Destination Clubs and Football

By: Destination Club News
Date: February 7, 2010

Known for its comedic commercials and the superfluous eating by fans, the Super Bowl is watched by millions every year and Super Bowl XLIV is just hours away, pitting the New Orleans Saints against the Indianapolis Colts. Without fail, following the game, someone will shout "I'm going to Disneyland!" While Disneyland and Disneyworld might be popular locales following the Super Bowl, a number of players who have hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy have also enjoyed their own luxury travel through destination club membership.

Hall of Famer and Super Bowl XXIX MVP Steve Young is a member and spokesperson of Ultimate Escapes Destination Club. "My family and I were looking for a travel option that fit our needs," said Young in February of 2005 when he joined Private Escapes, now a part of Ultimate Escapes. "We debated between buying another vacation home but this option was far too limiting — my family wants to travel where they want, when they want."

Late last year, The Markers Club would sponsor Young's organization, the Forever Young Foundation, for the Steve Young/Jerry Rice Bay Area Classic on October 21, 2009. Funds raised through the event were used to contribute to the Forever Young Foundation and The Tech Museum of Innovation.

Ed McCaffrey would win a Super Bowl ring alongside Steve Young in Super Bowl XXIX and would go on to add two more rings as a Denver Bronco before retiring in February of 2004. Just months following his departure, McCaffrey would join Exclusive Resorts as the club's Vice President of Sports & Entertainment. "I'm excited to work for a company with huge potential, run by intelligent, hard-working visionaries who want to be part of a winning team," McCaffrey said upon joining the world's largest destination club. "Exclusive Resorts is the ultimate way to vacation and spend time with family and friends. I'm looking forward to educating other athletes and entertainers about how to make the world their second home."

Playing with both Young and McCaffrey during his NFL career, Bill Romanowski won four Super Bowls during his 16 years in the league. Following his retirement, Romanowski joined High Country Club, the low cost alternative in the destination club industry. When High Country Club filed for bankruptcy early in 2009, Romanowski was one of the 375 members that seemingly lost their refundable membership deposit. Earlier this week, High Country Club was ordered to liquidate seven of their properties in an auction taking place next month.

Super Bowl winner Warren Sapp and Jeremy Shockey, the starting Tight End for this year's New Orleans Saints, have both traveled through CareFree Elite, a small Florida based destination club. Listed amongst the club's client lists are also services provided during Super Bowls in 2001, 2005, and 2007.

Not limited to just players, former Offensive Coordinator for the Chicago Bears Ron Turner has long been a destination club member, joining Tanner & Haley prior to their bankruptcy in 2006. Turner would join Ultimate Resort following their acquisition of Tanner & Haley at the Elite level and made the transition to Ultimate Escapes following the merger with Private Escapes. Amongst their trips with the club are stays in Nevis, Cabo, and St. Thomas. Seems like a beach theme for the Turner family.

Destination clubs have even gone outside of the staffs of football franchises, marketing directly to the fans. Dream Catcher Retreats, a destination club that merged with Quintess in 2006, partnered with multiple Super Bowl winner the New England Patriots to give fans preferred pricing on membership. "Our partnership with the Patriots will allow Patriots premium seating members an opportunity to experience the ultimate in luxury accommodations with special access to Dream Catcher’s spectacular homes located in the world’s most popular destinations," said Dream Catcher CEO Scott Anderson. "Clubhouse members will be able to partake in exclusive viewings of our amazing homes and properties, become acquainted with the concept of private luxury destination clubs and discover the extraordinary privileges of clubhouse membership."

To bring the football story full circle back to today's game, in early 2006, Exclusive Resorts and the National Football League Players Association announced a relationship that would give NFLPA members "a welcome retreat for well-traveled NFL players accustomed to hotel stays." Exclusive Resorts made a $25,000 charitable donation on behalf of the NFLPA and would make an additional contribution for every NFLPA member who joined the club.

Players from the San Diego Chargers led the way, including Linebacker Donnie Edwards and Quarterback Drew Brees, who now leads the highly touted New Orleans Saints offense in today's game. "As a member of Exclusive Resorts, I know just how much other players and coaches will be amazed by the Exclusive Resorts vacation experience," Brees said. "With my work with the Brees Dream Foundation trying to fight cancer and improve the lives of cancer patients, I'm especially proud to be part of two organizations with such a strong commitment to giving back and making a difference in the lives of others."

"We are proud that the National Football League Players Association has selected Exclusive Resorts to provide the perfect vacation solution to its members and their families," said Donn Davis, the CEO of Exclusive Resorts and now a member of the club's Board of Directors. "We all know - perhaps professional athletes better than any of us - how the rigors of hard work and distance from our families make rest and relaxation such a luxury. That's what we provide: the convenience, privacy, variety, and luxurious service and accommodations that can only be found in an Exclusive Resorts membership - and the satisfaction that comes with sharing those experiences with family and friends."

Regarding fans, one lucky auction winner received tickets to today's game and accommodations through a donation by Ultimate Escapes, with the proceeds going towards Haiti relief.

Professional athletes make up just a small portion of the total destination club member base, but their long off-seasons and busy travel schedules make them an attractive audience to pursue. If you are considering joining a destination club (even if you aren't a hulking 350 pound offensive lineman), request a free copy of our Destination Club Guide for more information about the benefits and risks of membership and an extensive list of suggested due diligence questions pertaining to joining.