Everyone has a story to tell. But in our industry, it's oftentimes easy to forget, lost amid the steady stream of rights deals and returns on investments, marketing campaigns and mergers, buyouts and billion-dollar deals. But stories are at the heart of any industry, the composite of its people — and sports business is no different. The stories behind this year's Forty Under 40 class define much of sports business. It's an industry of unbridled entrepreneurialism, as evidenced by Jeff Fluhr and Kevin Plank. Of the fulfilled dreams of Bernard Muir, and the ambition of Casey Wasserman. Of Sarah Nettinga's creativity, and the behind-the-scenes brilliance of Bill Wanger. Of being willing to fight through adversity like Rita Benson LeBlanc and the New Orleans Saints. Sports business is an industry truly rich in stories, and in the people behind them. Which is part of the reason Street & Smith's SportsBusiness Journal is proud to present its eighth Forty Under 40 list, a tribute to some of the best and brightest executives under the age of 40 — and this year, to the many stories that go with them. | 
