Comments on: A Great Driver Doesn’t Make A Great CEO

By: Steve K

Steve K — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:16:08 +0000

How about Diffey and Buxton to NBC Sports? Best IndyCar related news since RHR’s championship.

By: Ron Ford

Ron Ford — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:33:55 +0000

So, you really had to bring up Bart Starr’s coaching record did you? Thanks for sharing that with us:(

By: JohnMc

JohnMc — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 16:18:32 +0000

George, if the driver had the abilities and skill of a CEO then, yes, it would be a great move. However, I don’t believe that being a driver is something that should be a requirement or part of the job description.

By: redcar

redcar — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:52:08 +0000

I’m not sure the Hulman-George family wants to spend the money to properly promote and market Indycar, no matter who the CEO is. Indycar needs to be defined and introduced to the American public, most of whom have no idea what it is outside of the 500. I live in Austin and for the last year–if I mention Indycar–people always ask if I’m excited about them coming to Austin. I think Indycar needs to be explained as American Open-Wheel Racing and they need to exploit the road, street, oval uniqueness of the series and how that makes it different from either F1 or Nascar.

Back to George’s original question, I do think Indycar needs a promoter with some racing background, but not necessarily a driver.

By: Carburetor

Carburetor — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 15:11:13 +0000

IndyCar’s next CEO needs to have exemplary business acumen–especially with business expansion techniques. Racing knowledge and background would add credibility–with the fans, sponsors, teams, and perhaps the board of directors–although their perception seems to be the only opinion that truly counts. Though I realize he once drove race cars, you would have to agree that Roger Penske has been pretty successful at running and growing businesses. Yet, I believe running an enterprise such as IndyCar would require a different approach due to overall lack of control the CEO truly has on the operation.

As for former stellar athletes becoming quality administrators, I would agree that most would not be considered successful. Two exceptions come to mind–Ozzie Newsome is in the Hall of Fame for his career with the Browns (no easy feat in itself) and is considered one of the better general managers in the game with his long-standing stint with the Ravens. Another is John Elway–who systematically improved his business skills with his Arena League franchise and is resurrecting the moribund Broncos. His deft dealing of ridding the franchise of Tim Tebow–who has an excellent chance of totally washing out of the league, yet has a rather non-objective avid fan base that can present problems for a franchise–was absolutely brilliant. Evidently Elway paid some attention in class when he was at Stanford.

I was saddened to be reminded of my long-time boyhood hero, Bart Starr’s unsuccessful head coaching stint. I had been able to repress that memory until today. I’ll rededicate myself to watching Bart cross the goal line against the Cowboys in the 1967 Ice Bowl on You-Tube….