WrestleMania Could Mean $100 Million Boost For Bay Area Economy; Cena Calls Silicon Valley 'Beautiful'
SANTA CLARA (KCBS)— Super Bowl 50 may still be a year away, but WrestleMania 31, the undisputed Super Bowl of wrestling, comes to Levi's Stadium this Sunday and a week-long of activities is expected to attract more than 70,000 fans.
WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) may not be a real sport in a purist's sense, but it is serious business. The annual springtime extravaganza is said to be bringing $100 million to the local Bay Area economy.
John Cena, the face of the company and one of the star wrestlers, calls it an experience like no other.
"WWE is an entertainment field of dreams, because when you build it they will come. And for those of you unfamiliar with WrestleMania, WrestleMania 31 will be an unbelievable entertainment treat," Cena said. "WrestleMania brings people from all 50 states, from 30 countries to come and see the beautiful area the Silicon Valley is."
One of the most enthusiastic fans of the event is Santa Clara Mayor Jamie Matthews, who linked the fans to the potential economic activity.
As many as 50,000 fans could be taking mass transit to the event.
Valley Transit Authority (VTA) says more than two-dozen buses will serve light-rail stations. Direct light-rail trains will begin running four hours before Sunday's event begins.