Sportfolio on Bloomberg TV This Week Looks At The Business of Sports In Central Florida

March 5, 2013 - PRLog -- This week, Bloomberg TV’s “ Sportfolio” visits Florida's I-4 corridor to examine how sports is becoming a year-round driver of economic impact. Host Rick Horrow focuses on Orlando and Daytona, where attracting sports fans is central to the growth strategies of The Walt Disney Company (DIS) and International Speedway Corporation (ISCA). The program also looks at the changing economics of the Florida Grapefruit League and NASCAR.

Horrow begins at the Spring Training facility of the Atlanta Braves at ESPN Wide World of Sports (formerly Disney Wide World of Sports), speaking with Braves General Manager Frank Wren and Disney Sports executive Faron Kelley. Wren discusses the geographic concentration of the Grapefruit League and its competition with Arizona's Cactus League to build facilities and attract franchises, as well as the advantages of the team's relationship with Disney (Wren admits that the association is helpful in recruiting free agents). Kelley outlines the history and marketing development of Wide World of Sports, Disney's 255-acre sports and entertainment complex, at which the Braves have been an anchor tenant from its inception.

Both Wren and Kelley frankly disclose that the Disney complex could accommodate another major league team, and that they have considered accepting a co-tenant for Spring Training. While Wren describes the competition with Arizona as "stable," the existence of facilities like ESPN Wide World of Sports makes it clear that the Grapefruit/Cactus League balance could easily tip under the right circumstances.

Horrow then proceeds east to Daytona International Speedway, whose parent company (ISC) is developing a proposal to renovate the 50-year old venue. Daytona President Joie Chitwood III discusses the improvement plan, and ISC's desire to bring in the state of Florida as a funding partner. Florida presently offers annual tax benefits to professional sports franchises; ISC will commit to spending $250 million on Speedway improvements if the state makes similar sales tax rebates available to the company. NASCAR Chairman Brian France, driver Carl Edwards, and other motorsports executives and officials comment on the importance of facilities upgrades to a sport that is dedicated to becoming more fan-friendly, environmentally sustainable, and technologically advanced.

Chitwood acknowledges that an element of the improvement plan could involve hosting other sports events in a stadium that is already in use for over 250 motorsports events annually. Similar to Disney's goals, ISC hopes to grow beyond its core sports presence (the Daytona 500 Sprint Cup race and other NASCAR races) to increase revenues and develop its brand as a year-round destination for a broader sports audience.

This week’s show debuts Wednesday night at 9:30 PM and 12:30 AM ET Thursday on Bloomberg TV (DirecTV 353, check your local cable systems for the channel near you). The show reaches more than 270 million households through first-run and syndicated airings.

Sportfolio premiered on September 27, 2011 and has now produced over 50 original episodes, all of which can be viewed at http://www.bloomberg.com/video/sportfolio. The guest list has already included: NBA Commissioner David Stern, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, MLS Commissioner Don Garber,  MLB Executive Vice President for Business Tim Brosnan, Pac 12 Commissioner Larry Scott, Ivy League President Robin Harris, Philadelphia Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie, Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross,  Dodgers and Warriors co-owner Peter Guber, AEG CEO Tim Leiweke, Wasserman Media Group CEO Casey Wasserman, Cubs general manager Theo Epstein and owner Tom Ricketts, Brewers owner Mark Attanasio, 49ers president Jed York, Los Angeles Angels GM Jerry DiPoto, San Francisco Giants CEO Larry Baer, Brooklyn Nets CEO Brett Yormark, NASCAR’s Brian France and Jeff Gordon, the L.A. Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Masters Champion Bubba Watson, Cy Young Award winner R.A. Dickey, the Green Bay Packers Greg Jennings,  golf hall of famers Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus, and many, many others.

Contact: Joe Favorito/917- 566-8345/fatherknickerbocker1@ yahoo.com