Men's Final Four worth $47 million to San Antonio

INDIANAPOLIS -- The NCAA men's Final Four and some related events generated more than $47 million in economic benefits to the San Antonio metropolitan area.

An NCAA survey showed almost 57,000 people visited the host city because for the three games played on Saturday and Monday. The average stay was 3.7 days, and visitors spent an average of $223 per day.

Spending figures from the city's local organizing committee were not included in the total. Ticket sales and spending by local residents were also excluded.

The study surveyed fans who attended the games, an outdoor fan festival and Hoop City, the indoor, interactive basketball experience that has become a prominent attraction at both the men's and women's Final Fours.

"Year after year, the continued success of the men's Final Four demonstrates it is one of America's great events," Greg Shaheen, NCAA senior vice president for basketball and business strategies, said Thursday. "The support from our corporate champions and corporate partners for the men's Final Four and all 88 NCAA championships is strong and growing."

The survey found 97 percent of the fans who attended the games were from out of town.

Kansas beat Memphis 75-68 in overtime to win the national championship. North Carolina and UCLA were also in the semifinals.