Holy Cross Sports Economists Available to Comment on Economic Impact of the Super Bowl

WORCESTER, Mass. – Miami is not likely to profit from hosting Super Bowl XLIV, despite the large crowds expected to descend upon its hotels, restaurants and shops, according to sports economists Robert Baumann and Victor Matheson.  The NFL’s claim of an economic windfall between $300 - $400 million for the Super Bowl’s host city is largely inflated, they say.

Their research, which examined the Super Bowl’s economic impact from 1970 – 2001, shows that the event fails to generate significant profits and could even end up costing the city.

Baumann and Matheson, both associate professors of economics at the College of the Holy Cross, have expertise in sports economics and the impact of mega-sporting events on host cities.

For additional information, see their papers:

* “Selling the Big Game: Estimating the Economic Impact of Mega-Events through Taxable Sales” http://ideas.repec.org/p/hcx/wpaper/0510.html * “Padding Required: Assessing the Economic Impact of the Super Bowl” http://ideas.repec.org/p/hcx/wpaper/0403.html

Members of the media seeking additional information or assistance scheduling an interview should contact Kristine Maloney (associate director of national communications and media relations) or Cristal Steuer (manager of communications and media relations) at 508-793-2419.