As part of SportsBusiness Journal's 20th anniversary, many sports execs shared their memories of the magazine's launch in '98. This is the final day of THE DAILY's three-part series.
* Former NFL Exec VP/Communications & Public Affairs JOE BROWNE: “My mentor -- the late PETE ROZELLE -- used to tell me that any news story that included a dollar sign about the NFL or its teams was a negative story for the league. Pete believed that stories about NFL money -- whether player contracts, franchise valuations, TV contracts, etc. -- only turned off our fans. The earlier generation of NFL owners, who in many cases were not as visible to our fans as today’s more publicized owners, agreed with Pete on that point. With that as background, when SBJ was started with an emphasis on the business of sports, the financial business of sports, I as SVP of NFL communications was not SBJ’s most avid reader nor enthusiastic supporter in those early days. However, as the years went by, I listened to sports business friends of mine who swore by the info in SBJ. I usually only swore at the publication. Those business friends were part of a new wave of sports marketing and advertising execs and not as intimately involved in the day-to-day activities of the major leagues as I was. They found the SBJ stories fascinating and informative … and still do. As the publication has matured, it focuses in my opinion less on dollar signs and more on the scores of individuals and organizations that are part of the sports and entertainment community. I think that’s a good thing. The SBJ awards show in New York each spring is a fitting tribute to those business men and women who help drive professional and amateur sports.”
* MLS Commissioner DON GARBER: “I loved SportsBusiness Daily and had been reading it since it debuted in 1994. I remember meeting with (Publisher) RICHARD (WEISS) as he was making the rounds to the various leagues to discuss a new weekly magazine that would provide an in-depth look at our business. The sports industry is relatively insular and I believed then as I do now that sharing news and information and connecting those that have committed their lives to the business was important. And while daily news was and is important, the in-depth approach of the Journal provides the insights and deeper dive into events and stories that are equally valuable. I know I speak for many leaders in our industry when I say that the Daily and the Journal is a must-read for anyone in the business … from someone entering the industry, to those that have witnessed the evolution and growth of the business for the last two decades.”
* Hendrick Motosport Owner RICK HENDRICK: “I’m interested in people. At the end of the day, we’re all in the people business. Over the years, SBJ has done a tremendous job shining a light on the ‘who’ of our industry. It’s something we never had before.”
* Dolphins Senior VP & COO TODD KLINE, telling the Carey Business School at John Hopkins how his early encounters with SBJ helped motivate him to pursue a career in the sports industry: “I loved sports and I loved business -- so the notion of sports business and entertainment was motivating for me. I just remember thinking, ‘Oh my god, this industry exists?’ I loved it.”
