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Florida Sports Foundation Scores For State Economy

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 19, 2009

It's understandable that Florida lawmakers, facing a $5 billion deficit, would want to scrutinize every public expenditure. But it's baffling that some would not quickly recognize the value of the Florida Sports Foundation, which helps local communities land major sporting events.

Some legislators, including Pasco Sen. Mike Fasano and Hillsborough Sen. Ronda Storms, seem to think these events would come to Florida anyway and the foundation's aid is unnecessary. They should talk to the individuals involved in attracting a major sporting event, such as members of Tampa's Super Bowl Host Committee, about the importance of the foundation's help.

The Florida Sports Foundation funded about $750,000 to the Tampa effort. The host committee raised more than $7 million in private funds, but the state's contribution provided, as Tampa's Leonard Levy says, critical seed money.

Levy, the longtime civic activist, adds the foundation's backing also "means a lot when you make a pitch for a sporting event." It gives the local effort credibility by demonstrating the state's support.

The money comes from the extra fee charged for automobile tags affiliated with a professional sports team. No general revenue tax dollars are used. Private contributions fund most of the agency's administrative costs.

The nonprofit foundation uses the tag income - about $1.9 million a year - to provide grants to local communities.

And thanks in large part to the foundation's effort, the state has a remarkable record in attracting important sports events.

Among the many events the program, started in 1996, has helped the state land are Super Bowls, NHL All-Star games, NCAA Final Four basketball tournaments for men and women and BCS national collegiate football championship games.

Tampa, in particular, has been aided by the program, landing Super Bowls and numerous NCAA tournaments. This year Tampa will host the Southeastern Conference men's basketball tournament and the NCAA women's volleyball championship.

"I think losing its support would have a serious effect on bringing events to Tampa," says Levy, who led the successful drive for Tampa's first Super Bowl and understands how fierce the competition for sports events has become.

The return on the foundation's investment has been impressive.

An economic analysis estimated that for every dollar the foundation provides in grant money to a community, it generates $145 in economic activity. Foundation officials say those figures are based strictly on the direct spending of people attending or associated with the events.

Since 1999, the sports industry has grown from a $16 billion business in Florida to a $36 billion one that employs more than 400,000 people.

And foundation money does not just go to high-profile events. It is used for numerous amateur tournaments. It also sponsors the Sunshine State Games, the equivalent of Florida's Olympics with amateur competition in 26 sports. This year the event will be held in Polk County.

With the state's economy languishing, this is no time to eject a program that drives tourism and boosts local businesses.

Lawmakers should see the Florida Sports Foundation has proven itself an economic winner.

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