Newsmakers: Hall Of Fame Inductee Madden Takes The Win

Madden Set To Enter Pro Football HOF

THE DAILY each Friday offers our take on the performances over the past week of some people and entities in sports business. Here are this week’s newsmakers:

WIN: JOHN MADDEN — Football icon gets his rightful place in the spotlight this weekend with his induction into the Pro Football HOF. The Super Bowl-winning coach, pioneer broadcaster, savvy businessman and corporate endorser has also become THE face of NBC’s return to the NFL, which begins Sunday. The truth is — Madden IS football for many in America.

LOSE: JUSTIN GATLIN/DOPING — Another week, another drug story. Kudos to the USOC’s PETER UEBERROTH for publicly declaring the sorry state of affairs and calling out politicos to do more than just show up for the cameras. But this can’t just be a legislative issue; it must be driven by leagues, NGBs and even sponsors like Nike.

DRAW: ACTION SPORTS ALLIANCE – Women’s group pressures ESPN to take a closer look at its payouts and coverage of women’s events at the X Games. That pressure seems to work, as ASA President CARA-BETH BURNSIDE gets increased prize money for Thursday’s win, but the changes come too late to adjust the TV schedule. Plus, work still needs to be done on the Dew Tour, and sponsors are still not showing the money to female participants.