10 Things That Need to Happen This Summer for the Good of All Sports

June 21 is approaching, and with it brings the longest day of the year and the official start to summer. The NBA and NHL will have just concluded their seasons, and the NFL (should) be starting its shortly. 

All is not at peace and harmony in the world of sports, however.

For the good of sports and all things sports-related, here are 10 things that must happen this summer. 

10. Everyone Needs to Stop Caring About Tiger Woods and Whether or Not He Plays

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PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL - MAY 12: Tiger Woods hits a tee shot on the fifth hole during the first round of THE PLAYERS Championship held at THE PLAYERS Stadium course at TPC Sawgrass on May 12, 2011 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/G

Tiger Woods is, without question, one of the greatest golfers ever. His legacy is written in stone at this point, and nothing—not personal or professional—is touching it. 

The public and the media need to stop caring whether or not Woods plays and, if he does, whether or not he wins. 

There are a ton of great golfers playing in this current PGA Tour, and they deserve to not be overshadowed by speculation over what kind of personal and professional shape Woods is in. 

Let's accept that Woods' era as king of golf may be over for good—and quite frankly, that's all right. 

9. The NBA Must Settle on a New Collective Bargaining Agreement

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MIAMI, FL - JUNE 12: Jason Kidd #2 of the Dallas Mavericks holds the Larry O'Brien trophy after the Mavericks won 105-95 against the Miami Heat in Game Six of the 2011 NBA Finals at American Airlines Arena on June 12, 2011 in Miami, Florida. NOTE TO USER

Before this turns into another NFL fiasco, David Stern and Co. need to sit down with the NBA players union and reach this agreement quickly and painlessly. 

This past 2010-2011 season was one of the best for the NBA in many years. There were several surprises, and for the first time in a while, the tables were turned.

There is a ton of young talent in the league right now, and it's unfair to both players and fans to let this talent go to waste because of petty greed. 

8. The Pittsburgh Pirates Need a Winning Record Come August

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JUNE 10: Andrew McCutchen #22 of the Pittsburgh Pirates hits an RBI single against the New York Mets during the game on June 10, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

I'm behind the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. They are finally showing promise and have a fun, upcoming star in centerfielder Andrew McCutchen. 

With a dedicated fanbase and a beautiful stadium, it is a shame the Buccos have not made the playoffs in 20 years. 

They are one of the most storied franchises in baseball history and it's about time they end this sad era and use their potential for something other than just trade bait.

7. College Football Needs a Headline Other Than Ohio State

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COLUMBUS, OH - MARCH 30: Head Coach Jim Tressel shows off a football helmet with military camouflage to the media during a press conference before the start of Spring practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at The Ohio State University on March 30,

We get it.

Terrelle Pryor traded memorabilia for tattoos, and Jim Tressel knew about it and covered it up. 

It's very bad and very classless, but despite the shock of one of the most renowned coaches in the past decade resigning abruptly, let's move on and look forward to what should be a great year of college football. 

It's time fans and media should start talking about predictions and previews. Anticipation needs to build and the channels need to stop being clogged with overdone debate and analysis of the Ohio State situation.

After all, college football might be the only football played this summer.

6. The Women's World Cup Needs to Get Significant Coverage

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HARRISON, NJ - JUNE 05: Alex Morgan #13 of the United States against Mexico during their International Friendly at Red Bull Arena on June 5, 2011 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Soccer might be the sport with the least disparity in competition and intensity between men's and women's. 

Women's soccer is fast paced and exciting, and I don't know about everyone else, but the excitement of international sporting events never fails to draw me in.

The US team has a very good squad, too, and a solid chance of winning.

But if competition isn't convincing enough for you, at least tune in to watch my current crush, Alex Morgan, run around. 

5. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the New York Mets Need Money Management

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LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Los Angeles Dodgers owner Frank McCourt speaks at a news conference at Dodger Stadium prior to a game between the St. Louis Cardinals and Los Angeles Dodgers on April 14, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. Large numbers of LAPD

It's amazing what big pickles these two classic franchises have gotten themselves into.

The New York Mets are losing money daily from poor ticket sales, a high salary cap, and paying past players. They need to trade one or more of their big-name players and rebuild. Lowering ticket prices is not a bad option either. 

The Los Angeles Dodgers are in even worse shape: Owner Frank McCourt can barely make payments to support the squad following his divorce, and the Dodgers now owe Manny Ramirez $8.33 million. 

For the good of baseball, these two teams need help—and fast. 

4. Plaxico Burress Needs to Sign with a Team

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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 13: Former NFL wide receiver Plaxico Burress attends a press conference at National Urban League on June 13, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Joe Corrigan/Getty Images)

I really believe Plaxico Burress was put in jail for so long to be made an example of.

Authorities wanted to send the message, via a public figure, that carrying a weapon is very dangerous and, without proper licensing, can be illegal.

Despite the specifics and logistics of the case, Burress needs to put the past behind him and sign with a team to get back to playing football.

The Super Bowl hero receiver is one of the most talented wideouts in the game when he is healthy, and I can't wait to see his comeback. 

3. Derek Jeter Needs to Reach 3,000 Career Hits

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NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 13: Derek Jeter #2 of the New York Yankees runs as he flies out in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians on June 13, 2011 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Jeter suffered a sore right calf on the play a

This will happen no problem, but the fact that it will is very important for baseball.

Derek Jeter has been one of the most respectable and consistent players of the last 15 years, and to see him reaching such a significant milestone is fantastic for the sport of baseball.

He already has a ticket to Cooperstown with his name on it, but by reaching this 3,000 hit mark, he is the joining the ranks of the all-time greats. 

2. Cleveland Needs to Forget About Lebron James and Lose Its Spiteful Pride

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CLEVELAND - MARCH 29: LeBron James #6 of the Miami Heat performs his pre-game chalk throw ritual before the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers on March 29, 2011 at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agr

Everyone knows LeBron James screwed you, Cleveland, but get over it. 

Cleveland cheering and jeering about the Dallas Mavericks beating James and the Miami Heat this past week was spiteful and pathetic.

Sure, it's okay to be happy he lost, but Cleveland is basically saying it will settle for James not winning.

Just like an ex-boyfriend or girlfriend, Cleveland needs to forget about James and move on. By getting so ecstatic over him losing, it's only saying to itself that the team can't win without him. 

1. The NFL Needs to Adopt a New Collective Bargaining Agreement—ASAP

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ST. LOUIS, MO - JUNE 3: Theodore Olson, lawyer for the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA), addresses the media outside the Thomas F. Eagleton U.S. Federal Courthouse after the NFL lockout hearing on June 3, 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. N

For the love of all things football and all things American, the NFL really must put an end to this lockout fiasco.

Football is important in so many ways: It is a culture and a lifestyle. It has 16 games, all important and cherished, and no one in America or the world should lose the ability to enjoy an NFL season.

Now should be the time that teams are signing free agents, making trades, and holding training camp. None of that is going on, and this is only hinting more and more that the season will be shortened or pushed back. 

The fight between the millionaires and the billionaires needs to end.

The fans need football, so, in layman's terms, one of those two groups needs to suck it up and take the short end of the stick. 

In Conclusion

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DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 02: Brett Favre #4 of the Minnesota Vikings talks at a post game press conference after a 13-20 loss to the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on January 2, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

Only time will tell if the forces of the sports gods will line up and these things can occur, bringing (some) harmony to the world of sports. 

If not, Brett Favre can always come out of retirement.