Arizona
Spring training baseball brings economic boom back to Arizona
PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) – Spring training baseball in the Valley generated more than $710 million for the local economy during the 2023 season. The Seidman Research Institute at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business studied the economic impact of the baseball games.
Researchers surveyed thousands of out-of-state visitors who visited Arizona to watch games at ten ballparks during February and March. The report showed more than 1.5 million fans went to games this spring. They brought millions of dollars to our local hotels, restaurants, and experiences.
On Friday, The Cactus League and Governor Katie Hobbs held a press conference to talk about these baseball games’ impact on Arizona. “While Cactus League games may not count, their economic impact certainly does,” Gov. Hobbs said. “There is nowhere else in the country where you can cheer on your favorite sports team one day and then see one of the seven natural wonders the next.”
This was the best year for attendance since 2019. The COVID-19 Pandemic canceled games in 2020. Capacity was limited in 2021, and the Major League Baseball lockout canceled part of the schedule in 2022. The spring training season in 2023 was the first time since 2019 that a normal schedule was played without crowd limits.
“After three seasons impacted by a pandemic and work stoppage, the Cactus League in 2023 proved its resilience as a major tourism engine for Arizona,” Cactus League President Chris Calcaterra said. “To ensure the vitality of the spring training industry in Arizona, we must maintain our facilities and continue to provide the best possible experience for the teams and their fans. We are grateful to Major League Baseball and the host communities for their partnership and to the Arizona Sports and Tourism Authority for providing grant funding for ballpark construction and renovation.”
Cactus League Executive Director Bridget Binsbacher says it was great to see all the fans back at the ballpark. While they bring a big boost to the economy in the Valley, research found most fans end up going to other parts of Arizona while they’re here.
“As Arizona’s longest-running national sporting event, the Cactus League has developed an unmatched following of fans from across the country,” Binsbacher said. “And while those fans come to cheer for their favorite teams, they take the time to explore other attractions in our beautiful state. The positive financial impacts of spring training extend far beyond the Cactus League’s footprint.”
There are about six months until baseball returns to the Cactus League. The schedule is already out, which is earlier than previous years. Binsbacher says releasing it earlier was needed as more families plan vacations to watch their favorite teams in Arizona.
To look at the 2024 schedule, click here.
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Arizona
Former Wisconsin quarterback Braedyn Locke to transfer to Arizona
Arizona football is adding depth to its quarterback room with the addition of a power conference signal caller.
Wisconsin transfer Braedyn Locke committed to Arizona on Friday, giving the Wildcats an experienced backup at quarterback. Locke threw for 1,936 yards, 13 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a sophomore with the Badgers.
The 6-foot, Rockwell, Texas native began the season as Wisconsin’s backup but took over starting duties when Tyler Van Dyke suffered a season-ending knee injury against Alabama.
Locke, who began his career at Mississippi State, has two years of remaining eligibility.
Locke threw for a season-high 359 yards in Wisconsin’s 52-6 win over Purdue in October. He struggled over Wisconsin’s last five games (all losses), throwing for six touchdowns and five interceptions and hovering around 50 percent completion rate.
Locke is not much of a runner, as he recorded just 4 total rushing yards on the season.
Locke joins Arizona knowing he’ll be in a backup role in 2025 behind returning quarterback Noah Fifita. He comes the 17th player to transfer to Arizona this offseason including the 10th on offense.
Arizona
Miami Lands Arizona Cornerback From the Transfer Portal
Miami continued to address a major roster need on Thursday as former Arizona cornerback Emmanuel Karnely announced his commitment to the Hurricanes over Ole Miss and Michigan. He visited Miami during the first weekend of the transfer portal after spending time in Oxford, and most recently visiting Ann Arbor.
The 6-foot-3, 185-pounder is considered the No. 6 cornerback and No. 68 overall player in the 247Sports Transfer Portal Rankings.
Karnley, a member of the 2023 recruiting class, has spent the last two seasons at Arizona. This past season, the redshirt freshman became a six-game starter for the Wildcats, only allowing 22 catches on 43 targets for 288 yards with four touchdowns allowed and five pass breakups.
The Canes are also targeting the other side of the room in Tacario Davis which would be great for the growing room. The freshman All-American OJ Frederique Jr. will also still be suiting up for the Canes next season. The depth and talent in the room will continue to grow and perform as Mario Cristobal continues to hit in the portal.
Karnely has three more years of eligibility. Karnley has become the fifth blue-chip transfer addition so far this portal season.
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Arizona
Post-holiday rush has Arizona shoppers returning gifts, spending holiday cash
PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Christmas is over, but the stores and malls are busy one day later—shoppers either returning gifts that weren’t quite right or spending some of that holiday cash.
“A lot of the stores we went to, you had to wait in lines just to get from one store to the other,” said Jeannie Mac. “It was pretty busy.”
When you think of holiday shopping, you often think of items flying off the shelves.
“There are a lot of discounts at target, 50% off all decorations. You’d be surprised. The shelves are a little empty,” said shopper Joseph Caruana.
But the day after Christmas, many of those items end up back in-store. This year, returns are expected to add up to 17% of all merchandise sales, according to a recent report by the National Retail Federation. It’s about $890 billion in returned unneeded or unwanted gifts.
However, not everyone was there for returns or exchanges.
“Everyone enjoyed the presents, so didn’t have to return anything, thankfully,” said Max Miely.
Many people Arizona’s Family spoke with were mainly there looking to spend their holiday money, including Jenn Neild, who was visiting from Canada.
“We’re just looking around for some post Christmas deals, Boxing Day deals,” she said.
Boxing Day is traditionally a holiday similar to Black Friday, celebrated in the U.K. and Canada.
It was a good opportunity for shoppers who came out ready to use their holiday gift cards or, in other cases, to claim their Christmas gifts.
“We just went to go get my cousins ear pierced for her Christmas present and we’re going to be shopping for pajamas and different things,” said Morgan Uperesa, another shopper.
Because Dec. 26 and Dec. 27 are historically the busiest days for returns, the Better Business Bureau advises you to bring any receipts to the store.
If you don’t have one, they say you should know the rules on returns without it.
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