2009 Baseball Season Forecast To Be $280 Million Boost For Regional Economy, RCGA Economic Impact Analysis Concludes

April 3, 2009

For more information, contact
Gary Broome at (314) 444-1171

For Immediate Release:

ST. LOUIS -- With the Cardinals projected to again attract approximately three million fans this season, the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA) estimates that the economic impact of the 2009 Cardinal season on the St. Louis region will exceed $280 million, according to a just-completed economic impact analysis conducted by the RCGA's Chief Economist Ruth Sergenian.

"Based on projected Cardinals regular season attendance of three million fans, the team will generate an estimated $150 million this year in direct impact and $130 million in indirect regional economic activity. This figure is based on employment at Busch Stadium and fan spending, but it does not include the added economic benefits of potential playoff or World Series appearances by the Cardinals, nor does it include the Major League All-Star Game to be held in St. Louis in July," Sergenian noted.

"The economic impact model measures how spending tied to an event has multiple impacts and spread throughout a region, thereby benefiting households and firms within the region. The major sources of spending are on-site expenditures (e.g. ticket prices, concessions, merchandise) and off-site expenditures (e.g. dining, retail, lodging, transportation)."

Historically, out of town visitors constitute some 40% of Cardinals attendance, and their spending on dining and lodging provides a significant boost to the regional economy.

RCGA President and Chief Executive Officer Richard C.D. Fleming noted, "As the NCAA Women's Final Four begins, projected to generate a $34.6 million economic benefit for the St. Louis region, and with pre-Tournament events this Saturday --- on the heels of the 2009 State Farm Missouri Valley Conference Men's Basketball Tournament and the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships held in recent weeks --- the opening of the 2009 baseball season just adds to the excitement for fans in one of America's great sports towns. It also bodes well economically for the City and the bi-state region. Baseball and NCAA Championship events have unique tourism and economic development benefits over most other sports, with significant destination travel to St. Louis for weekend series, and they are major catalysts for activity in the downtown area -- generating destination business for hotels, airlines, rental car companies, restaurants, and retailers."

"At a time of national economic downturn, we should all be grateful to the St. Louis Sports Commission and the NCAA for filling St. Louis with sports fans and very welcome customers associated with these outstanding college events and the opening of the Cardinal season," Fleming concluded.  

About the St. Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA)
The RCGA is the chamber of commerce and economic development organization for the 16-county, bi-state region. The mission of the RCGA is to unite the region's business community, and to engage dynamic business and civic leadership to develop and sustain a world-class economy and community.

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