INDIANAPOLIS — Pacers Sports & Entertainment announced NBA All-Star 2024 delivered an economic value for Indianapolis and central Indiana of more than $403 million.
According to findings by Temple University Sports Industry Research Center, the economic value includes more than $112 million in exposure and earned media.
Here is what the study looked at:
- Direct spending, or new revenue coming into the community from non-local attendees and corporations
- Indirect revenue, which accounts for additional spending in Indianapolis as a result of those new revenues
- Value of the viewership, earned media, social media traffic and overall global coverage Indianapolis received during NBA All-Star 2024
“NBA All-Star 2024 was our opportunity to demonstrate to a global audience that Indiana is a center for sports, arts and culture, technology and innovation, and talent, and the results of the Temple study validate that we know how to generate measurable return on our investment,” said Mel Raines, president of Pacers Sports & Entertainment, and COO and president of the NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee. “Indianapolis has proven time and again that when you invest in world-class amenities and have buy-in from community, civic, and business leaders, these kinds of events can represent an important piece of your economic development strategies.”
"It's a significant economic value that includes direct spending and indirect spending," Danny Lopez, executive vice president of Pacer Sports and Entertainment, said. "Essentially, the money stays in the economy that's spent in the economy."
According to Pacers Sports & Entertainment, the weekend events accounted for nearly $291 million of economic impact, resulting in the creation, expansion or support of more than 1,800 local jobs.
The NBA All-Star 2024 Host Committee also drove a $2 million investment into Indiana’s creative economy through its focus on enhancing local arts and culture, and intentional supplier diversity engagement resulted in nearly 30 local minority and women-owned businesses receiving certifications and direct support.
“I have said it many times: Indianapolis knows how to play host to the world better than any other city. Far surpassing expectations, the newly released impact data from NBA All-Star Weekend is further proof of that,” Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett said. "And the momentum that tipped off with NBA All-Star Weekend shows no signs of stopping. From the record-breaking U.S. Olympic Swim Trials to the groundbreaking partnership announced this week with WWE, Indianapolis is, and will continue to be, the go-to destination for the world’s largest sports events.”
According to Pacers Sports & Entertainment, more than 81,000 people attended NBA All-Star 2024 events, with a record 197,000 ticketed opportunities to fans. Organizers said 41,000 people from outside of Indianapolis came to the city to celebrate NBA All-Star 2024 weekend festivities.
And fans traveled from all over, including 44 states and 55 countries.
"Those people coming to central Indiana and to Indianapolis and experiencing everything that we know is true about our region is really a great feeling and a great opportunity to be ambassadors for our city, our state and the Midwest," Lopez said.
Through the Pacers Sports & Entertainment and Host Committee Legacy Program, grants totaling $1.25 million were awarded to 24 Indiana cities and towns to refurbish community centers, improve basketball courts and play areas, and enhance wellness of the families they serve.
Through the Million Meal Movement, 6,000 volunteers worked for more than 24 hours to pack 1 million meals for Hoosier families.