January 3, 2011; Source: Dallas News | Local businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex aren’t the only ones that expect to profit from the Super Bowl, which is to be played in Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Feb. 6. Local charities that are raffling tickets with a face value of $600 or more for a fraction of that price hope also to score big bucks.
For instance, Catholic Charities of Dallas says their group aims to raise $25,000 – $30,000 from sales of 2,000 raffle tickets. Even though there is no guarantee their home team Cowboys will make it to the Superbowl, that uncertainty isn’t affecting ticket sales. “It seems like there has been more interest this year,” said Rosemary Tarangioli of Catholic Charities of Dallas.
Other nonprofits are similarly trying to cash in football’s big day. The National Football League reports that the number of nonprofits that raise funds from ticket sales has been climbing annually. “The role the Super Bowl plays as a de facto national holiday has continued to grow,” said David Krichavsky, director of community affairs for the NFL. “More organizations see the opportunity to be a part of it.”
Nonprofit groups have several ways of securing tickets. The NFL sells tickets directly and at face value to nonprofits. Others purchase tickets from tour operators, and some receive them as gifts from donors. Small investments in tickets can yield big returns. According to the NFL, in the past groups have collected between $8,000 and $16,000 for a pair of tickets.
While no one is taking bets yet on the outcome of the February matchup, the charities selling tickets – and more so, those they serve – are the sure winners no matter who is crowned this year’s football champ. Says Catholic Charities’ Tarangioli, “We’re just trying to raise very needed funds to provide services to folks. The need keeps growing.”—Bruce Trachtenberg
