Washington Business Journal by Max Handler
Next year's Major League Baseball All-Star Game at Nationals Park could mean an economic boost of $70 million or more for the host city, a D.C. official said Wednesday.
Brian Kenner, deputy mayor for planning and economic development, cited an MLB study on the local economic impact of the last 10 Midsummer Classics. The study showed an average impact of roughly $70 million, he said, but it could end up being even higher.
"Some of the more urban, larger cities have seen impacts even north of that," Kenner said.
Mayor Muriel Bowser on Wednesday joined MLB Commissioner Rob Manfried, Nationals' principal owner Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, manager Dusty Baker, and a group of Nationals all-stars including Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman to unveil the logo for the 2018 midsummer classic.
Kenner was hopeful a successful All-Star Game would draw more major sporting events to the District in the future — ones that have never been here before, and those that might be repeats.
"D.C. always remains in the hunt for a potential Olympic bid," he said.
He continued: "This just continues a theme that D.C. is good for international caliber sporting events."
The game is scheduled for July 18, 2018, though Nationals Park will host other events, including the home run derby, the day before. While the Nationals have never hosted before, the District has on four separate occasions. The last was in 1969 — the 40th All-Star Game — at RFK Stadium.
Max Handler covers general news and features.