Spending on sports tourism has become a massive part of Rhode Island's economy
Get Rhode Map
A weekday briefing from veteran Rhode Island reporters, focused on the things that matter most in the Ocean State.
Enter Email
Sign Up
'The economy relies heavily on business booked by the Rhode Island Sports Commission,' Riel said. 'These events are crucial to filling rooms during the winter months when leisure travel is traditionally light.'
Advertisement
The bigger picture:
Sports was one of the first types of live events that came back strong following the pandemic, and Rhode Island is increasingly becoming a hot spot for the big business that is youth athletics.
The NCAA basketball tournament is the headliner with $3.7 million in projected direct spending, but the USA Gymnastics Championships in June, the Spirit Fest Grand Nationals cheerleading competition in March, and a 4th of July baseball showcase beginning at the end of June are all events that are each expected to generate more than $2.5 million in direct spending.
The Athletic Championships Grand Nationals cheerleading competition and the NIKE VolleyFest were among the big events held this month, the NCAA Division III Wrestling Championships is scheduled for next month.
What's next:
Rhode Island wants to be aggressive in courting these kinds of regional and national sporting events – especially as it ramps up to play a significant role in the World Cup in 2026.
Advertisement
In April, the PWCVB will send a team to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Sports ETA Symposium, an annual event hosted by the Sports Events & Tourism Association. The goal is to position Rhode Island as a premier place to play.
This story first appeared in Rhode Map, our free newsletter about Rhode Island that also contains information about local events, links to interesting stories, and more. If you'd like to receive it via email Monday through Friday,
.
Dan McGowan can be reached at
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New York Times
an hour ago
- New York Times
NCAA basketball to allow challenges, among other rule changes, to ‘enhance the flow of the game'
Major rule changes are on the way for both men's and women's basketball in the upcoming season, with coaches now able to challenge calls after the NCAA rules panel approved new rules ahead of next season. In men's basketball, coaches will now be able to challenge some calls, including reviewing 'out-of-bounds calls, basket interference/goaltending and whether a secondary defender was in the restricted-area arc.' Teams will need to use a timeout to challenge. If successful, they'll be allowed one additional review for the rest of the game, including overtime. Advertisement The NCAA said the changes in men's basketball aim to 'enhance the flow of the game.' Women's basketball coaches will also be issued a challenge, though their rules are different. Coaches will be able to challenge 'ruled out-of-bounds violations; ruled backcourt violations; whether a change in team possession occurred before the ruling of a foul where free throws would be involved; whether a foul was assessed to the correct player.' In the women's game, teams will not need to have a timeout to challenge. Instead, a lost challenge will result in a technical foul for 'an excessive timeout.' Officiating across NCAA sports has come under major scrutiny in the last few years, with coaches, players and administrators clamoring for change. The men's rules include that officials' points of emphasis this year will include addressing delay-of-game tactics. They also want to 'limit time spent at the monitor, improve game administration and reduce physicality.' Another rule change in the men's game: Officials will now have the option to issue a Flagrant 1 foul when a player is fouled with contact to the groin. Previously, any contact to the groin area considered not incidental was automatically issued a Flagrant 2 foul, as happened during the second round of the NCAA Tournament in the BYU-Wisconsin game, when BYU's Dawson Baker was whistled for a Flagrant 2 and ejected late in the second half. During the regular season last year, Big 12 Player of the Year JT Toppin was also the victim of a Flagrant 2 foul call in Texas Tech's game at Houston. Toppin was ejected as a result of the call; coach Grant McCasland's reaction got him ejected, too. The rules panel also discussed a move to quarters in the men's game, but did not make any changes. Currently, the men's college game is the only level of basketball that plays halves instead of quarters. The women's college game switched to quarters years ago, while both the NBA and international FIBA rules also require quarters. High school games are also played with quarters. Advertisement In its release Tuesday, the NCAA said the rules committee has had conversations that included 'positive momentum for moving to quarters,' but acknowledged there are 'hurdles' when it comes to media timeouts and having enough time allotted for commercials. The NCAA is recommending that conferences put together a committee to provide feedback on the potential move to quarters and share that feedback by next year.
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
'Not everybody is marketable.' Purdue coach Matt Painter welcomes 'balance' House settlement brings
WEST LAFAYETTE — The financial allotment for college athletes went from one extreme (legally nonexistent) to another when the NCAA instituted name, image, and likeness (NIL), allowing student-athletes to capitalize on their marketability. The rich, essentially, got richer. On Friday, a nearly half decade battle through the court system concluded with the House vs. NCAA settlement which will allow schools to pay their athletes directly. Purdue athletic director Mike Bobinski stated previously Purdue would be a full participant up to the cap limit, estimated at $20.5 million. After Purdue basketball had its first summer practice on Monday, coach Matt Painter, who currently serves as third vice president on the National Association of Basketball Coaches board of directors, was asked if college basketball got better based on the ruling. "Some competitive balance is all we really want," Painter said. "It wasn't name, image and likeness before. This gives you more of a grasp of having a core amount of money to pay these guys, which is a lot less than the money that's going on right now. And then, anything on top of it is real name, image and likeness." The idea behind name, image, and likeness was for college athletes to capitalize on their notoriety via avenues such as autograph signings, hosting sports camps, or appearing in advertisements, for example. Painter mentioned specifically from his own program since NIL went into effect the names of two-time National Player of the Year Zach Edey, selected ninth overall in last year's NBA draft, and Braden Smith, the reigning Big Ten Player of the Year and Bob Cousy Award winner for the nation's top point guard, as marketable athletes who fit the supposed NIL idea. Insider: Newcomers out, or limited, for first Purdue basketball practice: 3 things we learned "When everybody gets money, not everybody in Major League Baseball gets money in name, image and likeness and they're in the big show," Painter said. "If you watch a baseball game and there's 52 guys on two rosters, tell me how many guys are on those commercials. Two? Three? Four? Five? Not very many. That's the market. Not everybody is marketable that plays college basketball and gets paid. ... "There's a lot of things that haven't been fair across the board, so hopefully this equals things out a little bit."
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
Ignite your dad's summer: Shop Solo Stove Father's Day deals happening now
Ignite your dad's summer: Shop Solo Stove Father's Day deals happening now It's time to fire up his passion for the outdoors! Are you on the hunt for a new fire pit for outdoor entertaining this 4th of July, or perhaps searching for a fantastic gift for dad? Look no further! Solo Stove has incredible deals happening now through June 15, perfectly timed for all your summer needs. During this Solo Stove Father's Day Sale, you can score some amazing discounts on some of their highly-rated products, and you will receive $50 to spend later for every $500 you purchase. In addition, with select fire pit purchases, you can score a whiskey glasses and ice molds set with promo code DADROCKS at checkout. Solo Stove offers a wide range of high-quality products, from their popular smokeless fire pits to their highly-rated pizza ovens. This sale is the perfect opportunity to find exactly what you're looking for to enhance your summer gatherings and beyond. Below, you'll find some of our favorite deals we found. You won't want to miss out on these limited-time offers to elevate your backyard and make this summer truly special. Shop the Solo Stove Father's Day Sale Best Solo Stove deals happening now More: 🔥 Up to 43% off dad-approved HexClad cookware, grill tools, pizza essentials
