TURNKEY Sports Poll July 2008 - Beijing Olympics, Sports Agents, Tennis' U.S. Open

TURNKEY Sports Poll

Turnkey Sports & Entertainment owns the Turnkey Sports Poll, the industry’s continuing survey of senior-level executives and owners which probes the hottest issues inside sports. The results of the poll appear weekly in the SportsBusiness Journal.

July 2008
Beijing Olympics, Sports Agents, Tennis' U.S. Open

A U.S. athlete wins gold in the Olympics. How long will his or her buzz last as a product endorser stateside?

One to three months – 37.76%
Three to six months – 24.49%
Six months to a year – 21.43%
Less than one month – 7.5%
More than a year – 4.59%

No response/not sure – 4.08%

What poses the greatest obstacle to the Beijing Games living up to the hype?

Broadcast delay – 37.76%

Human rights issues – 22.96%

Apathy among television viewers – 20.41%

Pollution problems – 12.24%

Doping scandals – 2.04%

Logistics/transportation problems – 1.02%

Earthquake recovery – 0.00%

Other – 1.53%

No response/not sure – 2.04%

When the Olympic Games begin, what are you most likely to do?

Both – 32.14%

Wait for the rebroadcast – 30.61%

Check results online – 23.98%

No response/not sure – 13.27%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Olympic Sponsors will be tainted by political and other controversy at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Somewhat agree – 37.76%

Somewhat disagree – 34.69%

Strongly disagree – 21.43%

Strongly agree – 3.57%

No response/Not sure – 2.55%

Assuming two opponents possess the same skills and athletic abilities, which of the following is more likely to put the athlete “over the top” during competition?

Heart – 75.77%

Smarts – 19.07%

No response/not sure – 5.15%

Which of the following characteristics is most necessary to make a great athlete?

Endurance – 18.04%

Coordination – 17.01%

Speed – 13.40%

Stamina – 12.37%

Strength – 6.19%

Other – 15.98%

No response/not sure – 17.01%

Since the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit was introduced earlier this year, over 40 world records have been set by swimmers wearing the suit, leading to complaints that it provides an unfair advantage to swimmers. Swimming’s governing body declined to ban the use of the suit. Should this swimsuit be permitted to be worn in the Olympics?

Yes – 76.80%

No – 13.40%

No response/not sure – 9.79%

Which of the major marketing agencies below is best positioned to take advantage of global opportunities in athlete representation?

IMG – 36.08%

Creative Artists Agency – 11.86%

Octagon – 10.31%

Wasserman Media Group – 6.70%

No response/not sure – 35.05%

You are an athlete about to negotiate a new contract. Which agent below would you want in your corner?

Leigh Steinberg – 13.40%

Scott Boras – 11.86%

Tom Condon – 10.31%

Arn Tellem – 9.79%

David Falk – 6.70%

Mark Steinberg – 5.15%

Ben Dogra – 2.06%

Phil de Picciotto – 2.06%

Drew Rosenhaus – 2.06%

Other – 10.31%

No response/not sure – 26.29%

You are the president of a professional sports team. Which agent below would you least like to see representing your #1 draft pick?

Scott Boras – 48.97%

Drew Rosenhaus – 23.20%

Leigh Steinberg – 3.09%

Tom Condon – 2.06%

David Falk – 1.55%

Phil de Picciotto – 1.03%

Mark Steinberg – 0.52%

Arn Tellem – 0.52%

Ben Dogra – 0.00%

Other – 2.06%

No response/not sure – 17.01%

With so many new sports facilities opening in the New York market, and their abilities to offer more options for luxury hospitality, what effect will they have on the U.S. Open’s (tennis) ability to attract corporate hospitality?

No impact – 47.42%

Somewhat negative impact – 39.69%

Somewhat positive impact – 5.67%

Significant negative impact – 4.12%

Significant positive impact – 0.00%

No response/not sure – 3.09%

In your opinion, what is the single biggest obstacle to professional tennis becoming more popular in the United States?

Too few American stars – 47.94%

Sport’s structure and schedule is too fragmented – 29.90%

Too little media coverage – 7.22%

Inadequate player marketing – 3.61%

Inadequate event marketing – 3.61%

Other – 6.19%

No response/not sure – 1.55%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement?

Fewer people follow pro tennis today than did 25 years ago.

Strongly Agree – 41.24%

Somewhat Agree – 38.66%

Somewhat Disagree – 13.92%

Strongly Disagree – 3.09%

No response/Not sure – 3.09%

To what extent do you agree or disagree with the following statement:

The rise in fuel costs will benefit professional sports teams.

Somewhat disagree – 41.75%

Strongly disagree – 41.75%

Somewhat agree – 11.86%

Strongly agree – 0.52%

No response/Not sure – 4.12%

Thinking about your own particular business, what best describes your confidence level regarding the next 12 months for your own business?

5- Somewhat Optimistic – 46.91%

6- Very Optimistic – 19.07%

4- Neither Optimistic nor Pessimistic – 11.86%

3- Somewhat Pessimistic – 11.34%

7- Extremely Optimistic – 7.73%

2- Very Pessimistic – 2.06%

1 - Extremely Pessimistic – 0.52%

No response/Not sure – 0.52%