SportsBusiness Journal and
SportsBusiness Daily, for the second consecutive year, honor six industry veterans for their distinguished success in shaping the business of sports. These six are being recognized as
Champions: Pioneers & Innovators in Sports Business.
Among the recipients are Bill Rasmussen, ESPN founder, and Val Ackerman, founding president of the Women's National Basketball Association. Ackerman is a member of the Capital One Academic All-America Hall of Fame. She was a standout basketball scholar-athlete at the University of Virginia who went on to earn her law degree from UCLA.
Click on each recipient's name to read their stories.
Marvin Miller: Baseball labor pioneer a leader who listens
Val Ackerman: Basketball biz a way of life for WNBA's first president
Barry Frank: Clients benefit from dealmaker's dramatic flair
Bill Rasmussen: ESPN founder exudes entrepreneurial passion
Alan Rothenberg: Exec played a vital role in soccer's growth in America
Deane Beman: As PGA Tour chief, brought business model to pro golf