The Detroit Lions is one of the older franchises in the National Football League, being founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth (Ohio) Spartans. The team moved to Detroit and changed its name in 1934 and went on to win four championship titles, its last in 1957. More recently, however, Detroit fans have been disappointed most seasons by losing records and failed attempts to reach the post-season. The team plays host at Detroit's Ford Field. William Clay Ford Sr., descendant of automobile pioneer Henry Ford, has controlled the Lions since 1964.

The Cleveland Browns Football Company owns and operates the Cleveland Browns, one of the more storied franchises in the National Football League. Started in 1944 by Arthur McBride as part of the All-American Football Conference, the club joined the NFL in 1949 and boasts four championship titles, its last in 1964. The present team was awarded to the late Alfred Lerner and former 49ers president Carmen Policy after Art Modell relocated the original Browns to Baltimore in 1996. (A deal struck with the NFL allowed Cleveland to retain the team name, colors, and history.) Lerner's family, led by son Randy, continues to control the team.

Fitcorp helps Boston residents burn off those baked beans. The company builds and manages about 10 fitness centers in the Boston area, with a total membership of about 14,000. The clubs offer the usual cardio and yoga classes, in addition to services such as massages, acupuncture, nutrition and fitness seminars, personal training, and health screenings. Through the company's Corporate Fitness Benefit Program, employees of Boston area companies can join Fitcorp at reduced membership rates and participate in fitness and wellness programs delivered at company's worksite centers; the program serves more than 175 companies. Fitcorp was founded in 1979 by president and CEO Gary Klencheski.

The San Jose Sharks professional hockey franchise represents the San Francisco Bay Area in the National Hockey League, having joined as an expansion team in 1991. Despite some success in reaching the playoffs the past several years, fans are still waiting for an appearance in the Stanley Cup finals. The team plays host at HP Pavilion, affectionately known as "The Shark Tank." George and Gordon Gund, former owners of the Cleveland Cavaliers, were originally awarded the NHL franchise; Silicon Valley Sports & Entertainment, an investment group led by veteran sports executive Greg Jamison, has owned the team since 2002.

Sunderland Ltd. owns and operates the Sunderland Football Association Club, which plays in the English League. Known to supporters as The Black Cats, the team was started in 1879 and plays host at the Stadium of Light. A consortium of Irish businessmen known as Drumaville, led by chairman and former Arsenal player Niall Quinn, has controlled the team since 2006.

You might say this company offers its patrons a taste of New England. Back Bay Restaurant Group is a leading regional dining operator with more than 30 locations encompassing more than a dozen different restaurant concepts. Its Papa Razzi trattorias offer Italian cuisine, while Joe's American Bar & Grill serves up steak, burgers, and more in a saloon setting. Back Bay Restaurants also operates upscale steakhouse Abe & Louie's, Atlantic Fish Company, and the Coach Grill, along with a small number of Charley's pubs. Most of the company's restaurants are found in Massachusetts and a few other New England states. CEO and majority owner Charles Sarkis opened his first restaurant in 1963 and formed Back Bay in 1983.

Cosi's recipe calls for one part coffee house, one part sandwich shop, and one part cocktail bar. The company operates and franchises about 150 eclectic Così cafes in almost 20 states offering premium and specialty coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. Its menu also features breakfast items (including its bagel-inspired Squagels), salads, soups, and desserts. Most of the company's restaurants also offer dinner and drinks after 5 p.m., while its Cosi Downtown units (primarily located in non-residential business districts) close in the evening. Cosi also offers delivery and catering services. About 100 of the locations are company-owned while the rest are franchised.

Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, better known as the Michigan Lottery, operates games of chance offering payouts to winning players while returning money to state education coffers. Lottery games include both instant-win and number games. Michigan Lottery also oversees club games (Club Keno and Pull Tabs) offered at bars and restaurants throughout the state. Proceeds from lottery games are used for the School Aid Fund, which finances a number of public education programs. Michigan started its lottery in 1972.

Carluccio's operates a chain of more than 40 restaurants in the UK under the name Carluccio's Caffe. The casual dining eateries offer a menu of traditional Italian fare, including a variety of pasta dishes, as well as main courses of beef, chicken, and lamb. In addition to dining services, the company offers catering services and sells a variety of food items through its Web site. The restaurants are named after co-founder and famed cookbook author Antonio Carluccio.

TCA Holdings includes subsidiaries such as the Tennis Corporation of America (develops and licenses tennis products and programs), Midtown Athletic Clubs (manages about a dozen sports and fitness clubs), Proactive Partners (manages corporate centers and wellness programs for such companies as McDonald's and General Motors), and Columbia Equities (a real estate and health club investment company). The family-owned company was established by chairman Alan Schwartz and his father Kevie when they opened the Mid-Town Tennis Club in Chicago in 1969.

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