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Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani today accepted The Best Sports City Award from The Sporting News, which selected New York City as The Best Sports City in North America. This is the second time in three years that New York City has had the honor of receiving this award for which 350 cities throughout the United States and Canada were evaluated.

"This prestigious award from The Sporting News solidifies our position as the Sports Capital of the World," said Mayor Giuliani. "New York City has a tradition of excellence in all of our City's professional sports teams -- and I'm proud that this past year will be remembered as one of the greatest of all times. The Subway Series and the Yankees' winning their third consecutive World Series; the Giants playing in the Super Bowl; our bid for the 2012 Olympics; the Staten Island Yankees winning the New York-Penn League Championship; the addition of two beautiful minor league stadiums; and a series of new amateur events, all contributed to an extraordinary year in New York sports."

The Sporting News conducted a study this past year of 350 cities in the United States and Canada that had professional baseball, basketball, and hockey teams, an NCAA football or basketball team, or an NFL training camp. The cities were then ranked according to several criteria including: success of area teams, attendance and overall fan passion, ticket cost and availability, stadium concessions and ambiance, franchise ownership stability and area weather.

"This award is indicative of the success New York City has enjoyed in sports this past year, and is a great tribute to our fans who are the most passionate and knowledgeable in the nation," said Kenneth J. Podziba, Commissioner of the New York City Sports Commission.

"The first Subway Series in 44 years crystalized the enthusiasm of New York fans last fall," said John Rawlings, editor of The Sporting News. "The feeling on the streets, with everyone in their Yankees or Mets apparel was a remarkable thing to see. Add to that the Giants getting to the Super Bowl, the Devils to the Stanley Cup finals, continuous sellout crowds at Madison Square Garden, the radio talk shows alive with discussion, and the multi-cultural embrace of sports by the city's famous 'melting pot,' and you have a city gone wild in the last 12 months."

Joining the Mayor for a ceremony at the Richmond County Bank Ballpark at St. George in Staten Island were representatives from New York sports teams including the Giants, Jets, Mets, Yankees, Brooklyn Cyclones, Staten Island Yankees, Rangers, Knicks, MetroStars, Power, the National Football League; Fox 5/WNYW's Sports Anchor Curt Menefee; Sports Commissioner Kenneth J. Podziba; Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari; and President and CEO of NYC & Company Cristyne L. Nicholas. Also on hand for the festivities were the Brooklyn Dodger Symphonies, and in the stands were nearly 2,000 children representing such groups as NYCHA's Inner City Games and the Staten Island Children's Aid Society.

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