THE DAILY asked some top sports execs, “What is the sports business story you will be watching most closely in '13?” Below are their responses.
NHL SENIOR VP/INTEGRATED MARKETING SUSAN COHIG: The sale of AEG and its impact on the sports and entertainment landscape.
USOC CEO SCOTT BLACKMUN: Who emerges as the buyer(s) of AEG.
FORMER WNBA PRESIDENT VAL ACKERMAN: I'm interested in seeing how NCAA conference realignment progresses and what impact all of these institutional movements will ultimately have on athletic department budgetary decisions and on the student-athlete experience, especially in sports other than football and men's basketball.
NBC SPORTS GROUP PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMMING JON MILLER: How the NHL comes back from the lockout. Will the league regain the momentum it built after the Stanley Cup Final? How will fans react? Also, the impact of TV Everywhere on upcoming distribution deals. Digital distribution has been a positive asset to leagues, rights holders and fans.
HEAT EXEC VP & CMO MICHAEL MCCULLOUGH: The continued expansion of digital media and the tactics teams will implement to maximize their digital audience/fan base. Also, how will teams drive revenue associated with their digital-media assets?
DAYTONA INT'L SPEEDWAY PRESIDENT JOIE CHITWOOD III: The impact of the "new" NASCAR racecar from a competition and fan engagement perspective. A Chevy racecar looking like a Chevy production car is good for the sport.
CUBS EXEC VP AND CHIEF SALES & MARKETING OFFICER WALLY HAYWARD: Our effort to move forward with our Wrigley Field restoration project, which will enhance the fan experience and save Wrigley Field for the next generation of fans. Another key story will be the completion of our state-of-the-art Spring Training facility and ballpark in Mesa.
GMR MARKETING LATIN AMERICAN HEAD CELSO SCHVARTZER: The Confederations Cup, being held in June in six cities in Brazil, and the final draw for the FIFA World Cup in December.
