Pittsburg, PA

City of Pittsburgh excited for economic impact of hosting 2026 NFL Draft

Published

6 months ago

May 22, 2024

City of Pittsburgh excited for economic impact of hosting 2026 NFL Draft

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — You call the city Picks-burgh. The NFL announced that the Steel City will be getting the 2026 draft.

The draft is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of people to the city. It’s something they’ve been planning for some time and are excited to see.

Some estimations have the draft bringing at least 300,000 people to Pittsburgh. This past April in Detroit, it brought 775,000.

“It’s going to be great. It’s going to be one of the biggest events the city has ever seen,” Strip District Business Association member Jim Coen said.

While the marquee is the player draft, there will be other events during that weekend. It’s estimated the city will see $120-160 million in revenue. According to Forbes, in 2023, Kansas City generated about $165 million, with more than 310,000 people attending the draft.

It’s hoped the money will flow beyond just the North Shore and Downtown.

“All through even the Strip District, you’re going to see activities,” said Sen. Wayne Fontana, a member of the Sports and Exhibition Authority.

We may have two years to wait, but it’s never too early to start planning.

Restaurants and businesses are now starting the process of finding the products they may need along with adjusting hours.

“Just brick by brick, to just get to those goals you want to reach in two years,” Redbeard’s Bar and Grille general manager Brent Kightlinger said.

While the draft will celebrate NFL players, the goal of hosting an event like this is to sell the city to tourists. For many people, this may be their first time here.

The work begins with promoting the attractions.

“They’re going to see our Cultural District. They’re going to know about our world-class museums [and] our renowned restaurants,” Sen. Fontana said over Zoom.

It’s expected any hotel near the North Shore or Downtown will be booked solid.

“Bringing all these others from other parts of the country and other parts of the world, once they see this city, they’re going to fall in love with it,” Coen said.

There will be plenty of prep work between now and then.

Chris Hoffman

Chris is an award-winning reporter who started with KDKA in May 2019. He is thrilled to tell your stories in his hometown!

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Pittsburg, PA

Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

Published

3 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Wisconsin storms back against Pittsburgh to win Greenbrier Tip-Off

The Wisconsin Badgers are the 2024 Greenbrier Tip-Off champions.

Wisconsin, ranked No. 19 in the nation, improved to 7-0 by coming back from a double-digit deficit to defeat Pittsburgh (6-1) 81-75 Sunday evening in West Virginia. The comeback completed a sweep of the showcase, having defeated Central Florida in their first game of the tip-off on Friday afternoon.

John Tonje led the Badgers with 33 points. The star guard was 11-of-19 shooting and a perfect 10-of-10 from the free-throw line. It’s his second 30-point game of the season; his first was a 41-point explosion in Wisconsin’s win over then-No. 9 Arizona on Nov. 15.

Pittsburgh jumped out to a 20-8 lead nearly 10 minutes into the first half before the Badgers clawed back to within 34-27 at the half.

In the second half, Pittsburgh kept the Badgers at bay, leading 50-45 with 12:22 to go before Wisconsin went on a run and grew a lead to 71-64 with 4:15 remaining.

The Badgers have scored at least 79 points in all seven games this season, which is a program first.

Up next: Wisconsin vs. Chicago State, Nov. 30 at 7 p.m. CT.

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Pittsburg, PA

Pirates Prospect Wins Bronze Medal With Team USA

Published

12 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pirates Prospect Wins Bronze Medal With Team USA

A busy fall for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Termarr Johnson has come to a close.

Team USA wrapped its run in the WBSC Premier12 with a 6-1 win over Venezuela to win the bronze medal on Saturday. They also beat Venezuela 6-5 in the Super Round of the Premier12 on Friday and wrapped up the tournament going 2-2.

Chinese Taipei shut out Japan in the championship game 4-0 to win the Premier12 and hand them their first loss in international play since 2019. Team USA lost to Japan 9-1 and Chinese Taipei 8-2.

Johnson went 1-4 with one run scored and a walk and one strikeout on Saturday. After grounding out in his first two at-bats, the Pirates’ left-handed hitting middle infield prospect singled to center field with one out in the top of the sixth inning. He stole second base, then came around to score with two outs on an infield single from Tampa Bay Rays left-handed hitting outfield prospect Chandler Simpson to extend Team USA’s lead to 3-0.

Team USA went 5-4 in the Premier12. In the previous Premier12, the US finished in fourth place.

Johnson struck out and walked in his next two at-bats. The Pirates’ No. 3 prospect by MLB Pipeline and the No. 75 prospect in baseball hit .310/.414/.429 with one home run and two RBIs in nine games. He also walked six times and struck out nine times.

Before playing in the WBSC Premier12, Johnson played in the Arizona Fall League. The left-handed hitting prospect batted .250/.444/.475 with one home run and four RBIs across 11 games for the Scottsdale Scorpions. He also walked 14 times and scored nine runs.

Johnson, who was the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft by Pittsburgh spent time with High-A Greensboro (110 games) and Double-A Altoona (14 games) in 2024. He batted .237/.366/.386 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in his 124 games played.

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates

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Pittsburg, PA

Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night kicks off the holiday season

Published

20 hours ago

November 24, 2024

Press Room

Pittsburgh’s Light Up Night kicks off the holiday season

02:46

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The holiday season began in Pittsburgh on Saturday night with the city’s popular Light Up Night event.

Thousands crowded Downtown streets to ring in the holidays.

The iconic Highmark Christmas tree was lit along with trees at the City-County Building and PPG Place. A new light show on the Sister Bridges was also unveiled.

“It’s just a magical time of the year,” said Nicole Ambrogio.

She brought her kids to see the Highmark tree lit up.

“It almost gives you that Times Square-like feeling,” said Melissa Iaquinta. “It was amazing. The fireworks are always an added touch, and it’s beautiful.”

Vendors also filled Market Square, along with caroling and drumming.

“This is my first Light Up Night. It’s honestly amazing. I love all the music,” said Pietro Pucci. “It’s really magical; it’s like a winter wonderland come to life.”

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