Sports business stories of the year:
| Lebron James delivers an NBA championship to Cleveland |
32% |
| Players use national anthem to bring attention to social issues |
29% |
| Rams return to California |
22% |
| Troubled Rio Olympics held without major disruption |
20% |
| Sports television ratings face presssure |
20% |
Responses 1,007
Note: Respondents could select three; survey conducted prior to Chicago Cubs' World Series victory..
Most intriguing athlete:
| Lebron James |
31% |
| Colin Kaepernick |
10% |
| Steph Curry |
8% |
| Michael Phelps |
5% |
Responses 842
Note: Write-in responses.
Most intriguing sports executive:
| Adam Silver |
17% |
| Theo Epstein |
8% |
| Roger Goodell |
5% |
| Stan Kroenke |
3% |
Responses 778
Note: Write-in responses.
Grade the sports industry overall on its commitment to improving lives and doing good in American communities:
| A |
11% |
| B |
48% |
| C |
32% |
| D |
4% |
| F |
1% |
| Not sure |
4% |
Responses: 778
Compared with the rest of the business world, is the sports industry behind in any of these areas?
| Gender equality |
60% |
| Employee benefits |
39% |
| Racial equality |
32% |
| Customer service |
19% |
| Use of analytics |
18% |
| None of these |
15% |
Responses: 980
Note: Respondents could select all that apply.
Should athletes be allowed to make statements on social issues on the field of play?
Responses: 991
In the last few months, athletes have taken stands and taken actions on social issues pertaining to racial equality and justice. So far, has the effect of their efforts been:
| Positive |
49% |
| No effect |
27% |
| Negative |
24% |
Responses: 995
