Trade to Jets means Tebowmania will hit Upstate
The Jets agreed to a trade that would bring Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow to New York on Wednesday. YNN's Chris Whalen swung by the SUNY Cortland campus where the Jets hold their training camp to see what people are saying about the move.
CORTLAND, N.Y. -- It's been nearly two full years since the New York Jets touched down in Upstate for training camp, and officials at SUNY Cortland are excited for the team to return once again this summer.
"It's great news for the university because of the visibility we receive, think of the media that will be visiting and the interviews, and the byline is always going to be 'Cortland, NY,'" said Dr. Erik Bitterbaum, president of SUNY Cortland.
In addition to the exposure, the Jets have helped bring millions of dollars to the local economy each time they've visited Cortland.
"It meant about $4.2 million to our community when they were here, and then increased fan base the second year which was two years ago, it was about $5.8 million," said Bob Haight, executive director of the Cortland County Chamber of Commerce.
Add to that one of the most talked-about players in the NFL, as the Jets agreed Wednesday to a trade for Tim Tebow, and this year could be bigger than ever.
"What we anticipate is more fans, more media, Cortland is going to have an even bigger name and we can't wait," Haight said.
Whether you love him, or hate him, or just like imitating his favorite pose, Tim Tebow is always making headlines. But what do fans of a team that represents the biggest city in America think about the possibility of Tebowmania coming to the Big Apple?
Fans on campus were already 'Tebowing' with delight at the prospect, but are worried about what a trade to New York could mean for current quarterback Mark Sanchez.
"I just hope it doesn't affect Sanchez because he's a little shaky already, because of the whole Peyton Manning thing, but it's definitely a good thing, but I hope it doesn't hurt them in the long run," said SUNY Cortland freshman Greg Carnazza.
"Right when he throws a pick, all the media is going to be saying 'oh, put in Tebow,' the fans, everyone loves Tebow, so the fans are going to be cheering for him, so it's going to affect him a little bit," said SUNY Cortland freshman Matt Carrino.
But one thing that is certain, while training camp may be months away, football is already on everyone's mind.