Michael Arace
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michaelarace1.bsky.social
Michael Arace
@michaelarace1.bsky.social
Sportswriter in Columbus. Proprietor, Disrespected Media LLC.
New post for subscribers: The Columbus Blue Jackets, the most irrelevant team in professional sports outside of Burkina Faso. #CBJ #TheRinger #RedAuerbach #JohnnyMost #JungleJimLoscutoff #Chatbot #RickRobey #WeShouldaGotTimDuncan #SimmonsStoleTheBall
www.thedisrespected.com/p/7fffeb95-7...
"The most irrelevant franchise in professional sports"
Bill Simmons flies over Columbus and defecates
www.thedisrespected.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:39 AM
While we at thedisrespected.com are still in R&D mode with the podcasts, we managed to birth our first episode of the new Blue Jackets-related pod, Cannon Balls. Featured is the Mayor of Jacketville, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.
open.spotify.com/episode/1whX...
Cannon Balls Episode #1 feat. Aaron Portzline: Blue Jackets Breakdown, Bill Simmons, Yegor Chinakhov's future and more
open.spotify.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:37 PM
November 20, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Reposted by Michael Arace
HOT TAKE: if they’re not formally interviewing Tim Bezbatchenko, they’re insane.
Sources: MLS owners have officially begun the process of planning for Commissioner Don Garber's departure, holding their first succession committee meeting last week and retaining The Miles Group to lead the process. Full story at SBJ.
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Articles/202...
MLS owners formally begin Don Garber succession planning
A small group of MLS owners held their first closed-door “succession committee” meeting last Wednesday prior to Thursday’s full Board of Governors meeting in Palm Beach, Fla.
www.sportsbusinessjournal.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:46 PM
It's all over but the crying.
All signs point to #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy being named the next manager of Celtic FC of the Scottish Premiership by the end of the weekend. My piece is posted with the paywall removed. Have a nice day.
www.thedisrespected.com/columbus-cre...
Columbus Crew coach poaching
Is the picture below the last post-game photo of Wilfried Nancy as Crew coach?
www.thedisrespected.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I just looked this up and could/couldn't believe it:
#CBJ have scored power-play goals in consecutive games for the first time this season.
They're up 3-1 on the Canadiens at the second intermission.
November 18, 2025 at 2:21 AM
#CBJ F Yegor Chinakhov being showcased on second line, with Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, vs Les Habitants tonight at the Nationwide Arena. Plenty of scouts in the house:
November 18, 2025 at 12:03 AM
That is the official response.
There no way the bottom bullet is true?
November 17, 2025 at 10:01 PM
#Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy reportedly spent the weekend in London meeting with Celtic F.C. principal owner. Crew official response remains unchanged:
-Nancy is still under contract with Crew
-Crew has not been contacted by Celtic
-Nancy and GM Issa Tall continue to plan for next MLS season
November 17, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Reposted by Michael Arace
there will be no end to these #Crew96 silly season rumors

this one is about Diego Rossi.
Wilfried Nancy's clear first Celtic signing as policy accepted and striker ready
The Frenchman looks set to step into the hot seat and replace Brendan Rodgers
www.dailyrecord.co.uk
November 15, 2025 at 6:09 PM
There aren't many remaining members of Ohio State's 1960 NCAA basketball championship team still with us. Here are three of them at the Jerry Lucas statue unveiling Friday, PG Mel Nowell, Lucas and co-captain Dick Furry.
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Free newsletter, The Weekly Dis, will hit subscribers' inboxes early Saturday a.m. Also available, per usual, at thedisrespected.com. The latest on #Crew96 coach Wilfried Nancy is the lede.
www.thedisrespected.com/p/d901b77a-c...
The Weekly Dis
The end of the greatest era in Crew history is nigh
www.thedisrespected.com
November 15, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Meeting in London, according to U.K. publications. But point well-taken.
I mean, that looks like Concourse B

And United flies direct to Edinburgh from DC it around 10:30 tonight

Who’s the #Crew96 / #MLS sicko on the same flight?
From Crew fan Discord, photo of Wilfried Nancy at John Glenn Int’l Airport in Columbus. Today. Quite possibly en rote to U.K. Another sign #Crew96 coach is headed to Celtic FC of Scottish Premiership?
November 15, 2025 at 2:38 AM
The Guardian & Sky Sports among a host of news outlets reporting on a contract negotiation and/or signing. "Nancy is said to be keen on the switch." -- The Guardian. "Columbus Crew have given permission for talks and, if successful, Nancy could be in Glasgow next week." -- Edinburgh news. #Crew96
Maybe he's just going on vacation?? 🤷🏻
November 15, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Reposted by Michael Arace
Who hired the head coach? It wasn’t anyone in the FO right now.This could be running through Haslam Sports Group for all we know.
November 14, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Reposted by Michael Arace
At what point do people tell their current employer that they are taking a new job?
November 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
From Crew fan Discord, photo of Wilfried Nancy at John Glenn Int’l Airport in Columbus. Today. Quite possibly en rote to U.K. Another sign #Crew96 coach is headed to Celtic FC of Scottish Premiership?
November 14, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Unveiling of Jerry Lucas statue outside of the Schottenstein Center at Ohio State. Of course, it’s the patented hook shot. One of greatest college players of all time.
November 14, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Reposted by Michael Arace
Earlier this year I said the Columbus Crew were refusing to admit they were in a full rebuild. If the Haslams do their usual thing and just not even bother to counteroffer, 2026 is going to be rather unexciting in comparison to 2023-25
November 14, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Reposted by Michael Arace
When Bez left in 2024 just after Neil McGuinness, I said, this won’t change 2024 but it sure will change 2025 and beyond.

The former #1s of Concacaf are now in full reload
November 14, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Tall said the Crew have not been contacted by Celtic, although that might necessarily mean anything. Tall: "There were rumors about St. Etienne and the U.S. national team and so on, so you'd think we'd receive an official email or something. But these were also rumors and nothing happened."
#Crew96 GM Issa Tall a few minutes ago: "All I can say is that Wilfried is under contract and that we are talking about next year. We've discussed some of the decisions we're making for next year and Wilfried is heavily involved. We haven't had any talks about anything besides him being here."
November 14, 2025 at 5:13 PM
#Crew96 GM Issa Tall a few minutes ago: "All I can say is that Wilfried is under contract and that we are talking about next year. We've discussed some of the decisions we're making for next year and Wilfried is heavily involved. We haven't had any talks about anything besides him being here."
November 14, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Tune into ESPN to watch Blue Jackets-Edmonton Oilers-McJesus from the Nationwide Arena Thursday night. Your play-by-play man will be the incomparable John Buccigross. He had the veal, not chicken, parm to get ready Wednesday night. (He's the handsome one pictured below).
November 13, 2025 at 4:54 AM
@mattdoyle.bsky.social might be the keenest MLS observer there is.
More post-mortems!

What now? Charlotte, Columbus, Nashville, Portland & Seattle out in Round One

Including a giant, flashing warning sign for the Crown – and some hope for the immediate future.
www.mlssoccer.com/news/what-no...
November 12, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Six hours to post: A #CBJ column for subscribers. As the 3/4 pole approaches, can the Jackets say they're as good as the Ducks or Blackhawks? Tuesday night, they averted total disaster on the road with a 2-1, shootout victory in Seattle.
www.thedisrespected.com/p/146c2dbe-0...
Thoughts on the current state of the Union Blue
The NHL season is nearing the 3/4 pole
www.thedisrespected.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:01 AM