The Kardashians: Connecting Entertainment to the World of Sports

To some, the Kardashian Family may just be notorious for their exploits on the televeision screen, specifically their TV show Keeping up With the Kardashians, and it's spinoffs Kourtney and Khloe take Miami and Kourtney and Kim take New York.  Kim Kardashian may be most notorized for her sex tape with Ray J, and Kris Jenner may be best known for her role as the manager of her children, especially Kim.  Considering Marilynn is a huge fan (understatement) of the Kardashian family, she can appreciate the various T.V. appearences and advertising campaigns the Kardashian's have been involved in, and which one's have propelled them to stardom and fame.  However, I believe the way the Kardashians have increased their Q-ratings and presence is through their connection to the world of sports. And it all starts with Kris Jenner.

The matriarch of the Kardashian Clan, Kris Jenner was first married to the late Robert Kardashian, an L.A. businessman and attorney for O.J. Simpson in his famous jury trial in 1995.  Mr. Kardashian even let Mr. Simpson stay at his house the day's following the murder.  Kris and Robert divorced in 1990, but not before Kourtney, Kim, Khloe, and Rob Jr. were all born.  Kris proceeded to marry Bruce Jenner in 1991, winner of the decathalon at the 1976 Olympics in Montreal.  I think that this connection has had the greatest impact on the Kardashian family and their interaction with the world of sports. 

Since her sex tape fiasco, Kim Kardashian seems to have followed her mother's footsteps by sticking to the sports world for her male partners.  Kim dated former USC and current New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush from July 2007 to July 2009, and then again from October 2009 until they broke up for good in March 2010, a month following his Super Bowl XLIV victory. Kim then moved on to Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Miles Austin, who burst onto the scene as one of the top receivers in the NFL in 2009.  Although the exact time they started dating is up in the air, their relationship went public in July 2010 and lasted until September 2010.  One difficulty in their relationship was that Kim thought Miles was 'uncomfortable' with the celebrity lifestyle, as he had risen from obscurity to stardom in such a short period of time.  Who is Kim dating nowadays?  None other than Kris Humphries of the NBA's New Jersey Nets.  Kim currently runs her family's fashion boutique, D-A-S-H, in NYC, hence dating a Nets player.  Personally, I think she likes how his name starts with a K like her sisters and mother! 

Although the Kardashians have usually been overshadowed by their athletic significant others, this is definitely not the case for Kim and Kris Humphries.  Kris was a relatively unheralded NBA player, with career averages of 4.7 ppg and 6.4 rpg.  However, this year he has taken on a larger role for the Nets, averaging 8.8 ppg and 9.3 rpg for the 2010-2011 season.  Is he scoring better on the court because he's scoring better off the court?  Who knows.  Regardless, the Kardashians love their athletes.

Khloe Kardashian Odom (note the name change) is married to L.A. Lakers star Lamar Odom.  Lamar and Khloe started dating in the middle of 2009 and were married in September 2009. Talk about love at first sight!  The couple are nearly inseperable, and coincidently, Lamar is having one of his best seasons in the NBA this year.  Clearly having a Kardashian by your side can lead to success on the court?  The Kardashians have continued to increase their exposure, maybe not so accidently, by dating and falling for sports stars.  Consistenly getting themselves out there as one of the most powerful and notorized family's in Hollywood.