Photo: Sandra Strangemore

As a youngster, Robin Brudner lived, breathed, and dreamed hockey. It was the Toronto Maple Leafs that entertained her and cemented her in front of the TV on game nights.

The way most economists see it, the sports industry should be immune to recession. The general wisdom goes that even in hard times, people will pay to see their favourite team, but in a changing landscape where much of the growth relies on sponsorship contracts, athletes’ public image, or the right contractual agreements — things can quickly become complicated. And while larger franchises might be able to ride the economic roller-coaster more easily, smaller teams face harder times.

Electronic Arts Canada senior counsel Brian Dartnell

Video games allow children and adults alike to be superstar athletes, soldiers of fortune, or great warriors of lore. 

 

The millions of ’tweens packing their local theatre to watch the second instalment of the Twilight series may not realize, or even care, that the Forks, Wash., school where Edward Cullen and Jacob Black vie for Bella Swan’s affection is actually Vancouver’s David Thompson Secondary School.

 

Daniel Ages

A decade ago, Lady Luck smiled on Daniel Ages.

With public-private partnerships galore, the 2010 Games may be the best example of how to deliver the world’s greatest sporting event on budget.

With the 2010 Winter Olympic Games coming to Vancouver, legal work is already well underway to ensure all goes smoothly for organizers, sponsors, and most importantly, athletes.

Regina, entertainment law, the GTA beyond Bay St., securities law.

He comes across as mild-mannered, but sports lawyer Gord Kirke is tough when it counts – when tempers flare, Kirke is famous for bringing sanity and a much-needed sense of fair play to the multi-billion-dollar sports industry.