Golden Baseball League Releases Chico Economic Impact Report

November 16, 2005 - Golden Baseball League (GBL) News Release


Pleasanton, CA November 16, 2005: The Golden Baseball League today released the economic impact report summarizing the financial effects of their first year of operations in the city of Chico. The report is based on the league's Chico franchise, the Outlaws, and was prepared by the Center for Economic Development (CED) at California State University, Chico. The eight page document details the first year of spending and financial transactions, and establishes an economic impact of $4.6 million in benefits to the city of Chico.

"When we started the Outlaws we believed that we could provide first class family entertainment to the baseball fans of Chico and the rest of the region," said Bob Linscheid, General Manager of the Chico Outlaws. "This report gives us a new ability to show economic value to the community and we are thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking research by Chico State."

The report describes Chico as an ideal market for a minor league professional team as the city offers a population of just over 100,000, a state university, a strong local media, and a stadium less than ten years old with a capacity of 4,200 people. According to the CED, the Chico Outlaws spent $1.7 million during their 2005 campaign. An additional $70,000 spent by visiting players, family, and friends. The Golden Baseball League commits to spending as much of their revenue as possible in the local community, and $1.58 million (89 percent) was spent directly in Chico: $925,000 to businesses and organizations, $495,000 in payroll, $90,000 in rent and insurance payments, and $70,000 in taxes. This spending produced a secondary impact as these dollars were re-spent in the local Chico Economy. Re-spending produced an additional $1.3 million in revenue to businesses and organizations, and $1.1 million in payroll and proprietary income. The re-spending percentage and figures are high in relation to the direct spending of the GBL, and further demonstrate the league's support of other businesses that return a majority of their income into the local economy.

The report concludes that the total economic impact of the Golden Baseball League in Chico was $4.6 million in total monetary transactions as a result of operations during the 2005 season.

"This report only further proves that the Outlaws have been a valuable addition to the City," said Chico City Manager Tom Lando. "The Outlaws have provided a significant economic impact through various revenue streams, and have helped to further the sense of community in Chico. Local businesses, organizations and groups, and the residents of Chico have all benefited from the return of Professional Baseball to our city."

"I think this report should be a beacon to other communities interested in hosting a Golden League team," stated David Kaval, CEO of the Golden Baseball League. "It shows how a Golden League team is not only a community asset, but also an economic engine for jobs, city revenues, and economic growth."

A key part of the study was the creation of a regional economic model the CED built using the IMPLAN economic impact analysis system. IMPLAN models the economy through pre-constructed matrices measuring dollar flows between government sectors, trade sectors, and more than 500 private industries. The development of this model will allow the CED to provide economic impact assessments for businesses throughout the Chico area.

"We are very proud to have helped bring professional baseball back to Chico and to host the Outlaws in Nettleton Stadium," said Paul Zingg, President of Chico State. "We're delighted to note the impressive economic impact on the City of Chico that this development has meant and we look forward to the benefits of this partnership for many years to come."

To obtain a complete copy of the Chico Economic Impact report, contact Kimberlee Kelso, Director of Marketing for the Golden Baseball League, at 925-226-0109 or kkelso@goldenbaseball.com.

About the Golden Baseball League

The Golden Baseball League, Presented by Safeway Inc./VONS, is a professional baseball league operating under a single-entity ownership model, with the League owning all the individual teams. Golden Baseball League teams include the Chico Outlaws in Chico, CA; the Fullerton Flyers in Fullerton, CA; the Long Beach Armada in Long Beach, CA; the San Diego Surf Dawgs in San Diego, CA; the Mesa Miners in Mesa, AZ; the Surprise Fightin' Falcons in Surprise, AZ; the Yuma Scorpions in Yuma, AZ and the Japan Samurai Bears traveling team. Just announced for the 2006 season is the addition of the Reno Silver Sox in Reno, NV. The season consists of 90 games per team beginning in late May and ending in early September. Each team has a 24-player roster.

For general information, please visit our League web site at www.goldenbaseball.com.



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