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ORANGE BOWL EVENTS FOR 2012-13 GENERATE NEARLY $300 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT FOR SOUTH FLORIDA

Miami Lakes – The 2012-13 Orange Bowl Festival, including the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship and the 79th Discover Orange Bowl, generated a total of $298.1 million in new economic impact and media exposure value for South Florida, according to a study by Conventions Sports & Leisure International (CSL).

The amount is nearly 50% more than the economic impact generated the last time the Orange Bowl double-hosted an Orange Bowl and BCS National Championship game in 2008-09, primarily due to a highly anticipated Discover BCS National Championship game, improved economic conditions, higher patron spending levels and an increase in media coverage.

Overall it is estimated from the study that Orange Bowl events drew approximately 383,000 unique visitors to the area, including 57% from outside of South Florida. It is estimated that the events generated 225,000 incremental hotel room nights throughout South Florida.

“The Orange Bowl Committee was created 80 years ago with the stated mission of generating tourism for South Florida through an annual football game and sporting events,” said Eric Poms Orange Bowl CEO. “The economic impact of being able to host a College Football National Championship game and the exposure it creates for South Florida is a tremendous opportunity to showcase all of the amenities we have to offer visitors and positively impact our community.”

It is estimated that Orange Bowl events generated $127 million in new direct spending, $224 million in total new economic output, $4.9 million in new taxes and supported approximately 2,400 new full and part-time jobs that generated $81.4 million in personal earnings, according to the study. The total economic impact figure includes $74.1 million in media exposure value for South Florida.

“Greater Miami is known as a big event destination,” said William D. Talbert III, CDME, President and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “The annual Discover Orange Bowl is one of our community’s most treasured traditions, drawing thousands of tourists to Miami. The millions of dollars spent by visitors during this year’s Orange Bowl events, including the 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game and 79th Discover Orange Bowl, along with the extensive media coverage, generated a major impact on our community, both economically and in the support of jobs.”

“Greater Fort Lauderdale, along with all of South Florida, was delighted to share in the excitement and international attention during these amazing sporting events,” said Nicki Grossman, president and CEO, Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau. “For Broward County, the economic impact of these games and the opportunity to host almost four hundred thousand celebrating visitors is a reason to cheer.”

The 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game drew a Sun Life Stadium record 80,120 fans in attendance, approximately 93% of whom were from outside of South Florida. The game was watched by approximately 26.4 million viewers on ESPN, the second biggest cable audience in history. Approximately 65% of the 74,754 attendees for the Discover Orange Bowl were from outside of South Florida. It drew approximately 10.6 million viewers to the ESPN telecast.

CSL was commissioned by the Orange Bowl to develop an independent estimate of the quantifiable benefits of Orange Bowl events during the 2012-13 double-hosting year. CSL has gained a national reputation for completing high-profile socio-economic impact studies for high profile events and projects. Examples of CSL’s other economic impact studies include Orlando City soccer, Orlando Solar Bears, Anaheim Angels, San Diego Padres/Petco Park and the Chevron Houston Marathon.

For the past 16 years, the Discover Orange Bowl was one of four bowls that guaranteed a National Championship Game for South Florida every four years. Under the new College Football Playoff system for the 12 years beginning with the 2014 season, semifinal games will be rotated among six bowls, with two bowls each hosting a semifinal game every three years.

The Discover Orange Bowl will host semifinal games following the 2015, 2018, 2021 and 2024 seasons. In the other eight years, the Discover Orange Bowl will feature the ACC champion against a highly ranked team from the Big Ten, SEC or Notre Dame.

All 12 games will be played on either December 31 or January 1, unless December 31 falls on an NFL Sunday, in which case the game will be Saturday, December 30. With regard to future College Football Championship Games, the host sites will be awarded on a bid basis. South Florida recently submitted a bid to host the 2017 College Football National Championship Game.

2012-2013 Orange Bowl Events, including Discover BCS National Championship Game and Discover Orange Bowl
By the Numbers

$298.1 million Total Economic Impact and added Media Value
$224 million Total New Economic Output
$74.1 million Added Media Exposure Value
$4.9 million New Taxes Generated
2400 New Full and Part-Time Jobs Generated
$81.4 million Personal Earnings from those 2400 New Jobs
383,000 Unique Visitors to the area (57% from outside South Florida)
225,000 Incremental Hotel Room Nights
93% Percentage of those in Attendance 2013 Discover BCS National Championship Game from outside of South Florida

Source for above numbers is Conventions Sports & Leisure International (CSL)

80,120 Attendance at the Discover BCS National Championship Game (a Sun Life Stadium record)
37 million Number of those who viewed the two games on ESPN

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