Ten People Who Made Splashes In Sport Business In 2005

We continue our sports business year in review with a look at the executives and athletes who made the biggest headlines in ‘05. Whether it was for their great feats, disappointing performances or just high expectations, these ten people helped drive the news over the past twelve months.

BRIAN BEDOL – Sells CSTV to CBS for $325M, marking second time in a decade that he has started a network from scratch and sold it to a media conglomerate for a major profit.

Crosby Part Of NHL’s Successful Return From Lockout

TOM BENSON – Instead of taking on a role of leadership and compassion in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Saints Owner attempts to use the tragedy as a springboard out of town, making him the clubhouse leader for “sports villain of the year.”

SIDNEY CROSBY – Dubbed the savior of the NHL before even being drafted, Crosby provides a fresh face and a boost to the league as it returns from a year-long lockout. His presence enhances interest around the Penguins, but the real question for the viability of the franchise in Pittsburgh is whether it can get a new arena built.

MALCOLM GLAZER – Bucs Owner finally moves ahead with takeover of Manchester United, despite opposition from fans and shareholders that includes death threats. Some wonder where the return on investment will come from this already-extended brand, and the Glazer family stresses the long-term after team’s mediocre on-field performance.

RAFAEL PALMEIRO – A finger-pointing Palmeiro defiantly swears before Congress that he has never used steroids, then tests positive for a performance-enhancing substance a few months later. Mentions teammate MIGUEL TEJADA in his appeal to baseball and his perjury hearing before Congress, leading to Orioles banishing him from team.

Patrick Helping IRL Drive Up Ratings

DANICA PATRICK – Bursts onto the scene, becoming first woman to lead the Indy 500. Her presence leads to exposure unseen by open-wheel racing in years, and TV ratings and race attendance spike. No doubt about it, Patrick is one of the most-talked-about athletes of the year.

DREW ROSENHAUS – His year starts off strong as he continues to sign big name clients away from his competitors, garners arguably more exposure than any agent in history and even saves a little boy’s life. But many wonder what kind of advice he is giving TERRELL OWENS, whose inappropriate behavior leads to him essentially being kicked out of the Eagles organization. Rosenhaus’ defiance during the “Next question” press conference detracts from what may have been a sincere apology by Owens.

JACK ROUSH – Sends all five of his cars into the Chase for the Nextel Cup, and while NASCAR claims his dominance is not the impetus for its decision to limit owners to four cars, Roush’s top exec, GEOFF SMITH says, “It is hard for Jack not to believe that there is a laser bulls-eye on his forehead.” Also, this year’s driver shuffle -– Roush luring JAMIE MCMURRAY out of his contract early, and KURT BUSCH departing Roush for Penske before this deal is up –- could mark a new way of doing business in NASCAR. Finally, Roush suspends Busch for the final two races of the season for suspicion of DUI, but some wonder whether the same move would have been made had Busch not been in ninth place and departing the team at the end of the season.

TED SASKIN – Takes lead role in CBA negotiations on the players’ side before becoming NHLPA Exec Dir with the controversial ouster of BOB GOODENOW. His tenure since the promotion has been fraught with in-fighting among the union over the process by which he was selected, but by year’s end, he has the support to remain in his position.

MICHELLE WIE – “Hello, world” take two. Highly-anticipated 15-year-old inks $10M worth of endorsement deals with Nike and Sony the day she turns pro, instantly becoming the highest-paid female golfer on the planet. She may be the one who can move the needle for the LPGA and women’s sports in general, and is certain to be one the industry talks about for a long time.