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: TIM FINCHEM -- The PGA Tour Commissioner inks new nine-year agreements with CBS and NBC, ensuring wide visibility on broadcast TV through ’21. The deals line up with the conclusion of the Tour's agreement with Golf Channel, potentially leaving the organization poised for a big payday when the time comes to re-up. With TIGER WOODS slated to return for the Frys.com Open and TV rights deals secured for the next decade, momentum again seems to be turning in the Tour's favor.
LOSE: DOLPHINS -- The team comes under fire for its decision to honor the ’08 Univ. of Florida national championship team during a home game against the Broncos next month, instead of the nearby Miami Hurricanes. Faced with the possibility of not selling out their first regular-season game in 13 years, some call the Dolphins' promotion a misguided marketing ploy to fill Sun Life Stadium. Others go as far as to say it encourages fans to root for the opposing team with former UF QB TIM TEBOW now suiting up for the Broncos.
DRAW: WILPONS -- Did the Mets cut ties with DAVID EINHORN just in time? Despite losses that could reach $70M this season, Mets ownership decided it wasn't willing to accept the many conditions that the hedge fund manager sought in exchange for his $200M investment. In the near future, not having Einhorn's pockets could prevent the Wilpons from keeping JOSE REYES at Citi Field. But their bold decision does indicate that the Mets feel safe (enough) in their current financial state to weather the storm for a little longer and wait for less-intrusive minority investment.
