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Sports Industrialists
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What I Like.... With CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon
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Mark Cohon Is Finishing Up His
Third Season As CFL Commish |
In our continuing series, SportsBusiness Daily/SportsBusiness Journal asks top sports personalities for their thoughts, ideas, aspirations and likes. Today, CFL Commissioner MARK COHON.
What I like in an insight: Laughter is the best medicine.
An influential person in my career: Sorry, have to list two people: STEPHEN GREENBERG, former MLB Deputy Commissioner, and DAVID STERN, NBA Commissioner.
An out-of-the-box idea: Regular-season games in non-traditional neutral markets.
A timeless idea: Pick up the phone to talk to people -- don't hide behind e-mails.
A business deal: Bringing McDonald's to the former Soviet Union.
A sports facility: I am old school -- Wrigley Field.
A sports event: Little League World Series -- love seeing the kids' emotions on their sleeves.
A hire: Someone who is smarter than I am.
A brand: BlackBerry -- Canadians need to celebrate their success stories. I bet most Americans think BlackBerry is from the U.S.
A trend: In this tougher economy staycations (vacations at home) are allowing affordable sports properties to capture more local entertainment dollars.
An innovation: Human genome mapping -- amazing and scary as to what this holds for us over the next 50 years and what impact it can have on athletes.
A pro league or team business initiative: Australian Rules Football -- I like to learn from successful leagues outside of North America.
A story that bears watching: The labor negotiations for the NBA, MLB, NFL and NHL.
An idea or invention I wish I had thought of: The air conditioner.
A fantasy job: Park Ranger on a wildlife game reserve in Africa.
What I like about my job: Sitting in the stands with CFL fans. Best way to learn what matters to them.
Sports: Athletes who make a difference in their communities by what they do.
Sports business: The complexity of aligning your owners on key issues.
Sports media: Even in the new digital world they are an important avenue to our fans.
Sports technology: Our CFL command centre in Toronto for managing instant replays.
Competing: Winning.
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Cohon Thinks Fans Should Be More
Involved In Leagues' Decision Making |
The future (or direction) of sports business: Fan engagement -- make them a part of the decision making process. We changed four rules this season based upon fan input.
Sports fans: Their passion and knowledge runs deep.
What I would like to change in what I do: Interact with our fans more in the off-season to stay connected.
See more of in sports: Respect for officials.
See more of in sports business: Quality sponsor activations.
See less of in sports: Players' off-field antics.
See less of in sports business: Being squeezed because of the economy. Historically companies that promote and spend during tough times grow market share.
What I don't like in general: Liver and bad breath.
Pet peeve: People who don't look you in the eye when speaking to you.
In sports: Lopsided victories.
In business: People who have never built a business but have all the answers.
About sports fans: Using sporting events as an excuse to drink too much.
What I like in people: People with passion for what they do.
That would surprise those who know me: Lived in the jungles of Sumatra for one month helping a field scientist study wild orangutans.
Above all else: Visiting attractions with my 3-year-old little girl -- Ontario Science Centre, Toronto Zoo, CN Tower, etc.
About myself: My sense of humor.
Heroes: Mom -- growing up in a household with three men (Dad and older
brother) all with Type A personalities -- and she rules the roost.
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Cohon Enjoyed Watching
Bjorn Borg Play Tennis |
Players: CFL great WARREN MOON and tennis great BJORN BORG.
Teams: 1992-93 World Series champs Toronto Blue Jays. Having worked for MLB International in the early '90s, I couldn't publicly support my hometown team -- feels good to let it out.
City: London -- had a great time living there in the '90s running an office for the NBA.
Possession: Our cottage on Lake Simcoe just north of Toronto.
Memento: The watch my parents gave me to wear when I led a three month Arctic expedition in Siberia in 1990.
Time of year (because): Fall -- can't beat a crisp clear day for great football.
Music: I have eclectic taste from old school rap, KOOL MOE DEE to The Guess Who.
Books: "To Kill A Mockingbird," "The Call of the Wild," and "The Plot Against America."
Authors: PHILLIP ROTH.
Magazines: The Economist -- great way to get a quick scan on world issues.
Web sites: Weather.com -- I travel so much always need to know what to pack!
Gadgets: iPod Nano -- need my anthems for my work outs.
Chores: Shoveling fresh snow -- keeps you in good shape.
Hobbies: Rollerblading and cross training.
Trips: African safaris.
Movies: "Braveheart" and "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest."
TV: "True Blood" and "Entourage."
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Cohon Considers Springsteen The Best
Live Performer In Music |
Concerts: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN is the best live performer out there.
Artist: CANDIDA HOFER -- great photographer from Germany.
Food: Surf and Turf -- Sushi and Cheeseburgers (not at the same time).
Dessert: Molten Chocolate Cake.
Drink: Grey Goose and Soda.
Scent: Fresh cut grass at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.
Vacation spots: Anywhere in Italy.
Cars: Any vintage sports cars -- Aston Martin, Mustang, etc.
Singer: GEDDY LEE from Rush -- coolest voice in rock 'n' roll today.
Quote: "Luck is a dividend of sweat. The more you sweat, the luckier you get" -- RAY KROC, Founder of McDonald's.
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