Utah economy benefiting from Pac-12 membership

Utah economy benefiting from Pac-12 membership


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SALT LAKE CITY — The University of Utah last week unveiled their new Spence and Cleone Eccles Football Center — a facility administrators and coaches said would not be possible without being in the Pac-12. However, the school is not the only group to benefit from the Pac-12, according to a new study.

The study, conducted by the U's Center for Public Policy & Administration and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research, found that Utah's involvement in the Pac-12 has brought "substantial" economic growth to the state as has "improved perceptions of the U and the state."

The study looked at out-of-state football fans attending four football games at Rice-Eccles Stadium. In 2012 alone, out-of-state fans spent an estimated $2.3 million on travel, food and lodging. Television revenue accounted for an additional $8 million, which was $5 million more than the Utes' inaugural season in the Pac-12.

In contrast, the television revenue for Utah while under the Mountain West Conference was just under $1.2 million in their last season. "(The) U's share of television revenues provides an economic impact that was previously unachievable," said Dianne Meppen, research associate at the Center, in a prepared statement.


(The) U's share of television revenues provides an economic impact that was previously unachievable.

–Dianne Meppen


The study found that approximately 275 jobs were created and a total of $6.6 million was generated during the time evaluated. State tax revenue was approximately $660,000.

"Since the U joined the Pac-12, more fans are visiting the state, spending more while they're here and leaving with the idea of returning — that's a win for the U and the state," Meppen said.

Researchers also found that the overall impression of the state received favorable reviews. Of fans polled, 62 percent said they were more likely to visit in the future. The school, too, received favorable reviews, with 43 percent of fans polled saying their impression of the university changed.

"A bonus for the university is that nearly a quarter of those polled said they were more familiar with academics at the U than before," Meppen said.

Opponent fans studied included the University of Southern California, University of California at Berkeley, Washington State University and the University of Arizona.

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Josh Furlong

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