The promotion of the Dutch professional football club Telstar to the Eredivisie (the highest level of the Dutch football league system) after 47 years is a source of pride and solidarity in the municipality of Velsen, but the economic impact remains limited, according to sports economist Thomas Peeters of Erasmus School of Economics.
In an interview with the news organisation NOS, Associate Professor Peeters emphasises that the additional spending should mainly come from visiting supporters. 'Supporters from the municipality of Velsen who now go to Telstar on Saturday evening, used to go to the cinema, for example. So nothing changes for the local economy', he says.
Effects on well-being
Telstar's away section can accommodate only 450 supporters. 'How much do they spend in the stadium? Maybe an average of twenty euros, times seventeen away games? That's great for Telstar, but it's not a huge amount when you compare it to the economy of IJmuiden,' Peeters adds.
Nevertheless, Peeters sees a positive social impact. ‘If your country or club is doing well, that can have positive effects on your well-being,’ he says. ‘You can become happier and more cheerful because you have more opportunities to relax. Although that effect is usually temporary.’ Telstar’s promotion therefore mainly brings a sense of pride and solidarity to the region, while the economic benefits remain modest.
- Associate professor
- More information
For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, mobile +31 6 53 641 846.
