By Michael V. Cusenza
What a time to be a New York sports fan.
Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Andrew Kimball on Friday announced that the 2024 Major League Baseball and Women’s National Basketball Association postseasons in the Big Apple have already generated nearly $200 million in economic activity from the home games of their respective playoff runs.
With the Yankees now in the World Series, each game at Yankee Stadium is expected to generate $25 million. Mets 2024 postseason games generated an economic impact of $20.1 million per home game at Citi Field in Flushing.
The New York Liberty’s WNBA postseason run could generate a cumulative economic impact up to $18.3 million. The analysis accounts for ticket sales and spending from nearly 24,000 visitors from outside of New York City during the Liberty’s run to its first-ever WNBA title.
“Playoff runs aren’t just good for our spirits, but also for our wallets. Championship teams on the field mean championship earnings for small businesses and championship wages for hard-working New Yorkers,” Adams said. “With the Yankees, Mets, and Liberty all making deep playoff runs, it’s a great time to be a sports fan in the greatest city in the world — and sports fan or not, we’re all rooting for more games and more money in New Yorkers’ pockets. If only I had a hat to cheer on ALL our New York City teams together!”
NYCEDC’s analysis accounts for ticket sales, estimated at 33,000 for the Yankees, 27,000 for the Mets, and 3,400 for the Liberty, and spending from outside of New York City for each playoff home game. Additional earnings for seasonal employees at Yankee Stadium and at Citi Field, as well as other factors were included. Seasonal employment estimates were unavailable for the Barclay’s Center. These impacts stimulate growth in the local economy, creating opportunities and jobs for New Yorkers and spending that is reinvested across the five boroughs.
“Congratulations to the New York Liberty, Mets, and Yankees for their success in the playoffs,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “As all three teams keep winning, so does the city, with each home game generating millions of dollars in economic activity, spending at small businesses citywide, and more visitors traveling to New York City.”
“There’s nothing like the playoffs, and with the Liberty, Mets, and Yankees advancing, New Yorkers are buzzing with excitement, and the city is set to see a huge economic boom,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Kimball. “MLB and WNBA postseason games stimulate our local economy, bringing visitors to New York City, and we would love nothing more than a deep postseason run for both of our MLB teams, and a championship tonight from the Liberty.”
The Yankees are set to kick off the 2024 World Series this Friday, Oct. 25, against the Dodgers in Los Angeles. The Yankees will play at least two games, and a maximum of three, in the Bronx. Those games are scheduled for Oct. 28, 29, and 30.
