NBC Sports, ESPN and IMG all took home multiple awards at the 2nd annual Sports Business Awards in New York City. (Complete awards list below.)
After its magnificent coverage of Beijing 2008, NBC Sports deservingly won Best in Sports Television, while NBC Sports Chairman Dick Ebersol earned Sports Executive of the Year.
The Boston Celtics were awarded Professional Sports Team of the Year, topping fellow nominees the Chicago Blackhawks, the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Much to the chagrin of good friend James Allan, the Pittsburgh (“Six-burgh”) Steelers weren’t nominated.
The rest of the award winners made sense to me, with the exception of Professional Sports League of the Year, which was presented to the NBA. This award should be given to the NFL every single year. After this spring’s repugnant, woeful and afflictive officiating in the NBA Playoffs, look for the Association to miss out on a nomination in 2010.
2009 Sports Business Award winners:
Lifetime Achievement – Peter Ueberroth
Sports Executive of the Year – NBC Universal Sports & Olympics Chair Dick Ebersol
Athletic Director of the Year – Joe Castiglione, Univ. of Oklahoma
Professional Sports Team of the Year – Boston Celtics
Professional Sports League of the Year – NBA
Sports Event of the Year – Amp Energy NHL Winter Classic
Best in Sports Media – ESPN
Best in Sports Television – NBC Sports
Best in Digital Sports Media – ESPN Digital Media
Best in Talent Representation and Management – CAA Sports
Best in Corporate Consulting, Marketing and Client Services – IMG
Best in Property Consulting, Sales and Client Services – IMG
Sports Event Marketing Firm of the Year – GMR Marketing
Sports Sponsor of the Year – Coca-Cola
Sports Facility of the Year – Lucas Oil Stadium
Best in Sports Technology – MLB Advanced Media for MLB At Bat
What's Past is Prologue 