Alcohol-related sponsors missing from Fed Cup revenue

While cash registers at Springfield's Cooper Tennis Complex were tallying concession revenues from the United States Tennis Association Fed Cup, one line of revenue was missing: alcoholic beverages.

Although it did not prevent Springfield from hosting the USA vs. Israel team qualifer, the prohibition was discussed, according to officials involved.

"It was not a major issue because we still (got the bid), but it was something that (USTA officials) wanted to do," Springfield-Greene County Park Board Director Dan Kinney said.

That is partly because of the money circulated by alcohol-related sponsors. The alcohol industry typically generates more than 20 percent of sponsorship dollars for USTA events, said Jeff Ryan, director of USA team events.

The Springfield-Greene County Park Board tournament bid guaranteed the USTA $50,000 in sponsorships to offset those dollars, Ryan said.

That figure is made up of contributions from Harry Cooper Supply Company and Bank of America Private Bank.

The other two main elements of Springfield's winning bid, he said, were use of the Cooper Tennis Complex and the availability of more than 100 rooms at John Q. Hammons' hotels.

"They're helping us reduce those expenses," Ryan said.

The USTA is the financial underwriter, but Ryan could not disclose the tournament budget.

Also in the bid package, the city of Springfield retained all concession dollars, but at press time, Kinney could not say what that amount was.

Local sponsors

Harry Cooper Supply Company funded $40,000, and Bank of America Private Bank invested $10,000 to sponsor the event.

In turn, Bank of America received 10 tickets for both days and a priceless advertising value, according to senior vice president Jim Brock.

"It's such a good product for Springfield to have an event of this magnitude," he said. "We wanted to see it happen."

The sponsorship dollars involved are minor compared to the good it does for the community, he said. "It helps both parties."

Brock hopes the Fed Cup interest spills over to the Springfield Lasers, who play home matches at Cooper Tennis Complex.

United States and Israeli players and coaches, as well as USTA officials, stayed at the Holiday Inn University Plaza Hotel and Marriott Residence Inn July 11-22 compliments of John Q. Hammons Hotels. District sales manager Brett Lindsay said some rooms were free of charge and others were at a special rate.

In addition to the room accommodations, University Plaza and Chardonnay restaurant catered meals to those involved. Lindsay could not put a dollar value on the services.

"This is just a joint effort from the businesses in Springfield and the city park board," he said. "We're trying to benefit all of Springfield, not just John Q. Hammons. It really opens up a new market for Springfield as a whole."

Even though the sponsorship dollars raised here are comparable to tournaments in other markets, Ryan believes it could have been a larger sum if alcohol sales were allowed. Ryan has seen such sales increase concession revenues by 40 percent to 50 percent.

"If you're able to sell alcohol, I do believe that your chances are far greater that they would participate in events like this," he said.

Kinney agrees, but said he will not hold his breath over the issue.

"I think there are more sponsorships available when it's instituted," but "in the 31 years that I've been here, it has not broken us," he said. "Events continue to come to Springfield. We've had more events this year than we've ever had before. I think what they're saying here is that the people would like to have the choice provided that it is regulated to the utmost."

If alcoholic beverages are allowed at city-county park events, the park board would be the regulatory body.