A recent study indicates that two college football
games at the Alamodome generated $46.6M "in direct and
indirect spending to the local economy" of San Antonio,
according to Tim Griffin of the SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS.
UTSA Tourism Research Center conducted the study which
claims that "sellout crowds for the Big 12 Championship game
and the Sylvania Alamo Bowl attracted more than 89,000 out-
of-town visitors to San Antonio and a record combined
spending total from the two events." The study showed that
bowl-game visitors spent $9.6M directly, while the combined
direct and indirect impact was $23.2M. Ticket revenues,
membership fees and expenses from the universities and TV
network in producing the event brought in an "extra" $3.6M.
The Big 12 Championship game had a total economic impact of
$19.8M. Meanwhile, "about" 17% of spectators for both games
came from the outside of TX and averaged an overnight stay
of "4.35 days for the Alamo Bowl, compared to 2.98 days for
the Big 12 championship" (EXPRESS-NEWS, 7/22).
ACC -- EXPANSION, BOWLS, DISNEY: In FL, Bob Thomas
reports that expansion is "no longer a burning issue" around
the ACC. ACC Commissioner John Swofford: "(Expansion talk)
is still on the stove. It's just on the back burner."
Thomas adds in an attempt to "bring an ACC flavor" to FL,
the league announced that "men's and women's golf, lacrosse,
tennis and track & field championships will be contested" at
Disney's Wide World of Sports complex in Orlando from April
19-22, 2001 (TIMES-UNION, 7/24)....In Charlotte, Gregg Doyel
reports that there "has been talk among executives at the
MicronPC Bowl of moving the game to Charlotte." The move
would be an attempt to boost the game's attendance which
"has suffered" in Ft. Lauderdale (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 7/24).
