The Sportsbiz Weekly Buzz is a collection of articles curated by Sports Networker’s Online Coordinator – Steve Richards

Sports Business

NBA’s Owners Win Big 

“After all the talk of a broken system and badly needed overhauls in the league, Saturday’s resolution produced one odd result: Fans won’t notice much of a difference.”

Sports business maverick turned media master: How Cuban engages social media to capitalize on e-book

“You have to love Mark Cuban, even if you can’t stand the Dallas Mavericks. The man is all about the future, and his instincts are spot on. Okay, so maybe NBA commissioner David Stern isn’t so fond of the oft-fined Mavs’ owner, but if you appreciate business creativity, you must value Cuban.” - A second week in a row with an article about Cuban, but that just speaks to his business genius.

Sports Networking

Meeting people is easy thanks to sports networking night

“With up to 50 people attending the networking evening, sports council chairman Fiona Fyfe reckons the evening was a big success.”

WISE Los Angeles to Host Women of Inspiration Event

“The night has three honorees: Karen Brodkin, Senior Vice President of Business and Legal Affairs for Fox Sports Media Group; Susan Rosenbluth, Senior Vice President of AEG Live/Goldenvoice; and Amy Stanton, Founder of Stanton and Company, LLC.”

Sports Marketing

5 Tips for Marketing to Sports Fans on Facebook 

“If you’ve ever been to a sports game, whether it’s college, professional or even little league, you know that fans can be a bit, well, overzealous. But their rabid passion makes them a perfect audience for Facebook— they crave interaction with the team and will gladly engage right back.”

Building Brands: Since 2005, the sports marketing division of Learfield Communications Inc. has more than doubled its university marketing and broadcast contracts.

“The only hint that 505 Hobbs Road houses one of the premier sports multimedia marketing and broadcast firms in the nation is the massive satellite dish behind it. Other than that, Learfield Communications Inc., the parent of 54 university sports marketing companies and multiple radio news services, is relatively under-the-radar.”

Sports Sponsorship

Controversies have “cost Terry £6m” in sponsorships, according to experts

“England skipper John Terry has missed up to £6million in commercial spinoffs because of the controversies that have dogged his career.”

Nike offers RFU minor respite in face of World Cup shame

“The beleaguered RFU has received a small measure of relief from its current troubles after major sponsor Nike – the England rugby kit supplier – confirmed to Sportingintelligence that it is ‘not planning to change anything as a result of the recent RFU activities.’”

Sports Ticket Sales

Oklahoma Wallets and Pride Were Hurt

“The Thunder are Oklahoma’s only major pro sports franchise, and few NBA cities viewed the news of a labor agreement with more welcome relief. The team, in its third season, reached the Western Conference finals last season, and Thunder fans have an emotional stake unlike their counterparts most other places.”

Top Olympic tickets for sale, but it will cost you

“There are still tickets on sale for the men’s 100-meter finals at the London Olympics — contrary to what most people think. The opening and closing ceremonies too. Even beach volleyball (but not too many.) As with all things in life, though, there is a catch. It will cost you.”

Sports Social Media

Will Terrell Owens Dump Twitter for New England Patriots Job? 

“Weeks after dropping the news that T.O. couldn’t pay his child support, which resulted in an issued warrant for his arrest, TMZ reported that Owens has turned to massive online engine Twitter to bring in more money. If the statistics are correct, T.O. makes anywhere from $2,800 to $6,400 per tweet.”

Methods for Increasing Your Sports Blog’s Search Rank and Traffic

“In order to be the best you have to first learn from the best. Especially today, as the media landscape changes at light speed. This past week I had a chance to attend a business conference where I got to learn from the best.”

Sports Media

In working order

“Two decades ago, Jennifer Royle could be found on the Hockomock League’s field hockey fields and softball diamonds wearing the green and white uniforms of Mansfield High School. Since then, she’s blazed a far different trail for herself in broadcast sports journalism – one she hopes will lead her back from Baltimore to her native New England, and to its most hallowed sports venues.”

Saints to Recognize Members of the Media in Mercedes-Benz Superdome Press Box

“The New Orleans Saints will recognize ten distinguished members of the New Orleans sports media and public relations field inside the press box of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Placed on the glass partition of the third row within the press box are plaques honoring Champ Clark, Bill Curl, Buddy Diliberto, Peter Finney, Hap Glaudi, Wayne Mack, Bruce Miller, Bob Roesler, Jerry Romig and Frank Wilson.”

Sports Technology

Poland’s New National Stadium and Most Modern Arena to Feature Leading Cisco Connected Sports Technology as the Foundation for Stadium Operations and Innovation

“At the 10th anniversary of its annual Cisco Expo conference in Poland, Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) announced that Warsaw’s brand-new National Stadium, one of the venues for next year’s UEFA EURO 2012″ European Football Championship, is implementing the Cisco Connected Stadium solution.”

Apps help hone sporting prowess for all

“Smartphones can now give amateurs technical help and analysis of the kind that, until recently, had only been available to the professionals”

Sports Jobs

The NBA Lockout is Over and AEG/Nike are Hiring 

“While the NBA will not only bring back hundreds of players and millions of fans, the league’s return should also kick-start the league’s internship program once again and bring back thousands of jobs (at stadiums, in team offices, etc.) that were seemingly lost during the lockout.”

Find out How You Can Have a Work opportunities in Sport Relevant Industries

“Obtaining employment in sport enterprises is a way to merge your enjoy for sports and make a dwelling. Jobs in these fields are a excellent way to blend your enthusiasm for sports with developing a career. If you’re not in the business by now, you could wonder how to make a profession out of sports. When you feel outdoors of the box and uncover ways to make money from your passion, you will discover that there are lots of jobs in activity fields.”

Sports Events

B.C. Lions post rare Grey Cup triumph in front of hometown fans

“The Lions’ post-game celebration following their 34-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the 99th Grey Cup at BC Place was, in all respects, an over-the-top affair, ‘extreme and overwhelming’ in the opinion of a CFL media person, but perhaps that’s to be expected.”

Urban Meyer Ohio State: Buckeyes Make NCAA Look Stupid by Hiring Meyer

“The worst kept secret in college football could be ending soon as the Ohio State Buckeyes may soon formally announce that they are hiring Urban Meyer to be their next head coach. In the process, the school is making the NCAA look like bigger fools than it usually does.”

Is there anything we missed this week in the world of sports business? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below and please feel free to share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

About Lewis Howes

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Buffalo Bills receiver, Terrell Owens, went into a postgame press conference after his team was defeated by the New Orleans Saints because it was mandated by the National Football League that he do so. (He also went catchless for zero yards and touchdowns for the first time in 185 games.)

{The following is the background and essentially a lesson in PR 101.}

Based on past performances, media expected Owens to provide enough provocative commentary to write their stories for them. They knew from experience what kind of questions that could set him off. So they poked; they prodded and reconfigured questions to get him to say something that would make for a sensational headline.

What emerged from a session during which Owens wore sunglasses and spoke in one or very few-word answers was growth of a reputation that he says he is trying to quell.

Owens left the Philadelphia Eagles for more money, then threw quarterback, Donovan McNabb, and other personnel under the proverbial bus. He took his ego and sunglass case to Dallas where he emotionally proclaimed during a press conference that followed a tough loss “That’s my quarterback…” when reporters asked about a questionable performance of Cowboys’ quarterback Tony Romo.

During the time he sought a trade from the Eagles, he was interviewed while doing shirtless sit-ups in his driveway. This man is a far cry from shy.

There is little debate that Owens is a talented receiver. He believes he is misunderstood, however. He said it is the media, and not him, that are to blame for his controversial reputation. He even blamed media for not taking his own written words – those he posted on his Twitter page – for taking him seriously, when intended to joke.

Personnel on ESPN’s NFL Live said that Owens was in a no-win situation with media after the Bills loss to the Saints. I disagree.

Media training can help Owens or anyone that has to face reporters after less-than-desirable circumstances answer questions without sounding smug or ignorant. It will help someone like Owens, who has created a circus-like public reputation wherever he’s gone, go straight with his reputation.

Coaches with whom Owens has worked have said that the receiver only wants to play football and play it well. Along with playing the game in the NFL are responsibilities to the media.

Whether it’s answering reporters’ questions during a news conference or posting thoughts on Twitter, athletes must consider what comes out of their mouth and minds, and the tone of those words. People who work with media can be a great help. I think for Owens, that help is as close as the Bills PR department.

Whether you’re an athlete, a food service provider or a stay-at-home parent, only you are responsible for what you say and how you say it. Your actions will go a long way toward backing up those words.

About Gail Sideman

Twenty years of public relations experience, including 10 in NCAA Division I sports information during which she received national awards for her work, have helped Gail Sideman emerge as a nationally-respected publicity professional in sports, social media and publishing. She is also a veteran support staffer of sports television crews for events that include the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA regular and postseason and others. You may learn more information about Sideman's business at www.publiside.com or follow her at www.twitter.com/PUBLISIDE and www.facebook.com/gail.sideman.

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