Mayor Bloomberg Discusses New York City Becoming The Nation's Sports Mecca And It's Contribution To Jobs, Tourism And The City's Economy In Weekly Radio Address

July 14, 2013

The following is the text of Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg’s weekly radio address as prepared for delivery on 1010 WINS News Radio for Sunday, July 14, 2013.

“Good Morning. This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

“No one competes harder than New Yorkers, so it’s no wonder that our city is a global sports mecca – or that we’re hosting world-class events like the Major League All-Star Game that’s being played this Tuesday, as well as next year’s Super Bowl and the 2015 NBA All-Star Game. Our city’s sports sector isn’t just good for sports fans – it’s good for our entire economy. New York City sports teams and clubs directly employ nearly 1,700 people. And the promotion, management and staffing of live events, including sporting events, support nearly 10,000 jobs. From baseball to football to basketball, New York not only has it all, but our thriving sports industry is growing, too.

“Just look at our three newest sports arenas: the new Yankee Stadium; the Barclays Center, home of the Brooklyn Nets; and the Mets’ home base, Citi Field. Each pumps millions of dollars into our economy with every game they host. And each venue is gearing up to play an even bigger role in our city’s economy.

“Yankee Stadium will become the home of the New York City Football Club, the first soccer club in the five boroughs since the 1970s. Barclays will add the New York Islanders to its roster in 2015. And, of course, Citi Field is hosting Tuesday’s All-Star Game. 80,000 New Yorkers are expected to attend the game and related festivities, and we anticipate welcoming more than 175,000 people who will travel to New York for the event. Each will contribute to the estimated $191.5 million the big game will generate for our economy.

“The All-Star Game, also known as the ‘Midsummer Classic,’ is going to give our city a big boost, and it should be a lot of fun, too. But if you don’t have a ticket to the big game, don’t worry – there are so many great free things to do in the city this summer.

“If you enjoy live music performances, for example, you’re in luck. The City Parks Foundation’s SummerStage will bring over 100 performances to 17 parks across the city through August 29th. The Metropolitan Opera Summer Recital Series returns with six performances in the parks starting this Tuesday and running through August 1st. The Brooklyn Academy of Music is presenting a 10-concert R&B Festival at MetroTech in Brooklyn through August 8th. And the New York Philharmonic has three additional concerts this summer, including one this afternoon at 3:00 PM at the College of Staten Island.

“Are you a movie buff? New York City Parks is hosting dozens of free film screenings through September. Are you an art lover? New York City Parks is also hosting public art exhibitions throughout the five boroughs. A fan of the theater? There are a number of free theater events, including Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte Theater, and Summer on the Hudson, a children’s performance series at Pier 1 in Riverside Park. Learn more about these and dozens of other events by visiting nyc.gov.

“From sports to the arts, summer in New York has something for everyone.

“This is Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Thanks for listening.”