There used to be a time when athletes who wanted to capitalize on their celebrity opened bowling alleys and restaurants.

Now, they start social networking Web sites. (That was a sharp left turn, wasn't it?)

Baltimore Ravens running back Musa Smith is a partner and point man for such a Web site, called Capazoo. Capazoo works something like MySpace, the enormously popular cyber meeting place where folks hang out and share all kinds of things about themselves and interact with old friends and attract new acquaintances. For instance, here's Musa's Capazoo page that is expected to be updated regularly -- perhaps even with some thoughts about the Ravens.

But there's more ... Capazoo also includes the entertainment component of YouTube, the enormously popular Web site where people post video. So Capazoo members will be able to post their favorite video clips, photos and music.

But there's even MORE ... users of Capazoo can actually monetize (meaning, make money) by participating on Capazoo as their fellow zoo inhabitants "tip" them for having cool profiles or posting particularly interesting videos or photos. These points are called "zoops." Members accumulate zoops several ways: for starters, by being among the first 100,000 people to join Capazoo (25 zoops); by referring others to Capazoo who then eventually become VIP members (this goes on for four generations of referrals); and by bankrolling your Capazoo account with zoops with your credit card. 

Folks can be free Capazoo members or VIP members, which requires an annual fee (either $24.95 or $34.95 a year). Points are turned into cash (one zoop = 1 cent) when they are redeemed with a special debit card at an ATM. Only the VIP members get the debit card.

Musa Smith became involved through a pal, Grant Carter. Cater is president of the Montreal-based Internet company and is a former Baltimore pro football player -- a linebacker on the 1995 Grey Cup champion Baltimore Stallions of the CFL. Carter warmly recalled yesterday coming back from the Grey Cup victory to thousands of fans at the Inner Harbor.

Anyway, Capazoo has been running for about a month and part of the initial strategy is to bring on board athletes and show biz celebs, such as Musa Smith, who have some sort of draw for people who want to know about their daily lives and thoughts. Will it be anywhere near as successful as MySpace or YouTube? WhoKnows.

Photo credit: Sun Staff