Enter Sandman
From the National Baseball Hall of Fame Class of 2019 announcement on Jan. 22, MLB legend Mariano Rivera with his longtime agent Fernando Cuza of Independent Sports & Entertainment. Rivera is the first player in history to unanimously be voted into the Hall of Fame. ISE
Welcome to Atlanta
At a news conference to open Super Bowl week in Atlanta on Jan. 28 at the Georgia World Congress Center: Peter O’Reilly, NFL VP of events; Dan Corso, chairman of the the Atlanta Super Bowl LIII Host Committee and president of the Atlanta Sports Council; Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms; Falcons owner Arthur Blank; and Brett Daniels, host committee COO.Atlanta Business Chronicle
Be a Bobblehead
The San Jose Sharks and official marketing partner Franklin Group hosted “Be A Bobblehead Night” on Jan. 15 at the SAP Center. The winner of the contest won a custom-made bobblehead doll produced by Franklin Group. From left: Chris Bobal, chief development officer, Franklin Group; contest winner Christine Tsin; and Sharks alum Mike Ricci.Franklin Group
Sports Business of Latinos in Baseball
National Baseball Hall of Fame President Jeff Idelson; ESPN analyst Eduardo Perez; La Vida Baseball co-founder Jay Sharman; and Jose de Jesus Ortiz, former president of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, talked about the marketing and brand value of Latinos in baseball and all sports on Jan. 24 at the New York Athletic Club, the first event of the year for the group New York Venture Community Sports.NYVC Sports
Granting Wishes
UFC Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Epstein presented a check on Jan. 10 for $240,000 to Make-A-Wish Chief Executive Officer Caroline Ciocca and the parents and children from Southern Nevada who have recently had their wishes granted.Zuffa LLC
New Jersey, New Partner
The Chicago Fire unveiled its new 2019 jerseys and new jersey partner, Chicago-based Motorola, at a fan event Jan. 22 at The Wrigley Building. From left: Fire midfielder Dax McCarty; Kelly Wilkie, Motorola head of partnerships, North America; Fire midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger and forward Nemanja Nikolic.Chicago Fire Soccer Club
UW Club's Road Trip
The University of Wisconsin Sports Business Club recently visited NCAA headquarters in Indianapolis, as well as sports industry leaders in Columbus and Cincinnati, as part of a winter trip.UW Madison Sports Business Club
Please submit photos for review of industry conferences, parties, product launches and openings showcasing the people and personalities at the event. Include the event date, location, names/titles of those featured along with credit information. The photo specifications are as follows: 300dpi, tiff, jpeg or eps color images. Submit digital photos for review at: photo@sportsbusinessjournal.com or send color prints to: Faces & Places, c/o Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, 120 W. Morehead St., Suite 310, Charlotte, NC 28202.
