Professional sports as an economic development tool

DC United Center the Ball
Originally uploaded by terrapin

We wrestle with this question because the "Growth Machine" is all about big projects, and there is a belief that these kinds of buildings are catalysts. People from the economic development side tend to argue not, because people have a roughly fixed budget for entertainment, and sports-related transactions are merely a part of a total budget which does not increase overall, despite the addition of new opportunities.

The NYT regional edition for New Jersey has a story about the impact of the Newark Arena, "Newark Arena’s Economic Impact Unclear," which makes these arguments, and very well.

I am struck by this, once again, in thinking about the great organizing job that has been done in Ward 8 around Poplar Point and the "necessity" of development there being centered around a soccer stadium.

You know, I don't know how you stoke demand and interest for that area necessarily, but 15 to 30 sports and concert events over the course of a year isn't enough.

Date: 7-07-05 Photographer: Susan Biddle/Washington Post.. DC Council members Marion Barry, Kwame Brown, Vince Orange, former council member Frank Smith with Jon Ledecky and co - bidders for Washington Nationals, the Hidary's. They gathered on baseball diamond outside Barry Farm Recreational Center in SE Washington.

But it pays to be connected, and to put money into organizing-campaigning, and to provide selective financial support to people and organizations that matter.

Also see the journal article, "Sport News in the Local Media - Green Bay Packers' Return to Glory."

(DC United photo from Flickr by terrapin.)