Tampa Bay Business Magazine | Bay Area Business Magazine BABM Florida

The Business of Sports

As I write this editor’s note, the USF Bulls football team is ranked #2 in the country, the Buccaneers are atop the Southern division of the NFC and the Tampa Bay Lightning presently holds second in the Southeast division. How will these teams be faring by the printing of BABM?

Last weekend I watched the powerful and moving movie We Are Marshall, a true story of the college football team killed in a plane crash. If you are familiar with the story you will remember the impact college football had on that town --- as it does on many other towns around the country. Having a team to cheer for unites the most unlikely people and businesses and everyone wins.
Our interest in sports thrives on the unpredictability of the outcome. On the other hand, our main interest in the growth of our businesses is creating predictability, for our customers, co-workers and investors.

The feature stories in this issue will showcase individuals that exhibit an ability to take the lessons from the world of sports and create successful and meaningful businesses. We will learn of the drive of Sheila Johnson to bring Innisbrook Resorts to the forefront of the sporting world, as well as creating a first class executive training center.

We will enter the playing field with All Sports. Tyrone Keyes, a big man with bigger dreams, has created a non-profit aligned with professional football that mentors our youths to become college bound, then encourages them to give back by becoming mentors and teachers themselves. This partnership with professional sports continues with All Pro Dad, and Tampa’s own Tony Dungy leading this non-profit; teaching better fathering skills through a NFL venue.

To the casual observer, the sport of team rowing, aka crew, may be just a beautiful glide down the Hillsborough River. However, inside the sport you will witness a high level of commitment to training, time management, teamwork, and communication. It is no surprise that crew has provided us many of our business leaders.

Please enjoy these feature stories as well as our many business articles. We ask that you contact us with your comments and questions by visiting our website, www.BABM.com Thank you for your loyal readership.

And GO BULLS!!!!

Bay Area Business Magazine's mission is to educate, support and inspire the small to midsize business owner and entrepreneur. Monthly best business practices articles written by local industry experts as well as NYT best selling authors, keep our economy strong, our clients served and our businesses flourishing! The Bay Area's premier, contemporary publication serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Polk, Sarasota, Manatee, Citrus and Hernando Counties.

Welcome to Bay Area Business Magazine