FORBES magazine has just released its latest annual list of the 400 Richest Americans. On this list, 22 are representatives of the Sports Industry. It appears that the addition of a new stadium, ballpark, or arena will increase their net worth by at least $500 million. A Regional Sports Network (RSN) will also bring in additional revenue for the organization (Ex. YES Network-NY Yankees).

The only deceptive part of the net worth calculations for the “Sports Owners” is that many of their organizations are saddled with debt. We also have two of the most popular leagues (NFL, NBA) potentially locking-out its players in 2011. In addition, many teams have cut the prices of their tickets and some were even subjected to blackouts due to not selling out home games.

Many have criticized the method, but the LeBron James ESPN announcement was good for the NBA. The pre-announcement fan and media anticipation and attention was like no other seen by this league since the playing days of Michael Jordan.

You had public officials (NY City Mayor Michael Bloomberg included) lobbying for the services of Mr. James. Some cities even posted billboards with LeBron featured wearing the local teams’ jersey.

However, the entire spectacle generated a lot of attention for the league itself. I don’t recall a time in history where the NBA generated as much attention immediately after its championship series.

When NBA training camps open in mid-October, do not be surprised if more South Florida football fans start to tune in to the NBA(Dolphin fans switching their attention to the HEAT maybe?) in large numbers. Maybe the production of this event can narrow the $400 million in losses the league is set to experience this season (According to published sources).

NOTE: Reported that the Miami Heat has just fired its entire ticket-sales staff.

“Sweat equity is the best form of equity.”

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks

The DVD, Major League Entrepreneurs is now available. It features two of the youngest owners of Professional Sports franchises.

Daniel Snyder, owner of the Washington Redskins, explains his decision to drop-out of the University of Maryland and leap into Entrepreneurship. From there, he became the youngest person to own a company traded on the New York Stock Exchange. He then formed an investment group which eventually purchased the Redskins from the trust of Jack Kent Cooke.

Mark Cuban, owner of the Dallas Mavericks, did however graduate from college. However, according to Cuban, he knew his future did not include working for anyone but himself. Cuban owned and sold two companies. The last provided him with enough money to be able to purchase the MAVS from former presidential candidate, Ross Perot and his son.

Major League Entrepreneurs will not only share the life stories of Cuban and Snyder, but provide guidance to those seeking Sports-Industry employment opportunities, which include:

a. Where you should initially focus your energies

b. What the professional teams needs are (present and future)

c. Expectations of Salary

Major League Entrepreneurs is an excellent resource for recent college graduates. The DVD is affordably priced. Enjoy and learn.

“We need to make significant changes to deal with the very substantial losses that are in the  hundreds of millions of dollars.”

David Stern, Commissioner of the National Basketball Association

The TSR staff is as concerned about the financial success of professional sports leagues as we are about helping people to get employment with them. The recent statement made by Commissioner Stern should be one of concern for everyone (Players, Owners, Employees, Content Providers, Concessionaires, etc…).

We offer a solution that would reduce the amount of annual losses and help to increase revenue. The solution will return the games’ popularity. A collaborative effort between the union and the league owners is necessary for this to work.

SOLUTION: A player is eligible to participate in the NBA draft only after 3 years since graduating from high school.

This solution would actually benefit the NBA and the NCAA. If implemented, the number of “loyal fans” will rise. The NCAA would retain its star players for a longer time period. This would re-create the great rivalries of the ’80′s and ’90′s (UNC vs. DUKE, Georgetown v. Syracuse, Michigan v. Michigan State). There are barely any second looks when these teams compete against one another today. In college and the NBA, most of the focus is on the individual players than on the team (In college basketaball, this is very evident during March Madness).

All ”team” rivalries are bound to have star players. The longer they remain in college the stronger the relationship between basketball fans. This relationship will continue up to the NBA draft while in the NBA. Each “loyal fan” could represent over $10,000 in annual revenue for the NBA through various means (NBA sportswear, cable subscriber, ticket purchaser, NBA.com traffic, etc..). The attention and focus on the individual player and the NBA as a whole will continue to grow. It would also re-create the former rivalries amongst NBA teams as well.

When the Celtics won the title a few years ago in beating the L.A. Lakers, the attention leading up to and during the Finals series focused on the past series between both teams, the players and fans. When both teams play now the focus is on individual player achievements against their opponent (Kobe v. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce). What happens when the star players are injured? The fans turn their attention to another entertainment venue.

The NBA can return to prosperity. Many will not be excited about this proposal if implemented, especially the college basketball players. However, in the long term it will benefit them and the NBA.