This award is given for influence, whether positive or negative.
Donald Trump named Most Influential Person in sports business for 2017
USA Today Dec. 11 2017
SportsBusiness Journal/Daily named Trump the Most Influential Person in sports business in 2017, citing his divisive rhetoric in the world of sports and the responses it prompted.
The award recognizes the person who has most influenced sports business this year, whether that influence is "positive or negative," according to a story announcing the decision. Other recent recipients include NBA commissioner Adam Silver, Disney CEO Bob Iger and ESPN president John Skipper.
In his first year as president, Trump has frequently lashed out at various sports figures and leagues. He has repeatedly slammed the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell over social justice protests during the national anthem. He has publicly feuded with LaVar Ball, the outspoken father of LiAngelo Ball, a former UCLA basketball player arrested in China. And when Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry said he would skip the team's customary White House visit, Trump took to Twitter and said the team wouldn't be invited to visit the White House anyway.
Trump has criticized ESPN, with a White House spokesperson even calling for the network to fire Jemele Hill after she referred to him as a white supremacist on Twitter. The president has also made headlines with his frequent golf outings.
Executive editor Abraham Madkour wrote about the decision that "this isn't the choice we wanted to make" and this year's discussion "split our newsroom unlike any I can remember."
"Many refused to let the sports industry be tarred by Trump's insults," Madkour wrote. "But Trump still had the loudest megaphone, and fueled the anger and tension that pervaded sports all year."
Link:
https://www.usatoday.com/story/spor...ential-person-sports-business-2017/939893001/