Sports Museum of America

The Museum became the official home of the Heisman Trophy and the Women's Sports Foundation International Women's Sports Hall of Fame within the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center. Other sports halls of fame and museums, including the National Baseball Hall of Fame, loaned numerous artifacts. Additional artifacts were secured via private collectors. The Sports Museum featured more than 20 original sports films, numerous interactive exhibits, with its 25,000-square-foot exhibition space Individual objects included Michael Phelps' goggles, Dara Torres' swim cap, Sandy Koufax's 1963 Cy Young Award; the ball from Ty Cobb's 3,000th hit, Lou Gehrig's jersey, and the flag Jim Craig wrapped himself in after the U.S. Miracle on Ice during the 1980 Winter Olympics. Tickets to the Sports Museum of America costs $27 for adults and $20 for children. ==History==

Concept and development Founder Philip Schwalb Schwalb and co-founder Sameer Ahuja raised $93 million over a three-year period to finance the museum, which included the aforementioned $57 million in Liberty bonds, as well as $36 million in private funds. Opening ceremonies Nearly 100 hall of fame athletes attended the May 7, 2008, opening, with speakers including New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Billie Jean King (speaking on behalf of the Women's Sports Foundation), Tony Dorsett (speaking on behalf of the Heisman Trophy), and New York Giants Super Bowl-winning quarterback, Eli Manning. Challenges Although it received some recognition, including Nickelodeon's Parents' Pick Award for best museum in New York City for children, the museum failed to meet its projected attendance. Pre-opening projections were that one million people would visit during the first year; fewer than 125,000 actually attended. Surveys indicated that 95% of New Yorkers were unaware of its existence. In March 2009, Schwab offered to sell the museum's collection for $5 million. HP Newquist, founder of the National Guitar Museum — which has no permanent location — specifically cited the Sports Museum's poor showing in his decision not to locate the National Guitar Museum in New York. ==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, and the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto (with 30 of those signed up to participate during the concept phase). Exclusive partners included: • American Museum of Fly Fishing • College Football Hall of Fame • Companions in Courage Foundation • World Figure Skating Hall of Fame • Heisman Trophy • Herreshoff Marine Museum/America's Cup Hall of Fame • Hockey Hall of Fame • Indianapolis Motor Speedway • International Boxing Hall of Fame • International Bowling Museum and Hall of Fame • International Swimming Hall of Fame • International Tennis Hall of Fame • Jackie Robinson Foundation • Lacrosse Museum and National Hall of Fame • Museum of Yachting • NCAA Hall of Champions • Negro Leagues Baseball Museum • Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame • NASCAR • National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame • National Soccer Hall of Fame • National Softball Hall of Fame • National Track and Field Hall of Fame • National Wrestling Hall of Fame • Pro Football Hall of Fame • Special Olympics • United States Bicycling Hall of Fame • United States Golf Association • United States Tennis Association • US Lacrosse • United States Olympic Committee • US Soccer • USA Basketball • USA Hockey • USA Football • USA Rugby • USA Softball & Amateur Softball Association • USA Swimming • USA Track & Field • USA Volleyball • USA Wrestling • Volleyball Hall of Fame • Women's Sports Foundation • World Golf Hall of Fame ==References==