THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, November 16, 1995 TAG: 9511160320
SECTION: BUSINESS PAGE: D1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY MYLENE MANGALINDAN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Medium: 84 lines
News that Hampton Roads may soon get a Canadian Football League team has area business leaders hopeful for that long-awaited intangible that the region has been missing: name recognition.
``I think it can only help to create additional recognition for our area because lots of people follow sports,'' said James Babcock, chairman of the First Virginia Bank of Tidewater and a past president of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
``Canadian football is getting to be one of the exciting lines of sports that people watch,'' he said, ``so I think it's a great step ahead for Hampton Roads to have our own team.''
If the region succeeds in landing the Shreveport Pirates, Hampton Roads would have the closest thing to a major league team in Virginia. That fact is not lost on the business community.
Although it's not certain what level of interest regional companies have in corporate sponsorship, most of the firms in the area can agree on benefits of a professional team, said John A. Hornbeck Jr., president of the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.
``I think it does three things: It provides recreational activity for the citizens of Hampton Roads, which ultimately enhances the quality of life,'' Hornbeck said. ``It's a revenue generator.
``Most importantly, in the long term is the promotional opportunities associated with having a professional football team in your community. That's why business communities around the country are behind pro teams. It helps build an enhanced awareness of who we are and where we are.''
Economic development officials agree.
``The more name recognition we get, the better,'' said Donald Goldberg, Chesapeake's director of economic development. ``It's the constant situation of getting your name out there, letting people know you have a team of this nature. It gives you a little more credibility.''
Some people involved in regionalism efforts credit Plan 2007, a blueprint for diversifying the local economy and expanding the region's job base, and other cooperative efforts for the Shreveport Pirates' future arrival.
``What I'm really pleased about is the chamber's role,'' said Michael Barrett, CEO of the Runnymede Corp., a Virginia Beach development company. ``It's creating the environment that allows us to pursue things regionally. None of these people would've been interested if it was pursued city by city. (Plan) 2007 has emphasized that we need to pursue these projects on a regional basis. To me that's been the great benefit.''
The chamber helped lure the CFL Pirates to Hampton Roads by facilitating discussions with the team's owners and voicing the business community's support, Hornbeck said.
The financial impact of a CFL franchise in Hampton Roads hasn't been determined, said Art Collins, executive director of the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and secretary of the region's Sports Authority, a public agency comprising seven Hampton Roads cities to facilitate bringing a sports team to the area and getting a facility.
``They're going to come,'' he said. ``Their impact will be predicated on how many people take advantage of their experience. That's unknown at this point.''
Some people, however, are skeptical of the intrinsic benefits of gaining a team that might have some financial baggage, and they promote moving forward with caution.
Rich Rogers, a banker at NationsBank, said he's worried about the city of Norfolk or any other city giving the Pirates incentives when it has not shown a proven track record of reliable financial management.
``I think it would be great to have a professional sports team come to the area to bring some recognition,'' Rogers said. ``That's the whole idea behind having a sports team. (But) I don't think the city should do anything financially for these guys. I can think of a lot of other things that this money can go to.'' by CNB