Spotlight’s weekly collection of relevant press, tweets, and blogs shaping the world of corporate ticketing. The evolution of Corporate America’s involvement in sports is leading towards more responsibility and better analytics. Please read on for more on: sports sponsorship, sports business, ticket management, corporate accountability, and The Spotlight Ticket Management Solution.

The NBA All-Star game, held for the first time at a football stadium, drew more than 100,000 fans and continued to solidify itself as one of the premier events on the sports calendar. The All-Star Game, normally held at more traditional sized arenas, had historically been for the corporate sponsors of the league and a difficult ticket for the fans. With the annual Finals staged in the home cities of the conference champions, the NBA cannot build weekend getaways around the event. However it seems that they’ve found a way to use the All-Star Game to fill that desire.

• The last time the All-Star Game was here in little ‘ol Dallas, Spud Webb won the slam-dunk contest, Isiah Thomas was named MVP, and pro basketball in the United States packed up and went home, returning to its second-rate existence. It was on to the next game, the next cookie-cutter arena, while millions snoozed. The sport changed forever once Michael Jordan was finished putting his imprint on it, and the 1992 Dream Team helped Jordan bring the NBA global. Then Jordan retired, and retired again, and the question was, “What now?” Well, this. This is what.  When Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said All-Star weekend in Dallas would make the Super Bowl look like a bar mitzvah, people scoffed. That was just Cuban talking his big talk again, we thought. But he was right. Boy, was he right. Read More…

Procter & Gamble spoke with AdAge to discuss why it’s brought 18 brands together for an Olympic push. P&G sees a terrific sponsorship opportunity as the Olympics are one of the highest sports of interest among women- 76% of American households watch it. P&G also points out that sports sponsorship is a terrific venue for the brand as it “is a great way to get families together.” There is no mention, however, of any analytics that will be used to gauge the effectiveness of the sponsorhip. The sports business world will watch closely as “nice feelings” only go so far to driving tangible revenues.

• Sports marketing has been growing at Procter & Gamble Co. for years, and particularly since it acquired Gillette five years ago. P&G’s biggest sports effort to date comes with the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where 18 brands are combining with the corporate brand in an effort that also includes P&G’s first corporate TV ad in the U.S. It’s the biggest corporate-marketing event ever, though it builds on more than a decade of increasing multibrand marketing efforts that include companywide coupon circulars and websites and retail promotions. An extensive digital, print, consumer-promotion and in-store program rounds out the campaign. Read More…

Spotlight Advisory Board Leader David Carter is prominently featured in a piece discussing the effect Tiger Wood’s abscence has had on the PGA tour this season. TV advertising has slid off over 40% with major sponsors dropping off as well. The bigger concern, as pointed out by Carter, is the loss of customers and fans to other sporting events. The PGA speaks to an affluent fanbase that has long been attractive to the corporate dollar however losing their centerpiece has proven to be far more detrimental than thought. Spotlight clients that are major sponsors of the tour have interestingly enough seen no drop off in attendance.

• Tiger Woods tomorrow will apologize for his behavior, discuss his past and possibly announce when he will end his self-imposed exile from professional golf at a meeting in Florida. Woods, 34, the world’s top-ranked golfer, has been on an indefinite break from the sport since saying he had been unfaithful to his wife. He hasn’t spoken publicly since a single-vehicle traffic accident outside his home on Nov. 27, which was followed by media reports detailing extramarital affairs. Woods’s absence has deprived professional golf of its biggest draw. Tournament crowds have been smaller and television ratings have declined. Sponsors Accenture Plc, the consulting company that once hailed Woods as the centerpiece of its marketing campaign, and AT&T Inc. dropped Woods, who has earned $1 billion in tournament winnings and sponsorships in his career, according to Forbes magazine. Read More…

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced a new luxury club along the third base line, joining teams like the Yankees & Dodgers who also employ luxury baseline box clubs. Will the big renovation create return on investment for customers?

• Amid the noise and bustle of an active construction crew, Pittsburgh Pirates President Frank Coonelly shows off what will be the end result of their labor. The knocked-out walls of four, 15-seat corporate suites will soon open as the Club Cambria, a 1,710-square-foot luxury facility complete with full bar, casual seating, flat-screen TVs, sleek quartz countertops and a full buffet. It will be located along the third base line at PNC Park. “There’s a real need for a club like this,” Coonelly said. With an anticipated debut date of opening day in April, the Pittsburgh Pirates are shooting to sell all 55 season ticket packages for Club Cambria, priced between $125 and $150 per seat. Food and drink will be included in the ticket price — alcoholic beverages will be available at a cash bar. Read More…

Mark Cuban makes some compelling points in his blog regarding the future of professional sports in America. The general public doesn’t really understand the effects TV contracts have on the professional games and how the players unions play into the equation. If he’s right, and not many bet against him, there are some major changes on the horizon in the sports business.

• Is it possible that the future economics of the NFL could be influenced by the FCC ? Absolutely.  Does the NFL and all professional sports leagues have something in common with the Sub Prime mortgage mess and the collapse of home prices. Absolutely. Could both of these, along with the recession impact whether or not you will be able to watch your favorite professional sport in 2011 ? Absolutely. Sports fans probably are not paying attention to what is happening with broadcast television.  The over the air broadcast networks, all of which are the biggest customers of the NFL (CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC/ESPN) are now pushing TV Providers (cable, telco and satellite), to pay retransmission fees. In other words, the broadcast networks want to be paid for every TV Provider subscriber, just like cable networks get paid.  It’s a reasonable request in many ways. But there is a flip-side. Read More…

Relevant Sports Business & Sports Ticket Management Tweets:

• darrenrovell1 Not surprised Visa had a commercial ready for 1st Canadian gold. Surprised it had one for 1st US nordic combined medal
• js_bizofsports New Cubs ticket plan allows fans to buy single games early, but at a premium. Would it work elsewhere?
• darrenrovell1 Sponsors that bought into or stuck by Bode Miller could cash in http://su.pr/2W87HY
• SBJSBD How BP’s sponsorship deal with the USOC came together. http://su.pr/2wYzPy #olybiz
• darrenrovell1 Ice resurfacer company has ultimate marketing disaster at Olympics http://su.pr/6It194
• darrenrovell1 BREAKING NEWS: Tiger will make a public statement Friday at 11 a.m. There will be no question and answer session.
• SBJSBD Burton says outfitting Olympic teams may not directly drive sales, but does affect branding, participation. http://su.pr/17zl3f
• dkaplanSBJ ATP close to major sponsorship with Corona beer; replaces Mercedes as men’s tennis’ top backer; http://su.pr/2lKARJ