This Year's SBJ Champions Class Heavy On Hoops But Covers All Corners Of The Industry

With a definite bent toward hoops, this year’s class of "The Champions: Pioneers & Innovators in Sports Business" is a diverse group that has pushed movements and properties for decades. From an Olympic Gold Medalist who became an icon on TV and a voice for women everywhere, to the heart and soul of the NCAA tournament; from arguably the most powerful sports agent of all time, to an executive who helped shape sports television; to one of the architects of today’s NBA, to an icon in all corners of basketball, this year’s list comprises people who have seen success come in all forms and across many decades. In its sixth year, the award recognizes the architects and builders of sports. This year’s recipients are:

* DONNA DE VARONA
An Olympic Gold Medal-winning swimmer, Donna de Varona became, at age 17, one of the first, and most famous, female sportscasters on network television in the '60s, going on to cover 17 winter and summer Olympic Games as well as win an Emmy and two Gracies. Along the way she also became a longtime passionate advocate for women’s issues and physical fitness in the U.S., joining BILLIE JEAN KING to establish the Women’s Sports Foundation and serve as its first president from '79-84, and being appointed to Presidential Commissions on physical fitness under five administrations -- PRESIDENTS FORD, CARTER, REAGAN, CLINTON and BUSH. Later, she chaired the organizing committee for the '99 Women’s World Cup, and was a recipient of the Olympic Order, the highest honor presented by the IOC.

* LEN ELMORE
What area of basketball has Len Elmore not seen? The Harvard Law School graduate was an All-American at the Univ. of Maryland, a first-round draft pick who played professionally for 10 years in the ABA and NBA, founded an agency in the '90s that represented several NBA players, was president of the National Basketball Retired Players Association, CEO of the youth basketball initiative iHoops, and has served as an analyst for both NBA and college games on ABC, CBS and ESPN for the last 25 years. It is safe to say that Elmore knows his way around the hardwood, and every aspect of the business behind it.

* DAVID FALK
Through the '90s, David Falk was frequently cited as the second-most-powerful person in the NBA behind only DAVID STERN. Considering he represented MICHAEL JORDAN, as well as PATRICK EWING, CHARLES BARKLEY, ALONZO MOURNING and dozens of other top NBA players, it could be argued at the time that he was the most powerful. The signing and marketing of Jordan alone, including aligning him with Nike in '84, changed not just the perception of NBA players as endorsers but the sports industry as a whole, from marketing to advertising to product development. Whether aligning his players with brand opportunities or, on more than one occasion, negotiating the largest contract in NBA history, Falk routinely set the standard for sports agents everywhere.

* RUSS GRANIK
David Stern would not be mentioned among the Mount Rushmore of sports commissioners without Russ Granik, his longtime right-hand man. The two developed a working relationship at the NBA that would influence basketball around the world, and even alter the balance of power not just among the game globally but also among sports leagues in the U.S. Serving as deputy commissioner for two decades, Granik was a master negotiator, working on everything from CBA negotiations to media contracts to even league expansion. The NBA, and the game of basketball itself, would not be in such a position of strength today if not for Granik, as illustrated by his recent enshrinement in the Naismith Memorial Basketball HOF.

* TOM JERNSTEDT
Tom Jernstedt’s friends describe him as the NCAA tournament’s heart and soul. From '73 into this decade, Jernstedt guided the immense growth and popularity of March Madness, lifting it into elite status among our country’s most celebrated sporting events. Along the way, he also served as USA Basketball President, has been enshrined in the National Collegiate Basketball HOF and, currently, is on the College Football Playoff selection committee. But his 40 years at the NCAA will forever be marked by his stewardship of the Final Four.

* MIKE TRAGER
A pivotal figure in the development of sports television, Mike Trager is one of the most knowledgeable and well-traveled executives in the space. He has enjoyed stints at NBC Sports, D’Arcy-McManus & Masius Advertising, The Baseball Network, The Marquee Group, SFX Sports Group, Clear Channel Entertainment Television, SMTI and, most recently, as chairman of The Trager Group, which utilizes his deep reservoir of skills, experience and contacts to specialize in television consulting, rights negotiations and production.

SportsBusiness Journal/Daily will profile each of these honorees and tell their stories in separate issues, beginning with the Feb. 16 issue and running through the March 23 issue. In addition, the six Champions will be honored April 8 at the IMG World Congress of Sports in L.A.