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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — From the Boston Marathon to NHL and NBA Playoffs, Boston sporting events in April have been positively affecting local businesses and the local economy in general.
David O’Donnell, the vice president of Strategic Communications for Meet Boston, explained the specific economic impacts of events like the Boston Marathon.
“We’re talking about a global, iconic event with over 30,000 runners that injects upwards of $150 million into the local economy.”
Meet Boston said that early playoff matches can reach $1 million per game, and conference final and NBA final games can generate $4 million.
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On Saturday night, the Boston Bruins faced the Toronto Maple Leafs in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First Round for the NHL Playoffs at TD Garden, beating the Leafs 5-1.
The NBA Playoffs start on Sunday for the Boston Celtics, who will compete against the Miami Heat.
Playoffs season “really ripples out and reverberates across any service business or hospitality entity that touches that visitor economy,” explained O’Donnell.
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Mayor Michelle Wu announced that Canal Street would be shut down for the two playoff games on Saturday and Sunday, creating a car-free zone and helping to make room for fans and potential customers at local restaurants and businesses.
Wu was “thrilled to give Boston fans an opportunity with both the Bruins and the Celtics in the playoffs this year to come together safely” with the return of the Boston Playoff Hub on Canal Street, she said in a press release from the city of Boston on Friday.
“This is a really great thing for us to be doing to ensure we are encouraging local fans to support small businesses while celebrating Boston’s legacy as the city of champions at the teams’ doorstep!” said District 8 City Councilor Sharon Durkan.
Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Segun Idowu also highlighted how the Playoff Hub will help the local economy. “Activating this space will give visitors and residents the opportunity to support local businesses while supporting Boston’s sports teams.”
One of the restaurants in the Canal Street area shared how shutting down the street impacted their business. “It gives us a solid extra 60 to 70 seats. That’s all the more revenue for us,” said one of the restaurant workers.
WBZ NewsRadio's Shari Small (@ShariSmallNews) reports.
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