So much of the way we watch and enjoy sports is determined by people who have never participated in a professional athletic event in their lives.
Casting a wide net, we searched the sports world for the 50 most influential people who operate behind the scenes. There are presidents, owners, managers, coaches, agents, doctors and reporters.
These are the coaches who change the way the games are played, the commentators who shape the national conversation about sports, the agents who decide which stars play where, the owners who build juggernauts from scratch, and executives who alter the trajectories of their leagues over a huge period of time.
In short, these are the behind-the-scenes people who are responsible for what we watch when we watch sports.
This list was compiled by Philip Johnson, Tony Manfred, Cork Gaines, and Leah Goldman.
#50 Mike Murphy
Senior Vice-President of the N.H.L., hockey operations
Age: 62
The NHL's review system is one of the coolest processes in sports. Whenever officials need a review, they call the Situation Room in Toronto, where it is Murphy's job to watch every game. When a play is in question, Murphy issues the final verdict upon review.
#49 Doris Burke
ESPN NBA analyst
Age: 48
In a time when women are still largely relegated to sideline duty, Burke works the mic with the men. Starting as a radio announcer for her alma mater Providence University's women's basketball games, Burke has become a trailblazer for female analysts. She was the first woman to do color commentary for men's Big East games and the New York Knicks, and she continues to become a more prominent NBA voice for ESPN.
#48 Sean Foley
Golf instructor
Age: 39
Known to many as Tiger's swing doctor, Foley employs a biomechanical approach to maximize players swing potential. This year's U.S. Open winner, Justin Rose, has worked with Foley since 2009.
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