Football Season Rings The Cash Registers

Kayla O’Brien of Batesville was one of several thousand people to recently attend a tailgate party at Arkansas State University before last Saturday’s home game with Montana State.

Recent economic data shows that O’Brien was not alone this year or last.

According to an economic impact survey conducted last month by ASU, 151,254 tickets were sold to football games in 2013, with about a quarter (32,949) of the fans coming from outside Jonesboro.

The games also had a $7.7 million impact on local tourism, with people visiting the Mall at Turtle Creek, area restaurants and staying in local hotels. Nearly 1,900 part-time jobs are also created during football season, the survey showed.

ASU Chief of Staff Shawnie Carrier says the university is working on a more detailed survey, looking at the specific impact the games have on the economy in Jonesboro and Northeast Arkansas. The survey is expected to be done later this year.

Overall, Jonesboro Regional Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Young said the games provide a boost to the economy.

“You can obviously see the positive economic impact that ASU and the athletic program have on Jonesboro,” Young said. “The hotels, restaurants and retail are and have been very busy.”

O’Brien said she and her family attend several ASU, University of Arkansas and University of Central Arkansas games each year. They attend each of the ASU games and several of the away games. As for the ASU games, O’Brien said she and her family drive to Jonesboro and make a trip of it.

“We go to restaurants. Then we will go to Sam’s Club for groceries and after the game, go to the hotel to spend the night,” O’Brien said.

The people who attended Saturday’s tailgate party lined the roads leading into and out of Centennial Bank Stadium. Many of the folks who went to the party brought their lawn chairs and set up tents to have fun. The party also brought out several statewide politicians.

Rep. Tom Cotton, R-Dardanelle brought his RV down Red Wolf Boulevard to visit the tailgate party. Cotton said the party gives politicians an opportunity to meet with voters.

“Anytime, you get a chance to do something like this, it means a lot,” Cotton said. “It definitely has a huge economic impact for Northeast Arkansas and Jonesboro with the hotel, food and drink.”

Cotton said he plans to be back at several ASU games this year, as well as tailgating at several high school games.

In a rare moment of bipartisan consensus, Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Arkansas, who had a tent near the stadium, agreed with Cotton.

“It is a good way to get out and see the voters. It is also a great time to visit and see people,” Pryor said, noting he hosts a party at an ASU game at least once a year.