If the hot toy, Hello Barbie, is now Hello Hackable Barbie, what does that mean for connected sports equipment? It's not something out of sci-fi. A recently discovered breach in toys that are part of the Internet of Things has raised alarm among cybersecurity experts who say the toys (and high-tech sports equipment) could be used for spying.

The economic benefits of the presence of an NFL team in a city often seem positive. Home-team fans are passionate and willing to spend big to see their teams play. But not all economists agree that these teams bring big bucks to cities, particularly after the payout it takes to lure them in, and keep them there.

Big sports events can put a strain on the hotel capabilities of an area, and southwest Florida is no exception to this rule. The recent addition of newly-formed Major League Football, which has chosen the area as its preseason training site, has resulted in a severe hotel shortage, and the area is scrambling to host.

Remember the old resorts in the Catskills, brought to life in movies like 'Dirty Dancing?' One of them may have a second life as a youth sports complex. A plan for the Nevele Hotel in Wawarsing had the storied place being revamped as a casino. But when the state nixed that, the idea of a sports hub was born.

The Bahamas, long a destination starting at spring break and extending through fall, has ramped up its marketing to attract U.S.-based sports events during the off-season. And judging by its recent success in signing and hosting high-level IAAF, NCAA, FIFA and PGA events, the area is closing in on its goal, combining right place and right time.

In the days that followed the cancellation of the U.S. Women's National Team's Hawaii match against Trinidad and Tobago because of poor field conditions (and the subsequent finger-pointing), a new nickname emerged: Alohagate. But while many will make this into a turf vs. natural grass issue, the problem is far more deeply rooted.