## From the Court to the Classroom: The Sports Business Journal’s Nominees Represent a New Era
Forget the MVPs and championship trophies. This year, the real game is being played off the field. The Sports Business Journal’s annual awards are rolling out a diverse and inspiring roster of nominees, showcasing the game-changers who are rewriting the rules of sports beyond the scoreboard.
From trailblazing marketers to innovative tech leaders and community-focused organizations, these individuals and companies are proving that success in the sports world goes far beyond the final buzzer.
Deal of the Year
The Sports Business Journal has announced the nominees for the 2022 Sports Business Awards, and one of the most exciting categories is the Deal of the Year. This award recognizes the most significant and impactful business deal in the sports industry over the past year. The nominees for this category include:
- Legends acquires ASM Global
- NBA signs media deal with Amazon, NBCUniversal, and Disney
- Smith Entertainment Group brings NHL franchise to Utah
- Strategic Sports Group completes investment in PGA Tour
- Willow Bay and Bob Iger acquire controlling stake in Angel City FC
- WWE and Netflix agree to global media deal
The Deal of the Year award winner will be announced during the 2022 Sports Business Awards ceremony in May. The winner will be recognized for their significant contribution to the sports industry and their innovative approach to business.
Sports Breakthrough of the Year
The Sports Business Journal has also announced the nominees for the 2022 Sports Breakthrough of the Year award. This award recognizes the most innovative and impactful breakthrough in the sports industry over the past year. The nominees for this category include:
- Cosm
- CPKC Stadium
- EA Sports College Football 25
- TGL Unrivaled Basketball
The Sports Breakthrough of the Year award winner will be announced during the 2022 Sports Business Awards ceremony in May. The winner will be recognized for their innovative approach to sports and their significant contribution to the industry.
Sports Facility of the Year
The Sports Business Journal has announced the nominees for the 2022 Sports Facility of the Year award. This award recognizes the most impressive and innovative sports facility in the industry. The nominees for this category include:
- Lower.com Field
- Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas Raiders)
- Climate Pledge Arena (Seattle Kraken and Seattle Storm)
- Footprint Center (Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns)
- SoFi Stadium (Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams)
- TQL Stadium (FC Cincinnati)
Lower.com Field
Lower.com Field is a state-of-the-art stadium located in Astor Park, Columbus. It is the home of the Columbus Crew, a Major League Soccer team. The stadium has a seating capacity of 20,371 and features 30 suites, 1,900 club seats, and 3,356 safe-standing seats in the Nordecke, the team’s supporters’ section. The stadium also has a sunken field, a beer garden, and high-definition scoreboards. The overall design of the stadium reflects the city’s innovative spirit and is a testament to the Crew’s commitment to providing a world-class fan experience.
Other Nominees
The other nominees for the Sports Facility of the Year award are all impressive in their own right. Allegiant Stadium, home of the Las Vegas Raiders, is a state-of-the-art football stadium with a seating capacity of over 65,000. Climate Pledge Arena, home of the Seattle Kraken and Seattle Storm, is a multipurpose arena with a seating capacity of over 17,000. Footprint Center, home of the Phoenix Mercury and Phoenix Suns, is a state-of-the-art basketball arena with a seating capacity of over 18,000. SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Chargers and Los Angeles Rams, is a state-of-the-art football stadium with a seating capacity of over 70,000. TQL Stadium, home of FC Cincinnati, is a state-of-the-art soccer stadium with a seating capacity of over 26,000.
Athletic Director of the Year and Executive of the Year
The Sports Business Journal has announced the nominees for the 2022 Athletic Director of the Year and Executive of the Year awards. These awards recognize the most outstanding athletic directors and executives in the sports industry. The nominees for this category include:
- Jeramiah Dickey, Boise State University (Athletic Director of the Year)
- Pat Kraft, Penn State University (Athletic Director of the Year)
- Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt University (Athletic Director of the Year)
- Jamie Pollard, Iowa State University (Athletic Director of the Year)
- Danny White, University of Tennessee (Athletic Director of the Year)
- Bela Bajaria, Netflix (Executive of the Year)
- Gary Bettman, National Hockey League (Executive of the Year)
- Sarah Hirshland, United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (Executive of the Year)
- Jimmy Pitaro, ESPN (Executive of the Year)
- Adam Silver, National Basketball Association (Executive of the Year)
The Athletic Director of the Year and Executive of the Year award winners will be announced during the 2022 Sports Business Awards ceremony in May. The winners will be recognized for their outstanding leadership and contributions to the sports industry.
Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebration of Service Award
The Sports Business Journal has announced the winners of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award and Celebration of Service Award. The Lifetime Achievement Award winner is David Hill, the founding architect of Sky Sports in the U.K. and Fox Sports in the U.S. The Celebration of Service Award winner is Figure Skating in Harlem, an organization that provides figure skating lessons and other programs to underprivileged youth.
David Hill
David Hill is a legendary figure in the sports industry. As the founding architect of Sky Sports in the U.K. and Fox Sports in the U.S., he has played a key role in shaping the modern sports media landscape. Hill’s career has been marked by numerous milestones, including the launch of the Premier League in the U.K. and the creation of the Fox Sports Network in the U.S. He has also been a key player in the development of the NFL, NBA, and MLB in the U.S. Hill’s contributions to the sports industry have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Sports Business Journal’s Lifetime Achievement Award.
Figure Skating in Harlem
Figure Skating in Harlem is a non-profit organization that provides figure skating lessons and other programs to underprivileged youth in Harlem, New York. The organization was founded in 1985 and has since become a beloved part of the Harlem community. Figure Skating in Harlem’s programs are designed to provide young people with a positive outlet for their energy and creativity, and to help them develop important life skills such as discipline, hard work, and teamwork. The organization has been recognized with numerous awards and honors, including the Sports Business Journal’s Celebration of Service Award.
Conclusion
The Sports Business Journal’s recent nomination list for their prestigious awards shines a bright light on the dynamic and ever-evolving landscape of the sports industry. From trailblazing technology startups to established giants reshaping fan experiences, the nominees represent a diverse tapestry of innovation, dedication, and strategic vision. This year’s list emphasizes the growing importance of inclusivity, with nominees from across backgrounds and disciplines, proving that success in sports business is no longer confined to traditional models.
These nominations aren’t just about celebrating achievements; they’re a testament to the transformative power of creativity and collaboration in the world of sports. As the lines between physical and digital realms continue to blur, we can expect even more groundbreaking initiatives and daring ventures in the years to come. The future of sports business belongs to those who dare to innovate, to those who champion diversity and inclusion, and to those who relentlessly prioritize the fan experience. This year’s nominees serve as inspiring examples, setting the stage for a future where the possibilities are truly limitless.
The game has changed. Are you ready to play?