This Week's Newsmakers: Danica Provides Needed Shot In IRL's Arm
THE DAILY each Friday offers our take on the performances over the past week of people and entities in sports business. Here are this week’s newsmakers.
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IRL Scores Priceless Media Attention
Following Patrick's Japan Indy 300 Win |
WIN: IRL -- Could it get any better for the newly unified open-wheel series? Just two races after 19-year old Graham Rahal becomes the youngest driver to win an IndyCar Series race, Danica Patrick finally scores her historic victory in Japan. Patrick makes the rounds on the media circuit, garnering priceless attention for herself and the league. And while her marketability is sure to receive a boost, her win already is paying dividends at the box office. With all eyes on the IRL leading up to the Indy 500, now it is up to the league to capitalize on its newfound publicity. A strong finish from Patrick in the Indy 500 could go a long way in doing just that.
LOSS: Rays -- Sure, they were competing with the Magic’s first-round playoff series and a Bruce Springsteen concert (who can blame fans for wanting to see the Boss?), but the fact that fewer fans showed up for the team’s three-game series in Orlando this week may not bode well for the team’s marketing efforts in Central Florida. Meanwhile, back home, the St. Pete Times says attendance at Tropicana Field “has been a disappointment,” and the Mayor of St. Petersburg says it would be difficult for him to favor the club’s new waterfront stadium unless the Rays add parking spaces downtown.
DRAW: NFL Draft -- The draft has become a must-see event on the sports calendar and with new rules this year reducing the time between picks, the event only figures to grow in popularity. Unless, of course, teams make a habit of signing the No. 1 pick prior to the draft, as the Dolphins did this week with Jake Long. So much for the suspense. It also appears with the rising cost of rookie salaries, few teams are willing to trade up, locking franchises with top picks into potentially crippling contracts. It's an issue that surely will be discussed if the CBA is opened.
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