Frisco, Texas, is the "clear front-runner to become the site" of the National Soccer HOF, according to sources cited by Steven Goff of the WASHINGTON POST. American soccer has been without a permanent facility "since the museum in Oneonta, N.Y., closed because of financial problems five years ago." Most of the 80,000 items and artifacts "are stored in North Carolina." The Poconos also "put forth a plan, but Frisco has remained" the USSF’s "top choice." Last year, the USSF "entered into an exclusive negotiating agreement with Frisco." The facility "would be built adjacent" to Toyota Stadium, and financing "would come" from Hunt Sports Group and the city. However, sources cautioned that "details have not been finalized." Initial plans are for a 15,000-square-foot facility that, "for financial sustainability purposes, would not have daily hours." Rather, it would "probably open around events at the complex and for other functions" (WASHINGTONPOST.com, 9/1).
JACK IN THE BOX: In Columbus, Evan Weese noted the Jack Nicklaus Museum "still needs significant subsidies" from Ohio State Univ.'s athletics department 10 years since the school took it over. The shrine to the World Golf HOFer and OSU alum was "transferred by the private Jack Nicklaus Museum Inc. to Ohio State" in '05 in a "seemingly natural move for a building that sits on campus." The museum nonetheless "has been a drain, most recently losing $199,895 in the fiscal year ended June 30." OSU Associate AD/Finance Pete Hagan said, "I don’t really see that facility being able to attract enough business to make it break even.” Weese noted the 24,000-square-foot attraction "houses three theaters, a golf shop and numerous exhibit galleries." The facility "generated $29,874 in revenue last year, with the majority coming from public ticket sales" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 9/1).
