In year marking 20 years at Progressive Field, Cleveland Indians to welcome 50 millionth fan

Cleveland, OH -Progressive Field will welcome its 50 millionth paid customer this year and enter its third decade of service. The Tribe began another season of baseball on April 4 -- 20 years exactly to the day in 1994 when the first regular season game was played at Progressive Field (then known as Jacobs Field).

And what a ride it has been: Since its opening in 1994, consider the significant economic impact Progressive Field has had on the City of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County:

• Average annualized job creation of 2,500 jobs
• Average sales impact of $221 million per year
• State and local tax revenues of nearly $15 million per year

For the City of Cleveland, had it not been for the Cleveland Indians playing on the corner of Carnegie and Ontario, the following results would not have been realized*:

• $4.2 billion in sales
• $1.75 billion in earnings (employee wages, employer contributions to pensions, self-employed earnings)
• $279 million in state and local taxes

The return of baseball in Cleveland also is significant for the businesses surrounding Progressive Field, as noted by the significant economic impact created by the direct spending of the Indians organization in conducting their business operations, as well as the direct spending of all the visitors that come downtown to watch the Indians play.

"Businesses that benefit from the direct spending of the Indians and the fans then increase their spending at other local businesses," said Ken Stefanov, Indians Chief Financial Officer, who's been with the club since 1990.

"The direct and indirect spending powered by the Indians business activities lead to increased personal income, inducing greater household spending locally. Ultimately, this domino effect has resulted in the $4.2 billion sales figure generated over the past 20 years."

"We are very proud of the role we play in our community -- from both an economic impact as well as our charitable community impact," said Indians President Mark Shapiro. "We are driven to make the fans the center of our focus, in a safe, clean and modern Progressive Field."

*--Source: Cleveland Indians Economic and Fiscal Impact Analysis Topline Report, November 2013, for period 1994-2012