Louisiana Superdome: Public Costs and Benefits 1975-1984

During 1985, a research effort was undertaken by a five-person team of specialists in tourism, marketing, real estate, and public finance to determine the benefits and costs associated with the Louisiana Superdome. This largest of the enclosed public stadiums was a unique experiment in design and urban location (within an existing central business district). Based on this benefit/cost analysis, construction of the Superdome was found to be a surprisingly efficient public expenditure with a benefit to cost ratio of 12.4 to 1 (1975 dollars). Most of these benefits were attributable to the acquisition of a National Football League franchise and the repeated selection of the facility as a host site for the Super Bowl. The importance of professional football franchises to urban areas is also noted in the context of public support for retaining or acquiring these franchises.