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|website= [http://www.sportsmuseum.com/ Sports Museum of America]
|website= [http://www.sportsmuseum.com/ Sports Museum of America]
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[[File:Nyc-sports-museum.jpg|thumb|250px|Entrance to the museum had relatively small signs]]


The '''Sports Museum of America''' (SmA) was the [[United States]]' first national sports museum dedicated to the history and cultural significance of sports in America. It opened on May 7, 2008 and closed February 20, 2009.
The '''Sports Museum of America''' (SmA) was the [[United States]]' first national sports museum dedicated to the history and cultural significance of sports in America. It opened on May 7, 2008 and closed February 20, 2009.
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The museum, which was originally known by the working name '''National Sports Museum''', was at [[26 Broadway]], in [[Lower Manhattan]] across from [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]]. The museum contributed to the revitalization of the area following the events of [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], as it was situated footsteps from the [[Statue of Liberty]] Ferry, near [[Wall Street]] and the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].
The museum, which was originally known by the working name '''National Sports Museum''', was at [[26 Broadway]], in [[Lower Manhattan]] across from [[Bowling Green (New York City)|Bowling Green]]. The museum contributed to the revitalization of the area following the events of [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]], as it was situated footsteps from the [[Statue of Liberty]] Ferry, near [[Wall Street]] and the former site of the [[World Trade Center]].


From the idea's inception, in September 2001 following founder [[Philip Schwalb]]'s visit to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]],<ref name="lure"/> the museum was anticipated to celebrate all sports and the [[Canyon of Heroes]], where New York City's famed ticker tape parades originated, was an ideal location. However, delays in funding, and construction pushed the museum to the point that some feared it would never be built.<ref name="abt">{{Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=980DE1DA1F3AF930A35751C1A9659C8B63|title=About New York; The House that Ruth Didn't Build|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2003-12-03|author=Dan Barry|work=The New York Times}}</ref> A decision was made to be a commercial organization, rather than a non-profit as many museums are, due to a desire to participate in New York's post 9/11 Liberty Bond financing program (available only to for-profit business).{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}Ultimately the museum received support from the requisite government officials, most importantly in the form of Liberty Bonds issued by the City and the State to support projects aiding in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan.<ref name="bowl">{{Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E6DA163DF93AA15757C0A9629C8B63|title=At Bowling Green, a Museum for All Sports|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2004-04-29|author=David W. Dunlap|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The museum was originally scheduled to open prior to the [[IOC]] announcing its selection of the host city for the [[2012 Olympics]], for which [[New York City]] was a finalist.<ref name="smith">{{Cite web|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=MWSB&p_theme=mwsb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0FD39335A975731C&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title='Smithsonian of Sports' Planned for N.Y.|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2003-08-28|work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel}}</ref>
From the idea's inception, in September 2001 following founder [[Philip Schwalb]]'s visit to the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]],<ref name="lure"/> the museum was anticipated to celebrate all sports and the [[Canyon of Heroes]], where New York City's famed ticker tape parades originated, was an ideal location. A decision was made to be a commercial organization, rather than a non-profit as most museums are, due to a desire to participate in New York's post 9/11 Liberty Bond financing program (available only to for-profit business).{{Citation needed|date=March 2008}}Ultimately the museum received support from the requisite government officials, most importantly in the form of Liberty Bonds issued by the City and the State to support projects aiding in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan.<ref name="bowl">{{Cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C01E6DA163DF93AA15757C0A9629C8B63|title=At Bowling Green, a Museum for All Sports|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2004-04-29|author=David W. Dunlap|work=The New York Times}}</ref>


The museum-attraction included more than 20 original films, nineteen galleries and state-of-the-art interactive technology. The special event space on the second floor of the museum featured a mural tribute to all of sports by [[LeRoy Neiman]].<ref name="letoy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/03/12/arts/20080312_NEIMAN_GRAPHIC.html|title=The LeRoy Neiman Mural|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-12|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The Museum became the home of the [[Heisman Trophy]]<ref name="usab"/><ref name="heis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/13/sports/ncaafootball/13heisman.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin|title=Sports Museum and Heisman Find Place in Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2005-04-13|author=Bill Pennington|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and the [[Women's Sports Foundation]] International Women's Sports Hall of Fame within the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center.<ref name="sil">{{Cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-32/1206990857233020.xml&storylist=simetro|title=New All-Sports Museum is Opening in NYC this Spring|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-31|author=The Associated Press|work=Staten Island Advance}}</ref><ref name="baker">{{Cite web|url=http://www.normantranscript.com/commsports/local_story_084122631.html|title=Baker Joins Elite Company with Activist Efforts|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-24|author=Michael Kinney|work=The Norman Transcript}}</ref> Like dozens of other sports halls of fame and museums, the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] had loaned numerous artifacts, and - in addition to all the partner halls of fame, artifacts were also secured via private collectors.<ref name="lure">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/arts/artsspecial/12sport.html|title=Luring Sports Fans of All Seasons to Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-12|author=Richard Sandomir|work=The New York Times}}</ref>
The museum-attraction included more than 20 originally produced films, nineteen galleries, each celebrating a different sport, and extensive state-of-the-art interactive technology throughout. The special event space on the second floor of the museum featured a mural tribute to all of sports by [[LeRoy Neiman]].<ref name="letoy">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/03/12/arts/20080312_NEIMAN_GRAPHIC.html|title=The LeRoy Neiman Mural|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-12|work=The New York Times}}</ref> The Museum became the official home of the [[Heisman Trophy]]<ref name="usab"/><ref name="heis">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/13/sports/ncaafootball/13heisman.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&oref=slogin|title=Sports Museum and Heisman Find Place in Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2005-04-13|author=Bill Pennington|work=The New York Times}}</ref> and the [[Women's Sports Foundation]] International Women's Sports Hall of Fame within the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center.<ref name="sil">{{Cite web|url=http://www.silive.com/newsflash/index.ssf?/base/news-32/1206990857233020.xml&storylist=simetro|title=New All-Sports Museum is Opening in NYC this Spring|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-31|author=The Associated Press|work=Staten Island Advance}}</ref><ref name="baker">{{Cite web|url=http://www.normantranscript.com/commsports/local_story_084122631.html|title=Baker Joins Elite Company with Activist Efforts|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-24|author=Michael Kinney|work=The Norman Transcript}}</ref> Like dozens of other sports halls of fame and museums, the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] had loaned numerous artifacts, and - in addition to all the partner halls of fame, artifacts were also secured via private collectors.<ref name="lure">{{Cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/12/arts/artsspecial/12sport.html|title=Luring Sports Fans of All Seasons to Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-12|author=Richard Sandomir|work=The New York Times}}</ref>


==Partners==
==Partners==
In an effort to be truly national in its representation of all sports, the Museum partnered with more than 60 sporting organizations throughout the [[United States]],<ref name="merc">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_8759325|title=New All-sports Museum Opening in NYC|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-31|author=The Associated Press|work=The Mercury-News}}</ref> and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (with 30 of those signed up to participate when the idea for the museum was still just an idea).<ref name="pl30">{{Cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24213864_ITM|title=Plans Announced for First-Ever National Sports Museum in Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|publisher=PR Newswire|date=2003-08-27}}</ref> Exclusive Partners included:
In an effort to be truly national and collaborative in its representation of all sports, the Museum partnered with more than 60 sporting organizations throughout the [[United States]],<ref name="merc">{{Cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci_8759325|title=New All-sports Museum Opening in NYC|accessdate=2008-03-31|date=2008-03-31|author=The Associated Press|work=The Mercury-News}}</ref> and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (with 30 of those signed up to participate when the idea for the museum was still just an idea).<ref name="pl30">{{Cite web|url=http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-24213864_ITM|title=Plans Announced for First-Ever National Sports Museum in Lower Manhattan|accessdate=2008-03-31|publisher=PR Newswire|date=2003-08-27}}</ref> Exclusive Partners included:
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==Closing==
==Closing==
On February 20, 2009, the museum closed its doors, citing low attendance. Schwalb blamed the [[Late 2000s recession|recession]] and an "insufficient marketing budget." Parent company National Sports Attraction LLC on March 13, 2009, formally filed [[Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code|Chapter 7 bankruptcy]] to [[liquidate]] the museum.
On February 20, 2009, the museum closed its doors, citing low attendance. Schwalb blamed the [[Late 2000s recession|recession]] and an "insufficient marketing budget."


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 05:48, 14 September 2010

Sports Museum of America
Map
EstablishedMay 7, 2008
DissolvedFebruary 20, 2009
Location26 Broadway, Manhattan, New York, USA
WebsiteSports Museum of America

The Sports Museum of America (SmA) was the United States' first national sports museum dedicated to the history and cultural significance of sports in America. It opened on May 7, 2008 and closed February 20, 2009.

The museum, which was originally known by the working name National Sports Museum, was at 26 Broadway, in Lower Manhattan across from Bowling Green. The museum contributed to the revitalization of the area following the events of September 11, 2001, as it was situated footsteps from the Statue of Liberty Ferry, near Wall Street and the former site of the World Trade Center.

From the idea's inception, in September 2001 following founder Philip Schwalb's visit to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame,[1] the museum was anticipated to celebrate all sports and the Canyon of Heroes, where New York City's famed ticker tape parades originated, was an ideal location. A decision was made to be a commercial organization, rather than a non-profit as most museums are, due to a desire to participate in New York's post 9/11 Liberty Bond financing program (available only to for-profit business).[citation needed]Ultimately the museum received support from the requisite government officials, most importantly in the form of Liberty Bonds issued by the City and the State to support projects aiding in the revitalization of Lower Manhattan.[2]

The museum-attraction included more than 20 originally produced films, nineteen galleries, each celebrating a different sport, and extensive state-of-the-art interactive technology throughout. The special event space on the second floor of the museum featured a mural tribute to all of sports by LeRoy Neiman.[3] The Museum became the official home of the Heisman Trophy[4][5] and the Women's Sports Foundation International Women's Sports Hall of Fame within the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center.[6][7] Like dozens of other sports halls of fame and museums, the National Baseball Hall of Fame had loaned numerous artifacts, and - in addition to all the partner halls of fame, artifacts were also secured via private collectors.[1]

Partners

In an effort to be truly national and collaborative in its representation of all sports, the Museum partnered with more than 60 sporting organizations throughout the United States,[8] and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (with 30 of those signed up to participate when the idea for the museum was still just an idea).[9] Exclusive Partners included:

Closing

On February 20, 2009, the museum closed its doors, citing low attendance. Schwalb blamed the recession and an "insufficient marketing budget."

References

  1. ^ a b Richard Sandomir (2008-03-12). "Luring Sports Fans of All Seasons to Lower Manhattan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  2. ^ David W. Dunlap (2004-04-29). "At Bowling Green, a Museum for All Sports". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  3. ^ "The LeRoy Neiman Mural". The New York Times. 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  4. ^ a b Craig Miller (2008-03-17). "USA Basketball Partners with Sports Museum of America". United States Olympic Committee. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  5. ^ Bill Pennington (2005-04-13). "Sports Museum and Heisman Find Place in Lower Manhattan". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  6. ^ The Associated Press (2008-03-31). "New All-Sports Museum is Opening in NYC this Spring". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  7. ^ Michael Kinney (2008-03-24). "Baker Joins Elite Company with Activist Efforts". The Norman Transcript. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  8. ^ The Associated Press (2008-03-31). "New All-sports Museum Opening in NYC". The Mercury-News. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  9. ^ "Plans Announced for First-Ever National Sports Museum in Lower Manhattan". PR Newswire. 2003-08-27. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  10. ^ "Sports Museum of America Partners with National Soccer Hall of Fame to Create Nation's First All-Sports Museum". Business Wire. 2008-03-13. Retrieved 2008-03-31.
  11. ^ "Ballpark Menu: Skewed Gator". San Diego Union-Tribune. 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2008-03-31.

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