Charlotte is ranked among the best cities in the nation for sports business.
According to a study by the Sports Business Journal, Charlotte ranks No. 3 on the list of the 50 Best Sports Business Cities.
The team at Sports Business Journal created an algorithm that analyzed data across 377 markets home to at least one professional or Division I college athletic program, or a permanent athletic event. The findings also factored in interviews and sentiment analysis from 100 veteran sports business executives. Factors like the venues, sports sponsors, and media partners were also taken into consideration.
“The harmony that exists in Charlotte’s sports industry is something that makes this city special,” Danny Morrison, Charlotte Sports Foundation executive director, said. “Every team, facility, event and partner is committed to creating first-class experiences that are memorable and have a lasting impact.”
Charlotte’s motorsports footprint – from the number of race teams, to the thousands of people employed in the sports industry, and the large amount of sports journalists in the market – was a determining factor in its third place finish.
In addition to the existing sports business, the potential for sponsorships from Charlotte’s financial sector helps create new opportunities.
“Bank of America obviously has a huge relationship with the Panthers in the stadium,” Sports Business Journal’s senior market analyst and head of content Derick Moss told WCNC. “Ally with Charlotte FC’s jersey. Ally has been a great corporate sponsor and has done a lot of really innovative stuff with their sponsorships. Truist has the deal with the Knights. Lending Tree has the Hornet’s jersey patches. So these are all local financial institutions that are heavily invested in sports. And that means a lot to people, when they come into town, they know they can hit up four of the biggest sponsors in sports, and they’re all located within just a block of each other.”
Moss believes Charlotte is going to continue to be a sports hub.
“Charlotte has a lot going for it, and I think they’ve put a lot of effort into this in the last few years, and this [ranking] is the result of that,” Moss said, according to WCNC. “It’s a great environment for business. Not to mention great people, great weather, great food and restaurants. It really is, just outside of sports, a great place to live.”
The top 5 sports business cities, according to the Sports Business Journal are:
- 1. Dallas
- 2. New York
- 3. Charlotte
- 4. Minneapolis
- 5. Atlanta
Find the full list of the 50 Best Sports Business Cities and how they earned their rankings here.
