FOOTBALL MONEY Report Says WVU Home Football Games Pump Millions Into Local Economy
Reported by: Associated Press
Web Producer: Bethany Simmons
Reported: Oct. 22, 2012 11:57 AM EDT
Eyewitness News Photo
Morgantown
, West Virginia
A West Virginia University study estimates every home football game generates $1.6 million for Monongalia County's economy, or $11.2 million over a seven-game season.
The Bureau of Business and Economic Research says that's a conservative estimate.
It says the per-game impact is $880,000 in direct spending and $770,000 in indirect spending, such as workers' wages and various taxes.
The economic impact is largely in lodging, restaurant and bar sales, and sales at gas stations, the airport and parking.
The study doesn't look at surrounding counties in either West Virginia or Pennsylvania. Nor does it include spending from the WVU athletics budget.
It says the impact will likely change now that WVU is competing in the Big 12. High interest is likely to attract more fans and visitors to Morgantown.
WVU gets gifts to support education lab May 25, 2013 3:05 PM EDT About $500,000 in private gifts is helping to support science, technology, engineering and math education programs at West Virginia University.
Associated Press
