The Colts weren't the only winners when the team defeated the Bears 29-17 in Super Bowl XLI. The South Florida economy won too, earning an NFL record $195 million in revenue thanks to the game’s festivities, The Miami Herald reports, citing PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Three years later, Miami hosts another Super Bowl, and despite difficult economic times, the South Florida economy will add $153 million thanks to Super Bowl XLIV, PricewaterhouseCoopers estimates.
PwC sports and tourism director Robert Canton says Miami has earned more money hosting this year than Tampa Bay, host of Super Bowl XLIII, did last year.
"Spending will once again be constrained by prevailing economic conditions; however, compared to last year, South Florida will benefit from the return of several Super Bowl-related hospitality events, the higher hotel room rates in South Florida versus Tampa and a larger stadium capacity," Canton wrote in a PricewaterhouseCoopers report.
Canton says the Super Bowl is a big event for fans everywhere.
"A major sporting event such as the Super Bowl may displace typical seasonal travel to a destination while the event is taking place, [but] there is still a significant incremental benefit," Canton continued.
This year's Super Bowl may impact Miami’s ability to host future Super Bowls as well. According to The Palm Beach Post, the Dolphins have considered making a proposal to use tax dollars to help fund $250 million in Sun Life Stadium renovations.
