Sorry, Tiger and Rory – PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem and Nike Golf president Cindy Davis were the only golf-specific figures to make the list of Sports Illustrated’s “50 Most Powerful People in Sports.”
No active athletes made the list, which was topped by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell.
Finchem checked in at No. 25 – behind Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, ahead of Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany – because, the website writes, “He had the good fortune of presiding over the Tiger Woods era, when even the Tour’s journeymen got rich.” Perhaps more significantly, he also helped bring golf back to the Olympics for the first time in more than a century.
Davis is one of only two women on the list, and at No. 46 she finds herself ahead of power-agent Tom Condon and brash Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban. In locking up Rory McIlroy to a multi-year deal over the offseason, Davis now oversees a company with the top two players in the world, including a transcendent star in McIlroy who could rule the game for the better part of the next two decades.
NBC Sports chairman Mark Lazarus was seventh on the list. (Golf Channel is part of the NBC Sports Group.)
-
Tags: Tim Finchem
Related Articles
Notes: A suggestion to improve HOF attendance
by Doug Ferguson | May 14, 2013 1:22 PM ETThe lack of World Golf Hall of Fame members returning each year for the ceremony is an embarrassment for the PGA Tour. Here's an idea that could solve the problem. Read More
Transcript: Finchem discusses Singh ruling
by Golf Channel Digital | Apr 30, 2013 5:18 PM ETRead what commissioner PGA Tour Tim Finchem had to stay when he met with the media to discuss the Vijay Singh ruling. Read More
Winsday Hot List: Home Game
by Win McMurry | Feb 27, 2013 11:47 AM ETThe Tour kicks off the Florida swing this week at the Honda Classic, where many players will be cozy in their own beds. Read More
Lavner is a staff writer for GolfChannel.com and is in charge of GolfTalkCentral.
Latest News
- LIVE STREAM: Senior PGA Championship, Round 1
- SCORING: BMW PGA | Crowne Plaza | Senior PGA
- Euro chief: Sergio has several 'colored' friends
- Garcia: Remark 'stupid'; apologizes to Woods
- Sergio 'fried chicken' jab | Tiger: 'Hurtful'
- Anchoring attorney: Hope for best, prepare for worst
- Grill Room: Trevino regrets 'Happy Gilmore' cameo
- Mell: Disagree with anchor ban, but pure intent
- Back-nine 41 dooms McIlroy's BMW PGA opener
- Lewis in rainy Bahamas | Under water | Tee times
- U.S. Open champ respectfully disagrees with USGA
- USGA, R&A ban anchored stroke | Explanation
- Instruction: Tips to strike your putts more solidly
