Backlash from Arizona’s new immigration law could cost the Phoenix area a whopping $90 million in lost revenue.Four major events have been canceled as calls for a boycott grow louder in protest of a strict law that lets police ask people for their citizenship papers, city officials toldThe Arizona Republic newspaper.
“We have an image and public relations problem of what might be unprecedented proportions,” said deputy city managerDavid Krietor.He’s keeping an eye on 19 events at city-run venues, including the Phoenix Convention Center and the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel, that bring in about $90 million.
Four event sponsors have already canceled, including one scheduled for 2015, and several others have expressed concern over the legislation.Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the oldest African American Greek-lettered frat in the country, planned to hold its annual convention in July. Instead the expected 5,000 attendees will now head to Las Vegas.Also at risk is the 2011 All-Star Game. Several politicians and even a few players are urging Major League Baseball Commissioner Bud Selig to change the venue in protest.
Two members of Congress are now calling for Major League Baseball to either move the All-Star game out of Phoenix, or for players to boycott the game.Nearly 30% of major-league players were born outside the United States, according to MLB. But Selig brushed off the idea in a recent interview with Phoenix’s 12 News.”We’re a social institution and I’ll rest my case on the fact that baseball has been remarkably socially active over the last 50 years,” he said.
Santosamaru 