sports. Before the rape charge, Kobe was seen as elitist, just because he spent some of his youth in Italy. The rape charges took a little of the shine off his apple, which it turned out was just what he needed. Now he’s human. Fans can relate to him.
A-Rod won’t have to worry about losing sponsors. At least, I doubt it. And he could benefit from the “street cred” this press will bring him.
[Report comment]
May 30th, 2007 at 11:12 pm
What the rape allegations did for Kobe was prove that he screws around on the road, which proves he is more human than the prep school uncle tom rich kid that everyone thought he was. He probley was but listening to hip hop and getting tattoos will make a guy do some crazy stuff. Like try to bang crazy white girls.
I understand Coley’s position on comparing A Rod and Kobe as well. Kobe was squeaky clean until some late teen crazy hotel clerk told the world a bunch of stuff (some of which was true). And A Rod comes off as such a pompous ass all the time. He carries that aura of “I’m better than you but it’s because I outwork you” bullshit. Very condescending. Like he’s not the most talented guy on any field he steps onto.
Both men seemed to be one way and now A Rod is going to have to transform like Kobe did. Get some visible tattoos and listen to more hip hop. Maybe Daddy Yankee, since he is Dominican… sort’ve. right?
[Report comment]