Yakima, Wash. — The annual WIAA 1A and 2A girls and boys state basketball tournaments are once again energizing Yakima’s economy, with the event held at the Yakima Valley SunDome. Last year, the tournament generated approximately $7 million for the city.
Rich Austin, Yakima Valley Sports Commission Director of Sport Development, explained the breakdown of this economic impact. “Primarily are the big ones, lodging and food, but also entertainment shopping. They may need to go get some new shoes, new socks, something like that. You know, snack foods, gas, everything goes into that one number,” said Austin.
Austin noted that certain teams consistently qualify for the tournament, contributing to the economic boost. “So, we’ve always had really good local representation. What has really picked up the last few years? Linden, Christian Linden boys and girls. They’ve always done very well. As a matter of fact, last year, the Linden boys and girls both won the state championships, but they travel very, very well, so their whole community comes to the Yakima Valley. So that really is what kind of carries this lodging wiser those teams that travel very well and that are consistently here,” he said.
While the $7 million doesn’t all go directly to the city, Austin explained how the funds are distributed. “The vast majority of that $7 million goes directly to whatever entity is taking in the money. It could be a hotel, could be a restaurant, could be a service station, you know, store in the mall, that sort of thing. And then, you know, the city and the state and the county get their portion of sales tax off of that. You know, lodging taxes is a little different. If you go and buy something in a store, you have sales tax. If you buy a room, then you’ll have a regular sales tax, and you have lodging taxes,” he said.
Despite the financial benefits, Austin emphasized the tournament’s sentimental value. “These days are special for these kids. They’re here from all across the state, playing in what, for some of them, could be their last games ever, and it’s just it’s really cool to see these moments, and in our own way, be able to share these moments with these kids in their schools. I think it’s one of the things that really makes the people of the Yakima Valley special to a lot of these folks that are coming back here,” he said.
Austin also mentioned that the commission anticipates a higher intake this year due to inflation.