In this article, we analyze metropolitan and micropolitan statistical area (MSA) level data in the United States to examine the economic impact of college athletics. Specifically, we examine the relationship between total athletics revenues (aggregated across all colleges in an MSA) and MSA level employment in the accommodations and food services industries. Controlling for a variety of other factors that might influence hotel/restaurant employment within an MSA, we find a statistically significant, positive relationship between college athletics revenues and MSA employment in the food services and accommodations industries.
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