iDiz Incorporated

We’re a month into 2010 and it feels like everyone is trying to be more positive about the economy. Manufacturing activity has grown for 6 months straight – the best it’s been since 2004. Consumer spending rose 2%. Apple had a great 4th quarter. Even the stock market looks to be recovering.

One of the biggest signs that the economy is turning around? Betting is way up for the Super Bowl.

The Colts (GO COLTS!!! Yes, iDiz is in Indianapolis) are playing the New Orleans Saints on Sunday down in Miami. According to USA Today, Jay Kornegay, VP of race & sports book operations for the Las Vegas Hilton, predicts that bets will be up by 5% in Nevada over last year, for a total of about $85.6 million worth of bets.

I don’t know about you, but I think that’s a LOT of money. And that’s just in Nevada. Billions more are likely bet illegally through bookies, bar pools and online.

“Super Bowl reflects the economy. Last year it was the biggest sporting event of the year vs. the recession – and the recession won,” Kornegay says. Looks like this year things may be turning around.

And those (sometimes) great Super Bowl commercials? There will be lots of them. CBS has sold all the available spots at increased prices – around $3 million for a :30 spot. So companies must be feeling better this year than last. Even locally, right here in Indianapolis, companies are paying up to $65,000 for a :30 spot. Are Coke, Honda and Bud Light making a wise financial investment? We assume they’ve run the numbers, or they wouldn’t/shouldn’t continue to advertise year after year.

More important than any economic indicators, the Super Bowl gives us all (fans and non-fans) a chance to rally around a common event. And that just means fun. And there’s never anything wrong with that.

Oh, and one more thing: GO COLTS!