How Grizzly Athletics Impact Missoula’s Economy By $100 Million

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - These are jaw-dropping numbers.

The effect of University of Montana sports on the Missoula economy is astounding, with statistics that have come from the University’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research.

Jaw Dropping Numbers for UM Athletics with $100 Million in Economic Impact

I spoke with UM’s Director of Strategic Communications Dave Kuntz about the numbers, that are growing year over year.

“This morning, we were able to finalize and publish a report that was done by some economists at the Bureau of Business and Economic Research here at the University of Montana's College of Business that found that Grizzly athletics, which includes all the sports encompass the Montana Grizzlies, are generating nearly $100 million annually in total spending by attendees coming to the Griz games.”

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Missoula Business Owners are Grateful for Grizzly Sports

Every Missoula business owner knows that Grizzly athletics means greater profits, especially during football and basketball seasons.

“This is a big deal for us to be able to identify this data and get it out to the public, because folks know college athletics is rapidly changing, and it's requiring us to change some of our models and services too,” he said. “Here at the University of Montana we're just hopeful that information like this helps to inform Griz fans and the Montana business community about the special economic asset we have with grizzly athletics, with the hope that we get continued further support, and we don't take what we have here for granted.”

Each Grizzly Football Game Generates over $5 Million for Local Business

Kuntz drilled down further into the economic impact of Grizzly athletics.

“The impact is really remarkable,” he said. “What we found in this economic study is each home Griz football game generates almost five and a half million dollars of economic activity in the region. So those are folks who are coming in, who are spending more than a million and a half dollars at local bars and restaurants, over a million dollars at local hotels.”

The study also indicates the fact that sports fans don’t just watch the games and go home, they stay and spend, enriching the overall Missoula economy.

The Study said 55 Percent of Griz Fans Come from Outside Missoula

“About 55 percent of Griz football game day-goers are coming from outside of Missoula County, and those who are staying in the county for the duration of the game are actually staying, on average, for about 2.2 days,” he said. “So folks aren’t just coming to the game, turning around and driving back home; they're staying here in Missoula; they're investing in the community, and as a result of that, we found that there's over 728 jobs here in Missoula area that exist solely as a result of the spending associated with grizzly not just football games, but all grizzly athletics.”

Click here to see the full report from the UM Bureau of Business and Economic Research.