Madkour: The unfortunate exit of Steve Phelps
NASCAR isn’t stronger without Steve Phelps as its commissioner. I know Jim France and Lesa France Kennedy and respect them; they have total authority on doing what they feel is best for the sport. Despite damaging and unfortunate comments that came out during NASCAR’s recent antitrust trial, there s...
Madkour: Lesson on Patriots history from one who lived it
Pat Sullivan shuffled his way into the booth at Abe & Louie’s steakhouse in Boston and said, “You said you wanted to hear stories, well, I have plenty of them.”
Madkour: Critical issues have college sports treading water
Leaders are split on so many issues facing the future of college sports. There are advocates for athletes as employees, and those firmly against it; there are proponents of private equity, and those who fear it; there are those wanting changes in the Sports Broadcasting Act, and others who say be ca...
Influence 125: In the room where it happened
If the white board on the third floor of 120 West Morehead St. in Charlotte could talk, it would spill a lot of the story on how SBJ came up with our Influence 125 list, which drops this week.
Madkour: For aspiring entrepreneurs, ‘there is no balance’
“It’s like eating glass for breakfast, lunch and dinner. That’s what it is.”
Madkour: Two go against the trends in linear television
Two strategies that struck me during SBJ’s Media Innovators were not focused on the dynamic digital players, but instead around the challenged linear business. Here’s what stood out:
Madkour: Farewell to an industry giant
You can tell when a person has left an indelible impact on the world. That was evident in the way my social feeds filled with stories of Paul Tagliabue after news broke of his passing on Nov. 9. From longtime colleagues to people he met briefly, they shared how much he meant to them. The memories li...
Madkour: Four things I like
Ever since reading longtime IMG agent Hughes Norton’s book, “Rainmaker,” about his days working at the agency, I wondered why there hasn’t been a documentary about the late Mark McCormack. A fascinating career that pioneered an industry; a complex, disciplined, demanding, obstinate individual with a...
Madkour: One day in Baltimore and a trip to ‘The Castle’
My Uber driver, Brad, said he quickly accepted my request for a ride to 1 Winning Drive in Owings Mills, Md. “I get to take you to The Castle!” he beamed. I looked at him, puzzled, and he said, “Ravens headquarters. It’s called The Castle. It’s unbelievable.” So, yes, he knew the destination, and I ...
Madkour: MLS facing hard decisions around growth
Jimmy Haslam said publicly what many in MLS have suggested privately for years: MLS is at an inflection point with its on-field product and owners have different views on its future direction. Haslam said at our sister company’s Leaders Week London that MLS has “a long way to go in getting people to...