CEM Organization: February 2010

GLENDALE, Ariz. — When the White Sox acquired Jake Peavy from San Diego last season, they were well aware of his talent on the mound. Now, they're finding out about his unselfishness in the clubhouse.

On the first day of spring training, Ozzie Guillen announced that Mark Buehrle would be his opening day starter. The reason Chicago's manager could do that so easily was because Peavy turned down the assignment.

"I had talked to Jake at SoxFest about him being the opening day guy," pitching coach Don Cooper said Monday. "He called me up two or three days after SoxFest and said, `Dude, I don't want to start. I don't want it. This is Buehrle's team.'"

Peavy and the White Sox know Buehrle needs one opening day start to set the franchise record of eight.

"Certainly we all knew that Buehrle had a chance to have the record, but my thought was we would be running out our best guy on Day 1 and we would then be able to give Buehrle a few days extra," Cooper said. "But the point is Jake's unselfishness was a very, very refreshing thing to see."

For a guy who has made only three starts in a White Sox uniform, Peavy is opening a lot of eyes within the organization. Even Buehrle questioned the club's decision to go with him over the 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner.

"I wouldn't have cared," Buehrle said. "I still think they're making a mistake pitching me opening day. I've said all along that Peavy is dominating. He's going to go out and dominate teams and that's what people want to see, fans want to see – someone go out and dominate.

"I've said all along that he should be starting opening day. I think when the playoffs get here, we'll see, but if we make it I think he would be the No. 1 guy. I'll just go out there and try and get the win, get us going the right way."

What will it mean for Buehrle to have the White Sox record by himself, surpassing the seven opening day starts made by Billy Pierce? Well, it joins the World Series title, no-hitter and perfect game on the resume of one of the most accomplished starting pitchers in team history.

The annual circus arrived and light rain dropped, lifting insanity in Miami, an active community opportune in hosting festivities.

There were no clowns, stomping elephants, wild monkeys, alligators, or even entertaining acrobats, but there had to be close to thousands of media personnel, crowded together and cramped near the podium interrogating.

The fortunate ones inching closer in stepping on the biggest stage to master triumph. On a peculiar afternoon, the Colts handled the madness by answering any eccentric question thrown at them.

Unable to elude all the surrounding photo shots, there were constant bright flashes and inane queries came from the mouths of bold reporters, with five days left before Super Bowl kickoff.

The state of Dwight Freeney’s ankle injury is absorbing all the attention, when the Indianapolis Colts are explosive and refined on offense, rather than an erratic defense.

But amid all the craziness, Tuesday at Media Day, where the Greatest Exhibit on Turf staged in the center of Sun Life Stadium. If they were affiliated with the media, reporters were ecstatic when Peyton Manning grabbed the microphone.

Not surprisingly, the four-time MVP stole the spotlight on the wackiest stage, where he described the biggest game as the pinnacle event of the NFL.

Seemingly, pinpointing the irony is simple, if pertaining to the Great Manning himself. Any team can advanced to the Super Bowl, but it’s rare for any team to seek a promising chance of perfection.

Twice in his career, Manning has almost finished the unprecedented by leading the Colts amazingly to NFL’s first 19-0 record. Once in his career, he has won a Super Bowl, at the same site where he returns attempting to hoist another piece of hardware.

So when he appeared near the table, Manning stared at millions of reporters, logic that justifies he’s a valuable specimen.

“I am excited for New Orleans,” Manning said. “It’s a special place to me. My family lives there…I enjoyed watching the game last week. I surely felt that emotion.”

If there’s one quarterback the game truly embraces, it’s Manning, a savvy team captain who deserves to be characterized as the brand name of the NFL.

Think about it.

He’s the marquee player of the league, and constantly reaches historic marks, regardless if the plateaus are done individually or as a team.

What’s not to love about the endearing megastar?

Having seen Manning hurl eye-opening passes is enough to appreciate him as NFL’s biggest attraction.

Having seen thrilling audible called at the line of scrimmage, which transformed into exceptional touchdown completions, are usual traits that has fans at Indianapolis believing in blue and jovial of the lustful style and humbleness he has shown since the emergence on the pro level.

What we’ve seen over the years was a bright team president, Bill Polian build a solid franchise. After experiencing these proudest memories before, the Colts are here again, attempting to reach the climax by the end of Sunday night. All year, Manning dreamed of returning to the biggest dance.

While wearing a blue uniform, he has proved to the world that he’s a valuable specimen and will be in the running to seize a championship. As years progress, his popularity has expanded greatly. And because of fame he declared citizenship in the smallish town, where if he was to run for major, he’ll probably favor all voting ballots.

What’s not to like about Manning?

He tries to focus on the positives.

He tries to think of strengths, rather than weaknesses.

He tries to garner a positive belief on the game. And he tries to downplay all the individual awards.

In other words, all things are done as a team effort, not individually. There’s not a day that passes, without Manning praising the team or crediting a teammate for their contributions. For those who know him very well, he’s straightforward and genuine. Pretty much, Manning isn’t a worrywart, but has acknowledged that his teammates will have to raise the intensity.

Rarely, does he wind up frustrated, unless he’s harassed on the turf in a contest. Even if Freeney cannot play, he’s confident in teammates and coaching staff. If he fought through adversity in the season and played with confidence, there’s no question he has strong belief in the up-and-coming receivers, such as Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie.

For much of the season, he relied on youth after losing top-name receiver Marvin Harrison and former Defensive Player of the Year Bob Sanders.

There was a trust level he had developed after building a strong relationship with Tony Dungy’s successor, Jim Caldwell, who proved that he’s mentally equipped to lead a NFL franchise. And this just in, owner Jim Irsay expects to sign Manning to the most lucrative contract in NFL history, which makes him the richest quarterback in history.

But if you have blue pride, you’re probably thinking of Manning. It’s obvious the superlative season in which he threw for 4,500 yards, has the gifted megastar regarded as the face of pro football.

From most perspectives he’s the perfectionist of the game. Without much debate, he is the greatest of all-time, given us every reason to believe in sports.

He's the epitome of a lovable icon, and defines the true meaning of humanity.

He was asked some of the weirdest questions ever on Tuesday, but answered each of them with dignity and heartwarming messages. There’s no doubts in our minds, he's the noble peace maker of the NFL. Let’s take a listen.

“I understand the question—you have to do this and that. But this is a team game,” he said. “And this has been a team season for us. Look at the games, and you’ll see we have not dominated. We’ve had to grind and muscle, with different guys doing it in different games.

He then went on to say: “I don’t look at what it means for me. I don’t know what legacy means for me. I don’t have an option on that. I go out and play, and if other people form opinions, that’s their right. I know that this game is important to our franchise, our owner and our fans. That’s how I look at it being an important game.”

We can argue with U.S Today that Tom Brady wasn’t worthy of receiving the best quarterback of the decade honors, but given that he owns three Super Bowl rings, it gives him the nod. Of course, if Manning won multiple titles this decade, he would have definitely been considered the best of the decade. Now, even greater, he has a chance to prove he’s the greatest quarterback by winning on the national stage, the national holiday when friends and relatives unite for parties rooting on the next champ.

He’s the most popular and endearing figure, if not all of sports.

He, indeed, showed it at Media Day.

Buying a franchise is a consideration for many people who desire to run their own business. While many franchises require a significant investment of time, money, and resources, they are often profitable ventures because there is a proven track-record of success of the business concept and the owner of the concept, the franchiser, often provides support and training to help the new franchisee succeed.

But before diving in to a franchise, the new business owner has to do their due diligence. This includes reviewing all disclosures provided by the franchiser and the franchise agreement itself.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires that every franchiser disclose, in writing, detailed information to all prospective franchisees at least 10 days prior to any money exchanging hands or any agreement being signed. If any franchiser insists that you sign must sign an agreement, even if it's a supposed confidentiality agreement, or pay any fee prior to reviewing their disclosures, he is breaking the law. Some states have enacted specific laws governing the disclosures provided to franchisees, which often provide even more protections to the prospective business owner.

There are more than 20 categories of information each franchiser must provide to prospective business owners. Most franchisers include this information in their franchise agreements. Not every franchiser will have information to share in each category, so the disclosures will vary from company to company. But every franchiser must disclose the business history of the franchiser, a complete disclosure of all ongoing fees to be paid by the franchisee, the initial investment required, specifics on what training is provided, the franchisee's duties and obligations to the organization, the franchiser's duties and obligations to the organization and franchisee, how to terminate the relationship, how to transfer ownership of the franchise and specifics on dispute resolution. As a prospective buyer, you should read this document thoroughly and review any provisions you question with an attorney.

But beware: many franchisers will also create a separate operating manual that does not contain any of the required disclosures so they feel they do not have to share it with you as a prospective buyer until you have committed to the program. If there are questions about how things get done in the organization that the franchise agreement does not cover, make sure you also have an opportunity to review the operating manual. Do not be put off by claims of confidentiality. You have a right to that information before you commit money.

In addition, the franchiser must provide the prospective business owner with a list of all current franchisees and any franchisees which have ceased business within twelve months, along with the last known contact information from the company records. The franchiser cannot prevent you from contacting those separated franchisees and you should make every effort to contact as many of the current and former business owners to make sure you get a full picture of their experiences. Before you call, prepare a list of questions and concerns you have and see how the different contacts answer them. This should be a crucial step in your due diligence and it should be a top priority.

Franchise agreements, like any contract, are meant to be negotiable. Ask the current and former franchisees what changes they made to their agreements. If there are terms you are uncomfortable with, or you would like to add additional terms, or if the franchiser promises something but it's not in writing, make sure it's added to the franchise agreement, either as a modification or as an addendum. And make sure the final draft is signed by an authorized representative of the franchiser and you get a copy of the fully executed agreement.