Photo by: MLB
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Major League Baseball
STYLE POINTS:
Total revenue approached $10 billion and attendance remained at historically high levels, a dramatic World Series enthralled the nation, and a major investment deal with Disney over the development of BAMTech pointed toward the potential future of media. Efforts such as the Fort Bragg game and a return to Cuba showed out-of-the-box thinking.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
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National Basketball Association
STYLE POINTS:
With a new labor deal and an expected record $8 billion in revenue, 2016 ushered in the NBA’s most prosperous era. Last year’s Finals brought record TV viewership, and franchise values continue to soar, reflecting the NBA’s powerhouse position in sports.
Photo by: NHL
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National Hockey League
STYLE POINTS:
Building up to its centennial season, the NHL took bold steps last year, highlighted by being the first major league to expand to Las Vegas and the relaunch of the World Cup of Hockey. Behind record league revenue, NHL clubs set full-season records in average attendance and stadium capacity.
Photo by: PBR
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Professional Bull Riders
STYLE POINTS:
On the eve of its 25th anniversary, PBR enjoyed record ratings and attendance in major markets and reached a new deal with Wal-Mart to bring events to stores along the league’s 2016 tour schedule. PBR also saw a bump in mainstream, digital and nontraditional media coverage, and its Netflix series “Fearless” earned critical acclaim.
Photo by: USOC
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U.S. Olympic Committee
STYLE POINTS:
Team USA set an all-time high mark of 121 medals in Rio, winning every category of medals for both men and women — the first time any country has done that since 1960. It also announced the long-awaited Olympic Channel with partners NBC and the IOC, and helped sign a blockbuster global deal with the Alibaba Group.
