THE MAGAZINE EDITOR'S BLOG: "I KNOW IT WAS YOU, BETTMAN."

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We didn't want to post this list, but our boss made us an offer we couldn't refuse.

Went to Game 2 of Rangers vs. Devils in Newark. More on that later in my NHL footnote, but something else occurred to me as I sat in the League's suite with a mixed group of folks, including Sports Illustrated football guru Peter King (nice guy, and apparently a big Devs fan), photographer Alyson Aliano (who took some pics of commissioner Gary Bettman for Fortune) and NHL PR honcho Kerry McGovern. What occurred to me was: A lot of people often say to me something like, "Wow, you must have the greatest job in the world because [insert some presumed perk of being The Magazine editor here]." And they're kinda right. I can, in theory, ask most any league, team or event organizer to get me into a game or competition. But what I get, usually, are not tickets, but rather press credentials. Which is cool—very cool—but not the same as watching (in person or on the TV) with people I like or love (friends, siblings, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, colleagues, dates). I'm not complaining; sometimes there's nothing better than being there, even if you're alone. But a lot of what's great about watching sports for me is watching alongside people I care about, and I'd often trade being at the event for being with those people, wherever. Just saying.

And now on to my list of THE 27 BEST SPORTS IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO ME. It's a jaunty list, but much less important than another ranking I keep: BOOKS THAT ARE SIGNIFICANTLY BETTER THAN THE MOVIES THEY INSPIRED (No. 1, by a mile? The Godfather. I'm always shocked by how many people say it's their favorite movie who have yet to read the book. I'm jealous, really. Because it's kinda like not yet having discovered The Beatles. Or cornmeal pancakes.) Anyway, here's this week's update, for Mario Puzo (who sleeps with the fishes):


THE 27 BEST SPORTS IN THE WORLD RIGHT NOW, ACCORDING TO ME:

1. NFL¹
2. MLB²
3. Lacrosse (NCAA)³
4. Lacrosse (MLL)³
5. NBA
6. NHL⁴
7. Cricket
8. Wheelchair football
9. College Football
10. Gaelic Football
11. Arena Football
12. Fencing
13. Badminton
14. Rowing (doubles)
15. Ball hockey⁵
16. Platform tennis
17. Aussie Rules/Rugby League Football
18. Drag boat racing
19. Skeet shooting⁶
20. BMX
21. Rugby Union
22. Water Polo
23. NASCAR (Sprint Cup)
24. Bowling (PBA)
25. Yoga
26. Soccer⁷
27. WNBA⁸

1. The NFL Draft is coming, and now that I really understand it—after reading the excellent preview in our current issue—I can't wait to see who my Arizona Cardinals get in Rounds 2-7.

2. Did I mention recently that the St. Louis Cardinals represent all that is good and righteous in sports? Did I mention recently that the Redbirds have the most wins in Major League Baseball? Something just feels right in the world, and I believe you and I know what that something is.

3. And to you Mark Stiegelmayer, supply management analyst for promotions- AP/DEO, I say two things: 1) Thanks for reading; and 2) What exactly does a "supply management analyst for promotions- AP/DEO" do?

4. I love the Devils new building in Newark. Newark is a tough town, and tough towns—especially downtowns in tough towns—are where professional ice hockey teams should play. It's good for the sport.

5. It's almost summer, which means it's almost ball hockey time! (Don't pretend you're not excited.)

6. Because guns don't kill people—people who don't use guns solely for sport kill people.

7. All of it.

8. Bill Laimbeer, coach of the Detroit Shock, was in the office recently. He said to tell you that the WNBA is a different game now, different than it was, and thus more watchable. I don't know if I believe that, but Bill Laimbeer is a very large man and I'm just covering my bases.

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