Prof. Vaaler Interviewed on Latest Report of Super Bowl LII Economic Impact

Professor Paul Vaaler was interviewed by KSTP-TV’s Tom Hauser on the reliability of economic impact estimates derived from a May 2018 report commissioned by the Twin Cities Super Bowl LII host committee and prepared by Rockport Analytics, a Pennsylvania-based economics consulting firm. Rockport estimated that hosting Super Bowl LII last February led to a net economic impact benefit to the state of Minnesota exceeding $400 million. Vaaler pointed out likely problems with the Rockport analysis that would decrease economic impact benefits substantially to the $50-100 million range. Neither the Rockport nor Vaaler estimates account for an additional $500 billion expenditure of Minnesota tax dollars to fund the construction of U.S. Bank Stadium, the site of the NFL championship game, and an essential element of the successful host-city bid.