When I launched the Juice List nine years ago, the mission seemed easy: Rank the 25 most influential people in New Jersey sports. And yet, judging by the comments and questions each summer, it’s complicated.
That’s because juice can mean many things to many people. Is it the influence to change the direction of a Big Ten athletic department, which earned Patrick Hobbs the No. 1 spot last summer?
Is it the power that comes with owning two teams that matter to New Jersey fans, such as Josh Harris and David Blitzer, the men who held the top spot together in 2014?
Is it the ability to impact all areas of our little corner of the sports world because of an elected office, which is why Gov. Chris Christie held the top spot in both 2011 and 2013?
Or is it something else entirely?
The answer is subjective, which is why I want to begin with your input again. Who do you think belongs on this list? Do people listen when they talk? Do they care deeply about the teams that we love? Maybe most importantly, do they not only have influence, but do they use it?
A few ground rules: This is a New Jersey list, so if your team plays in New York or Philadelphia, you don’t qualify. Also, while we want to consider executives, coaches and athletes from across the sports spectrum, we launched a similar list for the most influential people in New Jersey high school sports last year. That separate list will appear later this month and will include people from the world of high school and amateur sports.
I’ll reveal the 2017 Juice List later this week. Before I get started, drop me an email or tell me in the comments section which people you think have the most juice in New Jersey sports.
Steve Politi may be reached at spoliti@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevePoliti. Find Steve on Facebook.
