Utah Sports Commission
U
tah continues to distinguish itself as a leader in the world of sports marketing, event attraction, sport development and sports related tourism. Assisted by the creation and growth of the Utah Sports Commission, and members of TEAM UTAH (consisting of all public and private entities within Utah working in partnership with the Utah Sports Commission to improve the state through sports), Utah is using sports as a key economic platform to grow its economy and enhance the state’s domestic and international image. In order to be competitive in the sports marketplace, Utah has been and is identifying and recruiting key sports, tourism and other related rights holders in order to develop and capitalize on these assets and positively influence Utah’s economy.
2009 Supercross at Rice-Eccles Stadium was seen nationally on CBS and the Speed Channel.
Through the 2008-2009 fiscal year, the Sports Commission partnered in 52 world-class sporting events across the state and leveraged those events where advertising or sports tourism activities could be executed. A total of $1.6 million in funding was provided to sports events resulting in an estimated $137 million in direct economic impact to the State of Utah with an average return on investment of $67 for every $1 invested in sport related activities. A number of these events hosted also had a major national and or international television component to them, and in aggregate generated an estimated $30 million in media value to the state. The Utah Sports Commission looks forward to another benchmark year in 2009-2010 in helping to contribute to the state’s annual $4.5 to $6 billion dollar sports industry by attracting events that grow its core competencies including winter sports, action/adventure sports, golf, motor sports, Olympic legacy sports and by partnering with constituents both within and outside the state of Utah. 2008-2009 Major Highlights EVENTS: • Partnered in 52 sporting events across the state generating approximately $137 million in economic impact to Utah • Partnered with 15 nationally or internationally televised events that provided Utah with approximately $30 million in media value • Brought Monster AMA Supercross back to Utah after a 5-year absence which brought an estimated $9 million in economic impact and $1 million in media value to the state • Extended contract with Dew Tour for 2009 season. The 2008 Dew Tour event set the largest attendance record and provided approximately $13 million in economic impact and $7 million in media value to Utah • Landed the Winter Dew Tour making Utah the only location to host a major summer and winter multisport action sports event • Utah continued to play host to the Utah Championship bringing an estimated $4 million in economic impact to Utah and 20 hours of GOLF CHANNEL coverage which is the cornerstone of Utah’s Destination Golf program. Tournament’s website was re-designed 48
Governor’s Office of Economic Development • Annual Report 2009
