For those who haven’t tapped into the Coach Prime buzz in Boulder, it’s time to tune in. Though we don’t claim to be economists, the “Prime effect” has undeniably swept through Boulder and resonated on a national scale. While Coach Prime hasn’t reached the Taylor Swift level—who added an impressive $5 billion to the economy through her Eras Tour—he’s undeniably boosting Colorado’s GDP. Let’s delve deeper:
- According to “Visit Boulder,” The Convention and Visitors Bureau, CU’s inaugural home game against Nebraska brought nearly $18 million to the region. This impressive figure was reiterated by Coach Prime on his son’s YouTube channel.
- CU reported that their athletic department’s royalty revenue for the fiscal year 2022-23, ending July 1, totaled $1.99 million. University representatives informed The Post that approximately 29% of this—about $580,300—came from Coach Prime/Buffs co-branded merchandise over seven months.
- The enthusiasm has been palpable: CU football season tickets sold out rapidly. By August 2nd, the Buffs reported sales of 22,457 season tickets and 11,600 student sports passes.
- The first three games of the season alone brought CU a staggering $90.55 million in ad revenue.
- The Boulder Hotel Association reveals that Boulder hotels are fully booked for weekend home games for the foreseeable fall season. Notably, 2-night minimum rates have seen a 50% hike since the previous year.
- Boulder’s local businesses are thriving. Women’s boutique, Haven, reported a minimum of 10% increase in foot traffic during home game weekends.
- The demand for tailgate catering has surged. Black Belly Market, for instance, now requires orders to be placed at least a week in advance.
- Coach Prime’s brand is burgeoning. Sanders has registered trademarks for phrases like “Coach Prime,” “Prime Effect,” “It’s Personal,” and “Daddy Buck.” Many of these have already made their way onto merchandise.
- Colorado Buffaloes’ online gear sales skyrocketed by 505% since December, as confirmed by Hurlbert to Axios.
- The second season Amazon Prime Video’s documentary series Coach Prime is now in production, and the Colorado Office of Film, Television and Media within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade expects to provide the streaming network with tax incentives worth about $500,000. That incentive total is based on expected local expenditures from SMAC Productions Inc. of $4.9 million, according to a COFTM news release. The full economic impact could reach up to $9 million.
Beyond these metrics, there’s an electrifying energy revitalizing Boulder. Lifelong residents are donning Buffs merchandise once more. Don’t be surprised if, while out in Buff gear, you’re greeted with a friendly “Go Buffs.” CU has the most watched game for three weeks in a row in September, averaging almost nine million viewers each game. The city’s newfound fervor isn’t just local; sources claim, “CU is now America’s team.”
At DCC, our roots run deep with CU pride. Our CEO, Becky Gamble, is a Boulder native who was first female president of the Buff Club. Bruce, her husband, relocated from Detroit to clinch 4 national ski championships, get inducted into the Hall of Fame and subsequently made Boulder his forever home. Beau Gamble, our President and another Boulder native, showcased his skills in basketball under Coach Tad Boyle. Similarly, Managing Broker Kevin Nelson and Broker Associate Dryden Dunsmore played basketball and football respectively at CU. Our office manager, Sue Wristen is a CU grad and a 2-time athletic department staff member. Furthermore, Broker Associate Torrey Patterson, Hunter Barto and Berkley Gamble-Schweid (a former CU soccer player)—all proud CU alumni—have kept the spirit alive in our office. In fact, Senior Broker Associate Brit Banks (who is not even a CU grad) is known to rally everyone with the CU fight song in place of the usual “Happy Birthday.”
To quote Berkley Gamble-Schweid, “The last time our football team was this exhilarating, I was too young to even remember. There’s an undeniable energy in Boulder now. I’m eager to witness the next surge of Deionomics.”
