Three trends from the upfront season Kroenke comfortable wearing 2nd hat From the Field of Risk Management Plaintiff seeks documents from FSG Demos key to Microsoft’s MLS deal People: Executive transactions Reinsdorf values people he knows, trusts Racetracks attract music festivals For the WNBA, time for a clutch 3 Super Bowl’s numerals: Still a classic
Sections
SBJ/November 26-December 2, 2012/Reader Survey
Print All-
Your take on the sports business
It was your chance to sound off, and you responded. Readers cast more than 1,300 votes, weighing in on more than 100 questions that spanned all facets of the industry.
Among the highlights:
■ Rising ticket prices again drew the most votes when readers were asked to identify the biggest threat to sports. However, readers also clearly identify the threat that improvements to the in-home viewing experience pose to game attendance. Nearly a quarter of readers voted that as the next-biggest problem for sports, a gain of nearly 10 percentage points compared with our 2011 survey.
■ When at the game, wireless connectivity matters. Big time. Improving Wi-Fi networks was the top suggestion that readers gave to facilities for improving the fan experience, even over parking and concessions pricing. And speaking of concessions pricing: Readers said they start to get squeamish when beer prices reach the $7 to $8 range.
■ Readers saw concussions as the biggest threat to the NFL, even over rising ticket prices and improved technology for at-home viewing. In fact, more than half said they would not want their child to play full-contact football because of the threat of concussions.
■ However, when it comes to the NHL, readers still liked their hard knocks. Nearly 75 percent said fighting is a part of the game and should not be banned by the league.
■ When looking over the fine print in sponsorship agreements, readers said that exclusivity is the most important inventory in such deals. The least important? Signage.
■ Best uniforms? Readers loved the pinstripes, easily crowning the New York Yankees as the team with the best unis and logos.
■ Finally, readers didn’t appear to be early adapters of live mobile video. Nearly 40 percent said they had watched live video of a sporting event on a mobile device only one to five times in the last three months, while 32 percent said they had never done so during that time.
Once again, Turnkey Sports & Entertainment provided the technical expertise for the survey, setting up an online site where readers could vote and then tabulating the results. The survey was conducted Oct. 8-26.
The highlights that follow show only the top vote-getters for each of the questions. Look for additional coverage this week at SportsBusinessDaily.com.
-
You and the industry, Reader Survey 2012
Outlook for the sports business over the next five years
Very optimistic 47% Somewhat optimistic 43% Neither optimistic nor pessimistic 7% Somewhat pessimistic 3% Very pessimistic 0% Responses 1,304
Most powerful brand in sports
ESPN 33% Nike 33% N.Y. Yankees 16% Responses 1,299
Getty ImagesMost marketable athlete
Peyton Manning 18% LeBron James 15% Tom Brady 12% Robert Giffin III 10% Derek Jeter 10% Responses 1,277
Most influential person in sports business
Roger Goodell 40% John Skipper 16% Bud Selig 6% Tim Leiweke 5% David Stern 5% Responses 1,292
Getty ImagesBiggest threat to sports
Rising ticket prices 27% Improvements to the in-home viewing experience hurting attendance 24% Inflated athlete salaries 14% Integrity of the game 12% Responses 1,297
Getty ImagesBiggest sports business story of the year
London Olympics 22% NCAA hits Penn State with severe penalties in the Jerry Sandusky case 18% Los Angeles Dodgers sold for $2.15 billion to Guggenheim Baseball Management 14% College football agrees to a playoff 12% Responses 1,298
-
Sponsorship, Reader Survey 2012
Most OVERPRICED major sports property
NFL 29% NASCAR 16% MLB 10% Responses 613
Most UNDERPRICED major sports property
MLS 17% NHL 15% UFC 7% No opinion 18% Responses 613
MOST VALUABLE property assets in a typical sports sponsorship package
Exclusivity 44% Intellectual property (team/league marks, etc.) 40% Branded content 23% Hospitality/tickets 19% Athlete rights and appearances 17% Advertising inventory 17% Rights to property's business in the category 12% Signage 9% Note: Readers could make two selections.
Responses 622LEAST VALUABLE property assets in a typical sports sponsorship package
Signage 30% Hospitality/tickets 29% Athlete rights and appearances 25% Rights to property's business in the category 22% Branded content 17% Advertising inventory 16% Exclusivity 13% Intellectual property (team/league marks, etc.) 10% Note: Readers could make two selections.
Responses 612
Getty ImagesCorporate sponsor you would most want aligned with your property
Nike 39% Apple 26% Coca-Cola 22% Anheuser-Busch 19% American Express 12% Visa 12% Note: Readers could make up to three selections.
Responses 618Property a corporate sponsor would most want to identify with
NFL 53% MLB 9% PGA Tour 8% Responses 624
Don Muret / StaffCompared to before the recession, how important is hospitality/tickets in a sponsorship package?
More important 34% Less important 25% About the same 35% No opinion 6% Responses 619
-
Media, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesLeague/property with the best overall digital strategy
MLB 44% NFL 20% NBA 11% Responses 677
Network that does the best job covering the NFL
ESPN 33% Fox 23% CBS 16% NBC 16% NFL Network 12% Responses 684
Phil Ellsworth / ESPNSports network that consistently has the highest production values
ESPN 36% NBC 18% Fox 13% CBS 12% Turner 4% They are basically the same 15% Responses 684
Getty ImagesBest produced sports event on television
Super Bowl 36% Masters 24% Final Four 12% Responses 690
Best NFL analyst on television
Cris Collinsworth, NBC 30% Jon Gruden, ESPN 29% Phil Simms, CBS 16% Troy Aikman, Fox 13% Responses 684
GettyNBC Photo / Zade RosenthalBest NFL play-by-play personality on television
Al Michaels, NBC 37% Jim Nantz, CBS 21% Mike Tirico, ESPN 19% Joe Buck, Fox 11% Responses 683
Best MLB play-by-play personality on television
Bob Costas, MLB Network 31% Joe Buck, Fox 24% Dan Shulman, ESPN 21% Responses 683
Scott Clarke / ESPNBest MLB analyst on television
Orel Hershiser, ESPN 22% Tim McCarver, Fox 16% Terry Francona, ESPN 14% John Smoltz, Turner 14% Responses 677
NBAE / Getty ImagesBest NBA play-by-play personality on television
Marv Albert, Turner 35% Mike Breen, ESPN 21% Mike Tirico, ESPN 17% Responses 672
ESPN has a different culture under John Skipper compared to George Bodenheimer.
True 30% False 21% No opinion 50% Responses 678
How often have you watched live video of a sporting event on a mobile device in the past three months?
1-5 times 37% 6-10 times 13% 10 times or more 18% Never 32% Responses 682
Favorite non-network sports website
Yahoo! Sports 22% Bleacher Report 17% SI.com 17% Deadspin 16% Responses 687
Favorite major league website
MLB.com 36% NFL.com 23% NBA.com 12% NHL.com 9% Responses 671
Favorite sports-related mobile app
ESPN ScoreCenter 26% MLB.com At Bat 20% WatchESPN 13% Responses 681
Favorite network-affiliated sports website
ESPN.com 75% CBSSports.com 13% NBCSports.com 7% Responses 674
Best college football play-by-play personality on television
Brent Musburger, ABC 28% Verne Lundquist, CBS 21% Gus Johnson, Fox 17% Brad Nessler, ESPN 17% Responses 674
Phil Ellsworth / ESPNBest college football analyst on television
Kirk Herbstreit, ABC 57% Gary Danielson, CBS 12% Todd Blackledge, ESPN 8% Responses 672
Best NASCAR play-by-play personality on television
Mike Joy, Fox 14% Allen Bestwick, ESPN 13% Responses 649
Best NASCAR analyst on television
Darrell Waltrip, Fox 14% Dale Jarrett, ESPN 9% Responses 646
NBAE / Getty ImagesBest NBA analyst on television
Jeff Van Gundy, ESPN 42% Steve Kerr, Turner 19% Hubie Brown, ESPN 12% Reggie Miller, Turner 10% Responses 667
-
NFL, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesMost effective NFL team owner
Robert Kraft (New England Patriots) 39% John Mara/Steve Tisch (New York Giants) 15% Jerry Jones (Dallas Cowboys) 10% Responses 622
Biggest threat to the success of the NFL
Concussions 31% Improved technology for at-home viewing 25% Rising ticket prices 19% In-stadium fan behavior 10% Responses 639
Getty ImagesKnowing the concern with concussions, would you want your child to play full-contact football?
Yes 35% No 56% No opinion 9% Responses 638
Favorite window (ET) for watching NFL games
Thursday, 8 p.m. 1% Sunday, 1 p.m. 44% Sunday, 4:15 p.m. 29% Sunday, 8:15 p.m. 19% Monday, 8:30 p.m. 7% Responses 626
Getty ImagesHas Commissioner Roger Goodell acted responsibly or overreached on player discipline?
Has not done enough 11% Has acted responsibly and adequately 48% Has overreached 37% No opinion 4% Responses 639
Getty ImagesLeast effective NFL team owner
Daniel Snyder (Washington Redskins) 10% Mark Davis (Oakland Raiders) 9% Ralph Wilson (Buffalo Bills) 8% Mike Brown (Cincinnati Bengals) 8% Responses 597
NFL team that has shown the most innovation in its business practices
Dallas Cowboys 27% New England Patriots 11% Green Bay Packers 8% Pittsburgh Steelers 8% Responses 568
Team you would most want to work for
New York Giants 14% New England Patriots 13% Green Bay Packers 8% Pittsburgh Steelers 8% Responses 611
Sponsor that does the best job activating around the NFL
Anheuser-Busch 22% Papa John’s 15% Verizon 10% Gatorade 9% Responses 615
-
MLB, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesMost effective MLB team owner
Hal Steinbrenner (New York Yankees) 16% Nolan Ryan (Texas Rangers) 11% Mike Ilitch (Detroit Tigers) 10% William DeWitt Jr. (St. Louis Cardinals) 10% Larry Baer (San Francisco Giants) 10% Responses 665
Least effective MLB team owner
Fred Wilpon (New York Mets) 16% Jeffrey Loria (Miami Marlins) 14% David Glass (Kansas City Royals) 11% Responses 638
Getty ImagesMLB team that has shown the most innovation in its business practices
San Francisco Giants 14% Boston Red Sox 9% New York Yankees 9% Washington Nationals 8% Responses 626
Should the Oakland A’s be permitted to move to San Jose, despite the territorial claims of the San Francisco Giants?
Yes 63% No 23% No opinion 15% Responses 680
Getty ImagesTeam you would most want to work for
New York Yankees 17% San Francisco Giants 12% Boston Red Sox 10% Responses 646
Sponsor that does the best job activating around MLB
Anheuser-Busch 35% Chevrolet 10% MasterCard 10% State Farm 10% Responses 671
Getty Images -
NBA, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesMost effective NBA team owner
Jerry Buss (Los Angeles Lakers) 27% Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks) 24% Micky Arison (Miami Heat) 12% Responses 562
Least effective NBA team owner
Michael Jordan (Charlotte Bobcats) 27% James Dolan (New York Knicks) 20% Donald Sterling (Los Angeles Clippers) 12% Responses 554
Getty ImagesTeam you would most want to work for
Los Angeles Lakers 14% Boston Celtics 12% Brooklyn Nets 11% Dallas Mavericks 10% Responses 559
Sponsor that does the best job activating around the NBA
Kia Motors 24% Nike 23% Coca-Cola (Sprite, Minute Maid, Dasani) 16% Adidas 10% Responses 557
NBAE / Getty ImagesNBA team that has shown the most innovation in its business practices
Brooklyn Nets 22% Oklahoma City Thunder 19% Dallas Mavericks 15% Responses 529
NBAE / Getty ImagesIn five years, which team will "own" New York City?
New York Knicks 50% Brooklyn Nets 23% They will split the market 50/50 24% No opinion 4% Responses 582
Getty Images -
NHL, Reader Survey 2012
Most effective NHL team owner
Mike Ilitch (Detroit Red Wings) 27% Philip Anschutz/Edward Roski (Los Angeles Kings) 12% Mario Lemieux/Ron Burkle (Pittsburgh Penguins) 10% Responses 453
Icon SMIRegion most deserving of an expansion or relocated NHL franchise
Quebec City 34% Seattle 28% Ontario 22% Responses 471
Team that has shown the most innovation in its business practices
Los Angeles Kings 14% Chicago Blackhawks 11% Washington Capitals 9% Responses 428
Should the NHL ban player fighting?
Yes, it’s needless violence 24% No, it’s a part of the game 73% No opinion 4% Responses 488
Getty ImagesTeam you would most want to work for
Chicago Blackhawks 11% Boston Bruins 10% New York Rangers 10% Responses 437
Do you watch the Stanley Cup Final if your team isn't playing in it?
Yes 65% No 32% Responses 489
Least effective NHL team owner
Charles Wang
(New York Islanders)19% NHL
(Phoenix Coyotes)18% James Dolan
(New York Rangers)12% Responses 434
Getty Images
Getty ImagesSponsor that does the best job activating around the NHL
Bridgestone 20% MillerCoors/Molson Beer 17% Tim Hortons 8% Verizon Wireless 7% Responses 445
-
Teams and Leagues, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesThe NFL game experience is one I feel comfortable taking children to
True 49% False 40% No opinion 11% Responses 784
Commissioner you would want to work for
Roger Goodell, NFL 35% Bud Selig, MLB 23% Don Garber, MLS 19% David Stern, NBA 18% Gary Bettman, NHL 5% Responses 776
Property/organization with the most growth potential
MLS 29% UFC 10% NHL 9% NCAA 8% NBA 6% Responses 709
Getty ImagesBest team uniforms
New York Yankees 32% Chicago Blackhawks 9% Green Bay Packers 9% Seattle Seahawks 9% Brooklyn Nets 8% Detroit Red Wings 8% Note: Readers could make three selections.
Responses 742
Getty ImagesBest team logos
New York Yankees 26% Chicago Blackhawks 10% Dallas Cowboys 10% Boston Celtics 8% Boston Red Sox 8% Brooklyn Nets 8% Note: Readers could make three selections.
Responses 696League that will be the first to place a franchise overseas
NBA 49% NFL 27% MLS 11% Responses 779
-
Motorsports, Reader Survey 2012
Is NASCAR a buy, hold or sell stock?
Buy 15% Sell 42% Hold 37% No opinion 7% Responses 433
Getty ImagesMotorsports property best positioned for growth in the U.S.
Izod IndyCar Series 43% American Le Mans Series / Grand-Am Road Racing 21% AMA Supercross/Motocross 20% NHRA 15% Responses 407
Sponsor that does the best job activating around NASCAR
GoDaddy.com 17% Sprint 10% Lowe’s 8% Anheuser-Busch (Budweiser) 7% Nationwide 7% Responses 414
Getty Images -
College, Reader Survey 2012
Conference realignment ...
... has made college sports MORE appealing. 21% ... has made college sports LESS appealing. 53% ... has had NO EFFECT on the appeal of college sports. 23% Responses 605
Getty ImagesCompanies/brands that have done the best job aligning with college sports
Allstate 39% Capital One 30% Nike 26% Home Depot 22% State Farm 19% Note: Readers could make three selections.
Responses 577
Getty ImagesGrade the NCAA's effectiveness in dealing with rules enforcement:
A 2% B 17% C 34% D 23% F 20% Responses 604
Biggest challenge that's facing NCAA President Mark Emmert
Debate over paying student athletes 23% Commercialization of student athletes 22% Revenue disparity among schools 16% Rules enforcement 16% Conference realignment 13% Academic standards for student athletes 9% Responses 603
How many years before the Penn State football program returns to the top 10?
Fewer than five seasons 22% Six to 10 seasons 51% More than 10 seasons 22% They will never return to the top 10 2% Note: Readers could make three selections.
Responses 607
Getty ImagesMost innovative conference
Pac-12 45% SEC 21% Big Ten 15% ACC 9% Big 12 6% Big East 4% Responses 583
If college football had a commissioner, it would be:
Mike Slive 18% Jim Delany 12% Larry Scott 12% George Bodenheimer 11% Responses 588
Getty ImagesMost effective conference commissioner
Mike Slive, SEC 34% Larry Scott, Pac-12 26% Jim Delany, Big Ten 14% John Swofford, ACC 11% Bob Bowlsby, Big 12 4% Mike Aresco, Big East 3% Responses 603
-
Facilities, Reader Survey 2012
Recent naming-rights deal that will be the most effective for both the brand and the property
Barclays Center, Brooklyn, N.Y. 53% MetLife Stadium, Meadowlands, N.J. 24% Farmers Field, Los Angeles 18% Responses 571
Getty ImagesHow much is too much for a beer at a sporting event?
$5 8% $6 14% $7 25% $8 30% $9 12% $10 or more 11% Responses 579
Getty ImagesCity that will solve the Sacramento Kings' arena issue
Seattle 37% Sacramento 18% Anaheim 13% Kansas City 7% Virginia Beach, Va. 3% St. Louis 2% Responses 569
Getty ImagesIf you could go to one of the storied sports venues below that you haven't been to before, what would it be?
Augusta National 30% Wimbledon 22% Lambeau Field 16% Fenway Park 10% Churchill Downs 7% Wrigley Field 7% Responses 580
Getty ImagesWhat should facilities and teams focus on to improve the fan experience?
Wi-Fi connectivity 53% Parking/traffic flow 45% Concessions pricing 41% Rowdy fans/drunkenness 38% Concourses/pedestrian flow 18% In-game entertainment 16% Seating quality/dimensions 16% Video/scoreboard system location/quality 15% Sight lines 13% Note: Readers could make three selections.
Responses 578Who will build a new ballpark first?
Oakland A's 61% Tampa Bay Rays 28% Responses 572
-
Best of the rest, Reader Survey 2012
Getty ImagesHas the UFC peaked in popularity or is there room for more growth?
Peaked 53% Room for groth 39% Responses 642
Biggest issue facing the IOC
Easing the financial burden on host cities 45% Finding ways to appeal to youth 17% Fixing ticket issues for future Olympics 10% Selecting a new president 7% Overhauling the TOP sponsorship program 7% Security 7% Responses 643
Grade NBC’s broadcast of the
London GamesA 25% B 45% C 19% D 8% F 3% Responses 654
Grade the London Games
A 45% B 48% C 5% D 1% F 1% Responses 654
Getty ImagesAre sports agents more or less powerful than they were 10 years ago?
More powerful 36% Same 33% Less powerful 30% Responses 646
If you could play one golf course, it would be
Augusta National 53% Pebble Beach 25% St. Andrews 22% Responses 648
Getty ImagesIf you could watch only one golf event a year, it would be
Masters 67% Ryder Cup 17% U.S. Open 7% British Open 5% Responses 649
When will the U.S. Tennis Association build a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium for the U.S. Open?
1-2 years 10% 3-4 37% 5 years or more 28% Never 26% Responses 637
If you could watch only one tennis event a year, it would be
Wimbledon 69% U.S. Open 38% Responses 641
Getty Images
