Former IMG Exec Rick Isaacson Passes Away At The Age Of 67

By Terry Lefton, Editor-At-Large

Isaacson Spent 40 Years At IMG

H. RICHARD "RICK" ISAACSON, a former IMG exec who was one of the seminal sports agency’s longest-tenured employees, died over the weekend at his Brooklyn home after suffering from pancreatic cancer for two years. He was 67. Isaacson joined IMG in '68, and worked there for more than 40 years. He founded IMG Licensing in the '80s, growing it into the world’s biggest independent celebrity, trademark and event licensing organization. Isaacson created licensing programs with some of IMG’s most renowned athletes, including ARNOLD PALMER and TIGER WOODS; with its biggest properties, like the Wimbledon Championships; and with various brands seeking licensing extensions, like Steinway. For many years, Isaacson headed IMG’s licensing efforts for MLB outside of North America. Known for lapsing into song or pidgin Japanese on a whim, Isaacson, "was on everyone’s most unforgettable character list," said CURT CURTIS, hired by Isaacson at IMG in '80, "but he also had the brightest, most analytical mind that never failed to turn up a new and unexpected angle. That’s why [IMG Founder] MARK MCCORMACK used to call him on almost any subject." Isaacson helped foster IMG's efforts in client management, business development, corporate consulting, and sports promotions. He left IMG in '08, but continued to work for the company as an independent consultant. Most recently he was chairman of motorsports marketing firm Ski & Co., following its acquisition by 600 Management.