Inside Thirteen blogger: Neal Shapiro, President

What a treat it was to tape a segment (airing August 3rd) for SundayArts at the brand new Sports Museum of America in lower Manhattan. I should confess that before I went, I wondered if there really was a need for a museum about sports. But I was totally persuaded by the time I left. When you consider what Jackie Robinson accomplished… or Billie Jean King’s victory over Bobby Riggs in the so-called “Battle of the Sexes” tennis match… you realize just how much sports can mean to our country.

By collaborating with many of the athletic Halls of Fame around the country, this museum has incredible memorabilia from every sport: signed baseballs from Babe Ruth, Superbowl helmets from the world champion Giants, and the shoes—and they are very big shoes to fill—from Shaquille O’Neal. Oh yes, and there is also a real NASCAR vehicle and the actual Heisman trophy.

The Sports Museum of America itself is part of a plan to revitalize downtown Manhattan and it’s clearly having an impact. It is also revitalizing the way a museum engages its visitors… there are several original films to watch, and many interactive exhibits.

If you like sports or if you know people who like sports, they will love this museum.
http://www.sportsmuseum.com/