Background
This legislation authorizes the Director of the Department of Development to contract with the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, to provide support to the 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A All-Star Game and 2018 Minor League Baseball Triple-A Championship game. The All-Star Game is a three (3) day event that will be held Monday, July 9, 2018 - Wednesday, July 11, 2018. The Championship Game will be held Tuesday, September 18, 2018 and is between the champions of the International League and the Pacific Coast League.
If successful in its bid to host these events, Columbus will be the first city to hold both events in the same season, which would also coincide with the 10th anniversary of Huntington Park in 2018. Through an industry approved and accepted “Event Impact Calculator” provided by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission, the Columbus Clippers project total visitor spending of over $3.8 million (for both events combined). The calculator, has taken into account the anticipated lodging, transportation, food and beverage spending, business operation related, retail and recreation activity.
An additional method of value measurement is the realized media value generated for the region by the national and international media coverage. Although, not a direct financial benefit to Franklin County and Greater Columbus, the All-Star Game will be broadcast nationally by the MLB Network, which is in approximately 75 million homes. The National Championship Game is also broadcast nationally by the NBC Sports Network, which is in approximately 80 million homes. The earned value of the positive market positioning is complimentary to the more tangible economic impact and visitor spending projections.
This $37,500.00 commitment by the City of Columbus will be used by the Greater Columbus Sports Commission to offset costs associated with hosting these events, which may include hosting fees paid directly to Triple-A Baseball, player & personnel costs, eq...
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