Mets & Yankees Help NYC Hit It Out of the Park With $909 Million Economic Boost

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Baseball Season Brings Big Wins for Queens’ Communities and Small Businesses

As Major League Baseball kicks off another thrilling season, New York City isn’t just hoping for home runs—it’s counting on them. A new economic analysis released at a press conference in Yankee Stadium projects that the 2025 regular season will generate $909 million in local economic activity, thanks to the combined impact of home games by the New York Yankees and New York Mets.

That’s not just a big-league number—it’s a blessing for communities throughout the five boroughs, including our vibrant Jewish neighborhoods in Queens.

 

Local Businesses Feel the Bump

With the Yankees estimated to generate $594 million and the Mets $315 million, the ripple effect is wide-reaching. Restaurants, shops, hotels, and transit lines are all expected to benefit—especially in boroughs like Queens, where baseball and small business are deeply intertwined.

"We always see a nice uptick in traffic during Mets home games," said Hiski Meirov, owner of Holy Schnitzel on Main Street in Kew Gardens Hills. "Frum families from out of town stop in for a bite before or after a game, especially during the summer Bein HaZmanim rush. You can feel the buzz throughout the area."

Holy Schnitzel will be open throughout Pesach, offering Yom Tov-friendly takeout options for those staying local or visiting Queens.

Mayor Eric Adams emphasized the real-life impact behind the numbers. “Whether you are a Mets or Yankees fan, when our teams play in New York City, we all win,” the mayor said. “Both teams will generate over $900 million in economic impact during the regular season alone—creating good-paying jobs and supporting small businesses across the city.”

 

A Season of Spirit and Spending

For many Queens residents, baseball isn’t just entertainment—it’s community. Whether bonding over a game during a family barbecue, catching the subway to Citi Field after a shiur, or sharing memories of past seasons, the sport is a cultural touchstone.

“Baseball is a place of bonding,” said Mayor Adams. “Family members sitting together, building moments you remember forever. It plays a major role in bringing communities together.”

Yankees President Randy Levine echoed that sentiment. “The Yankees are part of the fabric of New York City,” he said. “We are proud that our home games contribute significantly to the city’s economic well-being. Our connection with the city goes far beyond the field.”

From Queens, the Mets offered their own vision of civic partnership. “We are rivals on the field, but shoulder to shoulder off it,” said Mets President of Business Operations Scott Havens. “New York is a sports town, and we’re honored to be part of a city where the game drives economic development and community strength.”

 

Community Programming Idea: Step Up to the Plate This Shabbat

As baseball season heats up, shuls in Queens have a unique opportunity to creatively engage their kehilot with sports-themed Shabbat programming. Whether tapping into nostalgia, teamwork, or the values of fair play, baseball offers rich metaphorical ground for divrei Torah and community bonding.

 

Suggested Programming Concepts:

• Friday, April 11 – Mets vs. Marlins (1:10 p.m. first pitch)

“Teamwork in Torah: Lessons from the Dugout” – A themed oneg Shabbat or Friday night derashah connecting teamwork in baseball to cooperation in learning, chesed, and communal growth.

• Shabbat, May 24 – Yankees vs. Red Sox (4:05 p.m. start)

Motza'ei Shabbat family learning event followed by group baseball-themed trivia.

• All Season Long:

Host a “Shabbat at the Stadium” learning series with short divrei Torah inspired by baseball middot: patience at the plate, persistence after a strikeout, or leadership on and off the field.

Organize inter-shul baseball cards for kids tied to Mishnayot or Pirkei Avot milestones.

Consider collaborating across neighborhood shuls to amplify the impact and bring together families from Kew Gardens Hills, Forest Hills, Jamaica Estates, and beyond. Sports may divide fans—but Torah and achdut unite us all.

 

Queens: The Real MVP

Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. tied the numbers back to the local impact. “With the historic redevelopment of Willets Point next to Citi Field on deck, it has never been a better time to be a fan of the Mets or a resident of Queens,” he said.

The borough’s proximity to both Citi Field and Yankee Stadium makes it a central hub for fans and families—and a reliable boost for the neighborhood economy. Whether it’s pregame cholent, postgame pizza, or a souvenir cap for a Bar Mitzvah boy, Queens is stepping up to the plate.

 

The Final Inning

This season, the Yankees and Mets are aiming for October glory—but they’re already delivering for New York. With record job numbers, booming tourism, and rising small business activity, the city’s economy is in full swing.

And for the Jewish communities of Queens, the connection is personal. From the buzz of Main Street to the bleachers at Citi Field, baseball is more than a game—it’s another way this city comes together, supports one another, and looks toward a brighter future.

So grab your cap, support your local eatery, and maybe say a kapitel T'hillim for good weather. The season is on—and it’s shaping up to be a win for us all.