Sport, sponsors, activism and politics

[Thryleon]

They key word there is 'realistic'.

I am very wary of anyone who puts out a 'realistic' figure. There are far too many moving parts to get a realistic figure.
As an example, i went to Austin, Texas for the first ever F1 Grand Prix they had there as part of my honeymoon. No way in hell i would've gone there for any other reason. How would Austin know this though if they did a 'realistic' breakdown?

Now, my honeymoon planning started with USA. No time of year, nothing, just America.
Looking at events we could take in decided on the time, ultimately, it was NBA, NFL and F1. We planned our trip to see who we wanted to see and where. Essentially, i flew into america 4 weeks before the F1, and flew out 2 weeks after. No chance they could attribute that to the F1.
I flew into, stayed in and hired a car from San Antonio because Austin was too expensive. (SA to Austin, similar time/distance to Geelong to Melbourne). Most of the eating i did was in San Antonio, except for what i ate during the 3 days i was at the track.

There is no way to track the effect that it had on and around Austin based on my experience, and there are plenty others like it.

It'd be the same thing for Melbourne. You can have a guess, but there is no way you'd get a realistic (read accurate) figure.

Its part of a broader spectrum.

The Australian Open.
The Grand Prix.

ICONIC events to the world.  I hate the F1 and couldnt give a rats about it, but since Adelaide lost it, no one knows anything about the place or where it is.

Sydney drive an F1 car onto the Harbour Bridge for a reason.  Iconic and it would cost a boatload to stage that crap.

When you go round the world, the AFL is something that gives us a bit of attention, because people know we are crazy Aussies that play contact sports without protection.

I havent been interested in F1 since Michael Schumacher was racing and cigarettes were still sponsoring cars, but I know enough to understand the international pulling power of it.  Even the MotoGp down in Phillip Island is renowned in the racing circles.  My evidence is mainly anecdotal.  Melbourne's reputation as sporting capital of Australia is attributed largely to winning the Grand Prix hosting off Adelaide, having the MCG, and hosting the Australian Open.

Lucky for us we have that stuff, because the climate in the other cities is infinitely better most of the year round, as is the wine!