A total of 78 nominees across 15 categories are set for the eighth annual Sports Business Awards. Winners will be announced at a ceremony May 20 at the New York Marriott Marquis at Times Square.
ESPN leads the field with four nominations. The NBA, NBC Sports Group, NFL and Wasserman Media Group each have three nominations, and eight others are up for two awards.
SportsBusiness Journal/Daily established the Sports Business Awards to recognize excellence, innovation and outstanding achievements in the business of sports. Nominations were earned for accomplishments during the period from March 1, 2014, to Feb. 28, 2015.
Each of the nominees will be highlighted in a Sports Business Awards preview issue that will be published May 18.
A panel of sports business executives will study the nominations and serve as judges in the various categories. The executives and members representing SportsBusiness Journal/Daily will evaluate the nominees and determine the winners in 13 of the 15 categories by private vote.
The other two categories, Sports Executive of the Year and Athletic Director of the Year, will be judged solely by the editorial staff of SportsBusiness Journal/Daily.
Sports Team of the Year
Charlotte Hornets
LA Galaxy
Los Angeles Kings
Seattle Seahawks
St. Louis Cardinals
Team Penske
Sports League of the Year
Big East Conference
LPGA
Major League Soccer
NASCAR
National Basketball Association
Sports Event of the Year
2014 International Champions Cup
2014 MLB All-Star Game
2014 U.S. Open and U.S. Women’s Open Championships (golf)
2015 College Football Playoff
2015 NBA All-Star Game
Super Bowl XLIX
Sports Executive of the Year
Brian France, NASCAR
Sean McManus, CBS Sports
Adam Silver, National Basketball Association
Mike Slive, Southeastern Conference
Athletic Director of the Year
Mitch Barnhart, University of Kentucky
Jeff Long, University of Arkansas
Ian McCaw, Baylor University
Dan Radakovich, Clemson University
Best in Sports Media
ESPN
Fox Sports
National Football League
NBC Sports Group
Turner Sports
Best in Sports Television
CBS Sports
ESPN
NBC Sports Group
SEC Network
Univision Deportes
Best in Digital Sports Media
ESPN Digital Media
National Football League
NBC Sports Group
Turner Sports
Whistle Sports Media
Best in Talent Representation and Management
CAA Sports
Excel Sports Management
Lagardère Unlimited
Relativity Sports
Wasserman Media Group
WME-IMG
Best in Corporate Consulting, Marketing and Client Services
CAA Sports
Lagardère Unlimited
Octagon
Team Epic
Wasserman Media Group
Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services
AEG Global Partnerships
The Aspire Group
Learfield Sports
Legends
Van Wagner Sports & Entertainment
Best in Sports Event and Experiential Marketing
GMR Marketing
IMG Live
LeadDog Marketing Group
Momentum Worldwide
Wasserman Media Group
Sports Sponsor of the Year
AT&T
Dr Pepper
State Farm
Target
Under Armour
Sports Facility of the Year
AT&T Stadium
Levi’s Stadium
McLane Stadium
Staples Center
University of Phoenix Stadium
Best in Sports Technology
Daktronics
ESPN
MLB Replay Center
OneTwoSee
SAP
Zebra Technologies
