Jewish World Review April 4, 2003 / 1 Nisan, 5763

Evan Weiner

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Consumer Reports


Will sports industry suffer now that states are prioritizing funding?


http://www.NewsAndOpinion.com | Americans have, rightfully, been riveted to the war in Iraq, but Americans also need to pay attention to the economy and cost cutting measures that states are undertaking.

The Kentucky Derby is that state's crown jewel. But this year's event will not be as glitzy because Kentucky doesn't have the money to spend on every frill imaginable.

As part of the state's cost cutting, Kentucky governor Paul Patton has eliminated the traditional Derby eve gala in the state capital in Frankfort and will instead host the state's tourism development and economic development cabinets get together at the executive mansion.

The state is not printing invitations for a Frankfort official breakfast on the day of the Derby. Other Derby related activities will go on as scheduled in Frankfort but the state is attempting to minimize the cost of the festivities.

Kentucky isn't alone in having financial difficulties.

There are 44 states cutting back and that's not good for the sports industry, which depends mightily on its government partnerships.

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JWR contributor Evan Weiner is a radio commentator on "The Business of Sports" for Westwood One's Metro Networks. He is being presented with the United States Sports Academy's Distinguished Service Award for 2003. Comment on this column by clicking here.

Up

04/03/03: I'll pass on the life of a college basketball player
04/02/03: Time to fix the cable TV sports model
04/01/03: Sportsworld to get its own 'Enron'?
03/31/03: When $ports helps close public educational institutions
03/28/03: Baseball already striking out
03/26/03: NFL giving administration a big boost --- but don't credit them with being patriotic
03/20/03: Guardians of college basketball question your competence with a remote
03/19/03: Sports should be stopped because of war?
03/18/03: The madness needs to be cured
03/17/03: Not exactly the kind of news baseball wants
03/14/03: Keep the pols' paws off my cable TV bill!
03/13/03: In sports, 'free' is usually expensive
03/11/03: War on sports?
03/10/03: Sen. McCain, here's one more sports issue to take up
03/07/03: Playing the $tadium game --- and $coring
03/06/03: NBA should study history before wa$ting tax payer re$ource$
03/05/03: Baseball may no longer be very, very good to Ruppert Murdoch
03/04/03: At Augusta, the real fun and games will not be on the course
02/28/03: Will sports world soon be awaken to war realities?
02/27/03: Is baseball just a game like every other, after all?
02/26/03: He wasn't a player, manager or an owner, but he belongs in Cooperstown
02/25/03: States lining up to protect "college athletes' rights'"?
02/24/03: Why Gov. Ed Rendell is more important to the Pittsburgh Penguins' future than its owner
02/21/03: Tyson is living proof that both Mencken and Barnum were both right and Warhol was wrong
02/20/03: An endless season
02/19/03: The bills have come due
02/18/03: The world may be falling apart ... but American baseball teams are more popular than ever overseas
02/14/03: Adding jocks to the state's payrolls
02/13/03: How can the financially struggling Cablevision bail out another NHL franchise?
02/12/03: Selig is undermining sports franchises
02/11/03: Politicians and business leaders want to join a business that admits it's failing financially
02/10/03: Hold the pols responsible for rate hikes!
02/07/03: Judge a team's future by journalist's job?
02/05/03: College Sports and priorities
02/04/03: While corporate America parties, one wonders about the world's largest communications company and its future
02/03/03: High schooler picked the wrong $port to excel at
01/31/03: Gaming and games
01/30/03: The NHL's game plan
01/29/03: The moral guardians of basketball need some schooling themselves
01/24/03: America's excuse for a party
01/22/03: Turning San Diego into an armed camp
01/22/03: Will San Diego lose on Sunday --- even if it wins?

© 2003, Evan Weiner