Hosted by the Atlanta Sports Council, The Annual Horizon Awards shines a spotlight on the elite class of professionals and organizations that are making an extraordinary impact on sports business, media and technology.

This first class event provides the "World of Sports Business" with an annual recognition forum to celebrate the accomplishments of the thought-leaders and innovators from the sports industry. Executives, celebrities and athletes came together to celebrate excellence in the business of sports.

Awards were given to companies and executives from the professional sports leagues, television networks, blue-chip corporations and technology companies who have significantly impacted the sports business industry via technology, media, marketing and advertising.

The National Dodgeball League was nominated in the category of Emerging
Sports Property. This nomination was based on it's accomplishments over the past year. Although the NDL did not wind, just to be nominated as one of the top four emerging sports properties is an incredible accomplishment. The nominating committee is made up of sports and marketing executives across the nation.

Here a complete list of this year's nominees:

Best Sports Business Integrated Marketing Plan:

The company that had the most effective activation of a sports sponsored property or athlete in an integrated marketing plan.

• POWERade's King James
• Dew Action Sports Tour
• Verizon Wireless"In The Zone"
• Pontiac Game Changing Performance

Best Sports-Themed Advertising Campaign:

The advertising campaign that most successfully leveraged sports to deliver its brand message to the consumer.

• Gatorade - Ironman
• NASCAR - Busch Series
• The Home Depot - The Difference is Know-How
• Nike - Michael Vick Experience

Best Sports Philanthropic Partnership:

The company and philanthropic organization that had the most effective integrated partnership.

• Cingular Wireless - "Pitch in for Youth Sports"
• National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame - "Play it Smart"
• Victory Junction Gang
• NFL & The United Way

Professional Sports Organization of the Year:

The professional sports organization that had significant or unique success in branding, marketing, financing and participation growth.

• National Football League
• Arena Football League
• SONY ERICSSON - Women's Tennis Association Tour
• FLW Outdoors - Professional Bass Fishing

Amateur Sports Organization of the Year:

The amateur sports organization that had significant or unique success in branding, marketing, financing and participation growth.

• Stanford University
• Little League Baseball
• US Soccer Federation
• Amateur Athletic Union (AAU)

Sports Business Executive of the Year:

The executive who had the greatest impact on the sports industry.

• Robert Kraft
• David Stern
• Tony Hawk
• Jack Roush

Sports Media Program of the Year:

The best original program from a sports media outlet.

• Dream Job (Season 2)
• Stump The Schwab
• NASCAR Drivers: 360
• Beyond the Glory

Best New Sports Technology:

The company or organization whose innovative technology product, service or device had the greatest impact on the sports industry.

• NASCAR.com TrackPass
• Prince O3
• Sportvision - RACEf/x System
• Sports Illustrated - SI.com Media

Best New Sports Facility:

The best sports-use facility that showcased significant progress in design, development, construction and use of technology.

• Vaughn Towers at NC State University
• Wells Fargo Arena - Des Moines, Iowa
• Pizza Hut Park - Frisco, Texas

Emerging Sports Property of the Year:

The sports property or event that had significant attendance, media coverage & public awareness.

• Tony Hawk's Boom Boom HuckJam
• Tour de Georgia
• National Dodgeball League
• Redfish Nation

Best Sports Experiential Marketing Campaign:

The best interactive sports marketing experience between a brand and consumers.

• NCAA DASANI Fest 2005
• Verizon Wireless "In The Zone"
• Dew Action Sports Tour
• New Balance - Chicago Marathon Sponsorship

Legendary Impact on Sports Award:

A Special Presentation to a company or individual who has made a dynamic contribution to the growth of sports business.