ESPN

Description:

ESPN is a superstar of the sports broadcasting world. The company is the leading cable sports broadcaster, reaching more than 97 million US homes with its stable of channels, including ESPN, ESPN2, and ESPN Classic. The 24-hour networks carry a variety of live sporting events, as well as news and analysis programs. ESPN also creates original programming for TV and radio and lends content for ESPN.com (operated by Disney Online), one of the most popular sports sites on the Internet. Its international operations extend the ESPN brand to another 190 countries. ESPN is 80% owned by Walt Disney (through ABC); media conglomerate Hearst has a 20% stake.

PUMA

Description:

PUMA is one cat that keeps changing its stripes. The company, which makes sports-specific shoes and apparel sold under the PUMA and Tretorn labels, was formed when German brothers Rudi and Adi Dassler feuded and split their family firm into adidas and PUMA. While shoes are PUMA's heritage, apparel accounts for a growing portion of sales. The company has been expanding its athletic apparel styles to include men's golf, motorsports, and denim items. PUMA also operates its own retail business under the Concept Store banner and controls distribution of its products in many countries. French luxury-goods firm PPR, which had owned about a quarter of the firm, increased its stake to more than 60% in July 2007.