Grammys Could Bring NYC $600 Million, Mayor Says

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The music industry's biggest stars will descend upon New York City for the first time in 15 years next year for the Grammys, but they'll be brining a lot more than star power. The industry's biggest awards ceremony is expected to be a shot in the arm for the city's economy.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday that the awards show could contribute more than $600 million to the local economy. Awards ceremonies like the Grammys have evolved from one-night affairs to week-long events, de Blasio said, which is a good thing for NYC businesses.

"Look these things have gotten bigger and bigger, you know these major, major events and that’s why the projected economic impact is $600 million dollars," de Blasio said during an appearance on WCBS 880. "This is fantastic for New York City and it will showcase all we have to the world."

Madison Square Garden, city officials and The Recording Academy — the organization that runs the Grammys — announced the ceremony's return to New York City on Tuesday. The award show will take place on Jan. 28, 2018, and will be the Grammy's 60th anniversary show. The Grammys were last hosted in Madison Square Garden in 2003, the shows' 45th anniversary.

In the 14 years since the Grammys was last held in New York, the show has been held in The Staples Center in Los Angeles. De Blasio said that the return of the Grammys to New York makes sense because the city's rich musical history.

"Look, we are the birthplace of hip-hop, the birthplace of salsa in America at least, the birthplace of punk music, you know we have this incredible musical history," de Blasio said Wednesday. "I, you know, all due respect to LA I think the Grammys belong here if you’re talking about where the most extraordinary music has been made over the years."

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