Praise for "On the Ball" "Don't be fooled by the fun and games approach. This book takes its examples from the sports world from NASCAR to the Dallas Cowboys but it's serious business. David Carter and Darren Rovell use sports to teach some important lessons about branding, crisis management and a host of other everyday business issues." Rick Alm sports business reporter Dallas Morning News "Carter and Rovell have written a manual for teaching people how things have been and could be done in the sports business which is clearly transferable to the private sector. Nothing is better from which to learn than actual, real-time experiences and the authors have captured them perfectly. The Leadership chapter should be mandatory in all business schools." Tony Attanasio sports agent, Ichiro Suzuki "As entertaining as it is informational. True tales of infamous sports personalities and the way they do business. Puts the spotlight on many fascinating and unbelievable inside sports stories that affect the way we all do business today. Enjoyable reading." Peter J. Barnett Producer, HBO's Arli$$, The Art of the Sports SuperAgent "Carter and Rovell deliver the goods! In a concise, entertaining and informative manner, On the Ball melds the multibillion dollar sports industry into lessons that everyone can benefit from." Howard Bloom Publisher, SportsBusinessNews.com "David Carter and Darren Rovell have combined to show how the business world really works through the prism of something we all love: sports. The sports business provides us with all the examples we need to fully comprehend business done well and business done poorly. David and Darren have written a compelling and exciting book." Fred Claire former Executive Vice-President and GM of the Los Angeles Dodgers "Business people looking for enterprise tips from the world of sports will find a lot to like in On the Ball. The authors have assembled a treasure chest of eye-opening anecdotes, and presented them clearly and forcefully. Highly recommended." John Dempsey TV sports reporter, Variety "On the Ball provides those aspiring for career success with noteworthy case studies from the sports industry that will no doubt help them to achieve their career goals and aspirations. A must read for all those who turn first to the sports pages, but understand that their success will be determined in the business field, not on the athletic field." Darryl Dunn General Manager, The Rose Bowl "Don't miss out on reading this one! A highly successful sports marketer and one of the best sports business investigative reporters around present a lively collection of object lessons for all interested in the sports business. For those watching the sports business from the periphery or for those involved in the day-to-day business, Carter and Rovell pull no punches and lay out invaluable lessons for all. For my money, their presentation of Jerry Jones' turnaround of the Dallas Cowboys alone is worth the price of admission." Rodney Fort Professor of Economics, Washington State University author of Sports Economics "As Carter and Rovell so skillfully convey, continual learning is an important part of the essence of leadership. There is much to be learned from the complex business of sports that is applicable to all businesses. On the Ball is an interesting and well-written account of many of these lessons." Bob Graziano President & COO, Los Angeles Dodgers "Carter and Rovell have successfully and creatively used the sports world to provide invaluable lessons about the trials and tribulations associated with running businesses of all sizes. On the Ball is a compelling playbook for businesspeople." Pat Haden former USC quarterback and 1975 Rose Bowl co-MVP, Partner, Riordan, Lewis & Haden "If you read the sports and business pages with equal passion, On the Ball is definitely for you. You'll not only have a great time reading this book but will actually learn about key business practices and principles along the way." Ted Leonsis, majority owner, Washington Capitals minority owner, Washington Wizards and MCI Center Vice Chairman, AOL "On the Ball takes you where you want to go behind the scenes, where the sports reporter does not take you, to learn the best moves off the field, in the broadcast booth, and in the front office. A great book both for the sports fan and for the businessman looking for lessons from true sports insiders." Mark Levinstein Partner, Williams & Connolly LLP Adjunct Professor of Law, Georgetown University Law Center and Acting Executive Director, U.S. National Soccer Team Players Association "From managing the George O'Leary/ Notre Dame résumé flap, to placing a smiling Barry Bonds in TV commercials, the high-profile challenges and success in sports invoke the same business principles as any thriving company. Carter and Rovell capture this with imagination, in an insightful treatment any executive will find essential." Bob Ley Host, ESPN's Outside the Lines "David Carter and Darren Rovell have taken a unique approach showing how savvy business leaders can learn from the successes and failures in the sports industry. On the Ball provides specific ideas and strategies for today's sophisticated and enlightened business executive." Abraham Madkour Editor-in-Chief, The Sports Business Daily "I might have paid $3 million for Mark McGwire's 70th home run ball, but I still know a value when I see one. If you want to learn about business without being bored to death, you're not going to find many books more entertaining and informative than On the Ball." Todd McFarlane, Spawn creator owner of McFarlane Toys and part owner of Edmonton Oilers "In On the Ball, David Carter and Darren Rovell have devised a novel way to impart important management lessons wrap them into a tome rich with anecdotes that span the world of sports. The result is a touchdown of a business book." Ciro Scotti Senior Editor, BusinessWeek "On the Ball takes a unique look at sports and recognizes it for what it has become: A complex and dynamic business and not just fun and games. It is an essential read for those who want a successful career in business." Jeff Shell, CEO, Gemstar-TV Guide International "On the Ball is just that. The perfect combination for the business person who is also a sports fan. A side benefit of reading about the business lessons that come from sports business leaders is the opportunity to read a rich sports business history. As the authors make clear, the lessons from sports business leaders transcend the field of play." Kenneth L. Shropshire Professor and Chairman of Legal Studies Department, Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania co-author of The Business of Sports Agents "You hear people use sports analogies all the time, but On the Ball isn't about that. This is an idea book on how to run a business better. Sure, the teachers may be guys like Jerry Jones or Jerry Colangelo, but they aren't talking about tackling or jump shots, they're talking about different strategies that propelled their businesses." Jon Spoelstra author, Marketing Outrageously, a Wall Street Journal best-seller "The sports marketing industry has been screaming for someone to chronicle how this young industry has made the transition from pure entertainment to business. David Carter and Darren Rovell have done this in great detail but in a very readable and usable format great for any business executive who wants to advance his or her career a must read!" Bob Williams, President, Burns Sports & Celebrity Services | 