Wausau, WI – Over 44,000 people attended Woodchucks games at Athletic Park during the 2023 season. This, along with many other factors, brings the Woodchucks economic impact on the Wausau area to over $3.3 million.

Approximately 7% of Woodchucks fans attending games in 2023 were from out of state, coming from 29 different states! Most out of state visitors were neighbors from Minnesota, with fans Texas not too far behind. Nine percent of in state fans came from outside of the Wausau Metro area, including many from north of Highway 8 and the towns of the opposing Northwoods League Teams. Many of the out-of-town and out-of-state guests ate at local restaurants and stayed at local hotels during their time in Wausau, bringing additional spending to our area.

The Woodchucks employ five full-time, year-round front office staff members. We also employed 17 interns, 73 game day staff members and hired multiple Community Service Officers during the 2023 season. This amounts to a labor income of over $500,500. Game day staff members are a vital part of the Woodchucks team, and it is a fun first job for many Wausau area teens. Eleven of this year’s game day staff members joined the labor force for the first time with their Woodchucks jobs. This past summer over 50% of the Woodchucks summer interns were not local to the area and moved here temporarily for the summer, bringing their housing, food, and entertainment spending to the Wausau area!

Eighty-two collegiate baseball players came through Wausau this summer to play for the Woodchucks. Most of them were not local to the area, therefore bringing additional spending to the area.

Another way the Woodchucks contributed to our local economy was by choosing to use local companies as vendors for items like stadium signage, apparel, concession items, and transportation. In total these local vendor relations infused the local economy with $445,506 in 2023.

The Woodchucks purchased a total of 222 rooms at Wausau area hotels for visiting teams and umpires, continuing to provide the local economy with additional revenue.

Taxes, rent, and usage fees are another way that the Woodchucks pump money into the local economy. In 2023 the Woodchucks paid $154,540.15 in local, city and state fees and taxes.

The Woodchucks look forward to continuing to strengthen the local economy for many years to come.