A&M President on the Economics of Joining the SEC

By: KBTX Staff Email

Updated: Mon 11:40 AM, Apr 29, 2013

Before Texas A&M officially joined the Southeastern Conference, Texas A&M and retailers were already realizing financial gains.

At an Economic Development luncheon by the B/CS Chamber of Commerce, Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin told the group the SEC gave A&M permission to co brand A&M and SEC logos for any merchandising sales. As a result, A&M saw an increase in licensing fees and retailers saw an increase in sales of 23%.

Here are a few other economic gains Loftin addressed:

*8,000 tickets bought up by Gator Fans
*This Saturday's game against Florida was most watched college game this weekend.
*More than 400 RVs parked on campus for tailgating.

"Many of them showed up here on Wednesday and stayed through the weekend. Rather than driving from Austin or from Waco and staying for the day and back, they stayed here and spent money here," said President Loftin.

Executive Director of the Bryan/College Station Convention & Visitors Bureau Shannon Overby was surprised by how early some Florida Gator fans arrived.

"We had Florida fans here starting on Sunday asking us where to eat, where to shop, what to do," said Overby.

Overby says businesses across the area are benefiting from the move to the Southeastern Conference.

"We've been seeing Florida people from the beginning of the week. There were definitely more folks in town shopping, and not just Florida, a lot more Aggies too," said Jason Wilbanks, Cavender's Boot City Manager.

If the first home game of the season is any indication, the "economic outlook" in Aggieland is pretty good.

News 3's Stephanie Ando will have more on the economic impact of joining the SEC later on News 3 at 6.

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