DETROIT – A study has revealed how much money the NFL Draft generated for Detroit in terms of the total economic impact.
On Thursday, July 11, 2024, Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission announced that the draft had a $213.6 million economic impact for Detroit and the region.
About $161.3 million came from visitors who traveled to Southeast Michigan, the release says.
These numbers come from a study developed by Dr. Patrick Rishe, director of the Sports Business Program at Washington University in St. Louis. He analyzed spending levels by visitors, locals, and the NFL.
The “local regional economy” was defined as Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties.
“Visit Detroit and the Detroit Sports Commission are thrilled to announce that the record-setting 775,000 people who attended the 2024 NFL Draft generated more than $213 million in total spending for Detroit and Southeast Michigan,” said Claude Molinari, president and CEO of Visit Detroit and co-chair of the Detroit Local Organizing Committee for the NFL Draft. “That spending went into the pockets of Detroit businesses and will help strengthen our community for years to come.
“I am also proud that more than 50 million people watched Detroit shine on national television, which will be critical for Michigan’s long-term population and economic growth.”
Here are some details from the economic impact report:
- $106.4 million is being retained long-term within the Detroit region as new income for households, business proprietors, and tax revenues.
- 30.2% of all attendees traveled more than 100 miles to attend the draft.
- The NFL’s total spend on local minority-owned businesses was $12.1 million.
- The Michigan Black Business Alliance, Detroit Economic Growth Corporation, Visit Detroit and Detroit Sports Commission helped Black-owned businesses secure 34 contracts to work directly with the NFL, totaling nearly 40% of local contracts.
- MBBA members hired more than 500 staff members to meet work demand, resulting in about $1.2 million in staff income during the week.
- The Detroit Sports Commission’s Living Legacy Initiative helped distribute $1.5 million dollars in grants to local non-profit organizations.
- Fans from all 50 states and more than 20 countries attended the draft.
- A fan from Australia traveled more than 11,000 miles to attend the draft.
- Hotel occupancy in the city during the draft:
- Wednesday, April 24: 84%.
- Thursday, April 25: 92%.
- Friday, April 26: 85%.
- Saturday, April 27: 74%.