We don’t know if Rex Ryan has guaranteed this victory … yet.
The Jets have been nominated by the Sports Business Journal as the Professional Sports Team of the Year. The Jets have become the NFL’s most-talked-about franchise — for better or worse — thanks to their boisterous coach and off-the-field controversies. They became the talk of the area and of football after starring on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” during training camp.
On the field, the Jets have advanced to consecutive AFC Championship games, losing to the Colts and Steelers. But they are the top NFL team, according to this publication.
“I think we have the most innovative, hard-working staff in sports, and I’m really pleased to see their work recognized,” Matt Higgins, executive vice president of business operations, said on the Jets website. “We really appreciate the SBJ for noticing the transformation that has taken place at the Jets over the years.”
The Jets are competing against Chip Ganassi Racing, the Orlando Magic, the Pittsburgh Penguins and the San Francisco Giants. The Giants are the only team coming off a championship after beating the Rangers in the World Series.
New Meadowlands Stadium, which opened last year, was nominated for Sports Facility of the Year, along with Red Bull Arena.
According to the Ganassi website, “The 2011 nominees were selected based on their excellence and outstanding achievements in the business of sports from March 1, 2010 through Feb. 28 of this year.”
The Seattle Sounders of the MLS won the award last year after setting a record for highest average attendance at 31,000.
The awards will be presented May 18 at the Mariott Marquis in Manhattan.