NASHVILLE, Tenn., (March 31, 2008) – Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl representatives announced today that the 2007 Bowl between the University of Kentucky and Florida State University generated a record $27.1 million impact on the local economy. 

 

Attendance at the tenth anniversary Bowl was 68,661– an all-time Bowl record and the game’s second consecutive sellout at LP Field. The Bowl ranked ninth in attendance out of all 32 bowl games, with only two non-BCS bowls having more fans in attendance. 

 

The increased economic impact over the 2006 game is attributed to an increase in the number of out of town visitors; a longer average stay per visitor; an increase in the daily spending as reported by surveyed attendees; and an increase in the overall game attendance.

 

The Bowl also continued to make strides toward increasing local ownership of the event by strengthening the level of community participation as evidenced by the record 24,109 tickets sold prior to the announcement of the participating teams. 

 

Additional examples of increased local support include the 1,200 fans who attended the sold out Coaches Luncheon presented by News 2 at Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center and an estimated 17,000 fans who attended the MusicFest/Battle of the Bands presented by CMT. The annual pre-game celebration is held downtown on Second Avenue the night before the game. 

 

The broadcast of the game garnered an 11.4 television rating in the local Demographic Market Area, which was higher than both the Orange and Fiesta Bowls.

 

“We couldn’t be happier with the results from this year’s second consecutive sold out Bowl,” said Aubrey Harwell, Bowl chairman. “Most importantly, the continued increase in the number of out-of-town visitors that visited Nashville between Christmas and New Years again made a tremendous impact on our local economy and area hotels, restaurants, and attractions. I couldn’t think of a better way to top off the Bowl’s tenth anniversary.”

 

Furthermore, the Bowl donated more than $27,500 to member leagues of its regional Youth Football Program, as well as more than $160,000 worth of game tickets through the generous support of local companies and individuals. Over 5,000 youth and their families attended the Bowl through the Youth Football Program.

 

Media coverage and exposure of the 2007 game substantially increased over the 2006 game. The Bowl broadcast on ESPN garnered a 4.02 rating, which was an 80% increase over 2006 and the largest percentage increase year-to-year for any of the bowl games broadcast on ESPN/ABC. Through its national radio network, Nevada Sports Radio Network, and participating team affiliates, the Bowl had more than 200 radio stations around the country broadcast the game. Over 350 credentialed media attended and covered the event.

 

The Bowl utilizes the Nashville Sports Council’s nationally recognized Scorecard report to measure the impact and effectiveness of sporting events on the local economy. The Scorecard, developed in partnership with Belmont University, measures economic impact, media exposure, and community involvement based on ratings and surveys from participants, spectators, volunteers, and media that attended the event.

 

For more information call the Bowl office at (615) 743-3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com.

 

 

About the Bowl:

 

The Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl (501 c-3 not-for-profit) is an annual post-season collegiate bowl featuring the Southeastern and Atlantic Coast Conferences. The 2007 game was played on Monday, Dec.31, 2007, at 3 p.m. CST at LP Field in Nashville. Televised nationally to millions of viewers on ESPN, the Bowl is Nashville’s Holiday Tradition. For more information, call the Bowl office at 615-743-3130 or visit the Bowl online at MusicCityBowl.com.

 

-30-