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WWW.CNYBJ.COM

March 9, 2012

CENTRAL NEW YORK

Roundtable: Sports is big business in Central New York

BROOKE LEONE Contributing Writer

SYRACUSE Central New York is an attractive place for sporting events, which in turn generates a big economic impact on the region, according to sports executives at a recent roundtable event put on by University College of Syracuse University. Jeff Mickle, sports development director at the Syracuse Convention & Visitors Bureau (SCVB), discussed the economic benefits that the sports industry brings to the area at the Thursday Morning Roundtable event at the Drumlins country club in Syracuse on Feb. 16. Not factoring in Syracuse University and the [professional] teams, events bring in tens of millions if not hundreds of millions a year. The U.S. Bowling Conference, that was just here last year, brought in $45 million alone, he said, regarding the events economic impact. The sporting contests that have recently come to Syracuse include the World Triathlon Corporations (WTC) Ironman and Iron Girl races, the Bassmaster Elite Series fishing tournament on Oneida Lake, and the U.S. Bowling Conference womens tournament. The annual Syracuse Nationals car show, which has been held here every summer for the past 12 years, has generated spending of more than $13 million in the area during the event. The Bassmaster Elite Series fishing event pro-

duced an economic impact exceeding $2 million, and the Aflac Iron Girl womens triathlon at Oneida Shores generated more than $500,000, according to past numbers the SCVB has reported. Another economic boost emanating from these sports events is the effect on retail businesses. For instance, triathlon stores started popping up after the triathlons were booked to the area, Mickle said. Mickles job demands him to bring outside sports events to Syracuse to generate economic impact, especially for the lodging industry. Put heads in beds is my buzz phrase, Mickle said when discussing his motivation to attract sports competitions and spectators to Central New York. The SCVB is funded through hotel-room occupancy taxes. Mickle explained that the areas natural attractions, like Oneida Lake, draw sports-event organizers to the area and keep them coming back. We have enjoyable sites for these types of events and a great audience that will attend.

Not factoring in Syracuse University and the [professional] teams, events bring in tens of millions if not hundreds of millions a year. The U.S. Bowling Conference, that was just here last year, brought in $45 million alone
marketing initiatives. Tanner discussed his teams community program, which is called The Knights Code. The Silver Knights visit area high schools and work with their soccer teams to teach them different skills such as nutrition, positive thinking, and teamwork. Lederman explained the Crunchs organization, called The Crunch Foundation, which it introduced during the 2010-11 season. This foundation donates tickets to Fort Drum soldiers, soldier families, and nonprofit organizations in Central New York to select Crunch hockey games. The Crunch has donated about $500,000 worth of tickets this way over its 18 years, he said. q Contact The Business Journal at news@cnybj.com

Other roundtable speakers

Vance Lederman, general manager for the Syracuse Crunch hockey team, and Tommy Tanner, president and head coach of the Syracuse Silver Knights indoorsoccer team, also spoke at the Thursday Morning Roundtable. They shared their stories of building successful pro-sports franchises in the Syracuse community. Both of them stressed the need to connect with community groups through event-