Notre Dame-Miami Sun Bowl Generates More Than $24 Million In Economic Impact
The 77th annual Hyundai Sun Bowl between the University of Miami and the University of Notre Dame generated $24.6 million in total economic activity during the last week of 2010, according to a survey conducted by Texas Perspectives, Inc., that was released March 18.
The study measured the bowl game’s economic impact over the last week of 2010 leading up to the game, where Notre Dame defeated Miami 33-17.
“It’s a huge number for El Paso to realize in just one week,” said Sun Bowl Executive Director Bernie Olivas. “It just goes to show how important bowl games are to the communities that host them, especially El Paso.”
In comparison, the 2010 United States Bowling Congress Women’s Championships from March 27, 2010 to July 4, 2010, brought over 40,000 visitors and $42-$48 million in economic impact, according to the El Paso Convention and Visitors Bureau.
The City of El Paso, El Paso County and Sun Metro realized just under $400,000 in tax revenue during the last week of December, 2010. The revenues generated from the Hyundai Sun Bowl have allowed for the creation of approximately 393 new jobs in the community according to the Texas Perspectives study.
The research was done based on surveys and questionnaires carried out by a committee during the sold-out December 31st game.
A record 54,021 attended the 2010 edition of the Hyundai Sun Bowl and it is estimated also that a record 16,000 out-of-town visitors descended upon the Sun City during bowl week.
Leo Duran Sr., a member of the El Paso Restaurant Association and owner of L & J Cafe, told ABC-7 he definitely noticed the extra fans last December. “We increased our sales by about 27 percent for that one week compared to last year so it’s terrific. We found out that there’s quite a few people that were referred to us by the hotels and motels,” said Duran.
