Alabama is the favorite. But no one will be shocked if Clemson wins–after it embarrassed Ohio State. But one sure winner of the College Football Playoff National Championship game–regardless of scoreboard details–is Tampa.
Now we can quibble about the economic impact. Official hosts always see an economic-impact bonanza. Hotel visitor room nights plus direct media and visitor spending can’t help but be worth a couple hundred million dollars. Previous championship game hosts will swear to it. On the other hand, more than a few economists–including USF’s own economic-impact denier Phil Porter–will tell you said impact is negligible, especially in a winter-visitor venue.
What shouldn’t be debated, however, is that Tampa, which beat out Miami, San Antonio, Minneapolis, Jacksonville and Santa Clara for the game, will benefit from the massive media attention. The network coverage–from now through prime-time Monday is something no chamber of commerce or visitor bureau could ever afford.
It will remind the national audiences that Tampa, despite those four Super Bowls, a Women’s Final Four in basketball, the 2012 GOP convention and the more recent Bollywood Oscars, has improved its game. The timing on the Riverwalk couldn’t be more propitious. Plus those cutaway and back-from-commercial-break shots of Bayshore Boulevard, Harbour Island, Ybor City, Aquarium, cruise liners, palm trees, beaches and tank-top boaters and laid-back anglers are priceless.
No, the direct economic impact will be less than is touted by the usual suspects, but the bottom line on upgraded-brand exposure–via network TV and on-site visitors–will keep paying dividends.