Champions 2016: Greatness never rests

Editor’s note: This story is revised from the print edition.

Greatness never stops. It doesn’t retire or take a rest. Look no further for proof of that than this year’s class of The Champions: Pioneers & Innovators in Sports Business. This year’s honorees comprise a group that not only has left its mark on the industry for decades, but who continue to spend countless hours and energy building and defining sports success.

From a trio of influential team owners who have provided solid leadership across their respective sports and continue to push them forward, to a sportscaster who paved the way for women for decades and is still an example of grace and quality behind a microphone. From an NBA legend who continues to work closely with the league since stepping off the court more than 30 years ago, to a media executive who started with Madison Square Garden in 1970 and still holds a CEO position with a communications company today.

In its seventh year, the award recognizes the architects and builders of sports. In this case, it recognizes six winners who continue to build on their success, making it arguably the most unique class to date. This year’s recipients are:

Launching his career with Madison Square Garden Corp. in 1970, Joseph Cohen has been a pioneer across a spectrum of areas in the sports industry: television, radio, arena development and management, franchise operation, and more. Along the way, he’s been president of MSG Network, chairman of the Los Angeles Kings, co-founder of USA Network, head of Spectacor Films and, most recently, CEO of HTN Communications. You name it and Cohen can conceive it, create it or negotiate it, if he hasn’t already.

Photo by: GORT PRODUCTIONS

Jeremy Jacobs was 28 years old when his father died suddenly at his desk in Delaware North’s Buffalo headquarters. It was 1968, and Jacobs took over the reins of the food and hospitality company that had been founded in 1915 and had $200 million in annual revenue. Seven years later, Jacobs bought the Boston Bruins and Boston Garden. Today, he is one of the most influential executives in sports, leading Delaware North to $3 billion in revenue and becoming one of the most powerful voices in the NHL. A close confidant of Commissioner Gary Bettman, Jacobs has served as chairman of the NHL Board of Governors since 2007 and also serves on the league’s Executive Committee.

Photo by: PATRICK E. MCCARTHY

One of the greatest to ever play basketball, Bob Lanier continues to influence and push the game more than 30 years after retiring as a player. During a 14-year Hall of Fame career that included being named an NBA All-Star eight times, Lanier was voted president of the National Basketball Players Association in his final years as a player. After stepping off the court, Lanier helped launch and later served as chairman of the NBA’s Stay in School campaign, one of the league’s most important social causes. He also served as a color commentator and, after a stint in coaching, returned to the league office as special assistant to Commissioner David Stern. He continues to be part of the league today, working in community relations, advising players and giving back to a game that has meant so much to him.

Photo by: JIM FLUHARTY

Regarded as one of the most successful businessmen in America, Roger Penske has weaved motorsports success and vision throughout a career that has spanned seven decades. Originally a driver, Penske decided early on to climb out of the cockpit and instead use racing as a way to build, promote and push his many business interests. With an eye for talent that has included such greats as Rick Mears, Al Unser Sr. and Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi, Hélio Castroneves, Danny Sullivan, Tom Sneva, Rusty Wallace and dozens of others, Penske-owned cars have won the Indianapolis 500 a record 16 times, including the most recent running of “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” as well as 13 open-wheel series championships, two NASCAR driver titles and more than 300 race victories across USAC, CART, IndyCar and NASCAR.

Photo by: GETTY IMAGES

In 1987, entrepreneur Jerry Richardson announced his pursuit of an NFL franchise in the Carolinas. Six years later the Carolina Panthers were born as Richardson became the first former NFL player to own a franchise since George Halas. Since then, Richardson has risen to become one of the most respected and influential voices in the league, having served as co-chairman of the NFL Executive Committee and, more recently, as a leader of the Committee on Los Angeles Opportunities. He has been a close and trusted adviser to both former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Commissioner Roger Goodell. On the field, the Panthers have flourished, too, winning six division titles since they debuted 21 years ago, with this year’s Panthers chasing a fourth NFC Championship appearance and second Super Bowl appearance for the franchise.

Photo by: GETTY IMAGES

What hasn’t Lesley Visser done in sports television? Along with being the first female NFL analyst on TV, Visser is the only sportscaster — male or female — who has worked the NBA Finals, World Series, NCAA Final Four, the Olympics, “Monday Night Football,” the U.S. Open, the Triple Crown and the World Figure Skating Championships. It’s easy to see why she was the first woman to be recognized by the Pro Football Hall of Fame as the 2006 recipient of the Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award, as well as having been voted the No. 1 female sportscaster of all time by the American Sportscasters Association. True to form, Visser continues to be a trusted voice for CBS Sports today.

SportsBusiness Journal/Daily will tell the stories of each honoree in separate issues throughout the months of January, February and March. In addition, the Champions will be honored April 13 at the CAA World Congress of Sports in Los Angeles.