Menu
Opinion

Taking notice of readers’ thoughts on the industry

Our annual Reader Survey turns 11 this year, and it’s traditionally one of my favorite features of the year because it gives our editorial team an indication of how you feel about the issues we cover daily. In reviewing this year’s results, thanks to the efforts of our research partner Turnkey Sports, here’s what caught my eye:

There’s significant interest in the next generation of today’s athlete. When it came to the most intriguing athlete of the year, a massive 77 percent voted for proverbial “new” faces: Jordan Spieth, Ronda Rousey and Stephen Curry. The vote reaffirms what I continually hear, especially among older fans: Spieth is a remarkably mature, breath of fresh air who has handled himself with amazing grace under pressure. Rousey’s standing likely takes a hit with her upset loss in Melbourne, Australia, earlier this month, while Curry still has a huge upside, as his style of play, team’s success and off-court appeal will only draw more followers. My question: If Serena Williams had won the U.S. Open and achieved her remarkable Slam, would she have registered higher than the 8 percent she received?

There were mixed messages when it came to the NFL. There are no doubts about its strength: A whopping 70 percent stated the NFL is the hottest sports property and 65 percent said it was the property a corporate sponsor would most want to identify with. But readers have concerns about its leadership and game experience. Roger Goodell is not listed among the top four league executives, and 62 percent don’t believe Goodell will still be the league’s commissioner in five years. If I’m the NFL, I’d also notice that the league wasn’t listed when it came to best event/game experience, which suggests the tailgate culture and fan-behavior issues could be affecting perception of that live environment. Overall, 21 percent felt the league likely has peaked and would lose ground over the next 10 years.

The numbers on the college game show it’s still a growth area. It ranked third among hottest sports properties behind the NFL and NBA and it also boasts of the big event. We talk about how big the College Football Playoff could become as a commercial vehicle and industry tentpole for business. When asked to name the most effective college sponsorship property, 20 percent already said it’s the CFP in just one year of existence, while 80 percent still feel the 76-year-old March Madness is best. Also, want a sense of just how “young and hip” Under Armour is viewed? Almost 50 percent of readers said if they were an athletic director, they would sign an apparel deal with UA, despite Nike’s long history of bold apparel design. While Under Armour missed out on the two biggest deals of the year — both Texas and Michigan went with Nike — it shows the cachet the brand has among today’s youth.

Some interesting data on team ownership. In Major League Baseball, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has made great strides among his north side Chicago fan base, who now buy into the team’s plan for sustainable success. It took years for fans to warm up to Ricketts, so I was surprised that readers listed him as the MLB owner for whom they’d most want to work. The other teams featured on that list — the Giants and Red Sox — are seen as progressive thought-leaders with stable environments. Aggressive and forward thinkers also won out in the NBA, as the teams owned by Mark Cuban, Peter Holt, Joe Lacob/Peter Guber and Steve Ballmer were cited as the organizations one would most want to work for — and I wasn’t surprised by that. In the NHL, also very little surprise, as the teams at the top of the list — the Blackhawks, Capitals, Kings, Red Wings and Penguins — are known for their success and best practices. But seeing Jeff Vinik’s Lightning organization join the ranks of those clubs is an impressive feat after just five years of ownership, proving that people are paying attention to his style and substance in Tampa. In the NFL, while his organization has been in the news for various controversies over the years, Robert Kraft is still seen as the standard in the NFL, followed by the traditional and historical stable ownerships of the Packers, Steelers and Giants.

Other takeaways: A concerning result for NASCAR, as 43 percent of readers feel the series will lose ground against its competitors over the next decade. … Baseball — both minor and major league — is seen, not surprisingly, as providing the most family-friendly game experience, but a bit surprised to see MLS nudge into third place. … How amazing has been the impact of Jerry’s World in just six short years? With its scale, marketing and ability to attract such diverse events, AT&T Stadium is already listed as the best pro facility, outdrawing such historic venues as Madison Square Garden and Fenway Park. …. I thought readers would be more bullish on e-sports; sure, 42 percent called it a buy stock, but 33 percent are holding, and a surprising 25 percent are selling. … An eye-opening number: 80 percent of survey participants don’t play daily fantasy. … Finally, the fact that 44 percent of readers believe Los Angeles will win the 2024 Games raised an eyebrow, only because the last-minute reclamation effort led by Casey Wasserman is weighed down by the Boston baggage while competing against prominent European cities. Paris was cited second by readers, and the awful tragedies that affected that city will play a role in the International Olympic Committee’s thinking and voting — both as a city where sport can bring healing and unity, but also possible concern over the city’s vulnerability. … What stood out to you? Let me know.

> ALABAMA GETAWAY: My colleague Michael Smith and I spoke in Huntsville, Ala., on the topic “The Big Business of College Football,” as part of the Huntsville Museum of Art’s “Voices Of Our Times” series. Let’s just say you better bring your “A” game when talking to SEC fans smack in the middle of Crimson Tide and War Eagle country — especially with Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, cousin of University of Alabama AD Bill Battle, in the front row taking notes. Attendees were up to speed and had pointed questions on the future of conference realignment, the concept of player compensation, and the conflicting and controversial actions of the University of Missouri football program. (Let’s just say plenty of this largely older crowd felt the football and athletic administrators shouldn’t have let students dictate a possible boycott.) It was also noteworthy how many insightful questions came from the well-versed female fans in the audience. It was a great evening with an engaged and knowledgeable crowd.

> ESPN’S NFL INSIDERS: I know it’s the most popular league in the country by far, but I am amazed at the amount of time ESPN devotes to the NFL. ESPN employs an army of on-air analysts to comment on all aspects of the league, around the clock. The challenge I have is in finding the voices that rise above the cacophony of noise. I’m looking for sharp insight and new thoughts — something that I generally am not seeing on ESPN’s main pregame show, “Sunday NFL Countdown.” The show has a storied history, but this season it has felt long in the tooth and in need of new energy.

I’d like to see ESPN introduce some new voices and develop more of its newsier elements for its pregame. I am especially impressed with “NFL Insiders.” Trey Wingo and Wendy Nix are great at keeping information moving and pushing analysts while not being afraid to state their own strong opinions. Adam Schefter’s information and sourcing sets ESPN apart from its competitors, and he continually beats his competition — using a straightforward, fact-based delivery that I like. My unsung hero is Louis Riddick, the most engaging new talent on sports TV. The former player and front office executive is sharp, savvy and offers informed opinions and insights as both a former player and a former executive. That’s a perspective that is so rare to see across the networks. He’s my rising star on ESPN’s roster of NFL pundits.

Abraham D. Madkour can be reached at amadkour@sportsbusinessjournal.com.

SBJ Morning Buzzcast: March 18, 2024

Sports Business Awards nominees unveiled; NWSL's historic opening weekend and takeaways from CFP deal

ESPN’s Jay Bilas, BTN’s Meghan McKeown, and a deep dive into AppleTV+’s The Dynasty

On this week’s Sports Media Podcast from the New York Post and Sports Business Journal, ESPN’s Jay Bilas talks all things NCAA. Big Ten Network’s Meghan McKeown shares her insight into the Caitlin Clark craze. The Boston Globe’s Chad Finn chats all things Bean Town. And SBJ’s Xavier Hunter drops in to share his findings on how the NWSL is making a social media push.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SBJ I Factor: Nana-Yaw Asamoah

SBJ I Factor features an interview with AMB Sports and Entertainment Chief Commercial Office Nana-Yaw Asamoah. Asamoah, who moved over to AMBSE last year after 14 years at the NFL, talks with SBJ’s Ben Fischer about how his role model parents and older sisters pushed him to shrive, how the power of lifelong learning fuels successful people, and why AMBSE was an opportunity he could not pass up. Asamoah is 2021 SBJ Forty Under 40 honoree. SBJ I Factor is a monthly podcast offering interviews with sports executives who have been recipients of one of the magazine’s awards.

Shareable URL copied to clipboard!

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2015/11/23/Opinion/From-The-Executive-Editor.aspx

Sorry, something went wrong with the copy but here is the link for you.

https://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2015/11/23/Opinion/From-The-Executive-Editor.aspx

CLOSE