RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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University of Tennessee athletics generated $1.15 billion in economic impact throughout the state in the 2025 fiscal year, according to a study conducted by a private consulting firm contracted by the school.
It’s an eye-opening figure.
A closer look at the 38-page report, which UT provided to Knox News, reveals just how far the Vols reach to boost industries statewide. Construction, restaurants, hotels and clothing retail stores are among the biggest beneficiaries of the UT athletics economic engine.
Fans visiting Knoxville to attend UT sporting events accounted for $366.1 million, almost one-third of the total impact. And 8,120 jobs statewide were supported by the Vols, including UT athletic department employees, vendors, contractors, construction firms and hospitality workers.
Athletics director Danny White told Knox News that UT wanted an independent study to understand the full effect of the Vols locally and statewide. It’s useful in conversations with business owners and government officials, but White didn’t know exactly what the report would reveal.
“I figured (the economic impact) would be significant. I didn’t have a number in mind, but I’m not surprised at all that it was over a billion dollars,” White said. “The Knoxville economy, in particular, benefits greatly when we’re filling (Neyland) Stadium every game and filling (Food City Center) every game because we’re also filling a lot of hotel rooms and restaurants.”
The study was created by Tripp Umbach , a national leader in economic impact research. Here’s the breakdown of UT athletics’ impact on the local and state economy.
How Tennessee Vols delivered $1.15 billion to economy
The economic impact from UT athletics pours into three buckets statewide.
$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 million generated in state taxes
10 Tennessee industries benefited most from UT athletics
Research by Tripp Umbach determined that 10 industries in Tennessee benefited economically the most by the presence of UT athletics. They accounted for almost three-quarters of the $1.15 billion impact.
Here’s the breakdown of the top 10.
Universities, colleges, professional schools: $262.7 million
Construction of educational, vocational structures: $148.1 million
Full-service restaurants: $120 million
Other real estate: $58.3 million
Hotels, motels: $37.9 million
Owner-occupied dwellings: $36.8 million
Clothing retail: $33.3 million
Gas stations: $30.1 million
Financial sector: $19.5 million
Hospitals: $17.9 million
“It’s something to be celebrated, and we’re all in this together,” White said. “We want to compete for national championships here. And the more success we have, we all collectively benefit from it.”
Here's how the Vols impacted Knoxville economy
Predictably, most of the impact was felt in the local economy. UT athletics supported 6,576 jobs and generated $931.5 million within Knox County in the 2025 fiscal year.
$332.2 million in direct impact
$599.2 million in indirect and induced economic activity
$43.7 million in local taxes
Where fans attending Tennessee games spent money
UT led the nation in combined attendance for football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball games in 2024-25, the year analyzed by the report. The 41 regular-season home games in those three sports drew 1,234,843 fans to Neyland Stadium and Food City Center.
Those visitors generated major dollars and jobs in Knox County.
An estimated $316.5 million were contributed by event attendees
Visitor spending supported approximately 2,325 jobs, including hospitality, retail, food service, transportation and more.
Visitors attending UT sports events generated $23.3 million in Knox County tax revenue
Here's how much Tennessee athletes spent in state
In 2024-25, UT student-athletes spent an estimated $14.5 million statewide on food, housing, gasoline and other personal expenses. That’s an average of more than $23,000 among the 619 student-athletes enrolled that year.
They contributed more than $761,000 in tax revenue.
Those figures aren’t very significant in the grand total of $1.15 billion in economic impact. But they’re certainly interesting in the NIL era, when premier college athletes can earn six-figure and seven-figure incomes.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email [email protected] . X, formerly known as Twitter @AdamSparks . Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe .
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: These 10 Tennessee industries benefit most from Vols’ $1.15B impact | Exclusive
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