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Kansas City Mayor Sly James on how the MLB All-Star Game and upgrading Kauffman Stadium will impact the economy.
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-- -- -- -- So bordering the Kansas and Missouri State lines Kansas City is home to fountains barbecued jazz and now Major League baseball's all star game.
-- James is the mayor of Kansas City any joins us now that's very lucky that looks straight.
It -- 39 years since the all star game -- their habit of a deal -- this for Kansas City.
Well first of all thank you very much -- -- Melissa for allowing us to be here we always love talking about Kansas City.
This city is on fire it is excited we're having a great time.
-- love to play host of people who are not familiar with us we wanna leave room with four words when they leave I had no idea.
-- one of the things that we're doing here is -- exposing the city.
We're exposing the businesses in the city.
Folks are flocking in we have -- someplace between a 10200000.
People we expect.
Between all the games etc.
Lots more from the region coming -- fan -- how all of those individuals are helping our economy.
-- also taking something away.
-- you spent 250 million dollars making over the city.
To get it prepared that's a that's a big risk at the same time you're the third smallest market for baseball how did you convince them to bring the game -- you -- And you really think in dollar terms the investment pays -- Well -- we spent 250 million dollars to refurbish to stadiums it was either that or build a new one.
And considering the quality of the stadium that we had that investment was well worth it.
-- wasn't just to bring the all star game to Kansas City was in order to make sure that we protected and investment that we've made some time ago.
So was either 250 million to refurbish or -- or billion dollars to rebuild.
We took to smarter route.
The owners of the team to David Glass and others had to contact with Bud Selig the commissioner.
The idea was is that once we re did the stadium that we would get an all star game and that's pretty much what happened.
So mayor let me and yes the investment is always worth it.
-- -- -- Course -- more of an economic impact is hosting an all star game have.
On the middle markets that you like Kansas City and it would have say in at large market like New York City here in New York City or Los Angeles.
Well I think there are primarily the the impact from Kansas City is greater simply because.
Of our Compaq -- -- were not a city that does this every day.
We don't have the Super Bowls and those types of things on a regular basis of this is a big deal for us.
But because it's a big deal we are going all out.
The media will see Kansas City and away the Kansas City has never been seen before and that's why they have not just three times their cattle -- -- Three times a ticket price for the all star game this year vs last year in Arizona.
Well that's Major League baseball's call they set the ticket prices for what the games go forward that is particularly and uniquely controlled.
By Major League Baseball has nothing to do with Kansas City.
But I'll tell you what people who come to Kansas City and pay three times -- ticket price will get three times the value because this is really happening time.
Our social media command center is keeping everybody informed.
Yesterday they had a maximum of twenty million people hooked up to hash tag Casey.
You can't buy that kind of publicity no need to take chances are controlled by Major League Baseball Park City which the eyes -- I'm going to ask you how they're going and because the scalpers -- you look at how much they're selling for that is also a good barometer of the economy also shows how popular this game.
Has become their -- online right now tickets are 606 dollars.
With a minimum price of 248 just to compare to last year when it was held in Arizona.
They were 294 dollars with a minimum of 71 dollars on the bid so they're going for.
You know twice as much on the secondary market that something you can't control you don't benefit from.
But it's a good barometer of how excited people are about this game in your city so congratulations -- -- what.
Thank you very much I mean we have 40000 people yesterday.
For the futures game in the celebrity softball game.
People in Kansas City are crazy for sports particularly -- changed and it's been great to see this outpouring of enthusiasm for the -- -- baseball in Kansas City.
-- -- James -- Kansas City thanks for coming -- we appreciate it.
Have -- thank you very much and -- all right we're gonna have a blast thank you.
