New Orleans. LA –April 10, 2014 - SMG announced this week that WrestleMania
XXX shattered the record for the Mercedes-Benz Superdome’s highest grossing
entertainment event. World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) annual pop-culture
extravaganza grossed $10.9 million from a sold out crowd of 75,167 who
travelled to New Orleans from all 50 states and 37 countries. The Superdome’s
previous gross revenue record for an entertainment event was held by the 2013
Essence Music Festival.
WrestleMania XXX was the centerpiece of a week long
celebration of WWE events that included the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
and Monday Night RAW, both held at the SMG managed Smoothie King Center, WWE
Axxess at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, Superstars for
Kids Auction at the New Orleans Museum of Art, and various legacy projects
including construction of a new playground at Woodland West Elementary School.
Several members of SMG’s staff volunteered their help with this project.
WrestleMania XXX was the culmination of a five year process
that began in April 2009 when SMG formally submitted a bid on behalf of the
City of New Orleans to host this event. SMG served as the leader in
coordinating the necessary support of community leaders for the bid, and upon
being awarded WrestleMania XXX in late 2011, took the lead in facilitating and
delivering on the bid requirements. Alan Freeman, SMG’s General Manager at the
Superdome and Smoothie King Center noted “We were familiar with WrestleMania,
having attended it at our sister venue in Houston - Reliant Stadium. We knew
that it would be a perfect fit for New Orleans, and it certainly did not
disappoint. I’m sure years from now people will still be talking about what a
spectacular experience WWE produced. We are obviously thrilled with the outcome
and look forward to the having the opportunity to host WrestleMania again.” Ron Forman, Chairman of the Louisiana Stadium
and Exposition District, underscored the overwhelming local enthusiasm for
WrestleMania by stating “This event certainly compares in stature with, and
continues our unprecedented success in staging major entertainment events, that
in just the past few years have included the BCS Football Championship Game,
NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, the Super Bowl, and the NBA All-Star Game.
No city is better suited or does a better job of producing these major events
than New Orleans. I want to personally commend our facility manager, SMG, on
the wonderful job they have performed in helping to secure and manage these
events.” Added John Saboor, WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events,
“SMG has served as one of the absolute key principals on behalf of the New
Orleans Local Organizing Committee, and has done a magnificent job of
supporting the various other local stakeholder groups, which include the
Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation, and
the Morial Convention Center”.
The New Orleans economy, which is driven by tourism, will
realize an economic windfall from this event. Based on independent analysis from
previous host cities, it is expected that WrestleMania XXX will have a local
economic impact of approximately $100 million.
