San Antonio Can Support A Major League Team

 

Posted By: Mandi Bishop

This story is available on your cell phone at mobile.woai.com.

 

The future's so bright. San Antonio leaders say the city could easily support another major league team. News 4 WOAI has obtained a study that shows the city's growth makes now the right time.

 

Between this report and Fortune magazine's favorable ranking of San Antonio, Mayor Phil Hardberger says we should be seen as a major player for any team looking to relocate, especially the Florida Marlins baseball team.

 

Mayor Hardberger says San Antonio is definitely a contender. "A very serious contender. I think our chances are excellent. It's not a certainty and there are other towns that have something to offer other than San Antonio, but I really have a feeling that the Marlins are making serious consideration of San Antonio."

 

And why not? A new economic report shows San Antonio's employment rate is expected to go up 3.4% annually, San Antonio's income should go up by 8% each year and our population will increase 2.7%.

 

For our neighbor's up North, Austin's employment rates are expected to increase 2.7% annually, personal income will go up 6.9% and population will grow at a rate of 2.4%.

 

What that means for us is, when combined to form the I-35 region, there will be more than 2.2 million jobs that create 245 billion in income and nearly 5 million people to entertain by the year 2015.

 

Hardberger adds, "We are the third fastest growing city in the United States. That's pretty good...and we are the fastest growing city in the state of Texas."

 

We asked Mayor Hardberger what are our chances of disappointment are, like what we saw when we tried to lure the New Orleans Saints to town. He says one indicator that we'll have success this time is that the owners of the Marlins have invited him to sit with them on opening day in Houston next week.

 

http://www.woai.com/news/local/story.aspx?...CB-DF06A8AB0881

 

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The Mayor and Judge Wolff will hold a press conference for later today to discuss the studies findings.

 

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Sports teams may cheer for S.A.

 

Web Posted: 03/29/2006 12:00 AM CST

 

Travis E. Poling and William Pack

Express-News Business Writers

 

A new long-term economic forecast for the San Antonio and Austin areas is being touted as proof that the region can support two or more major league sports teams.

 

Although Bexar County officials who commissioned the study say they will use the data for long-range planning, it comes at a time when the county and the city are looking to land Major League Baseball's Florida Marlins and perhaps a National Football League team.

 

The report by Jon Hockenyos, managing director of Austin economic consulting firm TXP Inc., analyzed possible growth patterns over the next decade for the 39 counties within a 100-mile radius of San Antonio.

 

The population of the region, which includes Austin, should increase by about 1 million in the next 10 years, and the number of jobs should climb by half a million, according to Hockenyos' projections.

 

"This shows that we are at the cusp of a major economic expansion," County Judge Nelson Wolff said. "Looking to the future, we know that we have the capacity to support two or more major league clubs in our town."

 

Wolff is offering a deal to the Marlins, now in South Florida, of $200 million in tax revenue toward a new stadium in the San Antonio area. The money, which voters would need to approve, would come from an extension of the hotel and car rental taxes now paying for the Spurs' AT&T Center.

 

The Marlins estimate a new stadium in San Antonio will cost $310 million, not including a retractable roof or the cost of land.

 

But any sports team that might look to San Antonio as a new home needs proof of a regional fan base, disposable income and a strong corporate base to pump up sponsorship and luxury suite revenue.

 

The study found population in the region should increase to 4.92 million by 2015 from an estimated 3.99 million this year, or 2.3 percent a year.

 

The number of jobs is forecast to increase 2.8 percent annually to nearly 2.2 million, up from 1.7 million this year.

 

Total personal income could increase 7.2 percent annually to $238.9 billion from an estimated $128 billion this year.

 

Hockenyos' report says recent growth in the regional economy, mostly along the Interstate 35 corridor from San Antonio to Austin, has led to 478,000 net new jobs, or 3 percent above the previous year.

 

In contrast, national employment grew 1.5 percent.

 

"Growing appeal of the region as a site for expansion and relocation of both people and firms helps San Antonio/I-35 consistently perform 'above the line' relative to the U.S. as a whole," the report said.

 

San Antonio's "economic roll" includes the new Toyota manufacturing plant and suppliers, the selection of Fort Sam Houston as the new headquarters of U.S. Army South and new high school work force academies that help produce skilled workers.

 

Wolff said the study grew out of discussions about four or five months ago when the city was trying to lure the New Orleans Saints to town. Officials sensed the area was on the brink of a major economic expansion but needed an analysis to prove that those feelings were correct.

 

"We wanted a better idea of where we were headed" in the San Antonio Metropolitan Statistical Area, the judge said. "It's an exciting time to be here, and this data shows it."

 

Wolff said the purpose of the study, in part, was to show Major League Baseball that San Antonio could support a second major sports team, such as the Marlins, who've expressed interest in San Antonio as they seek a new stadium deal in South Florida.

 

The study clearly demonstrates that San Antonio could support a second professional team, the judge said.

 

By describing how much the regional economy will grow over the decade, the report also shows that in addition to the Spurs, two additional major league teams ? baseball and football presumably ? could be sustained by San Antonio in the near future.

 

If baseball still is three or four years away from opening here, at best, the region should be financially strong enough to host a third professional team shortly after that, Wolff said.

 

The San Antonio data is strong by itself, but additional information from Austin and other booming communities along I-35 should prove the region's long-term economic strength, Wolff said.

 

"I think we're right on the cusp of having both of them," he said.

 

Wolff said that aside from its value in the discussion over the Marlins, the study should help the county understand its economic prospects in the coming decade and guide decisions about infrastructure improvements.

 

County and city leaders will meet with Marlins officials at their season opener Monday against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.

 

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/metro/sto...h.12d91050.html

Get the f*** off our team :mischief2

San Antonio Can Support Another Professional Team New Study Shows

The new 'study' commissioned by the local government. :thumbup

 

For our neighbor's up North, Austin's employment rates are expected to increase 2.7% annually, personal income will go up 6.9% and population will grow at a rate of 2.4%.

 

What that means for us is, when combined to form the I-35 region, there will be more than 2.2 million jobs that create 245 billion in income and nearly 5 million people to entertain by the year 2015.

 

The report by Jon Hockenyos, managing director of Austin economic consulting firm TXP Inc., analyzed possible growth patterns over the next decade for the 39 counties within a 100-mile radius of San Antonio.

 

[/b]The population of the region, which includes Austin, should increase by about 1 million in the next 10 years, and the number of jobs should climb by half a million, according to Hockenyos' projections.

:blink:

 

christ.

 

Let's try this again.

 

 

 

 

 

Good to know your local media is rife with homers.

 

I wish we could say the same about ours. :lol

Trying to compare the south to the northeast... that's funny.

 

But really, do we really want to get into the measuring game?

why are you measuring homestead to jupiter? you realize that homestead isn't on the table and it's way way waaaaaaay south. the miami metro area, which does not include palm beach county, has close to 4 million people. more than twice that of san antonio. and miami is the gateway to the americas. perfect for the wbc.

 

also, the studies you cite talk a lot about how the city is growing and will be capable of supporting another professional team. it won't be ready in four years. and what if those projections are off? that's a big gamble.

Shaq-Man, did you happen to miss this?

 

The San Antonio data is strong by itself

why are you measuring homestead to jupiter? you realize that homestead isn't on the table and it's way way waaaaaaay south.

 

Because Homestead and Jupiter are part of Miami's CSA population.

 

also, the studies you cite talk a lot about how the city is growing and will be capable of supporting another professional team. it won't be ready in four years. and what if those projections are off? that's a big gamble.

 

 

Well, the region they're talking about now already has close to four million people as we speak.

keep dreaming. it's not even in the top 25 in the entire country.

 

http://www.answers.com/topic/united-states-metropolitan-area

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_metropolitan_area

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Unite...s_by_population

Really amazing that they actually study trends. You know that typically tells you nothing of the future. I'd much rather believe in data and concepts of sports markets from the 1960s and 1970s. No, go back to Texas you dummy.

Really amazing that they actually study trends. You know that typically tells you nothing of the future. I'd much rather believe in data and concepts of sports markets from the 1960s and 1970s. No, go back to Texas you dummy.

 

 

even with those trends san antonio will not be as attractive as south florida. south florida is also growing. it's not like san antonio has a monopoly on growth. you get the marlins a retractable roof stadium and there is no question south florida is better than san antonio. might not be all that much worse even without a retractable roof stadium.

 

you texas people, you have to realize that the only way you get a team is if south florida doesn't finalize a stadium deal with the marlins. they are staying here if they get a stadium. if they don't, then that's a different matter.

Is it just me, or would Bud Selig have to be a complete moron to let the team move to Texas--which has multiple teams already--and leave South Florida?

 

I mean, if I really have to get into detail why this is a horrible idea, I will--but I know most of you are aware already. :thumbup

Let's try this again.

 

Actually, with current plans there is good reason to include the Austin market. The locations talked about on I-35 are as close to South Austin as South San Antonio, and there are something like 25k Austinites who work in San Antonio. The proposed sites are also right along the ASA rail that is supposed to be opening about the same time a stadium would. I don't know about other places, but here in Texas, it's not unusual to drive a couple hundred miles to do something. Particularly between Austin and San Antonio.

 

But really, that fact is more pertinent to NFL than MLB. SA, and the commuters passing through the area, would need to support the team during the week, and not expect help from Austin except maybe for weekend games.

 

keep dreaming. it's not even in the top 25 in the entire country.

 

Re-read what DMEXER said. Region, not MSA. The South Central Texas region (Austin, San Antonio, and feeder towns) is close to 3.5 million people now. SA by itself is the 28th largest metro region, and if you include Austin that would put it 18th or so.

 

south florida is also growing. ... you get a team is if south florida doesn't finalize a stadium deal with the marlins

 

South Florida is pretty much stagnant compared to the growth rates being seen around here, though.

 

And actually, I don't expect the Marlins to move. I tend to think it is more likely the Spurs will manage to buy the Twins or A's and move them here. Marlins are just doing the legwork for all the franchises that might be moving in the next few years.

if you want to include such a large region, miami has over 5.1 million people. it's huge.

Let's try this again.

 

Actually, with current plans there is good reason to include the Austin market. The locations talked about on I-35 are as close to South Austin as South San Antonio, and there are something like 25k Austinites who work in San Antonio. The proposed sites are also right along the ASA rail that is supposed to be opening about the same time a stadium would. I don't know about other places, but here in Texas, it's not unusual to drive a couple hundred miles to do something. Particularly between Austin and San Antonio.

 

But really, that fact is more pertinent to NFL than MLB. SA, and the commuters passing through the area, would need to support the team during the week, and not expect help from Austin except maybe for weekend games.

 

keep dreaming. it's not even in the top 25 in the entire country.

 

Re-read what DMEXER said. Region, not MSA. The South Central Texas region (Austin, San Antonio, and feeder towns) is close to 3.5 million people now. SA by itself is the 28th largest metro region, and if you include Austin that would put it 18th or so.

 

south florida is also growing. ... you get a team is if south florida doesn't finalize a stadium deal with the marlins

 

South Florida is pretty much stagnant compared to the growth rates being seen around here, though.

 

And actually, I don't expect the Marlins to move. I tend to think it is more likely the Spurs will manage to buy the Twins or A's and move them here. Marlins are just doing the legwork for all the franchises that might be moving in the next few years.

My man, if this area you speak of exists, why isn't it considered a metro in the same context as every other metro area in the nation?

My man, if this area you speak of exists, why isn't it considered a metro in the same context as every other metro area in the nation?

 

 

Mainly because people don't understand the area and the co-operation between the two MSAs. The distance between CBDs doesn't help either. For the main cities, SA and Austin, the CBD's are about 80 miles apart. The city limits are only about 45-50 apart. The northernmost city in the SA MSA is typically considered New Braunfels, and the southermost in Austin's San Marcus. Those 2 city limits are probably less than 10 miles apart, and that is the only gap in urban development between south San Antonio and the northern edge of Temple.

 

SA/Austin will never be considered a single MSA untill both cities grow out towards Johnson City. The single line connection of I-35 will never be considered a good enough connection. And of course development towards Johnson City won't happen due to aquifer concerns.

 

Like I said, SA and Austin are really 2 different markets. SA can count on Austin (and really even as far as Corpus and the RGV in the south) to help on weekends, but for MLB just like the NBA, SA really needs to stand on its own. Austin would definitely be a player if we were talking NFL.

 

I personally am sure it will be able to by the time a stadium could be completed, but the lack of a interim facility will hurt SA since no one is going to want a 3 year lame duck period.

Ya, I'd rather take the word of the professionals whose job is to make these kinds of decisions/measurements...

Really amazing that they actually study trends. You know that typically tells you nothing of the future. I'd much rather believe in data and concepts of sports markets from the 1960s and 1970s. No, go back to Texas you dummy.

 

 

you texas people, you have to realize that the only way you get a team is if south florida doesn't finalize a stadium deal with the marlins. they are staying here if they get a stadium. if they don't, then that's a different matter.

 

LOL... you dumb that down for us Texas people?

 

Guy, let me dumb it down even more for you.

 

The Marlins are going to whichever city gives them a stadium.

 

Whether its Miami, South Florida, San Antonio, Portland, Green Bay, Death Valley, Neverland, or Provo Utah.

 

if you want to include such a large region, miami has over 5.1 million people. it's huge.

 

 

Yes, Miami does have over 5 million in its ginormous CSA.

 

Like I showed you, from Jupiter to Homestead, its over 100 miles in distance, and all that is considered Miami's CSA.

 

My man, if this area you speak of exists, why isn't it considered a metro in the same context as every other metro area in the nation?

 

 

The Census defines MSA's and CSA's.

 

San Antonio probably won't get a CSA until probably 2010.

 

 

 

Ya, I'd rather take the word of the professionals whose job is to make these kinds of decisions/measurements...

 

 

Do you even now how these kinds of decisions are made by the professionals at the Census?

 

No, yet you run your mouth.

 

My hobby and future employment is in city development.

 

 

 

SA/Austin will never be considered a single MSA untill both cities grow out towards Johnson City.

 

 

Actually, that would be a CSA.

 

And it will happen. I'd say by 2010. The main qualification for a CSA is commuting. How many people commute from city A to city B and vise versa, or in the case of an CSA, how many people commute from MSA A to MSA B and vise versa.

Sounds like somebody is a homer.

Sounds like somebody is a homer.

 

 

A homer?

 

What are you, 11?

It's largely irrevalent. South Florida's never going to live up to the wild expectations and promises offered by Berger and others in the late 80s that resulted in South Florida earning a franchise. San Antonio's never going to be able to promise that. Piss away all you want at eachother, but the one who pays up is the one who gets the team. That's what decades of MLB history says.

Like I told you ignore them. They will be gone once the marlins finalize their stadium plans down here.

Unfortunately, the study also found that 98% of those new residents will be illegal immigrants with little money and less interest in baseball.

 

 

:lol :lol

 

Do you live in South Florida?

Sounds like somebody is a homer.

 

 

A homer?

 

What are you, 11?

21, actually today. Aren't you going to wish me Happy Birthday?

 

No offense bro, but you are in the minority on a Marlin's message board if you want to make us believe that San Antonio is the best place for our Marlins.

Like I told you ignore them. They will be gone once the marlins finalize their stadium plans down here.

 

 

If they get a stadium deal down there, great!

 

No problem.

 

But right now everything's up in the air and it seems you can''t discuss or debate with us in the mean time.

 

No offense bro, but you are in the minority on a Marlin's message board if you want to make us believe that San Antonio is the best place for our Marlins.

 

 

Where on this forum have I tried to make San Antonio the best option?

 

I haven't.

 

All that article says is San Antonio can support another professional team.

 

No where in this post have I even made the attempt to say San Antonio > Miami in terms of economy, population, stature.

But right now everything's up in the air and it seems you can''t discuss or debate with us in the mean time.

 

 

 

I think it's your debate style that is turning people off. You are going about and sounding like everyone here is dumb for thinking that Miami is a better place for the team and that SA deserves the team. Not saying thats what your saying, just saying you might want to re-word what your saying so that what your actually saying doesnt come off sounding so deragatory for to every Marlins fan that wants the team to stay put.