For more information, contact:
The St. Louis Sports Commission
314-992-0683
mschreiber@stlsports.org

 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS IN ST. LOUIS
ESCAPE RECESSION STRANGLEHOLD

ATTENDANCE FOR THIS YEAR’S EVENT IS UP –
AND THAT’S GOOD ECONOMIC NEWS FOR THE REGION

ST. LOUIS – March 19, 2009 – The passion of college wrestling fans appears to be recession proof. And that’s great news for the St. Louis economy. Despite the economic slowdown, attendance is actually up for this year’s NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships. That means more visitors to the region and more new dollars being spent in the community.

The Championships begin today at Scottrade Center and conclude Saturday night. Last year in St. Louis, the event had total attendance of 94,324 – an average of 15,721 fans for each of the six sessions. The number of tickets sold for this year’s event has already passed the 2008 figure, and organizers project total attendance surpassing 95,000. Though the increase translates to just one percent, the fact that attendance is actually up is quite noteworthy considering all the trends that show travel and fan spending down nationwide.

Most important for the St. Louis economy, area businesses and local tax coffers will once again reap the benefits of the Wrestling Championships, which are taking place in the Gateway City for the fifth time this decade. According to estimates made by the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association, and based on previous economic impact studies, the 2009 Championships will generate more than $14 million in economic impact for the region. St. Louis RCGA Chief Economist Ruth Sergenian estimates the event will generate $959,000 in additional state and local taxes. More than 15,000 out-of-town fans, student-athletes, coaches, media and officials will visit St. Louis for the tournament.

The Wrestling Championships is one of five major sporting events taking place in St. Louis over a one-month span that will inject a financial boost to the community. The region also hosts the NCAA Women’s Final Four in two weeks (April 5 and 7). That event will attract 20,000 visitors to St. Louis and create approximately $20 million in direct visitor spending. Sandwiched in between the national semifinals and championship game will be Cardinals Opening Day. Earlier this month, the Missouri Valley Conference hosted its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at Scottrade Center and the Family Arena in St. Charles.

“With a down economy and after a long, cold winter, this is the best and brightest news we can generate,” said Frank Viverito, president of the St. Louis Sports Commission, which hosts the 2009 NCAA Wrestling Championships with the University of Missouri. “Not only do these events drive great economic benefit to the region, they also bring great fun and excitement to our community. That’s especially valuable in times like these.”

Even with more fans going through the turnstiles at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, there’s still a chance for local residents to experience the event. Best of all, they can take in the action without breaking the bank. Tickets start at only $9 for sessions one through five, and $15 for the finals on Saturday night. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com or the Scottrade Center box office. For more information on the Championships and the event schedule, visit www.stlsports.org/wrestling.

The St. Louis Sports Commission is the privately funded nonprofit organization that benefits St. Louis through sports.

Its mission is to make the St. Louis region a better place to live, visit, work and play through sports.

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