Super Bowl XXXIV generated a total economic impact on the state of Georgia of $292 million, according to a study by Georgia State University of Atlanta, Georgia.

The study, jointly funded by the Atlanta Sports Council and the NFL, determined that 94,000 people visited metropolitan Atlanta and Georgia for the Super Bowl and related activities.

The $292 million economic impact on Georgia, including $5.9 million net profit in tax revenue, compares to the $166 million impact on the state the last time it hosted a Super Bowl (XXVIII) in 1994.

The 2000 study was headed by DR. BRUCE SEAMAN, an economics professor at Georgia State who teaches sports economics and is president of the Association for Cultural Economics, International.

The study was based on extensive research, with data collected from surveys, the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau, NFL, Super Bowl XXXIV Host Committee, Georgia Dome, Georgia Public Service Commission and media publications. The economic impact model used in the study is the most comprehensive method available to determine the true economic impact of sporting events to a city and/or state.

"Every conceivable area of economic impact was analyzed for the development of this model, while consistently applying conservative and defensible economic principles," said Dr. Seaman. "It is a truly comprehensive economic impact model for major unique sporting events – constructed so that it can withstand professional scrutiny."

The Atlanta Sports Council expected the exceedingly positive results of the study.

"This study gives validity to what we have been saying all along – sports bring a huge economic boost to Atlanta and Georgia," says GARY P. STOKAN, president of the council. "Bringing more than a quarter billion dollars to Georgia, the Super Bowl is the crown jewel of annual sporting events."

Highlights of the Super Bowl XXXIV study include:

• Out of the $292 million economic impact on Georgia, there was a $215 million impact on metropolitan Atlanta.

• Of the total of 72,625 spectators attending the game, 65,250 were out-of-town visitors. A total of 29,362 fans visited Georgia but did not attend the game.

• $350 was spent daily by the average visitor.

• 3.7 days was the average length of stay for Super Bowl visitors.

• 87 percent of visitors stayed in hotels.

• $48.72 was spent by the average fan at the Super Bowl itself on food, beverage and souvenirs.

• $11.2 million was spent by corporations.

• $6.5 million was spent by media covering the game.

The St. Louis Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-16 at the Georgia Dome on January 30, 2000 in Super Bowl XXXIV.