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:
WIN: LARRY SCOTT -- The Pac-10 Commissioner gets big accolades this week for the conference's new TV deal with ESPN and Fox. In addition to landing a reported $3B contract, Scott holds back some rights for a conference-owned network set to launch in August '12. The former WTA boss delivers on a promise to increase exposure for the Pac-10, which has spent recent years in the shadows of its BCS counterparts. Scott also gives the conference something it has never had before -- bragging rights to the largest TV contract in all of college sports.
LOSE: DONALD TRUMP -- Perhaps responding to a groundswell of angry fans, the outspoken celebrity removes himself as driver of the pace car for the upcoming Indianapolis 500. Despite rhetoric about scheduling conflicts and business constraints, the withdrawal can be traced to Trump's recent statements regarding PRESIDENT OBAMA that landed him in a PR mess. His withdrawal saves Indy Motor Speedway officials from having to make a tough decision, since Trump's position in the driver's seat come May 29 surely would have caused fan uproar at the Brickyard.
DRAW: MALOOFS -- The Kings Owners this week swallow their pride and announce their intention to keep Sacramento's beloved NBA franchise in town for at least one more season. For now, the Maloofs' flirtation with Anaheim has ended, particularly with Lakers Owner JERRY BUSS not keen on adding a third NBA team to the L.A. market. The Maloofs do deserve credit, however, for making the most of an awkward situation. They appear to be giving Sacramento a fair shot to save the Kings long into the future, knowing that should it not work out, DAVID STERN has given the OK for a move next summer.
