People Who Made Sports Business Headlines In 2012, Part Two

Many brands, execs and ideas caught our eye in ’12. Here are five that, for better or worse, made an impression this year. See yesterday’s issue for six more newsmakers from this year.

NETS OWNER MIKHAIL PROKHOROV, CEO BRETT YORMARK: The pair orchestrated the team’s move from New Jersey into the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The move has revived interest in the rebranded Nets as the team competes with the Knicks for N.Y. basketball supremacy.

BRUINS OWNER JEREMY JACOBS: Jacobs has been at the center of the firestorm between the NHL and NHLPA during the lockout. Jacobs, who also is NHL BOG Chair, is regarded as the top hard-liner among the owners of the league’s 30 franchises.

JAGUARS OWNER SHAHID KHAN: The Jaguars may still struggle on the field, but off the field the club has an international, dynamic new owner. Khan has caught the attention of news magazines and even “60 Minutes,” -- not only for his signature moustache. He has embraced the NFL’s London effort, making a four-year commitment to the league’s International Series.

FORMER PRESIDENT BILL CLINTON: Without the help of Bill Clinton’s foundation, the PGA Tour event formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic would have dried up in the California desert. Clinton was front and center during the new Humana Challenge in February, leading the discussion about health and wellness issues that gave the tournament a dual purpose.

P&G GLOBAL MARKETING & BRAND BUILDING OFFICER MARC PRITCHARD: Marketing ties for P&G’s portfolio of 26 billion-dollar brands now reach across MLB and the NFL and into the Olympics. The company’s marketing efforts around the London Games, as directed by Pritchard, will generate $500M in incremental sales for P&G. Now that is ROI.

NASCAR TEAM OWNER ROGER PENSKE: After 40 years of competing in NASCAR, Penske won his first Sprint Cup championship with Brad Keselowski. The achievement was celebrated by peers who were happy to see success come to a man who has done so much for the sport, from building a speedway in California to running a full-time race team for 22 years.