The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that this year’s Wrestlemania brought a $62 million economic impact to the area according to an economic research study by the WWE. This is a record for the WWE and a $17 million increase in economic impact from last year’s Wrestlemania in Glendale/Phoenix, Arizona.
This year’s Wrestlemania, which featured the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, garnered almost $8 million in taxes for the area. A portion of the impact relates to the increase in out of state visitors staying in the area for the event.
Darren Rovell also tweeted that the WWE’s impact equated to 621 full-time jobs in Atlanta.
Payout Perspective:
The study is being released a week before the WWE announces its earnings for the third quarter. So, maybe a bit of public relations by the WWE. The reported financial impact on Atlanta is similar to the boon Toronto received for UFC 129 and is good news prior to its earnings call. Obviously, one may argue the economic impact report is skewed since the study was done by a Stamford, Connecticut firm (where WWE headquarters is located) likely commissioned by the WWE. But, it shows the importance of the live event is to the UFC and WWE. Both have added to the live experience through Expos at big events which allow consumers more access and touchpoints to its brands.
I thought UFC 129 had an estimated $40 million impact on Toronto, well short of $62 millon. It was a conservative estimate, but still…
@MV: You are correct. I’ve made the change.