Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteMoss
I'd say it's about $0 dollars worth. Do you think Columbus has gained 400 million dollars because they got the blue jackets?
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Over a 40 year period (expected life of the arena)? I would say it is definitely more than zero. Not as much as it would be if they had an NBA or MLB team, but being a major league city would definitely create some economic gravity over the long term. It's precisely why cities try to lure cultural elements (like sports teams) to being with or why when you go on city websites, they list such attractions when doing their elevator pitches for why you should move there, visit as a tourist, or move your business there. It puts your city name in zeitgeist. The City of Calgary website markets the Flames as a reason why Calgary is a great city and worth visiting, so there must be a benefit.
Measuring the exact value is difficult, but there has to be value there or no city would bother trying to bring in these spectacles or advertise them.