The Detroit Tigers generated about US$38 million in ticket sales, parking and concessions and souvenirs during this year's playoffs, economic experts say.
Lansing-based Anderson Economic Group came up with that total based on the six post-season games played at Comerica Park.
The team's success will pay other dividends in the future, said Larry Alexander, president of the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau.
``There has been a marked increase in meeting planners coming here to kick the tires and putting a lot more tentative business on our books,'' he told the Detroit Free Press.
Home attendance during the regular season rose an average of 7,500 a game, or 28 per cent, from last year in response to the team's big improvement. A spokeswoman for owner Mike Ilitch said earlier that the team turned a profit for the first time since he bought the team 14 years ago.
Sellout crowds of 42,000 at each of the six playoff contests led to 10,000 to 20,000 vehicles per game that needed parking. Most lot and deck owners charged $5 to $20 per vehicle.
The games also boosted the number of people watching television stations, reading newspapers and attending bars and restaurants in the area.
© The Canadian Press, 2007
