Top Stanford economist tears apart officials’ claim Super Bowl bought $500M to California: ‘Almost a joke’

Turns out it was not so Super after all.

A top Stanford economist has destroyed official claims the Super Bowl pumped $500 million into California’s economy, branding it “almost a joke.”

Roger Noll, professor emeritus at the prestigious college, said he did not believe the figures released by the state and 49ers bosses.

Principal owner of the San Francisco team Jed York claimed earlier this week the game shoveled the huge sum into the Bay Area as he lauded its success.

But Noll was quick to slap it down, telling The Mercury News: “I just find them almost a joke because they’re so non-serious.”

He said many studies show a large portion of hotel and car revenue — a primary source of income — is “leakage,” as profits flow to national chains based outside the state rather than circulating locally.

These estimates, according to the Harvard-educated professor, also ignore the couch potato effect, where local restaurants lose diners to home viewing parties.

They also overlook “crowding out” — the reality that high prices and gridlock drive away regular tourists and locals, canceling out the influx of football fans.

Earlier this week, York hailed the “$500 million of economic impact in the Bay Area,” saying $10 million went back to the community.

“Over 100,000 room nights, countless events in the communities — we’ve donated close to $10 million back in the community just this week, and that’s a part of the lasting impact,” he told The Mercury News:

In 2024 — well ahead of the Super Bowl — the Bay Area Host Committee, a nonprofit that played a crucial role in bringing the game to California, projected a boost of between $370 million and $630 million to the region, along with $16 million in tax revenue for local governments.

However, the true economic impact of the game — whether positive or negative — is yet to be fully determined. The City of Santa Clara is set to complete a detailed analysis of sales tax receipts later this year.

The way the money is being dispersed across the region is also reportedly lopsided, with Santa Clara not receiving the majority of the benefits.

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Despite the game being played at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara is expected to not see the lion’s share of the windfall.

Given that most visitors, concerts and events surrounding the sporting spectacle were held in San Francisco, that city is expected to receive somewhere between $250 million and $440 million.

Meanwhile, Santa Clara County is projected to receive just $100 million to $160 million, of which Santa Clara would recover only about 7.1%, based on 2016 models.

“The party’s over, and we need to have our bills paid,” Santa Clara Mayor Lisa Gillmor noted.

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