Orioles’ spring training a big economic booster
Sarasota County government’s annual economic report found that the Baltimore Orioles generated more than $72 million in economic impact and created more than 970 jobs in Sarasota County during the most recent reporting period, July 1, 2022, through June 30, 2023.
In addition to the Orioles’ local impact, the report found that the organization generated more than $86 million in economic impact in the state of Florida, while also creating more than 1,000 jobs.
The analysis measures the total impact created by the Orioles’ year-round operations in Sarasota, highlighted by the team’s spring training efforts, minor league training facility, and numerous events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O’Neil Baseball Complex.
Since 2015, the Orioles have generated nearly $584.5 million for the local Sarasota County economy and more than $686 million for the state of Florida. This impact is delivered through the club’s continual efforts to promote tourism in the region, including $1 million annually in marketing opportunities for Visit Sarasota during broadcasts on the Orioles Radio Network and Mid-Atlantic Sports Network.
Since the organization made Ed Smith Stadium its spring training home, more than 1.3 million people have attended Orioles games in Sarasota.
The Sarasota County government found that attendees of Orioles yearround events spent more than $19.2 million at local hotels, restaurants and retail establishments during the most recent report period. On average, attendees spend more than $14 million annually at local establishments, another major contributor to the club’s overall impact on the region.