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North West sports scores £6 billion for region

The North West sports sector is worth almost £6 billion to the region’s economy, according to new research.

‘North West Sport: What’s its true transfer value in the UK and overseas?’ – conducted by the top 50, national law firm, Gateley, in conjunction with Salford Business School – has revealed that streams of income generated within the region run far deeper than the rich footballing veins, which are estimated to contribute around £330 million in gross value added (GVA).

Consumer spending on sports-related goods, together with media rights, sponsorship, major sporting events, ‘sports tourism’ and education, have all been cited as significant contributors to the North West’s sporting coffers.

The injection of greater streams of funding, together with a growing presence in the region, has led to the emergence of a number of sports in the North West, according to the sports paper.

Alongside Taekwondo, which has adopted a similar model to cycling by centralising its development programme in Manchester, squash, water polo and speedway are also experiencing a similar resurgence – with the latter opening a £10 million national centre of excellence, which starts on site in January 2015.

Director at Salford Business School’s centre for Sports Business,Professor Chris Brady, said: “Football is undoubtedly the most important sport to the region’s economy.

However, the exploits of Dave Brailsford and the cycling achievements add significantly to the profile of the region generally, as do all the other minor sports.“

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sophia Taha .