Game day means millions to SEC schools, states
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fans heading to Southeastern Conference football games are hitting the ATM on the way and bringing their credit cards too.
Game day in the SEC is big business and the price tag for the experience can be steep.
Devoted fans are anteing up, shelling out millions on hotels, parking, clothing, food and drink to watch SEC football – an obsession in nine states and one that is nearly unrivaled in five of those where there’s no major professional competition.
On a given Saturday, crazed SEC fans spend up to $41 million in ticket sales alone.
The money can be dizzying.
The SEC just distributed $209 million – $17.3 million for each of its 12 members in the fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. About $150 million of that money came from football through television contracts, bowls and the league’s championship game.
Toss in ticket sales, concessions, souvenirs and parking with 10 SEC schools filling stadiums at least 95 percent, and it really adds up.
washingtonpost.com
10/15/10
