In discussing why Yahoo didn't make the YouTube deal while Google did, Jordan Rohan, an analyst for RBC Capital Markets, was explaining how Google has more cash - $11 billion versus $4 billion - and more market value - $131 billion versus $34 billion - than Yahoo. To emphasize his point, he is quoted as saying, "In poker terms, Google is the dominating chip stack."
Now that's a language I can relate to.
Sports references are used ad nauseum to explain potentially complex concepts to the masses. "They hit a home run," "They tried a hail-mary," or "It was a slam dunk." You've heard them all - a lot! And guess what: they work! By saying it, Rohan acknowledges that. By printing that quote, The New York Times validates that.
It's just one quote, I know. But I bet (pun intended) you that you'll see a bevy of similar quotes for the forseeable future, and not just on ESPN.