Step aside, Tampa.
Get out of the way, Miami.
Make way for New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Las Vegas, Dallas, Atlanta and other so-called sports meccas.
Make way for the country's newest sports dynasty.
Make way for Orlando, America's No. 1 sports and business city!
And it's not just me talking. This is the nationally authoritative Sports and Business Journal, which announced Monday that Orlando is America's top sports and business city for attracting and hosting events.
“Orlando's rise to the top spot in this year's rankings is a testament to the world-class venues, dedicated sports commission, and vibrant collaboration between the passionate community that makes Orlando the preeminent destination for sports business. It's a testament to this,” said publisher and editor-in-chief Abe Madcoure. At SBJ.
Translation: We're number 1, baby!
There may not be a Super Bowl trophy like Tampa.
There may never be another NBA title like Miami.
But we are the champions of the sports business world.
Hey, where's the victory parade?
Where's the champagne?
This is a great reason to celebrate, if you ask me.
Everyone please raise your wine goblets while I say a few words.
“May I offer you a toast?
Because I want to brag about it,
In cities from coast to coast,
Orlando is the host with the most hosts!”
When I interviewed Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer, he always called Orlando the number one sports destination in America and I thought he was just a politician waving his pompoms, but at the end of the day, It turns out Mr. Dyer was completely right.
“We've known this for a long time, but we've had third-party verification and the rest of the country continues to be one of America's best sports destinations,” Dyer said Monday at a media conference at Disney Wide World. It's great to recognize that.” Sports.
Much of the credit goes to Dyer himself, a huge sports fan and visionary who recognized long ago what sports meant to the community. During his six terms as mayor, he has fought hard, sometimes against public sentiment, to continue building a new arena (Kia Center) and renovating the aging Camping World Stadium.
Unlike most mayors, Dyer is also involved in some of the negotiations to bring the event to Orlando. A few years ago, when he flew to WWE headquarters in Connecticut to pitch Vince McMahon on bringing WrestleMania to Orlando, McMahon told Dyer that the mayor had personally told him about his city in his office. He said he had never made a pitch.
And like all great sports leaders, Dyer has helped choreograph a team filled with chemistry, camaraderie and collaboration. From Jason Segel and the staff at the Greater Orlando Sports Commission to Steve Hogan and the staff at Florida Citrus Sports to the city's teams led by Chief Venue Officer Allen Johnson, Orlando is a sports hosting machine. It has established a sufficient position.
Dyer has also worked with past and present Orange County mayors, from Rich Crotty to Teresa Jacobs and now Jerry Demings. Gaining approval from the county mayor and commission to fund sports projects through the Tourism Development Tax helped Orlando quickly rise to the top of the sports tourism ladder.
“It takes a lot of chemistry, communication and teamwork,” Siegel said. “We are fortunate to have such great leadership in our community.”
Alex Martins, Magic CEO and Chairman of the UCF Board of Directors, added: “We truly believe that the teamwork of our political, community, and business leaders made this recognition a reality and made Central Florida a truly great place to live, work, and play. The Power of Sports By using it to bring people together, the future is certainly bright.”
This teamwork and synergy that everyone is talking about is definitely paying off. Orlando not only attracts major sporting events such as the NFL's Pro Bowl game, premier college football bowl games, and major international soccer friendlies, but also countless youth events that generate millions in economic impact. We will attract you.
In fact, as Stephen Hudak wrote in the Sentinel earlier this month, “Orange County's tourism industry rode a wave of major sporting events and well-attended conventions in January, generating more than $30 million in revenue. generated hotel tax revenue, a record for a traditionally underperforming tourist destination'' in the post-holiday months. ”
Among the events Orange County Auditor Phil Diamond mentioned in the Hudak article are the 2024 U.S. Olympic Marathon Games, the NFL's Pro Bowl extravaganza, two lucrative events at the Orange County Convention Center, and PGA golf. These include shows, cheerleading and dance national competitions.
More to come. Florida Citrus Sports is set to make a big announcement Tuesday about a major international soccer friendly that will no doubt fill Camping World Stadium in Florida. Orlando also plans to make an active bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, future March Madness basketball games and College Football Playoff games.
This dynasty is just beginning. The Orlando Magic are on the rise, UCF is destined to be a contender in the Big 12, and Orlando City has made the playoffs for the fourth year in a row despite a slow start this season.
So raise your cup of wine again.
This is Orlando, America's #1 sports destination.
When it comes to attracting and hosting sporting events, City Beautiful has become City Fruitiful.
Email us at mbianchi@orlandosentinel.com. Contact X (formerly Twitter) @BianchiWrites and listen to my Open Mike radio show weekdays from 6-9:30 a.m. on FM 96.9, AM 740, 969TheGame.com/listen.