All-Star games.  What are they?  What do they mean?  Do fans care about these events that pit the best of the best in each respective sport against one another?  By taking a closer look at the marketing and hype that surrounds the events, I think one could draw the conclusion that fans do indeed care.  The ratings, although in some cases quite modest, would support that notion:  Major League Baseball’s 2007 All-Star Game drew a 16.1 rating, the NFL’s Pro-Bowl a 10.7 and the NBA All-Star a 4.5.  Broadcastingcable.com reported that “TNT’s All-Star Saturday — featuring the Orlando Magic’s Howard strapping on…

Hello and welcome back to school…we look forward to another exciting year of sports and entertainment business/marketing education in the classroom! 

Jim Delaney, Big Ten Commissioner, appeared on an interview with ESPN radio this afternoon.  It was an interesting discussion, certainly one that relates to your business, marketing or sports marketing class.  We all know that sports business in today’s competitive marketplace is all about the almighty dollar.  The business and marketing principles that support that infrastructure is reflected in the core content of our curriculum.  One great advantage teachers today have is access to media outlets all over the country.  As such,…

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 1:00 PM, Lewiston, Idaho

Today I am in Lewiston, Idaho.  Actually, as I write this, I am firmly entrenched in the bleachers of a dark gymnasium on the campus of Lewis-Clark State College…to be precise, I’m sitting in the “arena” that plays host to their basketball teams.  I know what a few of you may be thinking.  Who cares about Lewis-Clark State College? 

Considering we have readers from all over the country, many in major metropolitan areas or large college towns, I’d say that’s a fair question.  Well, this particular venue is significant for one reason as it relates to our education project…these…

If timing is any indication of corporate luck, perhaps now would be a good time to invest in Oracle stock.  In just their second season as proud owners of the naming rights to the NBA’s Golden State Warriors home building (the former Oakland arena), the company has received an awful lot of valuable exposure throughout this year’s NBA playoffs.

This story isn’t exactly a current event as the news of Paul Allen’s re-acquisition of the Rose Garden became public a few weeks ago. That said, I wanted to revisit the story in our blog because it illustrates an issue of paramount importance in the world of sports business. For those teachers who follow our blog, I would encourage you to spend some time in your classroom discussing arena financing as it relates to sports/entertainment business and marketing.

I just read this in today’s online version of the Boston Herald…apparently the U.S. Postal Service feels that tradition alone will carry enough sales appeal to merit the release of stamps commemorating this year’s Celtics team.  The stamps were made available today and will feature a Celtics logo designed sheet, as well as sheets for several individual players (Paul Pierce, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Delonte West and Gerald Green). 

Although I think the timing is questionable for releasing a “collector’s edition” set of stamps given the Celtics on-court struggles this year, I do think it is a unique and creative way for connecting with…