Author: David Shama

David Shama is a former sports editor and columnist with local publications. His writing and reporting experiences include covering the Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Timberwolves and Minnesota Gophers. Shama’s career experiences also include sports marketing. He is the former Marketing Director of the Minnesota North Stars of the NHL. He is also the former Marketing Director of the United States Tennis Association’s Northern Section. A native of Minneapolis, Shama has been part of the community his entire life. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota where he majored in journalism. He also has a Master’s degree in education from the University of St. Thomas. He was a member of the Governor’s NBA’s Task Force to help create interest in bringing pro basketball to town in the 1980s.

Gophers Could Land Historic Football Recruiting Class

Posted on June 20, 2023June 20, 2023 by David Shama

The 2024 University of Minnesota football recruiting class already includes verbal commitments from seven of the top nine players in the state, per 247Sports. That’s Minnesota’s best total since the 2012 class that ultimately signed up seven to letters of intent, according to the 247 archives.

The Gophers have a commitment from the 247 No. 2 player in Minnesota, safety Koi Perich from Esko. Coach P.J. Fleck and staff are awaiting decisions from No.1 Wyatt Gilmore and No. 3 Emerson Mandell.

“If you’re able to land just one of those guys, Fleck would be doing something that historically has been very tough to do no matter who the Gopher coach has been,” Ryan Burns told Sports Headliners while referencing Minnesota’s recruiting in the Internet era. (Note: the Gophers apparently aren’t recruiting the state’s No. 10 ranked player, Coon Rapids High School athlete Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman).

Burns is the experienced recruiting authority from GopherIllustrated and 247Sports. In the next “three, four weeks” he expects decisions from Gilmore and Mandell regarding their college choices.

Gilmore, listed by 247 at 6-4, 240-pounds, is a four-star edge rusher from Rogers. Mandell, 6-5, 295-pounds, is a three-star offensive line prospect from St. Paul and Irondale High School. Who is more likely to become a Gopher?

“I think I am more optimistic about Mandell coming to Minnesota,” Burns said last Friday. “I think it will be either them or Iowa State right now. We’ll see how the Iowa State visit goes…(last) weekend.”

Mandell has made many visits to the Minnesota campus, a solid indication of his interest. Burns believes that because Minnesota and Iowa State appear to be his favorites, that shows a preference to stay close to home.

Burns believes the Gophers “still have a shot” at Gilmore who visited Oklahoma last weekend. Best guess by Burns is Gilmore will commit to a “helmet school” like Miami, Oklahoma, or Oregon.

Rogers head coach Marc Franz told Sports Headliners Gilmore has enjoyed the recruiting process but it’s demanding. “It is weighing on him. It’s a lot of time and energy going into the decision,” said Franz about his star player who plans to enroll in college in January.

Mandell and Gilmore have received encouragement to stay home from in-state players who are committed to the Gophers, including Perich. “It’s part of the reason Koi committed is he wanted to be someone who can help get players,” Burns said.

“He knows he’s a four-star. He knows he’s really good. He knows he’s turned down Michigan, Iowa and Wisconsin among others. And I can confirm he’s got Wyatt Gilmore’s number; he’s got Emerson Mandell’s number. He’s been texting them for a long time. He’s spent time with both of them. …”

Recruiting is a competitive business in college football, partially because there are schools using the enticement of Name, Image and Likeness money as an inducement. That’s an illegal practice and something Minnesota wants no part of.

“Minnesota will not extend NIL to recruits…so if that’s what it comes down to is guaranteed promises in recruiting, Minnesota is never going to win that battle,” Burns said. He added “God speed” in getting the NCAA, the Division I enforcement agency, to police NIL infractions.

Burns wants to see the Gophers successful in recruiting and on the field but he’s not going to fault either Gilmore or Mandell if they decide on schools other than Minnesota. “They’re both good kids. I think they both have got good support systems around them, and they’ll make the best decisions they feel for them.”

Still, it’s tantalizing to think about signing both Gilmore and Mandell, or at least one. Burns believes the talent in the state’s 2024 recruiting class is above average and having nine of the top 10 rated players committed to the Gophers would be unprecedented this millennium. “…If Fleck really wants to put a stamp on it, he’s got to land at least one of these guys,” Burns said about Gilmore and Mandell.

The Gophers have been impressive, too, in building their 2024 recruiting class with out-of-state players. The class totals 23 verbal commits, per 247Sports, with the highest ranked player offensive lineman Nathan Roy from Mukwonago, Wisconsin. He’s the No. 1 ranked player in his state and the first time in memory the Gophers have a commitment from the best recruit in Badger land.

The 2024 247Sports team recruiting rankings have Minnesota No. 10 in the country. As of today, the Gophers have more total pledges than any Division I school, but eventually others will catch up and Minnesota’s lofty ranking won’t last. But commitments from Gilmore and Mandell will help ensure an impressive spot in the final national rankings for 2024 recruiting.

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Contract Leverage Favors Danielle Hunter, Not Vikings

Posted on June 18, 2023June 18, 2023 by David Shama

If the Vikings intend to be competitive in the coming season, they need to make a new contract deal with star pass rusher Danielle Hunter. Worthy of inclusion among the NFL’s best at pressuring the quarterback, Hunter is in the last year of his contract and is too valuable to an already suspect defense to be without.

“You look at the depth chart right now, you definitely need Danielle’s presence on defense… so we’ll see if they can figure out a way to make it work,” said Daniel House who spends countless hours analyzing the Vikings and NFL, and publishes the Mnvikngscorner.com website.

No doubt the Vikings have tested Hunter’s trade appeal with other teams but unless they could acquire an impressive defensive return, they are better off with Hunter who had a bounce back season in 2022 with 10.5 sacks (14.5 in both 2018 and 2019). The 28-year-old is a valuable piece in a new start under first-year defensive coordinator Brian Flores who is expected to put an emphasis on speed and aggressive play to accomplish his task of improving a weak defense from last season.

House predicts the defense will play with creativity and sometimes implement pass rushing mismatches favoring Hunter. “It’ll just be a way more aggressive defense, which I think helps everybody involved.”

To satisfy Hunter it likely will require a contract in the $16 million to $20 million range annually for three or four years. A sticky point is how much money will be guaranteed. Hunter has a history of injuries, and the Vikings will want to protect themselves, while Hunter’s representatives are expected to pursue guaranteed money.

Hunter’s camp has signaled its displeasure with a 2023 salary believed to be about $5 million, and the lack of progress on a new contract. The message came through with the absence of the veteran from both voluntary and mandatory workouts this spring. Unless the Vikings have reason for serious concern about Hunter’s health or have cooked up an acquisition of equal talent, they need to settle on a contract in the coming weeks.

Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell expressed admiration for Hunter last week both as a player and person. He added that “we hope to have continued dialogue and have a really positive outcome.”

Worth Noting

Preseason recognition of multiple University of Minnesota football players continues to grow. Last week Phil Steele Publications honored seven Gophers including safety Tyler Nubin who was named a third-team All-American. Nubin and tight end Brevyn Spann-Ford also were honored as first-team All-Big Ten.

Wide receiver Daniel Jackson, tackle Aireontae Ersery and punt returner Quentin Redding were named second team All-Big Ten on offense. Redding was also honored on a All-Big Ten fourth team as a kick returner along with long snapper Brady Weeks. Quinn Carroll, Minnesota offensive tackle, was also a fourth team honoree.

Last month Athlon Sports honored nine Gophers including wide receiver Chris Autman-Bell who was named second team All-Big Ten. Because of additional eligibility granted to him, Autman-Bell is approaching his seventh season at Minnesota. The Vikings have only 10 players on their roster who this fall will have played seven or more seasons in the NFL.

Beleaguered former Timberwolves GM David Kahn, now a force in French basketball, is the subject of a feature in the new issue of Sports Illustrated and insists he left the Wolves “in a much, much better place than when I arrived.”

With a 35-year-old starting point guard in Mike Conley, logic suggests the Timberwolves could use their only selection in Thursday’s NBA Draft to take Nadir Hifi at No. 53 in the second round. He plays in France and the 6-3, 20-year-old might be a sleeper in this week’s draft.

Jonathan Mekonnen, the Eastview class of 2024 basketball wing, picked up an offer from Loyola Chicago last week. Power Five offers could be coming soon.

USC, who sources believe was interested in Gophers AD Mark Coyle in 2019, has a vacancy again.

Paul Molitor, who some Twins fans think should still be the club’s manager, was terrific in his analyst role recently on radio broadcasts. His knowledge had listeners aware of what just happened, why it happened and what likely was developing next in the game. He would be a superb addition to the roster of radio and TV analysts.

Jim Kaat, the former Twin who for years set the gold standard for baseball commentary during games here and nationally, isn’t working Twins games this year. Kaat, 84 and inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame last year, pitched for the Twins and tight wad owner Calvin Griffith from 1961-1973. “Calvin threw nickels around like manhole covers,” Kaat said years ago.

Kaat spoke Friday to the popular Twin Cities Dunkers organization that just closed off nominations for review in July, with 40 applicants and five spots open.

Darren Wolfson reported on Skor North that Wild GM Bill Guerin is interested in filling the assistant coaching vacancy with someone having head coach experience. That could set up an interesting dynamic with head coach Dean Evason whose teams haven’t advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs.

Happy Father’s Day! Anyone remember this quote from the late Erma Bombeck? “When I was a little kid, a father was like the light in the refrigerator. Every house had one, but no one really knew what either of them did once the door was shut.”

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Glen Taylor Filled Void in Starting the WNBA Lynx

Posted on June 13, 2023June 13, 2023 by David Shama

Sports Headliners interviewed Glen Taylor about various subjects including why he started the Minnesota Lynx, the Karl-Anthony Towns trade rumors and whether he incentivized president of basketball operations Tim Connelly to stay with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Lynx celebrated the franchise’s 25 seasons last weekend at two games in Minneapolis. Taylor, who founded the expansion franchise in 1998, has seen the highs and lows including four WNBA championships. Women’s basketball has increased in popularity in the new millennium and justified Taylor’s commitment to the league and his franchise.

“I did it (started the Lynx) because I just thought Minnesota was a leader in women’s issues, and certainly this was one area that I could control and wanted to get involved in. To me it was natural that we do it,“ Taylor said recently.

The Mankato-based billionaire kept a commitment to the Lynx with his head, heart and pocketbook. There have been championship seasons when the franchise made money, but Taylor said there were “more years that we lost a million dollars.”

Taylor recognized the Lynx as a startup business and has been willing to accept the financial losses. “I never really felt I wanted to get rid of it,” he said.

It’s been satisfying for Taylor and his wife Becky to not only have championship teams, but become acquainted with staff and players. “Becky and I are pretty close to all the people so it becomes a friendship,” he said.

A longtime attendee at home games of both the Lynx and Wolves, Taylor sometimes talks like the fan he is. He gets frustrated when his teams have defensive lapses and make turnovers. “When they play good, you’re so proud and happy but when they play poorly you know that they could do better, and it’s disappointing.”

Since the Wolves season ended in April with a first-round loss to the Nuggets rumors have persisted Towns will be traded. A two-time All-NBA player, he could potentially be traded for future first and second round draft picks and bolster Minnesota’s minimal inventory for upcoming drafts.

“We’re not looking (to trade Towns),” Taylor said. “We’re not trying to do it.”

Taylor added this regarding receptivity to a Towns trade discussion: “If somebody came…and offered you something ridiculous, but that’s not part of our plan.”

The plan, the owner said, is “basically to stay with the same guys we have.” That means keeping the “Twin Towers” of 7-foot forward-center Towns and 7-1 center Rudy Gobert, plus star shooting guard Anthony Edwards, defensive forward whiz Jaden McDaniels and veteran point guard Mike Conley.

Towns and Gobert already have deals paying them more than $30 million per season and in the near future Edwards, 21, and McDaniels, 22, will carry big price tags too. Taylor didn’t offer specifics on retaining that core of four but the subject has been addressed internally with the owner, Connelly and coach Chris Finch.

“I mean that’s one of the things we talked (about) with Tim and Chris when they were here. We’ve gone over all of that, what are our options and how we might do it and stuff like that. So, I think we’re ready.”

Taylor told Sports Headliners last month Connelly had contacted him and made it clear he wasn’t leaving to head the basketball operations with the Wizards, the organization that gave him his start in the NBA. A year ago the Wolves brought Connelly to Minneapolis with a lucrative contract and Taylor said no further incentive was provided for him to keep his commitment here.

When Connelly was making the front office player personnel decisions for the Nuggets from 2013 to 2022, he acquired foundational players Nikola Jovic and Jamal Murray who led the team to its first ever NBA championship last night. The Wolves had competitive moments in their playoff series against the Nuggets who eliminated Minnesota in five games. The Wolves managed one win but lost three games by a combined 21 points. Taylor said the series performance by his team leaves him feeling “fairly good about” next season.

The Nuggets played a Heat team in the NBA Finals partially built by the genius of president Pat Riley, defeating Miami 4-1 in the best of seven series. His ability to judge talent is evidenced by seven players on the Heat roster who were undrafted by NBA teams.

Taylor refers to Riley as a “guru” in judging talent and understanding how to run a team. The two men have communicated in the past, but Taylor wouldn’t report what he learned from Riley who has been a leader of great teams with the Lakers, Knicks and Heat.

“I talked to him and he’s really interesting because he’s kind of the type of guy that’s willing to help you, even though I am…his competition,” Taylor said.

Taylor is transitioning from majority owner of the Wolves and Lynx to having a minority stake. New owners Mar Lore and Alex Rodriguez are expected to address the playing home of the teams, Target Center. The facility opened in 1990 and although it has since been renovated, the building will be a future issue. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has made it clear expectations are high for facilities of all 30 league teams.

“I just think that as everybody would know, that sometime in the future we as the team, or the city, are going to have to face that issue,” Taylor said.

Taylor has national and international businesses in varied fields. His career and successes are being chronicled in a new video being produced internally for employee audiences.

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