Who is the Best Sports Exec?

Submit your question to Who is the Best Sports Exec? (89 other responses).

1. Posted by Ben Drenth in Denver, CO:

   I have a hard time understanding why Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings was not included. He is arguably the best GM in the 4 major US sports, and I would have thought a no-brainer for consideration here. He is a proven winner both before and during the NHL's new salary cap structure, has (along with his staff) developed a reputation for draft-day brilliance and almost spooky foresight, and done a great job of getting high-profile free agents to accept less money/years to sign with a Detroit organization that values winning and quality people over drama.

2. Posted by Ryan Mastin in Sudbury:

   I agree with your sentiment Ben that Ken Holland should have been included in the top 50. However nobody watches the NHL in the United States so I think he is and was overlooked and underrated. The ratings speak for themselves 99 million people watched the superbowl, the NBA Playoffs and the NHL Finals ran at the same time. And to consider the NHL as one of the four major sports in America is kinda ridiculous. For every hockey player in the world there are three football stadiums in America...seriously. Last time I heard the WNBA has higher ratings than the NHL and the WNBA has not been around that long. In fact the NHL ratings are 14th in sports. Last time I read the ratings structure.

3. Posted by William O’Neill in Cherry HIll, NJ:

   Ed Snider
   Chairman of both the Philadelphia Flyers and the 76ers since selling the Flyers and the Wachovia Center to Comcast and merging his successful Spectacorps with them to form ComcastSpectacorps. Created one of the most rabid fan bases in the country for any sport in Philadelphia, built his own arena. . .twice. . . and has continually produced successful teams and profits.

4. Posted by michael sekulich in grand rapids:

   Ken Holland, GM of the Red Wings, is hands down the best GM in all of North American professional sports.

5. Posted by Ed Hogan in Detroit:

   How can you miss the best franchise owners in the business Michael and Marian Ilitch who's players are treated like family and give up money to play here instead of any place else. And Ken Holland, probably the best General Manager in all of sports bar none, who continues to build championship teams year in and year out without high draft picks. I can assue you if either of these gentlemen were in your survey, you'd have a new #1 on the board.

6. Posted by Pat Hennigan in Austin:

   No Mike Brown on your list? As a life-long Cincinnati Bengals fan I have read all the criticisms of the Owner/ President/ GM (?) over the years from all who talk and write about sports, and rarely has the praise out-weighed the knocks. From the controversial stadium deal to keep the Bengals in Cincinnati, to his inherent- and apparent- stinginess (frugality?), to the plain fact that my guys in stripes haven't been much better than mediocre for the past 17 seasons, I would have bet Icky Woods' TD dance that the son of the legendary Paul Brown would have been there to rate (note: Paul Brown would have deserved to be on your list, too, were he still living- letting Bill Walsh jump ship to the 49er's still haunts the Jungle with visions of multiple Super Bowl titles that could have been).

7. Posted by Grumpy in Washington, DC:

   Why wasn't that idiot Dan Snyder included in the worse sports exec? As owner of his personal fantasy football team, the Deadskins, he has meddled in the affairs of the team nearly to the point of no return. His latest stunt of hiring the support staff before hiring the head coach was nothing but galling.

8. Posted by John Rowland in San Angelo, TX:

   First of all.......you have got to be kidding with the basketball guy from Afganistan....what a joke. Plus who cares about all these duded from other countries.....take a look at the giants in college and pro in the U.S. I admit prejudice but for instance DeLoss Dodd, U. of Texas Athletic Director has built a behemoth of an empire in Austin...football, basketball, baseball, swimming, track..shall I go on. And to show I am not totally prejudice....even Oklahoma deserves recognition....how bout (swallow hard) Pete Carroll at USC as much as I hate to admit....also the entire operation of the San Antonio Spurs....are you guys like the western song "Asleep At The Wheel" ?

9. Posted by Edward Zylik in Detroit, MI:

   Where is Kenny Holland (GM for the Detroit Red Wings) Don't forget Mike & Marian Illitch. Kenny is the best GM period.

10. Posted by Edward Zylik in Detroit, MI:

    I want to know how Matt Millen was able to come away with an average of 12? He should have an average of 1. There are no words to describe how stupid he is. Charles Rogers, Mike Williams...need i say more.

11. Posted by Eric Mitchell in Detroit, Michigan:

    Where is Ken Holland on this list? The Detroit Red Wings GM is the best in hockey...maybe all sports. Four cups, 17 years in a row in the playoffs.

12. Posted by Keith Behrens in Orlando:

    If a guy from Colorado (thanks, Ben) thinks so much of Holland, he's got to be good. To those who say no one watches the NHL in the US, um, who watches South African soccer? Anyone? How about Italian football? Any takers? No? Chelsea? Madchester? Where do you see that stuff in the US? Sure, it's one thing to be worldly, you know, racing and the LPGA and all that, but it's telling that Time does not have any hockey, eh? Just more fodder for the ignorant.

13. Posted by Gabe Jones in :

    How in the world do you leave out Billy Beane? He has to be the number one exec in the United States. The guy is brilliant!

14. Posted by Fred Johnson in New York:

    The worst compiled list ever. None of those guys are important.

    Where the Hell is Jerry Jones?

    Do you realize what he is building right now?

    Does Time have an actual reporters left?

    Pathetic attempt...

15. Posted by Matthew Zarb in Lansing, MI:

    I bet there is wide support for Ken Holland of the Detroit Red Wings as one of the best executives (despite his violent criminal record... he was nearly charged with attempted murder after crushing a players skull during a beer-league game years ago.) Still, he's a great General Manager. However, Dave Dombrowski of the Detroit Tigers should get some votes for worst executive. While he lucked out once with the Florida Marlins, he has done absolutely nothing but spin his wheels in Toronto, and has gutted the vaunted Tigers farm system to acquire lazy crybaby buddies of his to stink up Comerica Park. Miguel Cabrera, Dontrelle Willis, Edgar Renteria, and the queen-mother of locker room lawyers, Gary Sheffield have absolutely ruined a Tigers team that went to the world Series two years ago, mostly with home-grown talent or players that had already been acquired. One has to believe that the only reason Dombrowski even shows up for work these days (since the budget is maxed, the farm system is dry, and the players the Tigers do have are untradeable) is to check his email for the next job offer. We Tigers fans can only pray that he'll go to the White Sox and ruin them for a decade...

16. Posted by Susan Lewis in NYC:

    I'll second the motion on Ken Holland.
    Gary Bettman is destroying our game.

17. Posted by Jon Paine in Orem:

    Dan Rooney. Wins win the old fashioned way, through the draft. Keeps the Steelers a consistent winner without free-for-all free agency spending, but has opened the purse a little for contract extentions for fan favorites like Roethlisberger, Ward, and Polomalu. Keeps the FAns happy that way. But that's just for Pittsburgh. Is the most influential owner among other owners. Instituted the Rooney Rule to give minority coaches better chances at head coaching jobs, was almost single-handedly responsible for getting the owners to sign on the last labor deal thus avoiding a strike. He's great to the game, his city, and his team.

18. Posted by Me in DC:

    DAN ROONEY

19. Posted by Steve Polzin in nagoya,japan:

    Jerry Buss

20. Posted by David Rodriguez in Ypsilanti:

    You missed Ken Holland with the Detroit Red Wings. They have enjoyed a successful franchise since the late 80's, and even when there was a salery cap instituted they were still able to maintain their high level of excellence by winning the stanley cup this year. Also he and his team is responsible for creating a enviroment that causes top players to want to be a Red Wing.

    Thanks

21. Posted by Lacey Stewart in Washington, DC:

    I must say, what about the Rooney's? The Steelers have been a football powerhouse for years and their support comes from the Rooney's. They are the reason Pittsburgh football is both classy and maintains a good record (both on and off the field).

22. Posted by Emmanuel Oliveira da Silva in Rio de Janeiro:

    The best is Alex Ferguson and the worst is Ricardo Teixeira.

23. Posted by Emmanuel Oliveira da Silva in Rio de Janeiro:

    As said before, the best is Alex Ferguson.

24. Posted by jeezequel de oliveira lemes in goiania-goias:

    The best is Alex Ferguson and the worst is Ricardo Teixeira.

25. Posted by Rafael Massi in London:

    I do not know who is the best sport executive, but I am sure the worst is Mr. Ricardo Teixeira who is destroying the brazilian football.

26. Posted by nelson campelo in Paris:

    The best is Alex Ferguson and the worst is Ricardo Teixeira.

27. Posted by andre lima in são paulo Bra:

    Alex fergusson soccer

28. Posted by Marcello Machado in São Paulo:

    The Best; Sir Alex Ferguson

29. Posted by Cristiano Del Moral in São Paulo:

    The best is Alex Ferguson and the worst is Ricardo Teixeira.

30. Posted by Carlos Henrique Ludwig in Maceió-AL, Brazil:

    The best sports executive in the World surely is Paulo Odone, chairman of Grêmio Football Porto Alegrense, because, in 2 years, he took Grêmio from the 2nd Division of the Brazil Football League to the Libertadores Cup Final.

    The worst is Ricardo Teixeira, by the life achievement.

31. Posted by Marco Rodrigues in São Paulo:

    Mustafá Contursi was one of the worst Palmeiras'executive who I ever seen, that's why I choose mustafá.

32. Posted by Marco Rodrigues in São Paulo:

    I forgot to say, Mustafá took us to the 2nd division.

33. Posted by Ivo Junior in são paulo - Brasil:

    Here in Brasil we all know that sr. Mustafa Contursi is the worst mananger of al soccer team could have, he never think in soccer team just think in politic!

34. Posted by Alexandre Ariolli Ehlers in Rio de Janeiro - Brasil:

    Fabio Andre Koff - Brazilian Soccer Executive

    As the president of Gremio Foot-ball Porto Alegrense:
    - 2 times champion of the Libertadores da America - 1983 and 1995;
    - 1 time world champion - 1983
    - 2 times champion of the Brazilian Soccer Championship - 1981 and 1996
    - 1 time champion of the Brazilian Cup - 1994

    Since 1997 his the president of the "Clube dos 13", the brazilian soccer teams association.

35. Posted by Tom Cox in Lawrence, KS:

    I think Lew Perkins of the University of Kansas is the best sports exec. Only the second school ever to both win a national championship (basketball) in the same year as a BCS bowl, and all the while promoting a positive image of his campus.

36. Posted by Roger Seuferling in Portland, OR:

    As a lifelong Jayhawk, I admit to being partial to KU; however, it's difficult to argue the value that Lew Perkins has added to University of Kansas athletics since his arrival. Kansas was already a men's basketball powerhouse. Now football seems on the verge of becoming a perennial Big 12 power and other sports are respectable. All the while, KU graduates a high percentage of its athletes and the budget for athletics has skyrocketed. Lew Perkins is the Best Sports Exec.

37. Posted by Fernando Rocha in :

    Ricardo Teixeira could not be nor in this list, it is very bad as managing. One of the best ones is Mr. Alex Ferguson

38. Posted by Bobby McObvious in Arlington, Va.:

    I'd like to put in a word for Kevin Pritchard of the Portland Trailblazers. Over the past three years, he has completely turned this franchise around with his talent evaluation and draft day moves. All of the bad eggs are gone, Paul Allen stopped threatening to move the team and started dumping money into the franchise again, he's garnered widespread admiration for his savvy personnel moves (to the point of frustration among fans of other franchises) and the playoffs seem to be right around the corner.

39. Posted by Brian Weinstock in St. Louis:

    Lew Perkins is the best sports executive. He has to manage numerous student atheletes and their teams as opposed to a professional sports executive who only has to focus a smaller number of athletes, not worry about grades and only has to handle one sport. The top two sports in college athletics in terms of finances and ratings are football and mens basketball. The KU football team not only played in a BCS game but played in the Orange Bowl which was the second to last game of the year before the BCS Championship game. KU's football team won the game. In the same year, KU's mens basketball team became National Champions.

40. Posted by Fabio Ribeiro in Sao Paulo:

    The Best: Alex Ferguson

41. Posted by Fabio Ribeiro in Sao Paulo:

    And the worst is Ricardo Teixeira

42. Posted by edmilson oliveira in são paulo:

    The best is Alex Ferguson and the worst is Ricardo Teixeira

43. Posted by Reginald N Young Sr in Pacifica, CA:

    Lew Perkins - KU Athletic Dir.

44. Posted by vicky howard in lawrence ks:

    Lew Perkins is an amazing executive-he has made dramatic and sweeping changes at KU that have brought about too many improvements to list. He has a passion for what he does that is palpable. He is the best! Ku is very lucky to have him at the helm.

45. Posted by Jeffrey Grant in Los Angeles:

    Lew Perkins

46. Posted by José Carlos Senna in Sao José dos Campos - Brasil:

    I would suggest Mr. Luiz Felipe Scolari - Soccer coach.

    He got a downbeat Brazilian team, after 1998 World Cup failure, believed in Ronaldo Nazario (deemed as finished for soccer) and Rivaldo and brought 2002 cup to Brazil.

    After the cup, he went on to coach Portugal, assembling arguably the best Portuguese national team ever. He is beloved both in Brasil AND Portugal

    Now he is coaching Chelsea. Glorious past, bright future ahead.

47. Posted by Antonio Carlos Dias in Rio de Janeiro:

    the worst is Ricardo Teixeira

48. Posted by Guido Antonio Barbara Silva in Rio de Janeiro:

    "Bernadinho" - Brazillan Volleyball Coach
    Carlos Nuzman - CBV Manager - Brazilian Volleyball Federation Manager

49. Posted by Rich Monhollon in Tempe, AZ:

    As a graduate of The University of Kansas, I agree completely with ranking Lew Perkins at the top of the list. Perkins has made KU more than just a basketball school, and it's only a matter of time before the rest of the sports catch up to the big two.
    On the other hand, there is no way Danny Ainge can be #4 and ranked ahead of Robert Kraft. Ainge ran the Celtics into the ground before Kevin McHale saved his job. He's lucky that Paul Pierce was such a good soldier for the last few years because he could have demanded a trade and no one would have thought less of him.

50. Posted by guido antonio arcaro junior in limeira-s.p. brasil:

    The worst is mr Ricardo Teixeira and the best is mr Alex Ferguson