Another Banner Year For The Mobile Sports Authority

Dec 27th, 2018

Based on recently modified events and figures, The Mobile Sports Authority (MSA) is proud to report that for the recently-completed fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, the organization attracted, supported, and/or hosted a total of 32 sports events, generating an estimated $23.1 million to the Mobile area economy (MSA Scoreboard List attached).  Twenty-two different sports from all age brackets made up the event schedule – everything from cross country runs and gymnastics to volleyball, basketball, football, auto racing, and others.  Additionally, 20 of the 32 events were either first or second time events for Mobile.

The 2018 numbers represent one of the better years reported by either the Mobile Sports Authority or its predecessor organization, the Mobile Area Sports Commission, which dates to 1998.  Over the last three fiscal years (2016-2018), the MSA has averaged about 31 events per year – an approximate 30% increase in number over the three previous years of 2013-2015.

“With the tremendous support of the Mobile County Commission, the Mayor and City Council of Mobile, and a very engaged Board of Trustees, we at the Mobile Sports Authority are proud that we were able to generate such a significant impact for the Mobile area economy,” said Danny Corte, Executive Director of the MSA.  “Since Fiscal 2012, the MSA has attracted, hosted, managed, or co-managed 189 sporting events which have generated an estimated $131 million in economic impact for Mobile County. The future continues to look bright as we’re constantly engaging sports event owners about coming to play in our beautiful area.”

To cap off an already successful year, the inaugural Gulf Coast Challenge Powered by the Mobile Sports Authority was played at historic Ladd-Peebles Stadium in September 2018.  The football game, featuring Southern University vs. Alabama A&M, attracted over 23,000 fans, including visitors from 19 states. Fans and guests enjoyed a game week filled with various events including a college and career fair for high school students, concerts, alumni and team luncheons, a traditional Mardi Gras-style parade, and of course, game day tailgating.  The weeklong event generated an estimated economic impact of $6.6 million to the Mobile area, making the Gulf Coast Challenge the most economically impactful event ever hosted by the MSA, or by the former Mobile Area Sports Commission.  Additionally, the event was honored with a Champion of Economic Impact  award by Sports Destination Management, the leading publication with the largest circulation of sports event planners and tournament directors in the sports tourism market.