PR Chamber of Commerce pushes sports as economic development strategy
By THE STAR STAFF
The Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce (CCPR by its initials in Spanish) is seeking to position sports as a key driver of economic development, arguing that the industry’s impact extends far beyond athletic competitions to sectors such as tourism, hospitality, transportation, media, advertising and retail.
CCPR President José “Che” Aparicio said Puerto Rico has an opportunity to transform sports into a significant economic sector capable of generating investment, business opportunities and job creation. As part of that effort, the CCPR will host the Sports Business Summit 2026 this Thursday, bringing together business leaders to discuss the economic potential of sports, entertainment and culture.
“We are convinced that we have an extraordinary opportunity to turn sports into a true economic development industry for Puerto Rico,” Aparicio said. “This vision requires partnerships among the private sector, sports organizations, academic institutions and government agencies to identify investment opportunities, strengthen infrastructure and develop initiatives that capitalize on Puerto Rico’s athletic talent.”
The event, themed “Sports, Entertainment and Culture: A New Economic Development Model for Puerto Rico,” aims to promote discussion on how those industries can contribute to the island’s long-term economic growth.
Topics scheduled for discussion include investment in sports infrastructure, the development of facilities and major sporting events as tourism drivers, the rapid growth of women’s sports, and emerging business opportunities related to Name, Image and Likeness, or NIL, agreements, which allow athletes to profit from their personal brands through sponsorships and endorsements.
Aparicio said Puerto Rico’s combination of world-class athletes, strategic geographic location and unique cultural identity creates favorable conditions for expanding sports-related business activity.
“What we need is to connect those strengths with a business vision that can transform that potential into investment and economic activity,” he said. “Sports, entertainment and culture should not be viewed as isolated sectors, but as industries that can complement one another and make a significant contribution to the country’s economic development.”
He also highlighted the growth of women’s sports, opportunities for collegiate athletes, and the hosting of international sporting events as areas where Puerto Rican businesses could play a larger role.
“Beyond celebrating our athletic achievements, we need to create the conditions for those successes to generate economic opportunities,” Aparicio said. “From the Chamber of Commerce, we want to foster that conversation and help position Puerto Rico as an attractive destination for investment and business development linked to sports.”
The Sports Business Summit 2026 will be held at the Ballroom of the Bahía Beach Four Seasons in Río Grande on Thursday from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The event is invitation-only.
