Sunday, February 23, 2014

CIAA tournament could leave Charlotte next year

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina  -- The CIAA basketball tournament is free to leave Charlotte for another venue after this year, and tourism officials acknowledge it may cost more than the city’s current $1 million payment to keep the athletic association’s week-long spree of parties, shows and games.

The 2014 tournament opens Tuesday for the ninth consecutive year in Charlotte. This is the final year that it is contractually bound to the city.

Last year, the CIAA rebuffed the city’s request to exclusively negotiate a contract extension. Instead, the Hampton, Va.-based association has said it will issue a formal request that all interested cities submit proposals.

But the CIAA has not yet taken that step — causing growing concern for the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.



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