Courtesy of SportsBusiness Journal

Much like the industry itself, our ranking of the 50 most influential people in sports business evolves constantly. It’s the nature of such lists, what keeps them interesting, and what makes them still challenging six years into the process of determining who most influences the North American sports business.

Think of it as broadening the list. And we’ve done it on two fronts this year.

First, we’ve expanded the reach of the executives who make the top 50 by putting more of an international stamp on it, highlighted mostly by this year’s No. 1, Jacques Rogge of the International Olympic Committee, but also with FIFA’s Sepp Blatter cracking the list for the first time. The idea hasn’t changed, and the rankings are still North American focused. We’re simply recognizing the importance of both the Olympics and World Cup to the overall American sports landscape, no matter how internationally focused those events and their leaders are.

The world is getting smaller and smaller, and the decisions of these international executives are having a larger and larger influence on the American sports business. That, no doubt, will only increase as our rankings continue to evolve.

Secondly, and more noticeably, we’re recognizing the idea that oftentimes influence among major properties and brands is shared among more than one executive, and thus for the first time we’ve made exceptions for executive pairings with a handful of spots.

Few international sports figures find their way into the Oval Office when they visit the U.S., but the head of FIFA sat down with President Obama earlier this year. The meeting was indicative of just how important Sepp Blatter has become to the future of U.S. soccer. On the eve of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa , the U.S. Soccer Federation, MLS and other stakeholders in the sport believe it’s critical for the sport’s future growth that the U.S. host either the 2018 or 2022 World Cup. That decision, ultimately, rests with Blatter and FIFA.

Change from 2008: Newcomer

Don Garber dropped from 32 to 33
A man who knew little to nothing about soccer a decade ago has become one of its biggest evangelists today. He has pushed the country’s premiere domestic league into new markets and expanded its ownership ranks. He also is an influential member of the U.S. Soccer Federation’s board. But Don Garber’s primary concern, MLS, is far from profitable and its television ratings are a fraction of other major professional sports, leaving much work to be done.

Robert Kraft ranked 13th but not for his ownership of New England Revolution but for his beloved Patriots of the NFL.