The Business Of Hockey - Forbes.com

The Business Of Hockey - Forbes.com:

"The Business Of Hockey
Edited By Michael K. Ozanian and Kurt Badenhausen 11.09.06, 6:00 PM ET
Hockey teams are worth more today because player salaries have gone down to 54% of NHL revenue from 66%. Fixed player costs bring greater certainty to the bottom line, which in turn means buyers will pay a higher multiple of revenue to acquire a franchise. The average hockey team is now worth $180 million and makes an operating profit (in the sense of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) of $4.2 million. During the 2003-2004 season, the last before the lockout, the average hockey team was worth $163 million and lost $3.2 million. More... "

Colts fans may have a beef with Steak n Shake ad | IndyStar.com

And you thought your studnets made a few mistakes. Classic . . . you have to read this.

Colts fans may have a beef with Steak n Shake ad IndyStar.com: "Thousands of Indianapolis residents doubtlessly will do a double-take this week when they open the mail to find out their hometown Steak n Shake restaurant is 'a proud sponsor of the Dallas Cowboys.'

That's quite a public-relations pickle for the Indianapolis-based restaurant chain, especially as the Colts and Cowboys gear up to play this Sunday in Dallas.

The company, known for its steakburgers and milkshakes, inadvertently sent a mailer promoting its 'Cowboys side-by-side milkshake' to more than 600,000 Indianapolis residents."

Branding your desktop

This is a pretty innovative idea, and one in a series of creative solutions to the continuing downturn in the effectiveness of traditional media. Any other ideas out there?

Florida State University Athletics First to Unveil Branded Desktop: Stardock Corporation's Newly Formed Stardock Design Launches 'My Colors' Desktop Branding Initiative: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Fantasy sports take off on the Internet

For those of you who are interested in Fantasy sports . . .

Fantasy sports take off on the Internet: "'Fantasy' Sports searches spike on Yahoo! Canada Buzz Index

Armchair coaches live out fantasies on Yahoo! Canada

TORONTO, Nov. 8 - From basketball to horse racing, figure skating to boxing, sports ruled Canadian online culture last week.

True to Canadian spirit, hockey was the overall winner, even in the fantasy world.

Basketball fantasies made the biggest moves, with 'Fantasy NBA,' becoming the week's top breakout search term, while 'fantasy basketball,' 'NBA fantasy,' and 'NBA' also jumped high (up 150 per cent, 135 per cent, and 71 per cent respectively). "

All stadium signs point to a headache - Los Angeles Times

Signage is interesting, as are the details of the agreements. I have witnessed the NCAA issues at venues many times. It is borderline comical how they make sure they "hide" everything that is not from a corporate partner. Comical, but understandable since corporate partners pay the big bucks!

All stadium signs point to a headache - Los Angeles Times: "All stadium signs point to a headache
Arizona Cardinals, Fiesta Bowl and sports venue are latest to be entangled in gray area over rights.

The last thing Bill Bidwill wants to see after moving his Arizona Cardinals into their new home is a crew draping someone else's logo over the huge Cardinals head perched outside Gate 2 of the NFL team's new $457.5-million stadium.

Yet that apparently will occur next month as the stadium prepares for college football's Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Day and the Bowl Championship Series national championship game a week later.

The coverup in the desert underscores the complex nature of naming rights and corporate sponsorship deals that can pit stadium operators against team owners, corporate sponsors and other organizations that stage events in modern sports venues."