As we open the nomination process for the ninth annual Sports Business Awards, you will see we have made some changes to the lineup of categories being recognized. This marks the first time for category changes since 2009, and comes after significant internal and external feedback. This year’s changes are in keeping with the evolving landscape in sports business. Three new categories join the lineup — Best in Sports Social Media, Best in Mobile Fan Experience and Sports Breakthrough of the Year. Here’s the background on those three additions:
■ Best in Sports Social Media: This has become such an important part of the communication, marketing and media across sports that we felt we had to address this area. We will look to recognize entities and people whose creative and innovative use of social media made a significant impact in sports, society or on a respective business.
■ Best in Mobile Fan Experience: Much of the feedback we received over the years has been regarding the mobile experience and mobile technology that are providing consumer-facing applications that are enhancing the sports experience. This category will be a home for those offerings.
■ Sports Breakthrough of the Year will be a fun new entry. This will allow us to recognize entities and executives that had a major breakthrough in the sports space over the last 12 to 14 months, and a way for us to honor some good yet maybe nontraditional stories.
There are other changes. We have removed the category of Best in Sports Television, as we felt that had become too narrow and should be incorporated into our broader Best in Sports Media category. Additionally, we made criteria revisions to the Best in Sports Media, Best in Digital Sports Media, Best in Sports Technology and Best in Talent Representation categories. With the changes, we now have a total of 17 categories, in addition to our Lifetime Achievement Award that is recognized that evening. Please visit www.Sports-Business-Awards.com for details on each category and start sending us your submissions to be considered.
