Inside Tennessee Athletics’ Economic and Community Impact
August 29, 2026, 9:05 p.m.
KNOXVILLE - Tennessee Athletics delivered a powerful economic boost to the state in Fiscal Year 2025, generating more than **$1.1 billion in annual economic impact**, according to the latest economic and community impact report.
The report highlights the far-reaching value of Tennessee Athletics beyond the field of competition. Through capital investments, operational spending, employment, and visitor activity, the organization continues to fuel economic growth across the state and strengthen communities throughout Tennessee.
Major athletic events brought thousands of visitors to the region, supporting hotels, restaurants, retailers, transportation providers, and other local businesses. At the same time, ongoing investments in facilities and operations created additional economic activity and reinforced Tennessee’s position as a premier destination for collegiate athletics.
The FY25 results demonstrate that Tennessee Athletics is more than a source of pride for fans—it is a significant economic engine. Its impact reaches well beyond campus, contributing to jobs, business revenue, tourism, and long-term development across the state.
With more than $1.1 billion in annual economic impact, Tennessee Athletics continues to demonstrate the strength of its commitment to excellence, investment, and service to the Volunteer State.
“Tennessee Athletics stands as one of Tennessee’s premier economic engines, generating over $1.1 billion in total economic impact for FY25,” said Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White. “This includes $410 million in direct spending and nearly $740 million in indirect and induced economic activity, highlighting our department’s undeniable impact on the state’s economic growth, job creation, and tax revenue. We are proud to call Knoxville ‘America’s College Sports City,’ and these figures clearly demonstrate that.”
Key Economic Impact Highlights
Overall State of Tennessee Economic Impact
• $1.15 billion generated impact throughout the state.
- $410.2 million in direct impact, including employee payroll, operating expenses and capital expenditures.
- $739.8 million in indirect and induced economic activity resulting from the circulation of athletics-related spending throughout the state economy.
- $53.9 generated in state taxes.
Overall Local Economic Impact
• Generated $931.5 million in total economic activity within Knox County.
- $332.2 million in direct impact, including employee payroll, local operating expenses and capital expenditures.
- $599.2 million in indirect and induced economic activity resulting from the circulation of athletics-related spending throughout the local economy.
• Supported 6,576 jobs in Knox County:
- 2,042 direct jobs
- 4,534 indirect and induced jobs
• Generated $43.7 million in local tax activity.
Capital Investment Impact
Tennessee Athletics’ capital projects remain a critical component of long-term program success while delivering meaningful economic benefits to the community.
• Generated $237.2 million in economic impact within Knox County.
• Supported 1,567 jobs.
• Produced $7.0 million in local tax revenue.
Operational Expenditure Impact
Day-to-day athletics operations, including staff compensation, administration, event management and team-related activities continue to be a significant economic driver.
• Generated $366.1 million in economic impact.
• Supported 2,588 jobs.
• Produced $12.8 million in local tax revenue.
Event and Visitor Spending Impact
Athletics events attract fans, alumni, and visitors whose spending extends far beyond campus venues and contributes broadly to the local economy.
• Event attendees contributed an estimated $316.5 million to Knox County in FY25.
• Visitor spending supported approximately 2,325 jobs across hospitality, retail, food service, transportation and related sectors.
• Generated $23.3 million in direct and indirect tax revenue.
You can view the entire report here.
Source: Tennessee Athletics
