The Super Bowl in New Orleans isn’t just a game; it’s an economic event that generates hundreds of millions of dollars. The hotels fill up, the restaurants boom, and the bars overflow. But when the confetti settles, who really benefits? The state of Louisiana collects the lion’s share of the hotel-motel taxes and sales tax windfalls, while New Orleanians deal with the traffic, overcrowding, and infrastructure strain that come with hosting a global event.

It’s time to change that equation.

Follow the Money: Where Does the Super Bowl Revenue Go?

Hosting the Super Bowl brings in over $500 million in economic impact, but let’s break down where the actual tax revenue goes.

• Hotel-Motel Tax: A majority (75.5%) of this tax revenue goes to the state, while only 9.5% directly benefits New Orleans. The remaining 15% is allocated to other state-controlled entities.
• Sales Tax Revenue: While both New Orleans and the state collect equal portions of sales tax (5% each), the state’s total tax haul is larger because it also collects hotel, gambling, and tourism-related revenues.
• Airport and Rental Car Taxes: 42.8% of these revenues go to the state, while 57.2% stays in New Orleans for airport operations.
• Gambling & Hospitality Taxes: The state takes 80% of the revenue, leaving only 20% for New Orleans

New Orleans Pays the Price, but Baton Rouge Collects the Check

New Orleanians shoulder the burden of hosting the Super Bowl. Locals deal with:

• Traffic gridlock from road closures and security zones
• Higher prices at local stores, bars, and restaurants
• Limited access to parts of downtown and the French Quarter
• Strained infrastructure from increased demand on city services

Yet, when the state distributes its tax windfall, the money doesn’t stay in New Orleans. Instead, funds get spread across Louisiana, benefiting parishes that had nothing to do with the event.

This has to change.

New Orleans Delivers the Super Bowl. The State Must Deliver for New Orleans.

The Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation and local leaders work tirelessly to bring the Super Bowl here. They pitch the NFL, promote the city, and secure the deal. New Orleans wins the bid because no other place offers the culture, food, and excitement that this city does.

Without New Orleans, Louisiana doesn’t get a Super Bowl.

That means New Orleans state representatives and senators must demand that Baton Rouge reinvests a significant portion of the Super Bowl tax revenue into the city. No more pimping out New Orleans for tax dollars, then funneling the money to rural parishes that had no skin in the game.

How Louisiana Must Reinvest in New Orleans

If the state benefits from New Orleans’ Super Bowl economy, then it must reinvest in making the city stronger. Here’s how:

1. Homeownership Programs for Native New Orleanians

New Orleans’ Black homeownership rate lags behind the national average. The state should use a portion of Super Bowl-generated revenue to fund:

• First-time homebuyer grants for New Orleans residents
• Down payment assistance programs for working-class families
• Property tax relief for longtime homeowners at risk of being displaced

2. Job Training for Young People

The hospitality and tourism industry booms during the Super Bowl, but most workers earn low wages with no career path. Louisiana should use tax revenue to fund:

• Apprenticeship programs in skilled trades like HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work
• Tech training partnerships with local colleges to prepare workers for high-paying careers in cybersecurity and software development
• Entrepreneurship grants for New Orleans-based small businesses

3. Infrastructure Fortification

Super Bowl week exposes the cracks in New Orleans’ infrastructure. More visitors mean more strain on roads, public transit, and drainage systems. Instead of sending tax revenue to far-flung parishes, the state should:

• Fund drainage and flood protection projects to prepare for future storms
• Invest in smart traffic management systems to prevent downtown gridlock
• Upgrade public transportation to serve both locals and tourists year-round

Related: A Real Solution for Crime

4. Incentives for Black-Owned Businesses

New Orleans’ Black entrepreneurs contribute massively to the city’s economy, yet they lack access to capital and state support. Baton Rouge should:

• Create a dedicated loan fund for Black-owned businesses in New Orleans
• Offer tax breaks for minority-owned businesses that employ local workers
• Expand contracts and grants for Black-led organizations working in economic development

5. Make Super Bowl Profits Work for New Orleans Residents

New Orleans needs a fair share of the money it generates. That means:

• A fixed percentage of Super Bowl tax revenue must be earmarked for New Orleans infrastructure and economic development
• A dedicated state fund should be created to reinvest in housing, jobs, and business development for New Orleans residents
• Legislation should prevent the state from diverting New Orleans-generated Super Bowl revenue to unrelated projects elsewhere in Louisiana

Final Thought: New Orleans Is Not Louisiana’s ATM

New Orleans delivers the Super Bowl experience. The culture, food, music, and people make the event successful. Yet, the state reaps the financial benefits while the city gets the leftovers.

That has to change.

If Louisiana wants to continue benefiting from New Orleans’ economic engine, it must reinvest in the people who make it possible. The Super Bowl is a windfall opportunity, but only if New Orleans demands its fair share.

Baton Rouge must stop treating New Orleans like an ATM and start investing in its future. The state’s wealth comes from New Orleans’ success—so let’s make sure that success benefits the people who call this city home.