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Today, the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission announced NBA All-Star 2022, which was held on February 18-20, provided Northeast Ohio with $141.4 million in direct spending, aiding in achieving $248.9 million in total economic impact. The event brought in 121,641 attendees from 45 states and 24 countries as well.
“The NBA and their corporate partners really exceeded our expectations when it came to direct spending in our community during NBA All-Star 2022,” said David Gilbert, President and CEO of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission and Destination Cleveland. “Hosting the first fan-facing All-Star in two years, welcoming so many incredible NBA legends to The Land for the NBA’s 75th Anniversary season and everyone wanting to make this a very special celebration, definitely helped provide a level of excitement and aided in surpassing our original estimated economic impact number.”
The event generated more than $50 million in earned media value and received 11.9 billion in total media reach, which includes more than 3,400 news outlets referencing Cleveland alongside the associated NBA All-Star events between Jan. 1 to Feb. 28 worldwide. NBA All-Star was broadcast in 215 countries and territories and a record 60 languages and delivered a single-day best of 223 million views on Instagram for content posting on All-Star Sunday, the highest one-day total for an account on the platform in over two years.
“NBA All-Star 2022 served as another reminder that Cleveland is a destination city filled with diversity, vibrant culture, rich history and a pure and passionate love for sports,” said Nic Barlage, CEO of the Cleveland Cavaliers and Rock Entertainment Group. “Not only did the week infuse significant economic activity into this City and the surrounding neighborhoods, but it also left us with memories and a legacy that we will cherish forever as a community.
"Thank you to the incredible fans and people of Northeast Ohio, the NBA, Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, Destination Cleveland, Mayor Bibb and Former Mayor Jackson, Cuyahoga County Executive Armond Budish, as well as our civic and corporate partners and all those who had a hand in making the week so memorable and one of the best NBA All-Star Weekends to date.”
A comprehensive study to determine the full impact of hosting NBA All-Star 2022 was completed by Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center which provides marketing and management services to enhance the economic, social and environmental sustainability of the sport. Data collected from non-local attendees, the NBA and corporate partners were used to compile the economic impact on the Cleveland community and Cuyahoga County.
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While Cleveland was well represented on the court during NBA All-Star 2022, the economic on the community will be felt for years to come. |
“NBA All-Star 2022 had a significant economic impact on Cleveland by attracting non-local spectators and investment by the NBA and its partners to produce the event,” said Thilo Kunkel, Director of Temple University’s Sport Industry Research Center. “In addition, the study showed Cleveland organized an outstanding event that created significant media exposure– showcasing the city as an international destination.”
The $248.9 million in total economic impact includes $141.4 million in direct spending, which is the injection of new revenue into the community from non-local attendees and corporations. The remaining impact accounts for indirect effect, additional spending occurring in the economy because of the initial injection of money, and induced effect estimates to changes in household income attributed to hosting NBA All-Star 2022.
All numbers contained in the Temple University report account for leakage, the amount of total direct spending not retained in the local economy.
The impact of NBA All-Star 2022 also extended into the Cuyahoga County community with the NBA and NBPA contributing more than $3 million and providing programming and support focused on youth, health and economic opportunity. The league supported Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb’s citywide efforts to encourage vaccination by donating 10,000 rapid antigen tests and 110,000 face masks to the COVID-19 Taskforce for distribution to schools and community organizations. It made a $100,000 donation to the Funders Collaborative on COVID Recovery, a partnership that includes nearly 50 foundations, nonprofits, and government entities. The NBA also included more than 130 diverse-owned businesses as part of the NBA All-Star Rewards Program, which highlighted local small businesses for fans to visit while in town.
The NBA additionally dedicated its 2,000th Live, Learn or Play Center at the Cudell Recreation Center as part of the NBA 75th Live, Learn or Play Initiative, and the first-ever NBA HBCU Classic presented by AT&T was held between Howard and Morgan State basketball teams. During Sunday’s All-Star Game, $450,000 was raised for Team LeBron’s beneficiary, Kent State University Foundation’s “I Promise Scholars Support Fund” and $300,000 was raised for Team Durant’s beneficiary, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank.
After projecting nearly $100 million in economic impact, the City of Cleveland and the NBA were able to completely shatter that during the weekend of NBA All-Star 2022. While the city was well represented on the court by its Cavaliers, the money they were able to bring into the community will be felt for years to come.
Evan Dammarell is a sports journalist covering all things Cleveland right off the shores of Lake Erie. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Email him at evan@downeuclid.com. Did you enjoy this edition of Right Down Euclid? You can get it in your inbox two to three times a week by subscribing here. All it takes is either your Facebook account or email address!
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