Several different qualifications are needed to be crowned as the King of the NFL Facebook Pages and overall number of “likes” does not guarantee you a spot on the most engaging NFL players on Facebook list. In order to be the NFL Facebook master, one must entertain and amuse, while engaging with their fans, providing insightful opinions and being the source of inside information. Energy is required and displaying a lighter side is desired.

Social media is where the most loyal and passionate fans come to connect with their favorite athletes. It is a platform for athletes to build their fan base, while rewarding them at the same time. Facebook is a perfect way for athletes to be more influential than ever and connect with millions of fans worldwide. The following ten NFL figures are at the top of the mountain:

Most Engaging NFL Players on Facebook

Chad OchoCinco

Known for his popularity on Twitter, OchoCinco has also become proficient on Facebook. No one can accuse Chad of not being candid. He expresses himself as openly as can be on a daily basis, but also challenges his fans to think. He is cutting edge with what is new and in vogue. He covers all bases, whether it be speaking Spanish to his subscribers, telling jokes he heard on the street or inviting random fans to attend the next Patriots game on him. Like him or not for his on the field antics, OchoCinco is a storyteller and an innovator when it comes to social media and his near two million facebook subscribers tell quite a tale.

Troy Polamalu

He may be recognized as one of the most feared defenders in the league, but Polamalu is a gentle giant and his compassion comes through clearly on his 2 million+ subscribed Facebook page, the most in the NFL. He shares with his subscribers on a weekly basis, whether through inspirational stories or offers for free tickets, autographs or even a chance to ride a limo with him to a charity event. Polamalu never fails to update his following and he knows that consistency is important. He displays it on the field and on his Facebook fan page.

Larry Fitzgerald

A picture is worth a thousand words and Larry Fitzgerald has a lot of them. It is almost impossible to not know what Larry is up to on a daily basis, because he keeps his fans involved and makes each of them ultimate insiders. From his intimate training videos on his “Team Fitzgerald TV” tab to a Fiesta Bowl visit with Condoleezza Rice to a sneak peak of his upcoming Nike commercial, Fitzgerald has put his fans in the know. Fitzgerald preaches faith, focus and finish, but when it comes to his fan page, he also exhibits energy and candidness.

Ray Rice

Encouraging your fans to contribute and rewarding them for being a part of your community is essential to any successful facebook fan page. That’s why it comes to no surprise that Rice joins the cream of the crop of NFL fan pages to go along with his half a million likes. Rice recently held a kids “coloring contest” and shared every single drawing he received on his fan page. The winner received their drawing back in the mail signed by Ray himself. Ray recognizes that it is all about the fans and they will have fun if you are having fun with them.

Greg Jennings

Jennings asks his fans to “be great” on a daily basis, something he strives for on the football field along with his facebook page. His enthusiasm and spirit is showcased to his large following with exclusive content such as family home videos, celebrity sightings and pictures with Packers fans all over the globe.  Jennings is insightful when it comes to hard-hitting topics, but is also not afraid to show a lighter side to sports.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow’s facebook page takes us on a journey. Through his timeline, Tebow offers his fans a very organized look at his excursions with lots of content and updates for followers worldwide. His page shows that he cares about his fans. The majority of pictures are Tebow with his fans, not Tebow standing next to his Range Rover or new swimming pool. From pictures to his mission to the Philippines to a fan he took to Disneyworld, Tebow shows interaction and a level of engagement that he is willing to share with his subscribers.

Drew Brees

A leader on the turf, Brees is also a leader on the NFL Facebook fan page list. The quarterback is very deep when it comes to his following. Brees offers messages to his fans about his newborn baby and key issues surrounding the NFL. He is engaging with his community and recognizes the support of the “Who Dat” nation. Brees is consistent when it comes to rewarding the nation as well. Tickets to games, giveaway items and shout outs to local struggling restaurants are all part of Brees’ arsenal.

Hines Ward

Hines Ward’s energy doesn’t stop when the game clock strikes zeros. Ward takes that energy and pumps it out to his Facebook following. Ward loves his fans and it shows. Lots of behind the scenes pictures with fans, teammates and family members are the keys to Ward’s Facebook success. Hines always keeps engagement high by wanting to know his fans opinions, whether it be their predictions on games or their thoughts on his Dancing With the Stars win.

Do you think we missed anyone on the most engaging NFL players on Facebook list? We’d love to hear your opinions so leave a comment below or tweet us!

About Jon Schulman

Jon Schulman joined BDA Sports Management in September of 2008. At BDA, Jon’s responsibilities include implementing social media strategies for clients as well as working closely with sponsors, league and team social media departments. Jon also has direct contacts at Facebook, Twitter and Youtube along with several private social media companies. Prior to joining BDA Sports, Jon worked for the Los Angeles Lakers Development League team, the Los Angeles D-Fenders. His sports background also includes time spent with the UCLA Basketball department and the San Diego Riptide of the Arena Football League.

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We recently ran a Facebook Contest asking our audience who they thought was missing from Sports Business Journal’s “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business“.  We received some great feedback and the people mentioned varied greatly from Michael Jordan (Owner – Charlotte Bobcats) to Lalit Modi (Creator – Indian Premier League).

The annual list put together by SBJ includes a wide variety of executives that have affected the sports industry in North America over the past 12 months. We wanted to know who you thought was missing from this list?  And, of course, our criteria was not restricted to North America. So, as a result, there are a couple of mentions below that you may have never heard of, but have had a huge impact in the sports world.

So, without further adieu, here’s a summary of the contest entries we received:

2011 Most Influential People In Sports Business

Michael Jordan – Owner  - Charlotte Bobcats

The person I always looked up to was Michael Jordan. That is why I always wanted to work in the sports industry. – Joe McGrath Jr

Michael Jordan is the most influential people in the sports business considering how he revolutionized the game of basketball during his playing career! -Darrius Frazier 

Michael Jordan. Not because of what he has accomplished as a basketball player, but because of what he has YET to accomplish as an owner of the Charlotte Bobcats. The man is the most competitive individual the world has ever seen. People may view him as a selfish owner, but he will do whatever it takes to win. It took Jordan 6 years before he finally won his first championship. Once the Bulls found the right pieces in Pippen, Grant, and Paxson, Jordan excelled his game and led the team to multiple championships. I feel as if he’s still in the early stages of basketball ownership. He has much to learn. However, one thing I can almost guarantee is that he will find a way to win. He just needs to find the right pieces for his Bobcats and he’ll shock the world once again. - Akhil Pal

Jed York – President & CEO – San Francisco 49ers

I honestly have to say Jed York. What he has accomplished with the stadium funding is impressive. The turn around of one of the proudest dynasty’s with Coach Harbaugh and the staff he brought is almost a coup! My two cents. Hope everyone has a great weekend! - Asad Rahman 

Paul Swangard – Managing Director – Warsaw School of Sports Marketing at the University of Oregon

A major miss was Paul Swangard, Managing Director of the Warsaw School of Sports Marketing at the University of Oregon. When a journalist has a question regarding sports marketing, Swangard is usually the most sought after source for comment. – Eric Yaillen 

Vince McMahon – Chairman and CEO – WWE

Neil Braslow. In all seriousness though, how about Vince McMahon. WWE has been a consistent brand for years and never has a labor dispute to worry about. I found in fascinating that Jane Geddes jumped from the LPGA to the WWE a few months ago. Whatever you want to classify their brand of entertainment as, it was interesting to see WWE hire an executive from a “legitimate” sports organization. - Neil Braslow 

Paul DePodesta – Originator of “Moneyball”

How about Paul DePodesta (moneyball inventor). Your list is US heavy, maybe take some people from across the ocean – Michel Platini (UEFA president), Sepp Blatter (Fifa president), Roman Abramovich (Chelsea owner),  Qatar Investment Authority (new PSG owners, and sponsors of Barcelona FC), Evangelos Marinakis (owner of Olympiakos and Super League president). Then moving to Australia – Andrew Demetriou (AFL aussie rules football CEO), Russell Crowe (actor and owner of NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs)… And to top it off, don’t forget – Tim Tebow - Kolja Fidel Koracak  

Lalit Modi – Creator – Indian Premier League

How could you miss out on Lalit Modi, the master mind behind Indian premier League (IPL). Players make more money then soccer player in just 6 weeks. He bridge the gap with Cricket, Celebrity and Business tycoons.  - Naveen Ningaiah 
Lalit Modi, the brainchild and architect of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Twenty20 cricket, which is a billion dollar industry that has revolutionized the game of cricket for the fans and spectators. - Aliya Bauer

Billy Beane – General Manager  and Minority Owner – Oakland Athletics

Billy Beane – How often does Hollywood make a movie about the business side of sports & he had Brad Pitt play him! - Mike Desmond

David Rone – President – Time Warner Cable

David Rone, President of Time Warner Cable Sports. A former agent at Creative Artists and senior executive at Fox Sports and Walt Disney Co, Rone has been instrumental in TWC’s push into the Sports realm. With plans to launch two 24/7 RSN’s, Rone was the primary force behind TWC’s 10 year, $55 million deal with the LA Galaxy, the largest TV rights deal in MLS. Combined with speculation about TWC’s role in upcoming Dodgers negotiations, you can plainly see this man deserves a seat at the big boys’ table. - Igor Mol

Michael Adamson – Vice President of New Products and Services – Turner Sports

Michael Adamson: VP of Sports New Products & Services @ Turner Sports. Mr. Adamson spearheaded the March Madness On-Demand Apps and social media integration into the 2011 NCAA D1 Men’s Basketball tournament. Over the years he has revolutionized fan interaction with various leagues, through NBA League Pass and NASCAR Race Buddy. - Alex Kartman

David Stern – Commissioner – NBA

The ranking is very US-centric and so ’90s/’00s, despite the fact we enter the new decade. Most of the people listed there aren’t indispensable – it looks more like a ranking of “top roles in the (US) sports industry”, rather than well-known and respected personalities. Power here is associated with money rather than opinion setting. Yet, if we follow that path, given the impact of Arab money on ManCity, Malaga, PSG, Al-Jazeera’s TV rights for football and the 2022 World Cup, I have no idea how no-one from the UAE or Qatar made the list. With football (soccer) becoming the global game, putting it behind “traditional American sports” looks quite out of touch with the reality. And yes, the lockout has proven how influential David Stern is  - Robert Thomas Sebastian Błaszczak

Jose Ramon Fernandez – Contributor and Commentator – ESPN

If we focus in the world, we have to consider Jose Ramon Fernandez. Director of Sports / Anchor in Spanish for ESPN Deportes. - Indiana Youth Soccer

Scott Boras – Agent – Scott Boras Corp

I hate to mention his name but I have to go with Scott Boras. Is there any agent most MLB teams hate to deal with more? There is so much disparity in MLB and he is as responsible as anyone. Worst part is the Bud-Meister has let him do it. - Sam Sankovich

Josep Guardiola – Manager – FC Barcelona

No one from Spain or Europe??? Perhaps, Josep Guardiola is a very important people in soccer in Spain, he’s the coach of FC Barcelona TEAM!!!! - Juan José Lozano Sianes
 
 
 
 

Bryan Srabian – Director of Social Media – San Francisco Giants

Bryan Srabian (Social Media Director at the San Francisco Giants)… Bryan has helped lead tremendous campaigns, innovations, and deals for the Giants ball-club. He not only exhibits his expertise via the Giants, but also online through Twitter (@srabe). He actively shares and engages with rich content on a day by day basis, and because of this his personal network, as well as professional (seen through the SF Giants) has grown substantially since he took the position in the beginning of 2010. - Tyler Becker

Richard Peddie – President and CEO – Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment

Richard Peddie. What he has accomplished as President and CEO of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment is second to none in the industry. Adding 2 teams (Raptors + TFC), 3 networks (NBA TV Canada, LeafsTV, GolTV Canada), BMO Field, and Real Sport Bar & Grill – only voted the best sports bar in the world – to build an impressive sports and entertainment empire. If you’re going to have Steinbrenner (MLB), Cuban (NBA), Kraft and Jones (NFL), then you need to have Peddie – who is equally influential in the NHL and the sports industry as these other leaders are to their respective sports. Just my two cents. - Tom Fabian

Theo Epstein – President of Baseball Operations – Chicago Cubs (VIDEO)

I believe that Theo Epstein should be on this list. He was hired at the age of 28 (becoming the youngest GM in baseball history) to run the Boston Red Sox, one of the most prominent sports franchises in the world. He completely changed that team and put together a roster and coaching staff that ‘Reversed the Curse’, leading them to 2 World Series Championships. He has become the poster child of what a Sports Executive should be and now has been hired by the Chicago Cubs to the tune of $20 Million dollars to help turn them around. He represents the next generation of Sports Business Leaders - Albert Karschnia

Ben Sutton – President – IMG College

Ben Sutton, President of IMG College. College sports still have extreme potential in terms of growth and value, and IMG College is at the forefront of this movement. They have developed partnerships across the spectrum of college sports that include multimedia and sales. Sutton and IMG college are going to shape the future for college sports. - Mike Heeba

Sir Alex Ferguson – Manager – Manchester United

3 names spring to mind for soccer in not only Europe but the world, Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola who has taken his team to the top but tends to be on the quiet side of networking, Jose Mourinho who has won Champions League titles wherever he has gone but is brash and loud, but for me, the biggest and best known around the world is Manchester United long time boss Sir Alex Ferguson who has quietly and efficiently went about his business. When he speaks, people listen. - Marc Roseblade

Are there other people you feel should be included in the 2011 Most Influential People In Sports Business list? Start the conversation in the comments below and feel free to share this article with your friends on Facebook and Twitter!

About Trevor Turnbull

Trevor Turnbull is the COO of Sports Networker & the Sports Executives Association .

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

Sports Business

You Say Potato, Idaho Says Cha-Ching 

“Companies that sponsor these games are hoping you’ll be thinking about them when you turn on the TV or walk into the stadium. From pizza and fried chicken to auto parts and insurance, 35 companies jumped in to have their name plastered on this year’s bowl games. But what’s really in it for these businesses, who are shelling out hundreds of thousands of sponsorship dollars?”

Tim Tebow Joining LeBron and Tiger as Stars Moving the Sports Needle

“Clearly, the Broncos quarterback is moving the sports needle nationally. But by how much, and who else is doing likewise? To get an answer we sought advice from a number of sources, including those in sports marketing, television and research.”

Sports Networking

A Sports Pioneer for Women

“Jean Price is being remembered as a torchbearer for women in sports, someone who was living an active lifestyle decades before it became vogue.”

How Your Personal Brand Will Get You Hired 

“As Dan Schwabel has said before, ‘If a resume was the deciding factor in recruitment, there would never be a need for interviews.’ Here are some reasons how your personal brand can get you hired.”

Sports Marketing

EA Sports Creating Real-World Experiences

“EA Sports is no longer tethered to the virtual world. The brand, known for its celebrity-driven sports games like Madden and the Tiger Woods golf titles, is branching out into airports and cruise ships.”

Republican Rob Cornilles’ sports marketing company looms large in his race for Congress

“Tualatin businessman Rob Cornilles is putting his unusual career in sports marketing to a new purpose: selling himself to voters as the Republican candidate in Oregon’s 1st Congressional District. ”

Sports Sponsorship

GAC Dunks Logistics Deal with Houston Rockets

“The deal marks GAC’s first foray into basketball and its first sports sponsorship in the United States. Internationally, GAC is already a sponsor and supplier of logistics for sports like football, sailing, golf and motor racing.”

Playing in the Big Leagues

“Sports team and event sponsorship has become ubiquitous in the world of big corporate marketing, but until now has remained a closed shop to smaller companies. However, with the great power of sport to unite and excite people, it’s natural that businesses of all sizes would want a piece of the action for their brand marketing strategy. Enter VirtualSponsorship.com.”

Sports Ticket Sales

Ticket Sales are Slow for Virginia Tech’s Sugar Bowl Trip

“It hasn’t been easy for Virginia Tech to sell its allotment of 17,500 tickets for the Sugar Bowl. After nearly two weeks of sales, the school is nearing the 10,000 mark, with a final estimate only slightly higher.”

Business is Heating Up for 2012 PGA Championship

“The Aug. 6-12 event is projected to draw 210,000 spectators during its seven-day run. More than 50,000 of those will come from out-of-town, filling up hotels and restaurants across metro Charleston and stimulating the local economy at a time of year when the sultry temperatures tend to keep visitors off the streets and at the beach in the nation’s No. 1 tourist destination.”

Sports Social Media

Learning From the Sports Industry Can Help You Win on Twitter

“Twitter has done wonders for the world of sports in quite a few ways. It may seem like the world of sports is completely separate from Twitter strategies for businesses, but when you break it down, it turns out that the smart use of Twitter for sports is based on the same principals as the smart use of Twitter for businesses.”

Canadian Players Develop Own Social Media Policy

“Don Hay admits he’s not exactly a Twitter aficionado. In fact, the coach of the Canadian world junior hockey team doesn’t tweet, period. Texts, yes. Tweets, no. Still, social media plays a part in today’s hockey world, and Hay has some definite opinions on how the 22 Canadian players should conduct themselves over the next two weeks in the Twitterverse.”

Sports Media

Broadcasting Wins Big with NFL Deals

“The contract renewals of NBC, CBS and Fox preserve for another nine years the mutually prosperous relationship between pro football and TV broadcasting. The extensions send a wonderful message about broadcasting and the network-affiliate partnership at the heart of it. They say that broadcasting is here to stay and will continue to be the dominant television medium. And it’s all thanks to retransmission consent. Let’s hope the FCC doesn’t mess that up.”

Dana White Named Broadcasting & Cable Magazine 2011′s Top Sports TV Executive

“White has had quite a year, helping orchestrate the UFC’s seven-year deal with Fox which will see the MMA organization run four events on “big” Fox with secondary programming featuring live events and compilation programs spilling over to FX, Fuel TV and other Fox family outlets.”

Sports Technology

Microsoft and Nokia Pay Perform for A Mobile Soccer App

“Illustrating how rival platforms are keen to attract quality apps from iOS to their stores, Nokia and Microsoft are funding online sports broadcasting powerhouse Perform Group to build an app for their Windows Phone 7 and Symbian handsets. Perform is building an app in-house for Goal.com, the soccer website it acquired earlier this year, which already has iPhone andAndroid apps, built by Handmark.”

What is the Future for Sports Technology?

“In accordance with the constant natural selection of continual progress, old technologies will first have to adapt, and then gradually fade out to make way for new and better ones, as digital really is the future. As a way of connecting to favorite radio and video transmissions via your smartphone, laptop or desktop computer, many a web development company is producing useful website widgets.”

Sports Jobs

The Value of an MBA In the Sports Industry

“How valuable do sports industry professionals consider their MBA qualification to be in the sports industry?”

Tuiasosopo Steps Into New Role with Bruins

“Things didn’t work out the way they were supposed to for former University of Washington star Marques Tuiasosopo when he decided to come to UCLA.”

Sports Events

5 Bold Predictions for Christmas Day Games (VIDEO)

“This Christmas Day, basketball fans will receive the best gift ever in the form of five NBA games that signal the start of the lockout-shortened season.  The five matchups feature a new-look team, an NBA Finals rematch along with a rivalry game and two other great contests.”

Stanley Cup Riot: Precedence Points to Prison

“In court cases precedent is always important. Meaning if someone has previously received a certain sentence for a crime, then another person who commits the same crime under similar circumstances will get the same sentence. The 2011 Stanley Cup riot was nothing new to this fine city, as exactly the same thing happened in 1994. So what happened to those charged after the 1994 riot?”

Is there anything we missed this week in the world of sports business? Let us know your thoughts about the Sportsbiz Weekly Buzz 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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The Sportsbiz Weekly Buzz is a collection of articles curated by Sports Networker’s Online Marketing Coordinator – Steve Richards

Sports Business

50 Most Influential People in Sports Business

“Media moves as well as labor harmony (or the lack thereof) shake up our annual list of the executives who set the agenda for North American sports.”

With Jose Reyes on Miami Marlins, Queens Economy Could Take Hit

“Come April, Jose Reyes will probably be the first home batter at the new Miami Marlins ballpark, ushering in a promising age for an up-and-coming team. But what of the team and borough he leaves behind?”

Sports Networking

Three Ways to Dominate Your Market Without Spending a Fortune

“It is important for business owners to find something that makes them stand out in their market — to differentiate themselves from their competition. And that is where personal branding comes into play. Personal branding is a proven method by which business owners can separate themselves from the rest of their market. A strong personal brand positions the business owner as an expert in his or her field — allowing him to attract more business without slashing prices.”

49ers Host Women in Sports Forum (VIDEO)

“The 49ers organization hosted a Women in Sports Forum to encourage the growth of women in sports-related careers.”

Sports Marketing

Under Armour Fashioning Sports Marketing Battle to Continue Assault on Nike, Adidas

“In the world of collegiate and professional sports, it’s usually difficult to take a 15-year-old very seriously. But athletic performance apparel and footwear company Under Armour, founded in 1996, has played the game tough in going up against the likes of Nike and Adidas.”

Red Sox Gear Up Marketing Pitch for Fenway’s 100th Anniversary

“Red Sox fans devastated by the September disaster might go so far as to make a New Year’s resolution to never give another nickel of their hard-earned money to that team — but they’ll have a hard time keeping that promise. In 2012, the bunting will adorn Fenway Park not just for Opening Day, but for the ballpark’s 100th anniversary, and diehard fans will find themselves tempted with hundreds of ways to spend cash on centennial souvenirs.”

Sports Sponsorship

Sponsorship to Take Over As Biggest Sports Industry Segment by 2014

“A new report examining the global sports market over the five years to 2015 predicts that sponsorship will show a compound annual growth rate of 5.3 percent between 2011 and 2015, in spite of the difficult prevailing economic circumstances.”

Mercury Insurance Shares Secrets of Sports Sponsorship Success

“Tonight you can see the Los Angeles Kings aim to repeat their Saturday victory over the Minnesota Wild when the team faces the arch rival Anaheim Ducks at STAPLES Center.  For an encore, you can see the Kings compete against the Ducks in Anaheim tomorrow night.  While you are there, you can also see how successful sports sponsorships work and find ways to benefit your own business.”

Sports Ticket Sales

Buy Madison Square Garden Shares and Own 4 Sports Teams

“It’s a sale like this past week’s ownership stake in the Green Bay Packers that reminds me of how unique an investment in Madison Square Garden (MSG) is. The company is publicly traded and, unlike the Green Bay Packers shares, rises and falls with the success of the teams it owns and how much money it earns in a year. It is the dream of any sports fan to own a professional sports team. While almost all sports fans never make it to the front office or full ownership stake, they have the option to participate in owning shares of publicly traded Madison Square Garden.”

NBA Reaching Out to Fans with Special Ticket Offers

“The Philadelphia 76ers reduced ticket fees by as much as 61%. For 13 home games in January, mezzanine tickets are $17.76 or less, with no online fees if bought through the team’s website. Before the lockout, the 76ers reduced ticket prices on nearly 9,000 seats. The club plans to send its season-ticket booklets within two weeks.”

Sports Social Media

Watch That Tweet! NCAA Colleges Wrestle with Social Media Recruiting Rules

“If a college sports fan makes a plea for a player via Facebook or Twitter, does that constitute a violation of N.C.A.A. rules? That’s one of the questions at the heart of an academic paper by Victor Broccoli, a 2010 graduate of Tulane University Law School and lawyer in Rutherfordton, N.C. In a paper titled “Policing the Digital Wild West: N.C.A.A. Recruiting Regulations in the Age of Facebook and Twitter,” Broccoli argues that the N.C.A.A. faces difficulties when it comes to recruiting regulations and social networking.”

NFL Stars: The Secrets to Their Facebook Success

“You won’t see Jeff Weiner prowling NFL sidelines while barking orders into a headset, and he’s never won a Super Bowl or coach of the year award. But Weiner, 28, does play a crucial coaching role for NFL players by helping them leverage social media to market themselves and connect with fans. His clients are known for engaging especially well with supporters, and stars like James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley of the Pittsburgh Steelers rank among the most popular NFL players on Facebook.”

Sports Media

Networks Jostle for Tebow Sweepstakes

“The network lobbied hard behind the scenes to keep next Sunday’s Broncos- Patriots clash as a late game in its Sunday doubleheader after NBC made a strong pitch to broadcast the contest as part of its Sunday night ‘flex’ schedule. This upcoming CBS broadcast, with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms, will be seen by 70 percent of the country.”

Dodgers Can Sell Media Rights to Help Exit Bankruptcy

“A bankruptcy judge says he will approve a process for the Los Angeles Dodgers to sell media rights for future games as part of the team’s plan to exit bankruptcy. The plan calls for the Dodgers to receive initial bids by January 13 and complete the sale by April 30.”

Death of the Sports Interview

A bonus link for our loyal followers! This article has been getting a lot of publicity this week and for good reason – It is a must read for anyone in or interested in the sports media field.

Sports Technology

Investors Pump $1.75 million Into Bypass Lane’s Mobile “Beer-Me” Application

“The Austin-based company announced today that it has raised $1.75 million in new venture capital with funds earmarked primarily for building a sales organization. Investors include former Minnesota Vikings owner Red McCombs, Wasserman Media Group chairman and CEO Casey Wasserman and business managers for bicyclist Lance Armstrong. The nine-person company selected the investors on the basis of their connections to the sporting world, and expects to be able to draw upon their expertise to better penetrate the live sporting market.”

Stereobank Seeks 3D Sports Footage

“Having recently passed a 1000+ clip milestone, Co-Founder of S3D stock footage company Stereobank Benjamin Carlu, tells 3D Focus the company would welcome more S3D sports footage from contributors with the London Olympics 2012 fast approaching.”

Sports Jobs

Seeking Edge, MLB Clubs Invest in Front Office Talent

“The likely upcoming nine-figure contracts for free agent first basemen Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder still drive wins and losses, fan interest and TV ratings. But don’t overlook the increasing value of facts, figures and other data — and the people who interpret them.”

MBA Program in Sports Mangement – What You Need to Know

“Sports management is a lucrative career option that has not experienced any slowdown even during the recent economic crunch. This can be one of the best fields for those interested in business and sports. Equipped with an MBA in Sports Management you will open up innumerable career options in sports related fields…What You Need To Know Before Enrolling into An MBA In Sports Management Program”

Sports Events

NFL Teams with Disney for Super Bowl XLVI

“The league’s working with Walt Disney Co.’s Disney Institute on a “Fans First” initiative to train the 20,000 executives and employees who’ll work Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5, 2012 in Indianapolis, says Frank Supovitz, senior vice president of events.”

Big East Expansion: The NCAA Needs to Examine the State of Conferences

“The expansion is going to create a conference that spans coast to coast, something that basically defeats the purpose of a conference anyway.”

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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LeBron Can Make More With Heat Than Cavs

• But if you match up what James’ salary would be for the first five years in Cleveland and the five years in Miami, you find that the Cavaliers are only offering him $4 million more.

Tebow Leading League In Jersey Sales

• It has been three months, and Tim Tebow still hasn’t taken a single (real) snap under center for the Denver Broncos, yet he’s leading the league in jersey sales.

Gillette, Not the Best Ads a Man Can Get

• Cynicism runs amok among our hallowed list this week. And the biggest culprit of that kind of audience distrust is none other than Gillette. The razor maker owns the top spot with last week’s debut video, “Perfect Length,” as well as this week’s No. 5 slot, newcomer “Young Guns,” which drew over 3.7 million views combined.

Petal Advertising

• To create a sense of unique opulence, flower designers Blue and Blooms were bought in. This company was the first in the U.K. to use organic media in the form of flowers to promote brands. The innovative approach to printing on fresh flowers creates a creative marketing tool for companies looking to use branded flowers that turn heads and create attention.

TripAdvisor launches travel creative challenge

• In an effort to show the effectiveness of display advertising, TripAdvisor is challenging travel brands and advertising agencies to create an ad campaign which will run on the travel website.
• The campaigns will be judged by a panel of TripAdvisor sales and marketing experts, the winning campaign will receive around $314,500 in equivalent CPM advertising media value on TripAdvisor.

Cold Stone Looks to Drive Store Traffic With Facebook E-Gifts

• Cold Stone Creamery is the latest brand to embrace social media applications on Facebook. Starting this week, the ice cream chain will allow consumers to send tangible gifts to friends via the social network.
• Using the e-gift app, developed by e-commerce firm First Data Corp., consumers can select one or more friends to send gifts to, either by adding them from Facebook or entering their e-mail address. Unlike virtual gifts on Facebook, however, the Cold Stone app sends a code for a physical product that can be redeemed at any of the chain’s 1,300 locations.

Jack Johnson And FilterForGood Join Forces To Promote Bottled Water-free Initiatives

• When Jack Johnson heads out on a 35-date North American tour this month in support of his new album, To the Sea, the singer, songwriter, surfer and environmental advocate will leave an even lighter footprint with help from Brita.
• Johnson is inviting Brita to join his tour to help expand his already unparalleled greening efforts. Brita’s FilterForGood movement, which has been working since 2007 to reduce bottled water waste, will be embedded on the tour to provide Brita-filtered water to the band, crew and fans and encourage concert-goers to make other simple environmentally friendly choices that are better for the Earth and our oceans.

Children’s Food Marketing Guidelines Delayed

• A working group made up of officials from several federal agencies proposed the voluntary restrictions in December limiting the marketing to children of foods and beverages that contain significant amounts of sugar, sodium and saturated fat. The standards were then expected to be made available for public comment before being delivered to Congress this month. Instead, they have yet to be publicized.

European Plane Maker Submits Bid for U.S. Tankers

• The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company submitted an 8,800-page bid on Thursday for a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract amid tensions over whether European subsidies would give it a cost advantage over Boeing.

Opening a Big Store in China, Apple Remains a Market Underdog

• The company, which has been slow to cultivate the Chinese market, has relatively few sales outlets in the country and only one Apple Store — a modest branch in Beijing.
• But with Apple set to open a flagship showroom on Saturday in Shanghai — one of its largest stores in Asia — the company is making a new push to tap into the world’s biggest mobile phone market and grab a bigger share of China’s fast-growing consumer electronics business.

A Sharp Focus on Design When the Package Is Part of the Product

• SALES of facial tissue during the cold and flu season are, appropriately enough, feverish, but not so during the summer. In the four weeks that ended July 12, 2009, for example, revenue for the products totaled $57.8 million, compared with $92.4 million in the four weeks ending Jan. 24, 2010, a difference of nearly 60 percent, according to SymphonyIRI Group, a market research company whose data does not include Wal-Mart sales.
• Now Kleenex, the brand that invented facial tissues 86 years ago, is hoping to bolster summer sales with packages that resemble wedges of fruit and look more at home on a picnic table than a bedside table. The A-frame packages, featuring fruits like watermelon, orange and lime, were available only at Target last summer, and are being sold at all major retailers this summer.

G.E. Has a ‘Capital’ Idea

• G.E. will start to find that out as it rolls out ads for its GE Capital unit, which was battered by the financial crisis because of its exposure in areas like commercial real estate and consumer credit card debt.
• The campaign features actual companies with which GE Capital works. The first is Taylor Guitars, founded in 1974, and others will include Kalitta Air, JetBlue Airways and Triumph Motorcycles.

RIM Needs a Lift with BlackBerry 6

• Research In Motion (RIMM) presented Queen Elizabeth II with a white BlackBerry during a royal visit to the Canadian company’s headquarters on July 5. Her Royal Highness is an apt representative of RIM’s customer base: established, traditional, and likelier to use a phone to e-mail instructions to staff than download Lady Gaga videos. In short, not the audience co-Chief Executive Officer Jim Balsillie has to woo as RIM loses ground to Apple’s (AAPL) iPhone and handsets running Google’s (GOOG) Android operating system.

Cisco Wants Flip In On NBC’s Olympic 2012 Plans

• Cisco provided NBC with Flip video cameras to allow U.S. athletes, bloggers, reporters and analysts to record the behind-the-scenes stories in Vancouver and share the videos on NBCOlympics.com. It’s not clear whether NBC will enter into a similar agreement with the company for the upcoming Olympic games that begin July 27, 2012, although Cisco will support the advanced infrastructure for the London 2012 games.

Boro offers monthly shirt sponsorship packages

• Middlesbrough has launched “front of shirt” sponsorship packages on a monthly basis after season-long offers failed to meet the English Championship club expectations.

Multi-million pound boost for Tottenham Hotspur

• The deal, with Autonomy Corporation PLC, a global leader in infrastructure software, will run for two years and only covers Premier League matches. Financial details were not released, but the deal is known to be worth more than the £8.5 million (US$12.9 million) annual sum Spurs were receiving from Mansion. The Autonomy partnership is believed to be closer to £10 million (US$15 million) per season, while Spurs will sign another shirt sponsor for cup games, including the Uefa Champions League.

Toyota plans to use customer accolades in campaign

• Toyota is to highlight user experiences and industry accolades in its latest marketing push in an attempt to reassure consumers following a spate of recalls and faults.
• The company wants to extend the theme of its “Your Toyota is My Toyota” pan-European advertising campaign, and says it is focused on “overcoming prejudices”.

Skip the Scotch, Just Have a Swig of Mellowberry

• “Relaxation shots” like Snoozeberry and iChill and soporific beverages with names like Unwind, Dream Water, Koma Unwind Chillaxation and Drank are aiming to take away the very buzz their caffeinated predecessors were designed to deliver. There are already more than 350 kinds of relaxation drinks on the market, according to Agata Kaczanowska, an analyst with the research company IBISWorld. Instead of slogans like Jolt’s “All the sugar and twice the caffeine,” these new drinks proffer serenity with maxims like Unwind’s “Tired of being wired?” and Drank’s “Slow your roll.”

Panasonic in biggest ever Lumix campaign

• The campaign, created by The Campaign Palace, features three 30-second TV spots, which will run across free-to-air and pay TV.
• The creative focuses on the theme “You don’t have to be a great photographer to take great photos”, and is backed by targeted magazine and online advertising, as well as outdoor and point-of-sale activity.
• The print and online advertising will be highly targeted. For instance, ads relating to the DMC-TZ10 Lumix model will focus on travel media, whereas ads relating to the DMC FT2 model will target niche surfing, skating and snowboarding media.

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About Ben Sturner

Ben Sturner is the Founder and CEO of Leverage Agency, one of the most respected, innovative, resourceful and ambitious sports and entertainment branding sponsorship agencies on Madison Avenue. Sturner has taken his multi-million dollar business from a small start-up in his New York City apartment to a premiere agency that has secured deals for clients including: Jimmy Kimmel Live, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball, KFC, Gillette, Progressive Insurance, Southwest Airlines, Reebok, Comcast, Anheuser Busch, Fremantle Media, Mark Burnett Productions and NBC’s Prime Time Celebrity Apprentice, Reveille, Radical Media, as well as other top-tier brands. Ben has been named NYC Entrepreneur of the month in TrueNYC.com and has been interviewed and featured on ESPN, NBC, CNBC, USA TODAY and WALL STREET JOURNAL as an expert in sports and entertainment sponsorship.

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A few days ago a reporter called and asked how I would advise a professional athlete if he wanted to endorse a hot-button topic in a forum as big as a Super Bowl audience.

My answer was not textbook public relations.

(I will reveal the outlet and topic upon its publication).

The reasons that athletes and coaches endorse products and services are as varied as the people themselves. Some do it because they patronize and truly believe in said organizations. Others pitch products because it fattens their bank accounts; some make themselves available for endorsements to keep their face in front of possible post-sports employers.

That’s the people portion of Super Bowl advertising. There’s the business side that pays big dollars to get noticed during the most popular sports event of the year. How they deliver their messages can enhance or break their brands.

Among the most discussed people during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl isn’t even playing, and yet his image is being bantered among fans and foes alike. Former University of Florida quarterback, Tim Tebow, is slated to appear in a commercial for the conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family, during the National Football League’s grand finale. There is a huge uproar from pro-choice groups over the scheduled airing of a commercial that preaches the opposite. Will this damage Tebow’s brand going forward? Will it affect the opinions or actions of NFL teams that want to draft him?

To be sure, controversy is not new to paid advertising, but it seldom, if ever, surfaces during an event that’s known for its cutting-edge creativity and humor-infused breaks. This year it seems to be playing an extra period:

Audi’s scheduled Super Bowl commercial is attracting criticism for its message that conjures up memories of Nazi Germany. The German luxury automaker produced commercials that feature the “Green Police” – people who don forest green officers’ uniforms and provide tips about saving energy. The controversy lies in the historical meaning of The Green Police. A group by the same name referred to the German Order Police, which housed a battalion that was instrumental in sending Jews, Poles and Gypsies to concentration camps during World War II, according to the Jewish Virtual Library.

Not to be forgotten among the controversial messages are those that didn’t make the cut. Gay dating website Mancrunch.com’s 30-second commercial was reportedly not approved by CBS, the network that will broadcast this year’s Super Bowl.

All of these messages, whether approved for air or not, communicate personalities of people, products and businesses. Will the misguided message of Audi affect the way people perceive the automaker’s brand and thus, sales? Will Tebow’s draft stock change because he’s willing to speak publicly about an emotionally charged topic? Has CBS set a double standard by approving the Focus on the Family ad and not Mancrunch? What makes a commercial too controversial or risqué for air?

Some of the answers to those questions lie in the opinions of viewers. Before hitting the “send” button with language and creative’s for these ads, however, I trust that each person and organization considered the benefits and potential ramifications of their messages. It drives their public images and brands not just during the game, but also for days and weeks to come.

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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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I am tired of hearing “football experts” opinion that Tim Tebow does not have the make-up to be an NFL quarterback.  “He’s too heavy.” “He starts his throwing motion too close to the ground.” “He takes too long to release the ball.” “He does not find the open receiver.” “His build is more suited for a fullback or tight-end.”  Tebow recently stated that all he wants is a chance to prove himself as a quarterback at the next level.  He will be given that chance, but even if he does not succeed in that position, he will still make enough money to support his lifestyle for the rest of his life.

As an agent, I have not involved myself in the sport of football as much as in my other divisions.  Sometimes I cannot stand the characters involved.  I am generalizing here, but football agents at times care less about ethics and the players often lack any sense of loyalty.  Tim Tebow is the type of player who would make me forget that and instead be wishing he was a client of my agency.

Tebow will likely be a first round pick, even though it is unknown how he will fare on the professional field.  However, aren’t all college football players risks?  Eric Crouch and Gino Torretta won the Heisman Trophy.  They didn’t do anything in the NFL.  If the Jacksonville Jaguars draft Tebow, as many assume they will, the Jacksonville native will immediately increase ticket sales.  The NFL is a business at its core, and ticket sales drive team earnings.  Jacksonville has done a pathetic job of filling its seats making many believe, not too long ago, that the team would move to Los Angeles.

Tebow is a marketing agent’s dream.  Tim was not even supposed to live past birth.  He survived and was home schooled, while he parents instilled a strong sense of faith in him.  That explains the eye blacks that Tebow used every game as a college football player.  Each week, he displayed a verse from the Bible.  He cares about three things: His family, his faith, and service.  Every year, Tim goes to the Philippines to do missionary work.

The guy who many believe can run better than he can pass, just threw for 482 yards against Cincinnati, who was undefeated going into the Sugar Bowl.  Tim Tebow shows his emotions.  If he is not smiling on the field, he is probably crying, but he is a guy who any team would want on their side and any company would want endorsing their products.  Whether he makes it as a professional Quarterback or not, he will be successful in life and a great return for any company that invests their money in him.

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About Darren Heitner

Darren Heitner is a CEO, sports agent, journalist, entrepreneur, and innovator. Darren created the first sports agent blog on the internet, SportsAgentBlog.com, which receives upwards of 5,000 unique visits per day from sports agents, athletes, media sources, and the general public. In the blog, everything from contract negotiations to endorsement deals are examined, providing the framework for a great deal of information upon which he has been able to depend. In 2009, Darren created EntertainmentAgentBlog.com, which has the same purpose of SAB, but focuses on the entertainment industry. Darren is also the CEO and Founder of Dynasty Athlete Representation, a full service sports and talent agency that handles contract negotiations, marketing endorsements, financial planning, legal services, etc. Darren graduated from the University of Florida in May 2007 with a Political Science Major and was valedictorian of his class. He is a member of many Honors Societies including, Florida Blue Key, Phi Beta Kappa, and Phi Kappa Phi. He is now in his third and final year at the University of Florida Levin School of Law, where he is serving his second consecutive term as the President of the Entertainment and Sports Law Society.

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