Michael Venning's Sportswriter Profile

Senior Writer
Columnist
Analyst
Scribe
Contributor
Member

Michael Venning

Joined about 1 year ago

7 articles written
38 comments posted

Michael's Fans (1)

Tim81 articles

Michael's Lineup

Favorite Tags

Favorite Writers

Michael's Bio

I was born and raised in Australia, a country where sport actually means more to the average person than those in the U.S. That is not an exaggeration; take a trip over there sometime (after you save your money for a while) and you'll see.

I've been published twice and have been well received at public speaking engagements. Once to a tearful 2-star General! But that's another story...

I also lived in Europe for three years and all around the U.S. so I've experienced sports from all angles. Playing, watching, and coaching almost every sport you can think of from Australian Rules Football and cricket, to soccer, volleyball, and tennis. And even a touch of the basics like basketball and football.

I love the competitiveness of sports when done in the right way. Magic vs Bird: The right way. Barry Bonds vs Mark McGuire vs Sammy Sosa vs Jose Canseco: Definitely the wrong way. I like to focus on the love of the game for the game itself. Not the millionaire superstars that we have created; but the perfect pass behind the back for an easy layup, a quarterback juking the safety out of his way before a soft, looping pass that falls into his receiver's hands, or a clean check in hockey that is not followed by a brawl.

LOVE OF THE GAME...

Michael's Recent Articles

New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing elected to Hall of Fame

Published about 1 year ago
973 reads 0 comments

Walsh in As Knicks President of Basketball Operations

Published about 1 year ago
862 reads 2 comments

By the Numbers: Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?

Published about 1 year ago
1,633 reads 14 comments

89_basketball_nba_free_sports_computerdesktop_wallpaper_l_medium

Keep Writing! Our Soldiers Need You...

Published about 1 year ago
1,501 reads 5 comments

See 3 more of Michael's articles »

Michael Writes About

There are no activities to display

The Short List What Michael thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Favorite Athletes

Tiger Woods, Pete Sampras, Patrick Ewing, Chris Paul, Steven Silvagni, Shane Warne
Favorite Sports Teams

New York Knicks, New York Mets, New York Giants, Oklahoma Sooners, New Orleans Hornets, Carlton Blues (Australia!)
All Time Sports Moment

Watching my Giants beat the "Perfect Pats" in the Super Bowl. I couldn't talk for a week from all of the yelling!
Most Memorable Game Attended

Opening night for the Oklahoma City Hornets (NBA). Most electric atmosphere I've ever experienced at an professional sports event. GET OKLAHOMA A TEAM!

Bulletin Board (5) Post a note »

by Ben
about 1 year ago

Hi Michael -

I realized after I posted the comment on your article that it came off a bit harsh. Sorry for the blow up. I'm kind of a stats guy and it is important to me that people understand more than what is just quoted on ESPN or CBS. So... apologies for the severity of the criticism.

I do mean what I said about kenpom.com - just about any tempo-free stat you'd want, all at your fingertips.

Keep up the good work.

Ben
by Andrew
about 1 year ago

Thanks for the great article. It really made me think, and make sure that I'm not taking anything for granted.

Thanks again for the encouragement!
by Chad
about 1 year ago

Thanks for the pick, appreciate it mate!
by Divya
about 1 year ago

Thanks for all the work on my NBA Player Rankings Article. Thanks a lot for all your work!!!!!!!!!!
by Marc
about 1 year ago

Thanks for the vote!!

<form action="/accounts/create_from_facebook" class="new_facebook_user" id="new_facebook_user" method="post">	<input id="facebook_user_proxied_email" name="facebook_user[proxied_email]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[profile_pic]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_facebook_id" name="facebook_user[facebook_id]" type="hidden" />
	<input id="facebook_user_profile_url" name="facebook_user[profile_url]" type="hidden" />
	<ul>
					<li class="fb-question">
				<div class="input">
											<div id="facebook_placebo_submit">
							<img src="/images/shared/submit.png" />
						</div>
										<div class="fb-first-name" id="fb-email">
						<p><strong>Email Address</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_email" name="facebook_user[email]" size="30" type="text" />
						<img alt="Small" id="facebook_email_indicator" src="http://assets3.bleacherreport.com/images/shared/spinners/small.gif?1257981313" style="display:none" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
				<div class="input" id="facebook_password_container" style="display:none">
					<div class="fb-first-name notice">
						<p>This email address matches an existing user profile. Please enter your password to connect your accounts.</p>
						<p><strong>Password</strong></p>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_password" name="facebook_user[password]" size="30" type="password" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
				<div id="facebook_questions" style="display:none">
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_full_name_container">
				<p class="question">
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Use your full name <strong class="full_name"></strong> on Bleacher Report?</label>
					<br />
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_full_name" name="facebook_user[use_full_name]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_full_name">Yes</label>
				</p>
				<div class="input full-name-edit" style="display:none">
					<p>Edit your name for Bleacher Report:</p>
					<div class="fb-first-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_first_name">First Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_first_name" name="facebook_user[first_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
	
					<div class="fb-last-name">
						<label for="facebook_user_last_name">Last Name <em>(required)</em></label>
						<input class="signup_text_input" id="facebook_user_last_name" name="facebook_user[last_name]" size="30" type="text" />
						
					</div>
				</div>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question">
					<img src="/images/default-user-icon-medium.png" class="profile_pic" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Do you want to use your Facebook profile picture on Bleacher Report?</label>
				</p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_use_profile_pic" name="facebook_user[use_profile_pic]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_use_profile_pic">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question" id="facebook_interested_in_writing_container">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Are you interested in covering your favorite teams and sports?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input id="facebook_user_interested_in_writing" name="facebook_user[interested_in_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_interested_in_writing">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity in your Facebook activity feed?</label></p>
				<p class="options">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity" name="facebook_user[share_activity]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity">Yes</label>
					
					<br />
					<a href="#" id="share_facebook_activity_advanced_link">Advanced Sharing Options</a>
				</p>
				<p id="share_facebook_activity_advanced" style="display:none">
					<input name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing" name="facebook_user[share_activity_article_writing]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_article_writing">When I write a new article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_comment" name="facebook_user[share_activity_comment]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_comment">When I post a comment</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_like" name="facebook_user[share_activity_like]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_like">When I like an article</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote" name="facebook_user[share_activity_poll_vote]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_poll_vote">When I vote on a poll</label>
					<br /><input name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_share_activity_fan" name="facebook_user[share_activity_fan]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_share_activity_fan">When I become a fan of another member</label>
				</p>
			</li>
			<li class="fb-question">
				<p class="question"><label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Become fans of your Facebook friends connected to Bleacher Report?</label></p>
				<p class="options">			
					<input name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="hidden" value="0" /><input checked="checked" id="facebook_user_fan_friends" name="facebook_user[fan_friends]" type="checkbox" value="1" />
					<label for="facebook_user_fan_friends">Yes</label>
					
				</p>
			</li>
			<li>
				<a id="facebook_connect_submit"><img src="/images/shared/submit.png" /></a>
			</li>
		</div>
	</ul>
</form>

Sign up for Bleacher Report

Already have an account? Log in now » As a member you can get the latest on your favorite teams, post comments, write your own articles, and much more.

Join Bleacher Report

You must register in order for that functionality to work!

Sign up through Facebook

Follow your Facebook friends on Bleacher Report
Share your articles, comments, and more with friends

Great, , you're signed up!

i.e. San Francisco Giants, SEC Football, NFL, Golf

Selected Tags:

Yes, I'd like to receive an email newsletter for the topics I selected.

Michael Venning

Michael's Fans (1)

Michael's Lineup

Favorite Tags

Favorite Writers

Michael's Bio

Michael's Recent Articles

New York Knicks: Patrick Ewing elected to Hall of Fame

Walsh in As Knicks President of Basketball Operations

By the Numbers: Who Will Win the NCAA Tournament?

Keep Writing! Our Soldiers Need You...

Michael Writes About

The Short List What Michael thinks about sport's most pressing questions

Bulletin Board (5) Post a note »

About B/R

Writing for B/R

Explore B/R

Popular Topics

Sign up for Bleacher Report

Log in to Bleacher Report

Join Bleacher Report

Log in to Bleacher Report

Sign up through Facebook

Log in through Facebook

Great, , you're signed up!

Selected Tags: