Rick Horrow hosts the new Bloomberg Television program “Sportfolio,” seen Wednesdays at 9 p.m., and to him sports is a multibillion dollar business, not just games. He dissects every aspect of the business of sports, and he has a true gift for explaining even the most complex matters in ways any fan can understand. So I took advantage of his knowledge to address some of the issues of the day.
How much do you feel the average fan understands that sports are a business?
Horrow » There is no doubt more and people are taking notice of what is going on. The business side of sports affects fantasy, government, players, fans, owners, advertisers and a number of off-the-field issues. This is a multibillion dollar business, and it is now an everyday part of what we read or hear or see in the mainstream media, not just in the sports pages. There are now over 500 classes being taught at colleges throughout the country dedicated to sports business, not to mention over 100 colleges that offer either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in sports business.
Your thoughts on the NBA lockout. Will the league play a full season?
Horrow » A lockout was inevitable. After the NHL season shut down for an entire year, they returned more focused and in better financial shape. The NBA went to school on the NHL model, and they will take a very hard line with the players association. The two sides have not agreed on any substantive issues yet. Plus, they have strong philosophical differences, and when you have strong philosophical issues, that makes reaching consensus on a deal problematic for both sides. I do think that missing some regular-season games is very possible. How many is hard to tell. That said, as long as the two sides continue to talk, there is always hope that something could get worked out to save the season. But a deal would have to come soon.
How does what happens to the NBA affect the upcoming deals with major league baseball and the NHL?
Horrow » This is the first time that all four of the major sports leagues all have collective bargaining agreements expiring within a 15-month period. So with billions of dollars at stake, every move made by the NBA will affect how the major league baseball owners and players address their CBA, and the same goes for the NHL. You can bet there will be plenty of lawyers taking notes during the NBA negotiations.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!, on washingtonexaminer.com.
