TrackData Systems

Sports by the Numbers: Big Business in Florida By Jeff Kottkamp April 11, 2017 - 6:30pm... Sports is big business in Florida, bringing in over $2 billion in revenue each year. Not surprisingly, our professional sports teams generate the most revenue in sports each year because they benefit not just from ticket sales, but revenue sharing from television. According to National Football League statistics, the Miami Dolphins generated $322 million in revenue in 2015-16. The Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t far behind with $315 million, followed by the Tampa Bay Bucs with $313 million. Florida’s professional basketball teams also generate significant revenue with the Miami Heat generating $210 million in 2015-16 followed by the Orlando Magic with $166 million. According to Major League Baseball, the Miami Marlins brought in $199 million in revenue in 2015-16 and the Tampa Bay Rays had $193 million for the same year. College football is also considered big business in Florida. The U.S. Department of Education reports that the University of Florida football program has the top revenue in the state at around $73 million a year followed by Florida State University with $36 million and the University of Miami with around $26 million. The top six college football programs in Florida generate around $170 million in revenue a year. See below, professional sports and college football by the numbers in Florida. There is another all-but-forgotten sport that generates significant revenue in Florida -- greyhound racing. The amount bet at Florida’s greyhound race tracks -- just on races in 2015-16 -- was $240 million. That doesn’t include bets made at race track cardrooms, which topped $4 billion in the same year, nor does it include the money brought in by slot machines at tracks in South Florida. According to the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering, over $1.26 billion has been bet at Florida’s tracks just on greyhound racing in the last five years. If you include revenue from card rooms, slot machines and advanced deposit wagering (which isn’t even legal), the revenue generated by greyhound race tracks in the Sunshine State in the last five years easily exceeds $2 billion. While it is true that bets on live greyhound races have declined, bets placed just on live races at Florida’s race tracks still totaled $88 million in 2015-16 -- which is more revenue than any college football program in Florida generated in the same year. When you include all revenue from bets made on greyhound racing, the tracks are bringing in more money each year than any of Florida’s professional baseball, hockey, or basketball teams. Only NFL football teams bring in more. To be sure, greyhound racing in Florida is still big business. Not only does live racing generate significant revenue, the greyhound racing industry also provides more than 3,000 direct jobs and 10,000 indirect jobs in our state. Greyhound racing continues to be a popular form of entertainment -- as an example, Trip Advisor ranks the the Daytona Beach track as No. 3 of 122 things to do in Daytona. In recent years there have been calls to end live greyhound racing in this state. Some have even called it a dying industry. However, when you look at the revenue generated by the sport each year, it is clear that greyhound racing continues to be a significant industry in Florida. Jeff Kottkamp is president of Jeff Kottkamp, PA. He is the former Chairman of the Florida Sports Foundation and represents the Florida Greyhound Association. Professional Sports Revenue in Florida 2015-16 (as reported by the NFL, MLF, NBA and NHL) 1. Miami Dolphins $ 322 million 2. Jacksonville Jaguars $ 315 million 3. Tampa Bay Bucs $ 313 million 4. Miami Heat $ 210 million 5. Miami Marlins $ 199 million 6. Tampa Bay Rays $ 193 million 7. Orlando Magic $ 166 million 8. Tampa Bay Lightning $ 127 million 9. Florida Panthers $ 100 million College Football Revenue in Florida (as reported by U.S. Department of Education) 1. University of Florida $ 73 million 2. Florida State Univesity $ 36 million 3. University of Miami $ 26 million 4. University of South Fla. $ 17 million 5. University of Central Fla. $ 13 million 6. Florida Atlantic University $ 7 million -- Jeff Kottkamp Jeff Kottkamp, PA (239)297-9741-cell [email protected]

8 years ago today a wonderful man, great honest businessman, mentor and awesome boss passed away. Mike and I carry on his legacy for the greyhound industry and his family. We miss you Dave - your cheerful attitude and your method of doing business where a handshake is golden. Dave, can't thank you enough for everything you taught me... here's to you

Points and current racing superstars to watch #racingfastdogs #greyhoundracing

Simply amazing...

Wrap Up of You Gotta BetUm - Saturday October 3rd Summary: 43 tips 12 wins / 7 places / 3 shows In the Money = 52%... Best track for Saturday: Derby Lane with 4 wins Our favorite winner for Saturday: LK's Stonewall who broke his maiden @ Derby Lane with confidence see the complete summary @ http://tds-racingnews.blogspot.com/

Ok everyone let's find this sweet boy a home!

The TrackInfo Racing Team was ON FIRE last night - 7 were in races and we pulled 3 wins and 2 places! Go Team - be sure to follow the TrackInfo Racing team (all racer names begin with TrackInfo!) through your Virtual Kennel @ trackinfo.com Trackinfo Corral, Orange Park, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 6 post #6. Result: 6-8-3- . Trackinfo Zinoid, Orange Park, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 15 post #8. Result: 3-8-2- . Trackinfo Scuba, Southland, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 8 post #3. Re...sult: 2-6-4- . Trackinfo Cipher, Southland, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 14 post #6. Result: 1-6-2- . Trackinfo Gully, Southland, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 16 post #5. Result: 1-6-2- . Trackinfo Turnin, Sanford Orlando, 08/21/2015, Afternoon, race 6 post #2. Result: 2-3-4- . Trackinfo Cedar, Sanford Orlando, 08/21/2015, Evening, race 3 post #5. Result: 5-1-6- . See more

Answers all the basics!

TrackInfo member hits the "You Gotta BetUm Tips for tomorrow July 30th at Southland!!! - Southland Thu T, Race 06 #5: Trackinfo Shadow - he's got some late speed - run safe Shadow! We have attached his last race replay he is the #6 Place your wagers through secure.trackinfo.com and keep greyhound racing alive!

One of the TrackInfo Racing Team made our "You Gotta BetUm Tips" for today at Birmingham - Birmingham Mon A, Race 08 #6: TRACKINFO BASIN - Place your wagers through secure.trackinfo.com!

The TrackInfo Racing Team is tearing up the ovals! We had 7 racers entered yesterday at 4 different tracks. 4 came in the money. Can't mention it enough - follow our team through your Virtual Kennel at trackinfo.com and bet on them at secure.trackinfo.com! Have a greyt weekend! And to the team run safe and fast!

3 for 3 in the money yesterday for the Trackinfo racing team! Way to go team! Glad you all had a safe run. Be sure to follow the Trackinfo racing team in your virtual kennel at trackinfo.com.

TrackInfo Pride hit our "You Gotta Bet This Greyhound" Tip Sheet for today's race #6 at Wheeling Downs! Don't miss out! Run safe little greyhound.

50/50 for our TrackInfo Racing Team yesterday! We had 8 greyhounds run and 4 came in the money! Sanford Orlando, Derby Lane and bestbetJacksonville were the favorite ovals yesterday for our team! Congratulations to all of them. Follow our team with your virtual kennel @ trackinfo.com.

Now there is an athlete in motion with a picture perfect stride....

Congratulations to the TrackInfo racing team for its performance yesterday - outstanding! We had 6 racers running yesterday and 4 of them finished in the money!!! 2 firsts and 2 seconds. So impressed - what a greyt way to kick off the holiday weekend! If you haven't already follow the TrackInfo Racing Team through your Virtual Kennel at trackinfo.com

This gorgeous fella is available for adoption! Check out his racing history here: http://www.trackinfo.com/dog-search.jsp

We really love the hands on approach that It's a Grey Area Greyhound Adoption, Inc. takes!

Our boy Trackinfo Dade wins it yesterday at Iowa Greyhound!

Now that's how the greyhound industry does it!! And it's only day one of the fundraiser!!

Maggie's cracking herself up!

This is so true! Greyhounds have a natural disposition for being lean and muscular!

Here is the charity that couldn't hold their fundraiser for the sick kid's at Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital.. Please donate if you can, let's turn this around for the kids!

Truly unfortunate news.. Charity cancels fundraiser for children's hospital at Hove Greyhound Stadium after Grey2k's partner, Greyt Exploitations, sends messages about going to the hospital "to bet" on the survival of children.

Trackinfo Prize is making a name for herself with 3 in a row at Birmingham!

Our very own Trackinfo Shadow popped up in our computer generated Greyhound Handicapping TIPS for May 30th! He'll be running tomorrow night @ Southland, Race 6!

Weekend goals :)

You can never have too much black and this black beauty is ready to find her forever home!

This greyt family just doubled down on the fun!!

Our very own sweet boy Trackinfo Cipher with back to back wins at Southland! Good luck tonight fella!

Our racing team member TrackInfo Cipher getting his groove on with back to back wins at Southland! Greyt job!

Looking to add a little love to your life? Available for adoption, contact 45 MPH Couch Potato Greyhound Adoptions,INC. -Non- Profit Organization

Stan took his new mom swimming for Mother's Day ... Well played Stan well played :)

Friendship goals.

Don't miss the Magic run tonight @ Derby Lane Race 10!

Our first contest is this Saturday's Palm Beach Challenge! Start May off right, sign up here: http://www.bigjackpotbetting.com/contesthome.jsp

Cash is living the dream! #adoptagreyhound

Looking for love in all the wrong places?? Then look no further, adopt a #retiredracer greyhound today!

These two!! #weekendgoals

Racing towards the weekend!

We have 2 contests this week! Who's ready to win?! https://t.e2ma.net//f/wsy/a88c3cf4730ec2848b3442c9c0edb3a9

Here's Doodad... A greyhound that totally knows how to ENJOY retirement!

Congrats to Carter on finding his #foreverhome, greyt day!!

TrackInfo Pride did us PROUD yesterday pulling out an impressive win - watch the video! http://www.trackinfo.com/video-box.jsp Here's who is running today from TrackInfo Team: Trackinfo Prize @ Birmingham, Evening, Race 12, Post #4... Trackinfo Corral @ Orange Park, Evening, Race 8, Post #3 Trackinfo Zinoid @ Orange Park, Evening, Race 15, Post #6 Trackinfo Point @ Sanford Orlando, Afternoon, Race 12, Post #5 Trackinfo Cedar @ Sanford Orlando, Evening, Race 13, Post #7 Let's go #TrackInfoTeam!!!

#18 Greyhounds have a 270' field of vision, that means they can see behind their heads! Who knew this already?

Ever wonder why #greyhounds wear muzzles?

Here's who is running today from #TrackInfoTeam: Trackinfo Pride @ Daytona Beach, Afternoon, Race 7, Post #5 Trackinfo Show @ Orange Park, Evening, Race 5, Post #6 Trackinfo Now @ Derby Lane, Evening, Race 1, Post #5