TOP Connecticut Corporations Favor

Patriots' Move to Hartford

Introduction

Sport is rapidly becoming a significant contributor to the state’s economy. There are now five professional baseball teams, two professional hockey, two professional basketball teams and a countless number of sport related enterprises operating in the state. The Patriots' move to Connecticut is expected to stimulate growth in the rapidly burgeoning sport industry in the state.

 

Purpose

To obtain quantitative and qualitative information on how fifty of the biggest corporations in Connecticut view the impacts of the Patriots' move to Hartford. This is a preliminary investigation to provide data that will enable us to launch a major research project once the Patriots' move is approved by the legislature. At that time we shall expand the scope of the project to include sociocultural, political and environmental impacts.

Procedures

Phone interviews were conducted with the representatives of a scientifically drawn random sample of 50 Connecticut corporations. Data were collected using a questionnaire developed by members of the Sport Research Unit of the Laboratory for Leisure, Tourism and Sport. The interviews were conducted using both fixed choice and open-ended questions. The qualitative data obtained from the elite interviews were analyzed for patterns and trends and for the emergence of important themes. These data are reported elsewhere.

The fixed choice items were analyzed using per cent scores and frequency distributions. The sample of fifty was selected from a group of the top 220 corporations in Connecticut which fit the following criteria:

Minimum annual gross sales of 10 million dollars

Minimum of five hundred employees

The project was conducted December 9^th through December 16^th, 1998.

 

Importance of Study

It is not often that key industry leaders are included in surveys of this type. Yet, these corporations have considerable influence in several arenas in the state, especially where politics and the economy intersect. How these leading corporations view the Patriots' move, therefore, provides us with essential information and insights about the likely impacts of the team's relocation to Hartford.

Q1: How does your company feel about the New England Patriots' move to Connecticut?

In Favor.......... 58%

Opposed......... 04%

Undecided...... 38%

Q2. How does your company feel about the state spending 375 million dollars to construct a new football stadium in Hartford?

In Favor.......... 12.5%

Opposed......... 16.7%

Undecided...... 70.8%

Q3. What impact do you believe the move by the New England Patriots will have on:

(a) Your company?

Positive Impact...... 32.7%

Negative Impact.... 00.0%

Undecided............. 10.2%

No Impact............. 57.1%

(b) the Connecticut economy?

Positive Impact...... 68.8%

Negative Impact.... 08.3%

Undecided............. 14.6%

No Impact............. 8.3%

Q4. Does your company think the New England Patriots' move will act as a magnet for other businesses to relocate to Hartford?

Yes.............. 38%

No............... 26%

Uncertain... 36%

Q5. How do you think the New England Patriots' move to Hartford will affect your company's taxes?

Will increase them.......... 31.1%

Will decrease them......... 02.2%

No change........................ 66.7%

Q6. How do you think the New England Patriots' move to Hartford will impact your company's sales?

Will increase them............. 14.6%

Will decrease them............ 00.0%

No impact............................ 85.4%

Q7. Does your company think the New England Patriots' move to Hartford is likely to increase:

(a) cost of supplies and equipment?....................4% ..74% ......22%

(b) cost of labor? ....................................................4% ..72% ......24%

(c) rental costs .......................................................2% ..70% ......28%

Q8. Would your company be interested in sponsorship opportunities with the New England Patriots?

Yes............... 24%

No................ 42%

Undecided.... 34%

Q9. Would your company be interested in purchasing luxury suites if the New England Patriots move to Hartford?

Yes............... 24.5%

No................ 46.9%

Undecided.... 28.6%

Q10. Would your company be interested in purchasing season tickets for New

England Patriots' football games?

Yes............... 34.7%

No................ 32.7%

Undecided.... 32.7%

Q11. Has your company ever sponsored any of the following?

1. the Pilot Pen tennis tournament? ................... 12% 88%
2. The Greater Hartford Open? ........................... 14% 86%
3. The Hartford Whalers? .................................... 18% 82%
4. Other .................................................................. 16% 84%

Q12. How does your company think the New England Patriots' move to Hartford is likely to affect the following:

1. roads and highways? ............ 25.5% .....46.8% ........23.4% .........4.3%
2. mass transit? ......................... 29.8% .....23.4% .......42.6% .........4.3%
3. airports? ................................ 25.5% .....12.8% ........57.4% .........4.3%
4. parking facilities? ................ 29.8% .....40.4% ........25.5% .........4.3%

Q13. Does your company think the New England Patriots' move to Hartford is likely to enhance the image of the city?

Yes............... 80.0%

No................ 02.0%

Uncertain.... 18.7%

***