Survey Says: Bronx Biggest Sports Event Destination in '08!

For those of you who have not heard of TSE Sports & Entertainment, let me start out with a few words about them. Each year, TSE runs what they call the "Tuchman Sports Event Index", which "measures corporate interest in travel to major sporting events in the U.S." Based on Corporate America's overall demand to attend the biggest events in sports, TSE is able to generate a list of the most sought after events each year. Why is Corporate America important here? Well its no secret that a great way to secure a potential client or seal an important account is to send tickets to the biggest events. With the amount of money riding on making the right impression, Corporate America has no choice but to keep it's finger on the pulse of the sporting world. So, when TSE's annual survey is printed, its usually an accurate reflection of what will be hot in the upcoming year. If you are still unclear on what this list may look like, please visit the TSE website and check it out.

In recent years, there appears to be some consistency when it comes to popular sporting events. The Masters (look out for Tiger this year), the Super Bowl, and the NCAA Final Four always show up when this survey is complete. Now while that may come as no surprise, MLB events do not get quite as much love. In fact, the World Series isn't even in the top ten this year, and wasn't in the top ten in '07. I don't know about you, but I think that says a lot about our national pastime. (While you may be thinking that people are sick of juiced-up ballplayers etc, I'll maintain that the reason no one wants to go to the WS is because of Boston's projection to win it all the last two years.)

Anyway, 2008 has somewhat of a surprise at the top of the list. Events like the Olympics and the World Cup, that are not played every year, tend to rise to the top of TSE's survey when they come around. However, the Beijing Summer Olympics have had no such luck. Instead, they have finished second to the MLB All-Star game. For those of us who have forgotten where this event will be held in 2008, let me remind you that its in The House that Ruth Built. This tremendously historic venue is, without question, the reason for the jump in TSE's rankings. Who wouldn't want to see the final All-Star game in Yankee Stadium history? For me, I'm excited to see the game, but I'm more excited to see the Home Run Derby... think Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard can hit the Courthouse?

Let me wrap this up by giving everyone something interesting to think about. When Boston won the W.S. in '07 (what a sad time that was) a close friend pointed something out to me that was very troublesome. Picture this... in 2008, Joe Torre will manage zero games in the home dugout of Yankee Stadium. Terry Francona will manage one. I can't wait for him to hear it from the New Yorkers every time he walks to the mound. I can think of no better way to stick it to Terry than to let him manage for Yankee home field advantage in October, but let's not get ahead of ourselves just yet. No matter what, one thing is for sure. The 2008 All-Star game in Yankee Stadium will be electric, and TSE's survey indicates that Corporate America agrees.