University of South Carolina, Assistant Professors Tom Regan, EdD and Todd Koesters JD conducted a market assessment of the Charlotte Hornets, NBA basketball team and the Time Warner Cable Arena(TWCA), two major entities of the tourism, business, sports and entertainment community located within the State of North Carolina. The presence of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team, the Charlotte Hornets, affords Mecklenburg County and the city of Charlotte the opportunity to be a basketball city. Primarily the economic benefits of the Charlotte Hornets and TWCA operations in Mecklenburg County and Charlotte Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) were measured through the examination of financial statements and expenditures surrounding the various events that take place at the team facilities and the arena. Regan and Koesters collected secondary data …show more content…
The operation of the Charlotte Hornets team and facilities and the TWCA is a positive impact for the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County areas due to the employment opportunities that are aligned with the arena and facilities. In addition the fans that travel from outside the local boost the economy when they stay in local hotels, eat at local establishments and bring their financial contribution to the community while attending sporting or entertainment events. The economic impact is not just limited to Charlotte, the state of North Carolina benefits greatly from the operation of the Charlotte Hornets and the Time Warner Cable Center. During a time where many people are experiencing unemployment and financial difficulties, having facilities and arenas that generate revenue that opens up various employment opportunities ranging from business class positions to the food industry and other service industry