<p>Major League Baseball and the National Football League are similar in that both leagues have two major conferences that span from one coast to the other (NL/AL in <keyword id="133010" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="MLB">MLB</keyword>, AFC/NFC in <keyword id="103436" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NFL">NFL</keyword>). But when it comes to dividing the teams, the two leagues have very different ideas on geography.</p>
<p>With the Houston Astros moving to the American League West, MLB's 30 teams now form three natural clusters based on how their divisions are defined (East, Central, West)...</p>
<p><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:618px"><div class="image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/50f6ee8cecad046a74000001-960/major-league-baseball-map.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/50f6ee8cecad046a74000001-994/major-league-baseball-map.jpg?maxX=618&amp;maxY=463" border="0" alt="Major League Baseball Map" width="618" height="463" /></a></div><p class="source">Wikimedia Commons</p></div></p>
<p>On the other hand, the NFL chose to divide their 32 teams into four geographic groups (East, North, South, West) which are much less clearly defined. And one of the contributing factors is the feeling that the NFL must maintain rivalries (e.g. Dallas and Miami in the East)...</p>
<p><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:616px"><div class="image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f041eab8ea4e79000004-960/nfl-teams-map.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f041eab8ea4e79000004-985/nfl-teams-map.jpg" border="0" alt="NFL teams map" width="616" height="461" /></a></div><p class="source">Wikimedia Commons</p></div></p>
<p>Things are a lot different in the <keyword id="6361805" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="NBA">NBA</keyword> and the <keyword id="23896" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="NHL">NHL</keyword> where each has two major conferences which are roughly divided into East and West. And then each of those conferences are then divided further into three geographic divisions. Of the four major North American <keyword id="6356028" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Sports">sports</keyword> leagues, the NBA probably does the best job of defining regions...</p>
<p><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:618px"><div class="image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f0196bb3f75e5d00000a-960/nba-teams-map.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f0196bb3f75e5d00000a-1000/nba-teams-map.jpg" border="0" alt="NBA teams map" width="618" height="463" /></a></div><p class="source">Wikimedia Commons</p></div></p>
<p>The NHL's map will be much cleaner once the league figures out what to do with the Winnipeg Jets, who are still in the Southeast division after moving from Atlanta...</p>
<p><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:618px"><div class="image"><a title_source="Wikimedia Commons" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f0d5ecad04c978000017-960/nhl.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/50f6f0d5ecad04c978000017-1000-825/nhl.jpg" border="0" alt="NHL Teams Map" width="618" height="509" /></a></div><p class="source">Wikimedia Commons</p></div></p>

The Four Major Sports Leagues Have Very Different Ideas On Geography

<p>The <keyword id="23896" type="SPORT" weightage="60" keywordseo="NHL">NHL</keyword> announced today that their <a href="http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=660138&amp;navid=nhl:topheads">Board of Governors has approved realignment of their 30 teams into four new divisions</a> (see below).</p>
<p>We recently took a look at <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/four-major-sports-leagues-have-very-different-ideas-on-geography-2013-1">how the NHL's teams were mapped as compared to the other major North American sports leagues</a>. And while the current divisions show little overlap, they tend to be spread out horizontally. The downside to that is that numerous teams end up playing a large number of games outside of their own timezones and outside of the preferred primetime television slots, hurting ratings.</p>
<p>In the new conference, divisions are grouped vertically, which will lead to more games being played in primetime, making the networks the big winners. Of course, when the networks, the league and the players will win down the road.</p>
<p>Here are some of the key features of the new alignment...</p>
<ul>
<li>The top three teams in each division will make the playoffs. In addition, the NHL will add a Wild Card system in which the final two spots in each conference.</li>
<li>For the most part, the realignment groups teams into better geographical matchups. The biggest exceptions are the Florida teams which are grouped with several Canadian teams and teams from the Northeast U.S..</li>
<li>Detroit Red Wings and Columbus Blue Jackets, two teams that currently play in the Eastern time zone, will move to the Eastern Conference. In addition, the Winnipeg Jets will move to the Western Conference, and the Dallas Stars are moving from a division with mostly Pacific time zone teams to one that is predominantly in the Central time zone.</li>
<li>Teams will play in all 30 arenas each season for the first time since 1997-98 season.</li>
</ul>
<center><div class="image-container click-to-enlarge" style="width:500px"><div class="image"><a title_source="NHL.com" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51424818ecad04cd52000003-960/3-14-2013%204-56-18%20pm.jpg"><span class="click-to-enlarge-icon" title="Click to enlarge"></span><img src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/51424818ecad04cd52000003-637-1020/3-14-2013%204-56-18%20pm.jpg?maxX=500" border="0" alt="NHL Teams Map" width="500" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" /></a></div><p class="source">NHL.com</p></div></center>

NHL Approves Radical Realignment And Television Networks Will Be The Big Winners

<p></p><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table float_right"><div><div class="image on-image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/56c881f86e97c627008b888c-2902-2176/ap_547297198620.jpg" alt="Amisinov and Panarin" data-mce-source="AP/Kamil Krzaczynski" data-mce-caption="Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin, right, celebrates after scoring an empty-net goal on a assist from Patrick Kane, center, as center Artem Anisimov (15) joins them during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets." data-link="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&amp;VBID=2C0BXZIZ1CPF5&amp;SMLS=1&amp;RW=1375&amp;RH=850"><p class="source"><span><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&amp;VBID=2C0BXZIZ1CPF5&amp;SMLS=1&amp;RW=1375&amp;RH=850">AP/Kamil Krzaczynski</a></span></p><p class="caption">Chicago Blackhawks left wing Artemi Panarin, right, celebrates after scoring an empty-net goal on a assist from Patrick Kane, center, as center Artem Anisimov joins them, during the third period of a game against the Winnipeg Jets.</p></img></div><p></p></div></div>Chicago Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman was forced to make some difficult decisions this past&#xa0;offseason.<p>His team had just won its&#xa0;third Stanley Cup in the last six years, and he was faced with the daunting task of another rebuild in the National Hockey League's salary-cap era.&#xa0;</p><p>But there were two moves that Bowman made that have the Blackhawks contending for their fourth Stanley Cup in the last seven years: the <a href="http://blackhawks.nhl.com/club/news.htm?id=766029">signing of Russian winger Artemi Panarin</a> and the <a href="http://www.thehockeynews.com/blog/blackhawks-shock-everyone-trade-saad-to-blue-jackets-for-package-including-anisimov-dano/">trade for Artem Anisimov</a>.</p><p><a href="http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2351174-potential-solutions-to-the-chicago-blackhawks-impending-salary-cap-crisis">Expectations</a> were for the NHL's&#xa0;salary cap to increase to over $75 million in the 2015-2016 season, from $69 million the prior season.</p><p>However, the weakness of the Canadian dollar weighed on league revenue, and the <a href="http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/nhl-nhlpa-sets-2015-16-salary-cap-at-71-4m/">salary cap was set at $71.4 million</a>.&#xa0;This meant even less wiggle room for Bowman, who was already facing major cap constraints as superstars Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews each created&#xa0;<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/nhl-highest-paid-players-2015-10">$10.5 million hits against the cap</a>, the highest in the NHL. &#xa0;</p><p>Bowman let second-line defenseman Johnny Oduya and centermen Brad Richards and Antoine Vermette walk via free agency. He also traded prolific goal-scorer Patrick Sharp to the Dallas Stars. These four&#xa0;moves alone shed $15.25 million in 2015-2016 salary.&#xa0;</p><p>Technically, Panarin was signed on April 29, but he didn't make his Blackhawks debut until the 2015-2016 season. Bowman was able to pluck Panarin from&#xa0;<span>SKA St. Petersburg of Russia's KHL with a two-year deal at&#xa0;<span>$3,387,500 a season. Panarin has been nothing short of spectacular in his rookie campaign, amassing 22 goals and 35 assists in his first 59 career NHL games. He leads all rookies in points, goals, and assists.</span></span></p><p><span><span>On&#xa0;Wednesday night, he netted the first hat trick of his career (three goals in a game) while <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/recap?gameId=400815719">leading the Blackhawks to a 5-3&#xa0;win over the the New York Rangers</a> in Madison Square Garden. </span></span></p><p><span><span>After the contest, Blackhawks Head Coach Joel&#xa0;<span>Quenneville told reporters, "<span>He's been great for us ... t<span>he consistency, the contribution to that line, the power play, the puck-possession game, the offense from Day 1. He's been fun to watch. He's enjoying himself here."</span></span></span></span></span></p><p><span><span><span><span><span><div><iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/l4KhILgBnmg2Dms8w" width="480" height="264" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/l4KhILgBnmg2Dms8w">via GIPHY</a></p></div></span></span></span></span></span></p><p class="embed-spacer">The other big offseason move for the Blackhawks was the trade that sent impending free agent&#xa0;Brandon Saad to the Columbus Blue Jackets for centerman Artem Anisimov, who was also set to become a free agent. While Saad signed a six-year deal for $6 million a&#xa0;season, <a href="http://www.cbssports.com/nhl/eye-on-hockey/25230123/report-blackhawks-sign-artem-anisimov-to-5-year-2275-million-deal">the Blackhawks inked Anisimov to a five-year, $22.75 million contract</a>.</p><p class="embed-spacer">Anisimov has found himself skating between Kane and Panarin, creating one of the most intimidating lines in the NHL. In 60 games with the Blackhawks, Anisimov has managed 18 goals and 15 assists. His 33 points are good for sixth in scoring on the Blackhawks, who are the <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics/team/_/stat/scoring/year/2016/seasontype/2">sixth-highest scoring team in the league</a>.</p><p class="embed-spacer">"He's been a very big part of our team this year," <a href="http://video.blackhawks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=941855">Coach&#xa0;</a><span><a href="http://video.blackhawks.nhl.com/videocenter/console?id=941855">Quenneville said of Anisimov</a> following the Blackhawks 5-1 win over the Dallas Stars on February 6.</span>&#xa0;"Everybody does something a little bit something different, but Artie [Anisimov] playing on the penalty kill, and taking face-offs, and on the power play, and making that line go. He's been terrific in a lot of ways."</p><p class="embed-spacer"><div><iframe src="//giphy.com/embed/xT0BKszaHmmxzh9XCU" width="480" height="264" frameborder="0" class="giphy-embed" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><p><a href="http://giphy.com/gifs/xT0BKszaHmmxzh9XCU">via GIPHY</a></p></div></p><p class="embed-spacer">Both Panarin and Anisimov have been integral in the success of Kane, who <a href="http://espn.go.com/nhl/statistics">leads the NHL in points</a> (83) and could become the first American-born player in the league's history to win the Hart Memorial Trophy, given to the most valuable player during the regular season.</p><p class="embed-spacer">More importantly for the Bowman and the Blackhawks, the duo has the team&#xa0;in contention for its&#xa0;fourth Stanley Cup in seven years, which would erase any doubt the Blackhawks are the newest dynasty in pro sports.&#xa0;</p>    <div class="margin-top">        <h3>NOW WATCH: <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/putin-vladimir-hockey-russia-crimea-hockey-birthday-2015-10">Putin played a hockey game with ex-NHL players for his birthday and scored 7 goals</a></h3>        <div>            <div>    <script src="http://player.ooyala.com/v3/6e12e8b3387a44daacfb73afba25a76e"></script>    <div class="ooyala-video-player" data-video-autoplay="false" data-video-id="E1MXAzeDpAcwaVRdKcoQT0J--WnWrUaS" data-player-variable="ooyalapopvideo" id="ooyalaplayer_popvideo" style="width:1280px;height:720px"></div>    <script>    if (typeof RunFunctions === 'undefined') { var RunFunctions = []; }     RunFunctions.push(function()    {         var ooyalapopvideo = OO.Player.create('ooyalaplayer_popvideo', 'E1MXAzeDpAcwaVRdKcoQT0J--WnWrUaS',{ autoplay: 'false' });     });    </script>    <noscript><div>Please enable Javascript to watch this video</div></noscript></div>        </div>        <script>(function() { function createPlayer() { OO.ready(function() { RunFunctions.forEach(function(ooyalaFunction) { ooyalaFunction(); }); RunFunctions = [];}); } createPlayer(); }()); </script>    </div>

The Chicago Blackhawks made 2 huge offseason moves that have them contending for their 4th Stanley Cup in 7 years

<p><div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right"><div class="image"><img src="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/5341922eeab8eab30e101c4e-611-608/rob-ford-instagram.jpg?maxX=480" border="0" alt="rob ford instagram" width="480" /><p class="source"><span>Instagram/kylevarty</span></p></div><p></p></div>For several hours late Saturday night and early Sunday morning, Torontonians were captivated by their embattled Mayor Rob Ford as he had a night on the town complete that began when he allegedly received a warning from security guards hockey game after acting "<a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/04/05/belligerent_rob_ford_warned_by_security_at_air_canada_centre.html">belligerent</a>."</p>
<p>Ford, who <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/report-rob-ford-admits-to-smoking-crack-2013-11">admitted having smoked crack cocaine in November</a>, was mobbed by onlookers at the game who documented the action with tweets, photos, and videos including a clip of the mayor cursing at security. Afterwards, Ford went to his office at City Hall where he was trailed by reporters who noted a suspicious "funny" smell one compared to "burnt rubber" wafting through the halls. Ford's final known stop was a nightclub where he complimented at least one young lady on her looks.</p>
<p>According to the Toronto Star, during the game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets at the Air Canada Centre, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/04/05/belligerent_rob_ford_warned_by_security_at_air_canada_centre.html">Twitter "erupted" with a rumor</a> "Ford had been kicked out of the building for intoxication." However, <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/04/05/belligerent_rob_ford_warned_by_security_at_air_canada_centre.html">a source told the Star</a> Ford merely received a warning from security and was not removed. The source said Ford became "belligerent" and security "had to ask him to control himself."</p>
<p>Fans posted pictures and videos of Ford at the game on social media sites showing him carrying a water bottle and wearing a customized Maple Leafs jersey. Based on these pictures, Ford <a href="https://www.facebook.com/torontobatman/photos/pb.102280354169.-2207520000.1396804942./10152345516959170/?type=3&amp;theater">attracted huge crowds at the event</a> and <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mblxsXSpO9/">gamely agreed to pose for pictures</a> with many of them. Instagram user Patrick Maziarz <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mbXlNiG3IX/">posted a shot of the mayor inside the arena</a> and claimed Ford "could barely stand straight" and "had to get escorted out of the building." One <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mdAo7Kgv2F/">video posted on Instagram</a> was described as showing Ford "arguing with" a security guard. Another <a href="http://vt.tumblr.com/tumblr_n3lcme8N9S1qb9vj6.mp4#_=_">video that appeared on Tumblr</a> seemed to show Ford engaged in a heated discussion with a security guard. Though its not entirely clear what he's saying, Ford can be heard saying, "bullshit." </p>
<p>Ford's companion for the game was City Councillor Frank Di Giorgio, who <a href="http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2014/04/05/belligerent_rob_ford_warned_by_security_at_air_canada_centre.html">spoke to the Star</a> about the situation. Di Giorgio said Ford became "upset" when he was barred from entering a VIP lounge.</p>
<p>"I think the mayor was upset that he wouldn't be accepted into the Directors' Lounge, for whatever reason-I think he was upset that for the longest time, he'd been allowed to go there, and for whatever reason, there was a special function going on, and he was not welcome there tonight. So he just got upset over it. And I tried to calm him down. And for most of the night he was fine," said Di Giorgio. </p>
<p>Di Giorgio also told the Star he lost track of the mayor after the game when Ford abruptly "jumped into a cab" with some of the people around him. </p>
<p>"I feel a bit responsible that I don't know where he is right now," Di Giorgio said. "There was a huge crowd surrounding him-I just anticipated that he was just going to jump into a cab. He was about 10, 15 yards ahead of me, and before I knew it, he had jumped into a cab. And some of the people that were surrounding him jumped into the cab with him."</p>
<p>Ford did not respond to an email from Business Insider Sunday asking him about his night. A <a href="http://instagram.com/p/mbu9eshdAR/">video posted on Instagram</a> seemed to show Ford speeding off in a cab after the game. Apparently, he next went to City Hall where the Toronto Star's Daniel Dale and NOW Magazine staff writer Jonathan Goldsbie staked out his office. Both Dale and Goldsbie sent out tweets describing a mysterious odor near Ford's car and office:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>If it makes you feel any better (I know it makes me feel better), Rob Ford's Escalade is still in its parking spot at City Hall.</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452660087912296448">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>On the other hand, the lights in Rob Ford's office are on and the blinds are drawn. That may or may not be typical for midnight Saturday.</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452660704609202176">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>On the other hand, the lights in Rob Ford's office are on and the blinds are drawn. That may or may not be typical for midnight Saturday.</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452660704609202176">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>I'm at city hall with <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie">@goldsbie</a>. Light is on in the mayor's office, and his car is here. It also smells a bit funny - don't know why.</p>
- Daniel Dale (@ddale8) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddale8/statuses/452671765529911297">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>There's a bizarre burnt rubber smell wafting through the City Hall rotunda.</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452664840612376577">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>(To be clear, I cannot say with confidence that the odour centres on his office.)</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452667985996414978">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>The smell is actually strongest around the Deputy Mayor's office, if you must know.</p>
- Jonathan Goldsbie (@goldsbie) <a href="https://twitter.com/goldsbie/statuses/452668554559492096">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/hunterw">@hunterw</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/HeerJeet">@HeerJeet</a> I'm not implying I smell crack. Just a weird smell.</p>
- Daniel Dale (@ddale8) <a href="https://twitter.com/ddale8/statuses/452683837957369858">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8" type="text/javascript"></script>
<p>Dale said Ford remained at City Hall until about 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning when "<a href="https://twitter.com/ddale8/status/452680969946796032">security put him in a taxi</a>." Ford was next spotted at Muzik, a nightclub he has <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/toronto/rob-ford-creates-buzz-with-toronto-nightclub-appearance/article16291235/">visited in the past</a>. Muzik's website indicates the club features an "unprecedented degree of luxury and service" including "premium bottle service" and "VIP washrooms." According to the club's website, Saturday night it hosted party celebrating spring there that was described as "<a href="http://www.muzikclubs.com/events.php?eventID=174">a 19+ event</a>."</p>
<p><span>Some of Ford's fellow clubgoers posted </span><a href="http://instagram.com/p/mcAis3glgp/">photos of him posing for pictures with patrons at the club</a><span> on social media sites:</span></p>
<p><iframe width="612" height="710" frameborder="0" src="//instagram.com/p/mcAis3glgp/embed/"></iframe></p>
<p>Based on the tweet she wrote, a woman named Mariah Craig enjoyed her encounter with the mayor:</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en">
<p>Rob Ford said I'm pretty so bye <a href="http://t.co/6mFFvyDfL2">pic.twitter.com/6mFFvyDfL2</a></p>
- Mariah Craig (@murrcraig) <a href="https://twitter.com/murrcraig/statuses/452695914994356225">April 6, 2014</a></blockquote>
<p>Craig told Business Insider Ford appeared to be sober during his time at the club. She subsequently <a href="https://twitter.com/hunterw/status/452696853814190080">deleted that tweet</a>. </p>
<p>Ford is currently running for re-election and, in spite of his drug scandal, a recent poll <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/poll-rob-ford-won-mayoral-debate-2014-3">showed him leading his rivals</a>.</p>

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The Four Major Sports Leagues Have Very Different Ideas On Geography

Cork Gaines

NHL Approves Radical Realignment And Television Networks Will Be The Big Winners

Cork Gaines

The Chicago Blackhawks made 2 huge offseason moves that have them contending for their 4th Stanley Cup in 7 years

Jonathan Garber

Rob Ford Caused Quite A Scene In Toronto Last Night Complete With Alleged Raging, Clubbing, And A 'Bizarre' Odor

Hunter Walker