Leaders in the Manatee County sports industry are working together to to strengthen the region's reputation as a destination for athletes and teams.

Manatee County has been home to sports of all types: spring training, minor league baseball, pro tennis, pro racing, college matchups, rowing  and boating.

The county offers fabulous recreational facilities, while professional companies like IMG Academies attract athletes from around the world to train for their chosen sport.

"None of us really worked together in the past, which was kind of odd," Trevor Gooby, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Senior Director of Florida Operations, told the County Commission Tuesday.

"We sat down and said how can we work together, to bring more companies to the area?"

The group includes representatives from the Priates organization, IMG  Academies, Benderson Development, Andersen racing, the economic development council, the convention and visitors bureau and the county.

They all got together to decide how to promote Manatee County's Sports Performance Industry.

"Our partnerships are already growing," Gooby said. And getting attention.

IMG Academies and Manatee County were featured in this month's issue of ESPN Magazine in a story about a basketball star from India training here locally.

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