Many brands, execs and ideas caught our eye in ’13. Here are five that, for better or worse, made an impression this year.
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Cano (l) represents the first major contract
for the agency started by rapper Jay Z (r) |
JAY Z: ROC STAR
Jay Z entered the sports agent business with a splash by launching Roc Nation Sports and signing 2B Robinson Cano in a partnership with CAA Sports. Since then, the rap mogul has become certified to represent players in the NBA and MLB and added Thunder F Kevin Durant and Jets QB Geno Smith as clients.
BILLY HUNTER: A CHANGE AT THE NBPA
Billy Hunter’s 16-year reign as NBPA Exec Dir ended in February when player reps voted to fire him. A union-commissioned investigation alleged that Hunter acted in his own interests and against those of players. Hunter is now suing the NBPA while the union conducts a search for a new leader.
JOIE CHITWOOD III: WATCHING DAYTONA TRANSFORM
Int'l Speedway Corp. announced a $400M makeover of Daytona Int’l Speedway that rethinks the track experience. Under the watch of track President Joie Chitwood III, Daytona will be largely rebuilt, resulting in big-league amenities and a fresh approach to hospitality and premium areas. With other tracks looking to attract more fans, Daytona’s moves will be watched closely.
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Gosbee's purchase of the Coyotes ended a long
stretch in which the NHL controlled the franchise |
GEORGE GOSBEE: COYOTE GEORGE
After four years under league ownership, the Coyotes were purchased in August by George Gosbee and his partners. Gosbee immediately committed to keeping the franchise in Glendale, Ariz., long term. The news seemed to give the team’s players some extra pep: after the first third of this season, the Coyotes were one of the best clubs in the stacked Western Conference.
JAY BILAS: CALLING OUT THE NCAA
ESPN college basketball analyst Jay Bilas used Twitter to become the loudest critic of the NCAA and its amateurism model. The former Duke star exposed how the NCAA used student-athlete names in its search function for jerseys. That spurred a flurry of stories about whether college athletes should be compensated and made Bilas the primary spokesperson for the athletes.
