Talk of San Antonio as a potential site for the Pan American Games existed as far back as 1993. That talk became serious in 1997, when San Antonio became one of four cities selected by the U.S. Olympic Committee to bid on the 2007 Pan Am Games. As two other cities dropped out of the running, the USOC ultimately selected San Antonio to bid for the Games.
San Antonio and the San Antonio Sports Foundation – which was the organizational driving force behind the bid – worked tirelessly to expand their profile throughout the Americas. Leaders of the Foundation, including chair Dr. David Schmidt, executive director Susan Blackwood and State Senator Jose Menendez, networked with sports officials from Canada to Chile.
Heading into the Pan American Sports Organization vote in Mexico City, many observers considered San Antonio’s the most qualified bid over Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which had become another frontrunner after dropping its bid for the 2008 Olympics to focus on the Pan Am Games. However, Rio’s budget dwarfed San Antonio’s, and on August 24, 2002, Rio won the vote 30-21. The disappointment mirrored the loss of the Olympic Festival 15 years prior, but once again, the loss motivated the Foundation to strengthen its presence. 
Dr. Susan Blackwood, working with Chris Shields of the Texas Strategy Group, utilized the Pan Am Games bid effort to establish a legislative vehicle that would provide an innovative funding mechanism to support the efforts of all Texas communities seeking to attract major sporting events. The Sporting Events Trust Fund works to grant a portion of the tax benefit of a major event back to the hosting county or city to be used to pay for bid or event related expenses. With the upcoming 2002 NCAA Women’s Final Four, the Sports Foundation was building the tools for a prolonged future of success.