Blackhawks, Rocky Wirtz Named Finalists For 2009 Sports Business Awards

From chicagoblackhawks.com: (link)

The Chicago Blackhawks and Chairman W. Rockwell “Rocky” Wirtz have been named finalists in two separate categories for the upcoming 2009 Sports Business Awards, presented by Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. The organization has been selected as a finalist in the category of Professional Sports Team of the Year, while Wirtz has been chosen as a finalist in the category of Sports Executive of the Year.

"The nominations are a tremendous honor and a wonderful tribute to both our organization and to our incredible Chicago Blackhawks fans," Wirtz said.

"It is humbling to be chosen as a finalist for these awards by such a respected outlet in Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal and SportsBusiness Daily. We are committed to restoring the pride in this great franchise,” Blackhawks President John McDonough said.

Joining the Blackhawks as finalists for the Professional Sports Team of the Year are the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. Professional sports teams in the major and minor leagues, in leagues whose central offices are located in North America were eligible.

Wirtz is in a group of finalists that includes George Bodenheimer (President of ESPN/ABC Sports), Dick Ebersol (Chairmain of NBC Universal Sports and Olympics) and David Stern (Commissioner of the National Basketball Association). Executives who have a primary involvement in sports business and whose principal office is located in the United States were eligible.

The Sports Business Awards recognize excellence and outstanding achievement in the business of sports for 2008. The winners will be announced at an awards gala at the New York Marriott Marquis in New York City on Thursday, May 28. To see a complete list of nominees in all 15 categories, log on to www.sportsbusinessjournal.com.