There have been economic impact studies regarding cities and countries when they are hoping to host a huge sporting event like the World Cup or the Olympics. The truth, however, is that most such events don’t provide much economic stimulus, and often turn out to be money losers. Dennis Coates, professor of economics, has a stern warning for certain people with soccer fever. As it seems the U.S. is going hellbent for leather trying to land an upcoming World Cup, Coates wants to get ahead of the cheerleading to make clear how the economics will actually play out. His new paper, “World Cup Economics: What Americans Need to Know about a US World Cup Bid,” is an attempt to challenge “the rosy assumptions being made by U.S. bid leaders, and I hope it will force proponents to be more forthcoming with answers about what we can really expect from a U.S. World Cup.”
The opinion piece, “Should the U.S. Really Try and Host Another World Cup?” ran in The New York Times on July 19.
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