March Madness Marketing...(& the Money that is Made)

Dayton, OH—Call it what you may...March Madness..."The Big Dance"..."The Tournament"..."One Shining Moment"...The Marketing Mecca...

Since 1939, the NCAA has hosted its greatest revenue generating machine (Division 1 Men's Basketball Tournament). From the First Four in Dayton, OH to the Final Four in a destination city, it presently comprises of 68-teams that compete for a National Championship throughout a brief three-week span with the action culminating on a global venue. This year's benefactor is San Antonio. With a majority of the nearly 100,000 fans attending from out of town, the projected economic impact for the host city is mind boggling:

  • Visiting fans are expected to spend more than $18 million on alcohol alone during the championship event...with a total estimated economic activity at a staggering range of $180 to $350 Million dollars!

  • The State of Texas will see nearly $14 Million of it as a result of taxes and the City of San Antonio should directly benefit nearly $7 Million from taxes alone.

  • With 4-night minimums, at an average of $300/night, hotels welcome the guests with open arms.

    • Other categories seek to benefit as well as the average person spends nearly $600 per day on a variety of items while attending the Final Four:

      • Food & Beverage: $112

      • Entertainment & Shopping: $146

      • Rental Cars: $40

  • Other numbers worth consideration?

    • $10 Billion in TV broadcasting rights paid by CBS and Turner Sports

    • $1+ Billion is annually generated in TV ad revenue

    • $200+ Million distributed in participating conferences

    • $8+ Million distributed to participating Final Four schools

    • $100+ Million in profits for those wagering bets in Las Vegas during the tournament

    • $9+ Billion in total bets

    • $3+ Billion in illegal betting

    • $2+ Billion in lost workplace productivity

Whether you’re in the gambling, entertainment, lodging, memorabilia, tax collecting, ticketing, sponsorship, event hospitality or beverage industry, one thing is certain; with the economic engine of college sports, there are many winners, regardless of a favorite team’s outcome.

 

 

Matt DunnEDR MarketingNCAA, Final Four, Loyola, Chicago, Kansas, Jayhawks, Michigan, Wolverines, Ramblers, Sister Jean, Villanova, Marketing, Fanfest, Tournament, Big Dance, One Shining Moment, event marketing, San Antonio, Alamo