MAYOR BLOOMBERG, MLB COMMISSIONER SELIG AND NEW YORK METS CEO WILPON ANNOUNCE 2013 ALL-STAR GAME WILL BE PLAYED AT CITI FIELD Event Will Generate Estimated $191.5 Million in Economic Impact Will Be Ninth All-Star Game Played in New York City, the Most of Any Host City
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Commissioner of Major League Baseball Allan (Bud) H. Selig and New York Mets Chairman and CEO Fred Wilpon today announced that Citi Field will host the 2013 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. The game will be the second Midsummer Classic to be played in New York City in five years and the ninth All-Star Game in baseball history to be played in New York City – the most of any host city. The game will mark the second time that the Mets, who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this season, will host the All-Star game – Shea Stadium hosted the 1964 All-Star Game. The game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, July 16th. The Mayor made the announcement at City Hall, where he was also joined by Mr. Met and NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.
“Next year’s All-Star Game is going to demonstrate once again that there’s no place like New York for world-class sporting events,” said Mayor Bloomberg. “Major League Baseball clearly recognizes this, since they’re bringing the All-Star Game back to New York for the second time in just five years.”
“As we celebrate the franchise’s golden anniversary this year, I am pleased to award the 2013 All-Star Game to the New York Mets and their loyal fans,” said Commissioner Selig. “We are delighted to bring the Midsummer Classic to Citi Field, a wonderful ballpark that has carried on the remarkable National League tradition in New York City. The Mets will be superb hosts to next summer’s greatest sporting event.”
“Thanks to the efforts of Mayor Bloomberg and Commissioner Selig, it’s a great honor for everyone at the Mets to host the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field,” said Wilpon. “Mets fans and all people in the New York tri-state area and beyond will have the opportunity to take part in the events that Major League Baseball will bring to New York.”
“There’s no bigger stage in the world for the All-Star Game than New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Development Robert K. Steel. “Congratulations to Major League Baseball on the fantastic selection of the Mets and Citi Field as hosts for a game that will bring millions of dollars of investment to Queens and all of New York City.”
“We are pleased to welcome the MLB All-Star Game back to New York City,” said George Fertitta, CEO of NYC & Company. “There is no better backdrop for major, large-scale events than the City of New York. Next year’s game will, no doubt, help us achieve our new goal to attract 55 million visitors annually by 2015 as well as to generate tens of millions of dollars in economic activity.”
A new economic impact study by the New York City Economic Development Corporation estimates that the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field will generate $191.5 million in total economic impact. An estimated 176,239 people will travel to New York City for the game and related events, not including an estimated 80,000 New Yorkers who will take part in the event. Total television viewership is expected to be more than 30 million viewers worldwide.
The 2011 All-Star Game in Phoenix was covered by approximately 2,000 writers, broadcasters and photographers who provided worldwide coverage of the event and the game was viewed by 34.9 million viewers and ranks as FOX’s most-watched primetime telecast of the summer. As has been the case since its television debut more than 50 years ago, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game ranks as by far the highest-rated All-Star event in sports. In addition, the State Farm Home Run Derby delivered a 4.7 HH rating and an average of 6.7 million viewers, up 2 percent and 4 percent, respectively, over the 2010 game in Anaheim. Major League Baseball International’s transmission of the All-Star Game was televised around the world by 47 broadcast outlets to more than 200 countries and in 14 languages.
