University of Tennessee Athletics
Inside Tennessee Athletics’ Economic and Community Impact
August 27, 2026 | General
FY25 Report Underscores Major Economic Engine for the State of Tennessee
Tennessee Athletics delivered substantial economic value to the state of Tennessee through capital investments, operational spending, and visitor activity, resulting in over $1.1 billion in annual economic impact, according to the latest economic and community impact report for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25).
This robust economic impact supported more than 8,000 jobs and generated $53.9 million in tax revenue.
To quantify and communicate these contributions, Tennessee Athletics partnered with Tripp Umbach, a national leader in economic impact research, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the department's economic and community footprint. The resulting report offers a data-driven assessment of value generated through athletics operations, capital investments, and engagement activities, serving as a strategic resource for university and state leadership.
Expenditures for operations, maintenance, capital improvements, and events extend well beyond campus. As these dollars circulate through the economy, they create multiplier effects that support jobs, household income, business activity, and tax revenues—reinforcing Tennessee Athletics' role as both a competitive program and a significant economic asset for the region and 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."
Beyond supporting athletic excellence, Tennessee Athletics delivers substantial benefits to local businesses, government entities, and community stakeholders through capital investments, operational expenditures, and event-driven visitor spending.
Key Economic Impact Highlights
Overall State of Tennessee Economic Impact
Overall Local Economic Impact
Capital Investment Impact
Tennessee Athletics' capital projects remain a critical component of long-term program success while delivering meaningful economic benefits to the community.
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.
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.
To view the entire report, click here.
This robust economic impact supported more than 8,000 jobs and generated $53.9 million in tax revenue.
To quantify and communicate these contributions, Tennessee Athletics partnered with Tripp Umbach, a national leader in economic impact research, to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the department's economic and community footprint. The resulting report offers a data-driven assessment of value generated through athletics operations, capital investments, and engagement activities, serving as a strategic resource for university and state leadership.
Expenditures for operations, maintenance, capital improvements, and events extend well beyond campus. As these dollars circulate through the economy, they create multiplier effects that support jobs, household income, business activity, and tax revenues—reinforcing Tennessee Athletics' role as both a competitive program and a significant economic asset for the region and 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."
Beyond supporting athletic excellence, Tennessee Athletics delivers substantial benefits to local businesses, government entities, and community stakeholders through capital investments, operational expenditures, and event-driven visitor spending.
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.
To view the entire report, click here.
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