- Home
- NEWS
- REGIONAL
- THIS WEEK'S PAPER
- BLOGS
- Multimedia
- OPINION
- A&E
- LISTS
- PEOPLE
- EVENTS
- Classifieds
- Subscribe
Sports Business
SPORTS: If heroes fail as role models, put yourself in the game
July 11, 2005
Bill Benner- Luke 12:48 In light of the above Scripture, many would agree that among the most blessed creatures on this Earth are professional
athletes. As has been noted often, they receive handsome compensation to play games, and it doesn't really get much better
than that, does it? Along with the fortune, however, comes celebrity, and from celebrity comes attention. That means there
are no non-public public moments. The spotlight illuminates both the good and the bad. These thoughts come to...
MoreNOTIONS: Dear Lance: How 'bout beyond-the-bike immortality?
July 11, 2005
Bruce HetrickDear Lance: I've got an idea. I thought you might noodle it during that 239-kilometer, Stage 17 ride from Pau to Revel. It
might keep your mind off those flags people wave in your face. By way of background, you and I have much in common. Like you,
I'm a cancer survivor. As in your case, a physician from the Indiana University School of Medicine figured out how to treat
mine after others had botched it. Like you, I ride...
MoreSPORTS: NBA's delayed-entry rule, Michelin's move and more
July 4, 2005
Bill BennerSo much news, so little space. Item: The NBA and its players' association enter into a new collective bargaining agreement
that will increase the age for draft eligibility to 19, or to one year after an athlete's high school class has graduated.
Reaction: Perhaps the NBA and its players' association believed they were tossing those involved in college basketball a bone
by raising the age limit. If so, it is a bone that likely will stick in the throats of...
MoreMarian College launches motorsports curriculum: Classes to focus on business side of racing
July 4, 2005
Anthony SchoettleThis fall, Marian College will begin offering a unique curriculum focused on the business of motorsports. Initially, motorsports-related
classes will be offered within Marian's sports management program, but school officials said they'd like to expand the program
to offer a minor and major in motorsports management. Unlike programs at Purdue University, IUPUI and Rose-Hulman Institute
of Technology, Marian's courses will not focus on computers and engineering. Instead, the program will instruct students in
marketing, communications, sales and business management in...
MoreBy George: Speedway owner gains clout in Formula One negotiations
July 4, 2005
Anthony SchoettleThere may be a silver lining to the cloud that descended over Indianapolis Motor Speedway at last month's U.S. Grand Prix:
President Tony George has emerged unscathed from a public relations standpoint and has never had more control over the Formula
One race his track hosts. Michelin, the French tire maker for the 14 cars that withdrew from the race because of tire-safety
concerns, has offered to refund fans' ticket costs. That's a $10 million to $12 million expense the...
MoreSPORTS: Keep F1 and its cash coming back to Speedway
June 27, 2005
Bill BennerI enjoy auto racing but must admit Formula One is not my cup of motor oil. On assignment for the local daily, I was at the
initial U.S. Grand Prix at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, wrote a less-than-positive column about it, and haven't been back
since. I liked the technology and the spectacle of the passionate, flag-waving fans, but everything else I viewed with disdain.
Particularly distasteful was/is the smugness that permeates the F1 atmosphere. It emanates from the series'...
MoreYouth sports get break: New law could cut Worker's Comp premiums dramatically
June 27, 2005
Tom MurphyState lawmakers scored a goal for youth sports this spring when they approved a bill that could save some clubs thousands
of dollars in present or future insurance premiums. Starting July 1, not-for-profits that have employees and pay youth coaches
part time under an independent contractor arrangement will not have to provide Worker's Compensation benefits for those coaches.
State Sen. Murray Clark, R-Indianapolis, said he had travel teams or clubs in sports like soccer, volleyball or baseball in
mind when...
MoreTaking the pulse of life sciences: Experts weigh in on whether Indiana is keeping up in the economic development race
June 27, 2005
IBJ: Is Indiana gaining ground against other states in the race to grow as a life sciences hub? What are some specific benchmarks
that underscore your opinion? JOHNSON: Indiana is gaining ground, but Indiana already starts on really very substantial ground.
There are a lot of outside validations of that and I think it's important for this audience to hear a couple of them because
there is nothing like having people on the outside pay attention to what we're doing...
MoreSPORTS: The game is on: Academics vs. big-dollar sports
June 20, 2005
Bill BennerGive NCAA President Myles Brand and his Task Force on the Future of Intercollegiate Athletics their due. If you will pardon
both the pun and the cliché, they're going to give it the old college try. Putting the paste back into the tube won't be
easy. It will require a dramatic change in our sports culture-American in general, on campus in particular-to view intercollegiate
athletics by any measure other than the one posted on the scoreboard. That is especially true...
MoreBEHIND THE NEWS: Frick, master of megadeals, ready to dial back intensity
June 20, 2005
Greg AndrewsAttorney David Frick says Anthem Inc.'s $20.8 billion purchase of Well-Point Health Networks was the toughest deal he ever
negotiated-and that's saying something. This is the same guy who helped broker the 1983 deal selling the Indiana Pacers to
Mel and Herb Simon, eliminating the risk the franchise would go elsewhere. The same guy who served as the city's chief negotiator
in the deal that brought the Baltimore Colts to Indianapolis in 1984. Anthem-WellPoint was even tougher, Frick says, in...
MoreReady to unify?: Danica's impact puts IRL in driver's seat
June 20, 2005
Anthony SchoettleTo nudge the idea along, executives of the Japanese automaker are becoming personally involved, marking the first time an
IRL sponsor and major manufacturer has pushed this hard for unification talks. "It's no small deal when a partner like Honda
gets involved," said Bob Basche, chairman of Millsport, a Stamford, Conn.-based sports and event marketing agency. "Not only
do they supply engines [to the IRL], but Honda pumps in millions of dollars annually in sponsorship and advertising for the
series."...
MoreJester Promotions LLC: Keeping promotions on the cutting edge Advertising specialty firm also always on the lookout for inexpensive
merchandise
June 20, 2005
Jo EllenAdvertising specialty firm also always on the lookout for inexpensive merchandise Back in days of old, jesters were the eyes
and ears of the power brokers. "They knew everything the king knew," said Rick Atkins, co-founder of Jester Promotions LLC,
a specialty advertising company. That's the know-how Atkins said he brings to the table: up-to-the-minute knowledge about
the latest trends in promotional activities and where his clients can get the best price for their items. He toyed with naming
the...
MoreTAWN PARENT Commentary: This is no time for Hoosier hysteria
June 20, 2005
Some big decisions this spring have not made me particularly proud to be a Hoosier or a resident of Indianapolis. Sure, we
got funding for a new stadium and a convention center expansion. That will bring more visitors to our community, and it says
we care about sports and tourism. And glory hallelujah! We finally got daylight-saving time, the economic benefits of which
are unproven. That says we care about being like everyone else, whether it makes any sense or...
MoreSPORTS: 'Our' future extends beyond Marion County line
June 13, 2005
Bill BennerNOBLESVILLE-That Gov. Mitch Daniels, aboard his RV-1, was caught in the daily late-afternoon I-69, State Road 37 traffic snarl
and was a half-hour late for his Hamilton County town meeting here last week represented a theme of his presentation. We are
no longer a city, but a region. With that in mind, Our Man Mitch has been venturing to the counties contiguous to Marion,
pitching the pending 1-percent food and beverage tax that will supply a small-emphasis on small, an...
MoreTrouble brewing at Market Square: Confidence wanes as partners bail
June 13, 2005
Deciding who will build and pay for a new sports stadium and expanded convention center has drawn plenty of scrutiny in recent
months, diverting attention from the redevelopment struggle in our midst: the so-far illfated attempt to erect housing and
retail space at the former Market Square Arena site. Though the stadium drama is yet to play out on the west side of downtown,
it's time for some answers regarding this high-stakes east-side project. The project team picked by the...
MoreEvents colossus in Lucas' sights: Sunshine Promotions founder pursues Clear Channel unit
June 13, 2005
Greg AndrewsThe Indianapolis executive has alerted the Texas company of his interest and lined up preliminary financing, according to
Craig Pinkus, a partner with Bose McKinney & Evans representing Lucas. "All I'm going to say is, the expression of interest
is not a frivolous expression, and there are substantial preliminary arrangements," Pinkus told IBJ. "This is not an effort
of some kind to get attention and waste people's time." The unit's parent, San Antonio-based radio giant Clear Channel Communications,
announced in...
MoreFeed store offers unique product mix: Retailer remains a Wanamaker institution, despite having numerous competitors
June 13, 2005
Susan RaccoliWanamaker Feed and Seed Feed store offers unique product mix Retailer remains a Wanamaker institution, despite having numerous
competitors Pig noses, pig ears, cow hooves, wind chimes, jackknives, horse feed, bottled water, Indiana-dipped candles, carousel
bird feeders-the inventory at Wanamaker Feed and Seed runs an interesting gamut. And owner Jim Trimble knows what to add,
because he takes the time to know every customer and find out exactly what is wanted. (The first three items are for dogs
to chew...
MoreVIEWPOINT: Arts are a good investment for business
June 6, 2005
Frank BasileThis summer, there are two red-letter days for the arts and cultural scene as well as our city and state: the official opening
of the new home of the Herron School of Art on the IUPUI campus, which was set for June 3, and the dedication of the Indianapolis
Art Center's ARTSPARK Aug. 21. These events are only two of the many activities in 2005 that will help position Indianapolis
as an arts and cultural destination, a goal set by...
MoreBEHIND THE NEWS: Chicago Express bidder in several court tangles
June 6, 2005
Greg AndrewsI n d i a n a p o l i s real estate executive Edward Okun had a low profile in business circles here before he splashed into
the news two months ago as the winning bidder for ATA Holdings Corp.'s Chicago Express Airlines. Two weeks later, however,
he yanked his offer, valued at $3 million to $4 million. The reversal added to the air of mystery surrounding Okun, a 54-year-old
Carmel resident. A closer look at Okun, president...
MoreNew providers fill up the market for air-rescue services: Indiana sees growth spurt in helicopter transport firms
June 6, 2005
Tom MurphyMedical helicopters are filling the skies over Indiana in an unprecedented growth spurt that has sparked a heated debate about
overuse and quality of care. A market once dominated by not-forprofit Clarian Health Partners' LifeLine program has seen three
out-of-state companies plant seven new helicopter bases in central and southern Indiana over the past few years. PHI Air Medical
Group Indiana, a subsidiary of Phoenix-based PHI Air Medical Services, opened bases in West Lafayette, Anderson and Columbus
last year. They...
MoreJOHN KETZENBERGER Commentary: Time is ripe to heal racing rift
June 6, 2005
Roger Penske strode alone through Gasoline Alley 90 minutes before this year's Indy 500. With 13 wins at the Indianapolis
Motor Speedway, The Captain certainly knows how to get his drivers around the famed Brickyard. In the next line of garages,
a crowd of race fans and media gathered before doors numbered 12, 13, 14 and 15 where Rahal Letterman was encamped. Rookie
phenom Danica Patrick arrived on a golf cart and disappeared quickly into the relative calm before the...
MoreSPORTS: No checkered flag for IRL, but it's leading the race
June 6, 2005
Bill BennerThe Indianapolis 500 is back, so we are told and at least we should hope. While television ratings didn't blow through the
roof, they at least climbed out of the basement by posting a 40-percent increase and putting in the rear-view mirrors that
evil NASCAR event later in the day. Officials proclaimed with pride that the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was "almost a sellout"
for the big race, which, not that many years ago, would have been an indictment, not a...
MoreUp to the challenge: Stadium project leader has been here before
May 30, 2005
Andrea MuirraguiJohn Klipsch didn't necessarily set out to take control of one of the largest public-works projects in Indianapolis history,
but he prepared for it nonetheless. "My degree is in counseling," he said with a wry smile. "This is how my career has evolved
over the years." So here he is, two months before work is scheduled to begin on a $900 million stadium construction and convention
center expansion project, relying on his professional experience and personal dedication to get the...
MoreSPORTS: 'Slow' ride 'round oval makes your heart race
May 30, 2005
Bill BennerOne of my favorite jokes goes like this: In the forest one day, two turtles were involved in a head-on collision. The only
witness was a snail. When the forest police arrived to investigate the accident, they asked the snail to describe what he
had seen. "I can't," said the snail. "It all happened too fast." Speed is a relative thing. And, like the snail, that's my
challenge in recounting my recent experience at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which involved...
MoreReebok takes heat over flap about apparel: Suit and tie excluded from NFL clothing contract
May 30, 2005
Anthony SchoettleWhen new San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan was told he couldn't wear a suit and tie on the sidelines because of apparel
manufacturer Reebok's contract with the National Football League, some said Tom Landry and George Halas rolled over in their
graves. To be sure, the late NFL coaches known for their suits and ties wouldn't appreciate the mandate from Reebok, which
manufactures much of its licensed goods on Indianapolis' east side and has suffered a public relations black...
More
Sponsored by
ADVERTISEMENT
on Facebook & Twitter
on Facebook & Twitter
 Follow IBJ's Tweets on these topics: |
||
| @IBJNews | @Propertylines | @IBJTheScore |
| @IBJArts | @IBJHealthcare | @IBJDining |
| @IBJLists | @IBJSmallbiz | |
ADVERTISEMENT
Back to TopCopyright © All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use.
Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing.
Additional Hosting & Delivery by
Can IBJ please stop referring to this property as "Kessler Mansion"? What a ridiculous title for the biggest, bloated, blight in our city. It's not a mansion. At best, it's an ideal site to shoot low-budget porn. Ahhh! Another business use!
Its stories like these that prove that a Ball State diploma is worth less than the paper that its printed on. A real institution of higher learning would have taken care of this long ago. No way should this crap be taught in a SCIENCE class.
It is such a shame that King Ballard has made Indianapolis into Chicago south with all of the rampant corruption.
How many of these 1,259 bills were actually heard and voted on on the floor vs how many were shot down in committee?
When a an arrogant young guy with essentially no experience and no qualifications for the job, was dropped into an Administrator position out of nowhere by his "mentor" in the Mayor's office things seemed fishy. Sometimes things are what they seem.