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5 <br />FORWARD <br />The information presented in this report is intended to assist and <br />educate the reader concerning the Raleigh -- Durham- Research Triangle <br />Park market area and its potential for: hosting a contemplated <br />National Football League ( "NFL ") Franchise; hosting other <br />professional sports franchises such as Major League or AAA <br />Baseball; and serving as a venue for major sports events such as <br />World Cup Soccer, Olympic Trials, etc. The material presented in <br />this document is a synopsis of research that has been conducted <br />over the past 9 months regarding this subject. In conducting this <br />research, every effort has been made to utilize the most up -to -date <br />information from unbiased sources. <br />Clearly, predicated upon demographics, per capita income, economic <br />business growth, television market shares and cable t.v. <br />penetration, the Raleigh- Durham region is not only viable and ripe <br />for hosting NFL expansion, but also for hosting AAA Baseball and <br />ultimately Major League Baseball along with other major, national <br />and international sporting events of the calibre of World Cup <br />Soccer. In the course of gathering this information, it became <br />abundantly clear that our region compares very favorably, or <br />presents a stronger opportunity than other areas do that are vying <br />for NFL expansion franchises. In some instances on these <br />particular fronts, our region exceeds other areas that already <br />possess NFL franchises. <br />Based upon this investigation, and subsequent conversations with <br />various local leaders, it has been determined that an effort should <br />be put forth promoting the Raleigh- Durham region as an acceptable <br />host for not only the proposed Carolinas NFL Franchise, but also <br />for AAA Baseball, World Cup Soccer and other sporting events such <br />as the Goodwill Games and the U.S. Olympic Trials. <br />It has not been our purpose in preparing this report to determine <br />a final site location for a proposed NFL franchise that might be <br />located in the Raleigh- Durham region; that determination properly <br />resides with the NFL and its Owners. Rather, the goal of this <br />report is to assist the NFL in heightening its awareness to the <br />untapped potential of the entire Carolina region and particularly <br />the Raleigh- Durham -- Research Triangle Park portion of the North <br />Carolina market. Likewise, it is essential that the local <br />communities and governing bodies not only realize this untapped <br />potential but also act to seize the opportunities that are present <br />and reap the economic rewards that professional sports can bring <br />to the region. <br />TCPPL90 DAA /tth <br />