As Oregon struggles to add jobs and attract new residents, a new report finds one industry is quietly outperforming expectations: sports. Spectators added about $1.7 billion into the state economy and supported roughly 9,000 jobs in 2024.
The report, produced by economic research firm ECONorthwest in partnership with Sport Oregon, frames spectator sports as a critical “traded sector” industry — one that draws outside dollars into the state much like Oregon’s dominant semiconductor industry.
Mike Wilkerson, director of economic research at ECONorthwest, said Oregon ranks among the top 10 states for sports economy contribution, a standing he described as particularly notable given the relatively limited public investment made to date in a recent “Straight Talk” interview…