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Football generates Olympic-size economy for Greater Manchester

Manchester’s football industry rakes in the equivalent of an Olympic and Paralympic Games for the economy every four seasons.

Following the derby between Manchester City and Manchester United on Monday, figures were released by the Sport Industry Research Centre and Cambridge Econometrics on behalf of a Greater Manchester partnership.

The study, ‘Analysing the value of football to Greater Manchester’, found that football contributed approximately £330m GVA to Greater Manchester’s economy between 2010 and 2011.

Furthermore, Greater Manchester’s international reputation for football is estimated to be worth over £100m a year in advertising.

The study also found if Manchester teams perform as well as they have done in the Premier League and Europe over the next two decades, this could be worth in excess of £2.5bn to the county.

Sir Richard Leese, leader of Manchester City Council, said: “It’s clear that Manchester’s two table-topping Premier League clubs and its host of other clubs make an enormous contribution to the life of the city.

“In a global environment where we are competing with cities around the world for investment and jobs, this is an enormous competitive advantage.

“As this report makes clear, football also brings a considerable number of visitors to Manchester so whatever your allegiances the success of our clubs is a big win for our economy.”

The report, which was gathered for a partnership consisting of bodies including Manchester City Council, New Economy, investment agency MIDAS and Marketing Manchester, was collated to shed light on how football contributes to growth and development in the region.

Mike Emmerich, chief executive of New Economy, commented: “Football is by no means the only string to Manchester’s bow, and we are clear that being known for our strengths in areas such as science and innovation, as well as our sporting prowess, is critical for our further growth.

“However, this week’s Manchester derby has once again demonstrated how football has the power to put the city in front of an international audience.

“Whilst we have a good measure of the impact of football through its fan base and television viewing figures, its overall economic contribution hasn’t until now been fully quantified.

“To find we’re getting the equivalent economic benefit of an Olympics every four seasons is staggering.

“This is of course, backed up not just by Greater Manchester’s Premier League and Football League clubs but also by over 700 amateur and semi-professional clubs in the region.

“With activity on this scale, there are many opportunities that fall beyond football’s popular realm.

“The report emphasises this wider potential and particularly the role football plays in raising the global recognition of the city, attracting not only visiting football fans, but students, investors, and skilled workers from sectors far wider than sport alone.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .