People Who Made Sports Business Headlines In 2009

Many brands and executives and ideas caught our eye in ’09. Here are five that, for better or worse, made an impression this year.

New Dolphins Owner Stephen Ross Brings Plenty Of Celebrity, Glitz To South Florida

DOLPHINS OWNER STEPHEN ROSS: The new Dolphins owner consistently makes headlines as he turns to glitz and glamour to help build buzz for the franchise. He signs Jimmy Buffett-linked Land Shark Lager to a naming-rights deal at Dolphin Stadium and sells small ownership stakes to celebs including Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Fergie, Marc Anthony, and Serena and Venus Williams. No owner makes a bigger or more public effort to mesh sports with pop entertainment than the real estate developer Ross.

RESEARCH IN MOTION CO-CEO JIM BALSILLIE: How bad did the NHL want to keep Balsillie from being the next owner of the Phoenix Coyotes? So bad that the league takes the extraordinary step of taking over the team in bankruptcy proceedings. It is the third time Balsillie has attempted, and failed, to acquire an NHL club.

FORMER LPGA COMMISSIONER CAROLYN BIVENS: For years, Bivens seemed like the Teflon-coated commissioner, getting support from the LPGA’s board despite angering tournament owners and sponsors with her negotiating style. In '08, in fact, she was given a three-year contract extension. But her polarizing style finally catches up with her when the grumbling spreads to the players, and Bivens is quickly shown the door.

Rush Limbaugh's Effort To Buy Piece Of Rams Dropped Amid Negative Press

CONSERVATIVE TALK-SHOW HOST RUSH LIMBAUGH: One of the rare sports business stories that flooded mainstream media coverage is Limbaugh’s involvement in the Dave Checketts-led group looking to buy the Rams. Even in a limited role, Limbaugh’s presence raises questions about league-approval guidelines and an individual’s political and social position affecting his ability to be part of an ownership group. After a whirlwind of negative press attention, Checketts drops the controversial radio personality, who then uses his show to offer his side of the story and rip the parties involved.

CUBS CHAIR TOM RICKETTS: Ricketts avoids the spotlight as he leads his family through the $845M purchase of the storied Cubs franchise and Wrigley Field. But after the approval, he immediately gets to work on plans to increase the team’s revenue. Among those plans -- setting a timetable for renovations to the historic ballpark.