Purdue Sports' Economic Impact on Greater Lafayette

Purdue Sports' Economic Impact on Greater Lafayette

Community..

As news 18 previously reported, the big ten recently announced a conference-only schedule for all fall sports.

Dakota simon caught up with local leaders to find out how they're looking toward the future.

Dakota: every level of sport has been put on hold for the better part of four months now because of the corona virus pandemic..

And the program's here at purdue are no exception..

Mike bobinski: there will definitely be an economic impact, and that will not be a plus, it will be a minus, a negative and those are realities that we are going to have to deal with.

Purdue athletic director mike bobinski's outlook on his department is not unlike many businesses in the greater lafayette area..

Jo wade: seven home games usually brings us conservatively 20 million dollars to the community.

Ceo of visit west lafayette and lafayette jo wade says it frankly..

This community..

Nat relies on football..

Jo wade: two to three million dollars per game..

The figures she speaks of come from research on the traditional seven game home schedule purdue puts on each football season..

But because of the pandemic..

Nat that will more than likely change come september..

Local businesses are already making plans for the future..

Patrick bailey: on a home game, bringing in over 100 thousand dollars in a single weekend and so that's a huge money maker.

Patrick bailey is the general manager of the holiday inn city centre in downtown lafayette and the four points by sherton in west lafayette..

He says optimism is key during these uncertain times..

Patrick bailey: what we are doing to prepare is not focus on the negative, not focus on no football or no fans but focus on when fans do come back.

It's a simple solution to an obstacle that also has a direct impact on those that make game day special..

And bailey's outlook..

Mirrors that of many others..

Jo wade: we have to get through this and we have to do this the safest way we can, so we are excited that they are looking at potential for football.

Dakota: jo wade told me during our conversation that seven home football games account for around 5% of the county's yearly income..

Again the big ten just recently announced there will no non- conference games in any sport this fall..

Tonight: