Many communities are strikingly unaware of the additional revenue sources than can be brought in through sports. While not all communities have the resources necessary to handle sporting events, many do and would benefit greatly from the added revenue. The current economic condition of the United States and around the world provides the basis for this research. Many communities are in need of additional revenue sources, and sports tourism is a practical way to bring in that much needed revenue.

There is currently a lack of knowledge in communities in regards to sports tourism. When an economy is suffering, many communities think of adding more stores or production facilities to increase the number of jobs in an area, but another area often overlooked is tourism. Sports tourism specifically has been growing in popularity since the late 1980s. This can be seen in part due to the growth in youth sports. There has been a shift from recreational sports in local communities to n10re travel based leagues moving throughout the region or country to compete against other youths. This creates an industry that can be greatly beneficial to a community in terms of providing additional revenues.

Most communities do not see the connection that exists between sports and the local economy, but the connection does exist and needs to be brought to light. The demand exists for this type of industry, but the supply is limited. This industry is in the growth stage, making this an ideal time for communities to utilize their resources in an effort to advance sports tourism in their region.

We have also seen areas of the country hosting sporting events separately from the community. This gap can be closed, and by doing so, communities can begin working with sporting organizations to involve the community at large in the tournaments and events. As communities begin to see the impact that sporting endeavors can have on the local economy, they will begin taking pride in those events and working together to close the gap between the community and sports league. By combining sports leagues and the community in hosting a tournament, these events can grow and become a focus of the community instead of a random event.