This Week's Newsmakers: AFL's Struggles Not A Positive Sign

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

Pacquiao-De La Hoya Bout Draws $70M In PPV Revenue In Down Economy

WIN: BOXING -- Despite a struggling economy and rumors of its demise, boxing bounces off the ropes with the blockbuster MANNY PACQUIAO-OSCAR DE LA HOYA fight. The bout draws $70M in PPV revenue, vaulting into the top-10 best-selling fights in history, a significant achievement for a non-heavyweight bout. But while last weekend's fight seems to mark a resurgence of sorts for boxing, can the momentum continue without one of the sport's most recognizable stars? With the Golden Boy clearly on his last legs in the ring, the enthusiasm may have to be tempered a bit.

LOSE: ARENA FOOTBALL LEAGUE -- The future of the AFL is in limbo, and while it still may operate this season, it is clear that the entity is filled with split factions that cannot agree, there is no consensus builder and very little leadership. Even if these groups can somehow come together and straighten this ship, the sights and sounds of the past week must make partners and sponsors squirm. And while the prospect of suspending play in '09 might sound like a good thing, a year off would likely mean the end of the 50-yard war for good.

DRAW: "WIPEOUT" -- ABC's surprise summer hit will be put on the grandest of TV stages, as the net will air a special NFL-themed episode following the conclusion of NBC's Super Bowl XLIII broadcast. It also plans a special segment timed to air opposite BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN's Super Bowl halftime show for viewers who are not born to run. While the decision is coming from the programming side and not the sports division, one has to wonder how the league feels about a network partner airing a program with former NFLers both during and immediately after the Big Game.