Through a year-long economic impact study by the Bowling Green Convention and Visitors Bureau, Western Kentucky’s athletics department generated $6.5 million for the local economy during the 2023-24 academic year.

“We have always known WKU athletics makes a significant annual impact on the Bowling Green and Warren County economy but never knew specifically to what extent,” Western Kentucky Athletic Director Todd Stewart said in a news release. “This year-long review conducted by the Bowling Green Convention and Visitors Bureau has now validated that WKU athletics annually makes a significant impact on our community. We are proud of our partnerships with many local businesses, and these partnerships must expand as we encounter the many evolving challenges throughout the collegiate athletics landscape and strive to continually be successful and nationally relevant.”

The review focused on hotel night stays generated by home athletic events for football, volleyball, soccer, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and softball. WKU athletics hosted 150 sporting events during the 2023-24 academic year on its campus.