Football Season Boosts Baltimore Economy
BALTIMORE (WJZ)-- On the football field, it's not just Ravens fans who are excited to see the team in action.
Kai Jackson has the big boost the Ravens provide for the Baltimore area.
Business owners are breathing a sigh of relief because the NFL season means money in the bank. The Baltimore Ravens take the field for the 2011-2012 season. And regardless of whether this game against the Philadelphia Eagles counts, fans are excited.
"It's good to see some of the young guys out there, see what we got on the team," Ravens fan Joe Adams said. "See some of the rookies out there."
Lisa Christy is an Eagles fan. We found her sporting an Eagles jersey in a Baltimore bar.
"So far we haven't gotten much trouble," she said.
The season was in jeopardy during a lockout in which owners and players struggled to find common ground over how to split up nearly $10 billion in revenue.
A deal was reached and the season was saved.
"You knew it was going to get done," said Ravens fan Conrad Judy. "All that money on the table. We knew it was going to get done whether now or later."
There's no question football fever is in full force in Baltimore and in cities across the country. In fact, business owners say the fact that there is going to be a season will keep them financially in the game.
"This has become our biggest part of the whole year," said Dave Rather, owner of Mother's Bar. "The Ravens games are the 10 days games all year long. It's a big deal for us. It's made a big difference for us in our numbers for the entire year."
Football is a money maker. The State Comptroller's Office says, had there not been a season, as much as $37 million in economic impact could have been lost.
Ravens fans tell us, as exciting as the preseason game was, nothing is going to beat the thrill of the regular season.
