By Rick Horrow and Karla Swatek
November 26, 2012
“Bust”: Top Five Reasons the Armageddon is Near
1. College sports could be dealing with another chaotic sequence of conference realignment after Maryland and Rutgers announced moves to the Big Ten. An unnamed “major-conference AD” said the moves would force a lot of school’s to “start looking over their shoulders again.” In leaving for the Big Ten, Maryland must pay the ACC a $50 million buyout.
2. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this season posted its lowest TV audience in the last five years, according to John Ourand and Tripp Mickle of SportsBusiness Journal. Collectively, viewership across the association’s three TV partners was down 10% from last season, while ratings were off 5%.
3. Ejections and arrests at NFL games are on the rise this season, according to Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal. Midway through the season, more than 3,500 fans have been ejected from games, a 7% increase over last year. Meanwhile arrests are up 20% to nearly 450.
“Boom”: Top Five Reasons that Prosperity is Right Around the Corner
1. Ohio State University signed a massive 10-year, $97 million apparel deal with J. America Sportswear and Fanatics Inc., which allows the companies to sell OSU-licensed merchandise online and at campus retailers. The deal more than doubles what OSU currently receives for its online and campus rights.
2. Brad Keselowski won his first NASCAR Sprint Cup title, and his youth, personality, and social media adeptness make him the perfect ambassador to appeal to younger fans. After winning the championship, Keselowski gave a TV interview while drinking a large glass of Miller Lite, getting incredible exposure for his primary sponsor.
3. New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees through his Dream Foundation is donating $1 million to Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Brees, one of the most charitable athletes in pro sports, also will donate $2 million to the New Orleans community in advance of the city hosting February’s Super Bowl.
“Hope”: Top Five Reasons That Creativity is the Key to Economic Survival
1. The NFL next season is converting to an electronic health record system. The league will play $7-10 million over the next 10 years to eClinicalWorks for a system that stores X-rays, blood tests, physical notes, and video clips of game injuries. NFL officials hope the system helps address concussion issues.
2. Madison Square Garden in 2014 will host the NCAA men’s basketball tournament East Regional, marking the first time since 1961 the arena has hosted tournament games. The rise of Barclays Center in Brooklyn reportedly pushed MSG officials to get back into the hosting rotation.
3. NASCAR Chair & CEO Brian France in his state of the sport speech said cars next season will more prominently display sponsor logos on the side and the driver’s name on the top of the windshield. The new car will also put more emphasis on the manufacturer’s identity.
