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: MARK CUBAN/JEREMY JACOBS -- In a rarity, we split the win this week. Perhaps no two professional sports owners changed their reputations more positively in one week than these two. Cuban's image goes from that of a brash and overbearing owner to one who focuses strictly on winning and can enjoy his team's success while staying in the background. Jacobs' image transforms from that of a frugal, absentee-owner to that of a sage-like operator of a family business who brought home the goods with dignity.
LOSE: LEBRON JAMES -- The Chosen One's reputation takes another hit as the NBA Finals come to a close. James' poor play was one thing, but he made things worse when put in front of a microphone following Game Six. His comments made him look shallow and narcissistic, which have to give pause to those companies that he endorses. For LeBron and his handlers, PR training must be a priority this summer if wants to remain the league's go-to pitchman.
DRAW: FIRESTONE TWIN 275s -- IndyCar has to be given kudos for staging its first doubleheader in 30 years at Texas Motor Speedway last Saturday in an effort to drum up more attention for the series. But while the telecast earned Versus its largest IndyCar audience to date, many drivers were critical of the blind draw that set the field for the second race. Team Owner CHIP GANASSI was among those visibly upset, saying between races that the promotion was nothing more than a stunt.
