UFC Steps Up NY Efforts, Touts Economic Impact
November 11, 2008
The UFC is using a full court press this week in New York, as they are stepping up efforts to have MMA legislation passed in the state. The company commissioned HR&A Advisors to craft an economic impact statement showing the monetary benefits of putting on UFC events in the state. Download/View the economic impact study here. The company also conducted a conference call with the media that was nicely summarized by MMAWeekly. The company is already seeing PR benefits from the blitz judging from pieces at the New York Post and Lohud.com. The Poughkeepsie Journal summarizes the anticipated numbers:
According to the report, a martial-arts event could attract thousands of
visitors, bringing in $1.1 million in revenue for the Buffalo area. The
report states $300,000 alone would be spent on overnight stays.
Martial-arts events in Buffalo would require about 300 staff, resulting in
the creation of 57 new jobs, according to the report.
Additionally, martial-arts events in New York City would bring in an
estimated $5.3 million, the report states.
The next step for the company will be Ratner’s attendance at a public hearing to educate Tourism committee members and interested parties set for Wednesday, according to MMAWeekly.com. A committee vote is set for January 2009.
The company nicely summarizes its economic arguments in a posting on it its MMA legalization mouthpiece MMAFacts.com:
The surging popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has meant sell out events at arenas across America, welcome news not just to arena owners and their employees but to the cities and states that are reaping the rewards in jobs, tourist spending and sales tax revenues.
At a time when the country is facing difficult economic times, the additional revenue is a great benefit for cash-strapped states and cities.
In Upstate New York, especially, MMA events could bring much-needed tourist dollars and tax revenue.
MMA events regularly break arena records for concession sales, merchandise sales and ticket prices.
…..
Arena owners throughout New York attest to the potential economic impact of MMA events held in their cities.
The Times Union Center in Albany anticipates a single MMA event generating close to $1 million in economic impact for Albany businesses and an additional $100,000 in tax revenues for Albany County. “The UFC® is one of the highest attended and one of the most profitable sports events being presented in the US. We would love to bring the UFC® to the Times Union Center.”
According to Madison Square Garden in New York City, if an MMA audience is similar to a typical boxing event audience, approximately one in five attendees would be traveling from beyond the metropolitan area, spending money on hotels, restaurants, shopping and entertainment on a multi-day stay.
