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Florida TaxWatch Economic Commentary
Touchdowns, Tackles, and Tax Revenue
A look at the economic impact from bowl games in Florida
Bowl Games Positively Impact Local and State Economies
Hosting bowl games is not only a matter of prestige. Bowl games that bring in out-of-state dollars create a significant impact in the local economies that host them. The industries that benefit the most are accommodation and food services; arts, entertainment, and recreation; and retail trade.
"Touchdowns, Tackles and Tax Revenue"
The 2011-12 Capital One Bowl and Champs Sports Bowl and their related activities, held in Orlando, brought in an estimated $5.61 million in spending on accommodations, and $3.74 million in restaurant expenses, and fans were able to spend time at the state’s most famous attractions, including Disney and Universal Studios Parks. All told, the 2011-12 Orlando Bowl Week was estimated to result in an economic impact of $70.9 million. The maximum potential impact, however, was estimated to be $88.6 million, assuming both games were sell-outs hosting four out-of-state teams.1
The overall Orange Bowl Economic Impact in 2012-13, the year it hosted its last BCS National Championship, was estimated to be $298.1 million, including $127 million in direct spending, and $4.9 million in tax revenue.2 On Florida’s gulf coast, the Outback Bowl is estimated to generate an annual economic impact of $40 million for the Tampa Bay region.3
In addition to economic impact, bowl games help their communities through charitable initiatives. The Orange Bowl Committee, for instance, runs the “Kicks for Kids!” initiative, which collects new and gently used athletic shoes and donates them to South Florida’s underserved children. The Florida Citrus Sports organization has helped thousands of at-risk youth from Central Florida through its MVPs programs, and many other bowl game committees offer scholarships and other education-related efforts to Floridians.
Conclusion
While the sports world is celebrating touchdowns, tackles, and trophies, all Floridians can be celebrating the positive economic impact that hosting the most bowl games in the nation has on their state.
1 Florida Citrus Sports. “Orlando Bowl Week Economic Impact Study.” Prepared by Enigma Research Corporation.
2 South Florida Business Journal. “Orange Bowl, BCS Championship scored high in Economic Impact.” November 1, 2013.
3 Outback Bowl. General Sponsor Overview.
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