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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New Marlins Ballpark Promises To Increase
Team Revenues, Stabilize And Grow Fan Base |
WIN: Marlins – After nearly a decade of lobbying for a new home, the franchise finally gains approval for its 37,000-seat retractable-roof ballpark, securing baseball’s future in South Florida. Marlins Owner Jeffrey Loria and President DAVID SAMSON are lauded for their determination in getting the deal done, particularly in a challenging economic climate. The move into the new ballpark promises to increase the team’s revenues and stabilize and help grow the team's fan base.
LOSE: Sony Ericsson WTA TOUR -- The organization is charged with filling the large void left by LARRY SCOTT, who earlier this week announced he will step down as Chair & CEO to become Pac-10 Commissioner. The Tour is faced with the challenge of replacing a man who oversaw a dramatic growth in the game. During his six-year tenure, Scott helped secure the Tour’s title sponsorship deal with Sony Ericsson and developed the organization’s Roadmap plan. With the economic downturn affecting all corners of the sports world, Scott's replacement will have work to do to maintain the Tour's sponsors and continue to grow the sport.
DRAW: TWITTER -- The latest social-networking craze has quickly caught on in the sports world. This week, Sir Richard Branson uses the medium to informally break the news of his Virgin Group sponsorship of F1 team Brawn GP, and Fox’ Jeff Hammond and ESPN’s Rebecca Lobo both send out tweets during live events. On Sunday, Women’s Professional Soccer will take things a step further by allowing players to send tweets during the fledgling league’s inaugural game. But in other locker rooms, the emergent technology has been seen as a distraction, and the Bucks have been forced to ban the use of the site during games.
