Sports foundation reports that 2009 spring training boosts state’s economy by $752 million

Spring training hosts reap economic rewards

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Baseball’s spring training is lucrative business in Florida.

The 2009 Florida Grapefruit League season boosted the state’s economy by an estimated $752 million, the Florida Sports Foundation reported Wednesday.

The 39-day 2009 Florida spring training season drew about 1.6 million fans to 259 games at 15 locations, producing a $47 million average economic impact for each community hosting a Major League Baseball team.

A study commissioned by the foundation reported that spring training created 9,205 full- or part-time jobs.

“Major League Baseball has a following that transcends economic downturns,” said Dr. Mark Bonn, president of the research firm that conducted the study. “Economic conditions have little effect upon their decision to come to Florida for spring training. It’s more about loyalty than economics.”

The largest source of money from MLB’s 16 spring training baseball operations at 15 sites is fan spending, which accounted for 91 percent of the total expenditures generated earlier this year.

The foundation was created to help attract major sporting events to Florida, including Super Bowls, professional golf tournaments and baseball spring training along with other lesser-known events.

The foundation is mostly underwritten by a trust fund that receives money from the license plate sales of Florida’s professional sports franchises.