It’s been a big year for sports fans in the Tampa Bay region.
The Lightning won the Stanley Cup, the Rays made it to the World Series, the Toronto Raptors are in Tampa for the NBA season and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playing in the Super Bowl at their home stadium.
And now, for the first time in NFL history, the Super Bowl will be a home game. It’s the fifth time Tampa has hosted the big game but due to the pandemic, this one will be like no other.
On this week's episode, we explore the economic impact of a scaled-back Super Bowl.
We first hear from WUSF reporter Steve Newborn and Rob Higgins, executive director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and President and CEO of the Super Bowl Host Committee.
Then host Bradley George talks with Chris Jones, an economist who teaches at the University of South Florida, in the second half of the show.
Raymond James Stadium can seat up to 66,000. But the NFL has capped attendance at about 22,000, and the league is giving tickets to 7,500 healthcare workers.
In addition to the attendance restrictions due to the pandemic, Chris Jones speculates that less tourists will be making their way here to Tampa Bay since the Bucs are the home team.
"They're (Tampa Bay fans) not necessarily going to be renting hotel rooms for several days or dining out for several days in restaurants or going to our malls," Jones said.
That may mean less revenue from the big game and its accompanying events. But in the long term, Jones thinks merchandising for this year's historic game could last for years — if the Bucs win.
"One of the things I can see that hasn't been talked about a lot is the merchandising for this particular game — in terms of shirts and hats, particularly if the Buccaneers win — could actually go on for years, much longer than you would see in a typical Super Bowl setting. Because of the historic nature that the Bucs defended their home turf," he said.
To hear more of Bradley's conversation with Chris Jones and Steve's interview with Rob Higgins, click "Listen" above.
