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How to stage modern sports experience in nontraditional setting

Today’s venues for sporting events are pushing the boundaries of traditional risk management for event organizers. From college basketball on aircraft carriers to regular-season football games abroad, event risk paradigms often depend on the particular venue. Risks are further magnified when a hazardous sport is involved (skateboarding), and the event includes both viewing and public participation. Add all these variables to a unique venue — a quiet ...

Cartoon: Super Bowl suitors

Closer look at Reinsdorf’s influence, achievements

Jerry Reinsdorf is the first team owner to receive our SportsBusiness Journal/Daily Lifetime Achievement Award. He joins previous recipients Peter Ueberroth (2009), Billie Jean King (2011) and Paul Tagliabue (2012) in being recognized with our highest distinction. When we were discussing possible candidates for this year, a number of names were in the mix, but we kept coming back to Reinsdorf. Many knew about the success of his organizations, but we ...

Marriage counseling: Saving the property-sponsor relationship

I am seeing a trend in sponsorship that I have not seen before in 20 years in this industry. I teach, speak and preach that sponsorship is an art form and a science. If done right, it is a dynamic and effective part of the marketing mix. For years, the fact that client-side marketers had the dollars properties coveted led to immediate return of phone calls, as sponsorships have always been hard to find. The selling process is hard, but the propert...

Creative challenges: How to build the Big Idea in activation

Advice columns are no longer limited to the personal space. Such columns are part of the working world, too, and in this case, we’re talking about sales and marketing initiatives in sports, looking at real examples of sponsor activations that have had great impact for fans and brands. The following are examples of some commonly asked questions that I have fielded over time, with the answers aimed at providing input and guidance for agencies and brand...

NASCAR’s chairman puts talk of diversity into action

The first time I met Brian France, in 1997, he told me he wanted NASCAR to look like America. That was not the image I had of what NASCAR was or what it wanted, but there was something about the way France said it that convinced me he meant it. Up to that moment, my impression of NASCAR included Confederate flags and mostly all-white Southern fans. While that impression hasn’t changed much through the years, every interaction I have had with France ...

Gathering SBD/SBJ memories; there’s a ‘new sheriff’ in sports

We need to hear from you because we need your stories. For what? Well, for our anniversary issue that will hit this December. A few months ago, we told you that we are planning a special issue devoted to 20 years of sports business — more specifically, a celebration of 20 years of publishing for SportsBusiness Daily and 15 years for SportsBusiness Journal. In a stand-alone issue that you will receive on Monday, Dec. 9, we will chronicle the history o...

Cartoon: Influential and unemployed

An opportunity to shine: Diversity comes from the top

The recent release of the movie “42” brings the issue of diversity to the forefront once again. It is remarkable to see how far we’ve come in sports and in life on inclusion, yet challenging and sad to know that we still have a long way to go.   I was fortunate to have worked in Major League Baseball for nearly 25 years, the last 11 as the president of business operations for the Houston Astros. I was raised in a small Wisconsin town and introduced t...

How to maintain momentum from classroom to workplace

It’s that time of year when Generation Next (or however we choose to refer to them) prepares to enter the workforce — either as interns or, with hope, as employees. I offer the advice below based on my experiences in placing students for the past 30 years, combined with my experiences as a sports executive and consultant during that time. I have shared these suggestions with my students over the years and have added to and modified the suggestions as...

Cartoon: One door opens

NBA season honors: What stood out, what to watch

One person’s take on some of the top story lines of the NBA’s regular season: ■ Best comeback: The Golden State Warriors are the NBA’s most improved team not just on the floor, but on the business side and in the community. Under the astute hand of President and COO Rick Welts, the Warriors are relevant again in the Bay Area. The team was a success on the court with its 47-35 record in the tough Western Conference, and Welts drew on his experience to...