The Economic Impact of College Sporting Events: A Case Study of Division I-A Football Games

Abstract

In sport management, economic impact studies are often used to estimate the economic benefits of sport events, sports facilities, and sports teams. Many studies have focused on the measurement of hallmark or mega-events but few have focused on the impact of smaller scale repetitive events. The objective of this study was to estimate total spending and economic impact on the local economy of visitors to college football games and then to assess the value of the sport to the community. Using the input–output model, the study calculated the economic impact of these events on sales, income, value-added, and employment of the community. Key misapplications in economic impact analysis and costs associated with sporting events are also discussed.