BusinessWeek’s 2008 Power 100

Around this time last year, when BusinessWeek released its Power 100, documenting the 100 most influential people in the business of sports, I was interested to see various sports agent related names pop up on the list.

Tiger Woods once again tops the overall list, but how did our guys who were mentioned last year fare this year?

16. Theodore Forstmann Chairman, CEO, IMG (2007 - #26)

37. Scott Boras President, Boras Corp. (2007 - #12)

43. George Pyne President, IMG Sports and Entertainment (2007 - #59)

46. Casey Wasserman Chairman, CEO, Wasserman Media Group (2007 - #79)

70. Tom Condon NFL Agent, CAA (2007 - #90)

98. Arn Tellem President, WMG Management (2007 - #83)

Not ranked. Gene Upshaw Chairman, NFLPA (2007 - #33)

Not ranked. Mark Steinberg SVP and global managing director of golf, IMG (2007 - #72)

Observations

• Similar to last year, I must say that IMG is getting mucho love from the voters. Forstmann and Pyne received a boost; however, what the hell happened to Steinberg? He gets his client, Tiger Woods, No. 1 for two consecutive years and has his name drop off the list? Where is the justice in that?
• Gene Upshaw, may he rest in piece, must have been left off the list due to his recent death. Had he still been living, I would bet my money that he makes the list in 2008.
• Wasserman jumps more than 30 slots, but Tellem goes down 15? Tellem absolutely tore it up this year with B.J. Armstrong as his more-than-able wingman.  At least no basketball agent was positioned ahead of Tellem on the list.
• Boras has had his fair share of bad moments in the media this year. While he is still making a lot of money for his clients, I understand why voters have positioned him lower on the rankings.

Last, here is an interesting opinion from Darren Rovell, of CNBC, regarding agents in this listing:

The most glaring omission from a sector standpoint is the agents. Most notably, Drew Rosenhaus, whom I had as No. 20 on my list, is even not in BW’s top 100. Agents Scott Boras (37), Tom Condon (70) and Arn Tellem (98) appear on the list, but I might have had Aaron and Eric Goodwin on the list this year, particularly because of the shoe deals they structured for Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard and Candace Parker.

I agree. Rosenhaus above the Goodwins, but all of them deserve to be mentioned.  Next question...

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