Orlando News
The funding will help Central Florida compete for major events like the next WrestleMania, NFL Pro Bowl or other marquee event that not only brings hordes of new visitors to Orlando, but also can be televised globally and provide free promotion of Orlando's amenities. Sports events generate more than $44 billion in annual economic impact, based on industry data.
The Games will be comprised of 15 Olympic-type team and individual sports, as well as 5 potential demonstration sports. The Games will be hosted at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort, the YMCA Aquatic Center, the U.S. Tennis Association campus in Lake Nona, and other sporting facilities across the Orlando area.
For the second year in a row, Orlando ranks No. 1 in Wallethub’s best cities for recreation list. San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa and Atlanta followed behind, respectively, to complete the top 5. Based on the premise that staying active is good for your health AND your wallet, Wallethub compared 100 of the largest U.S. cities to determine the cities that best enable recreational activities.
The announcement was somewhat expected. After all, more than 60,000 fans attended the 2017 game on Jan. 29 — the climax to a week of professional football events that drew the attendance of thousands of locals and visiting sports fans. Orlando's success was judged on several factors, including if the event sold out, which it did, as well as making sure the players and their families had a great experience and how the youth and high school community’s relationship resonated here in Orlando.
It looks like Orlando may play host to a U.S. World Cup qualifier match later this year.
Sports Illustrated is reporting the U.S. Men's National Team will match up with Panama in October at the new Orlando City Soccer Stadium in downtown Orlando. The match would play a role in the U.S. team's road to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
A quick look at the latest salaries of Orlando Magic and Orlando City Soccer players show the basketball team owns nine of the top 10 spots in terms of highest-paid players. The only spot to fall to Orlando City Soccer is No. 6, belonging to soccer star Kaka, who is paid a base salary of $6.66 million.
Orlando won the bid to host the Pro Bowl in 2017 and 2018, with an option for 2019, after the Orange County Tourist Development Council last year approved using $3 million in resort taxes to help bid for the event. “We have a contract for two [years] and an option for a third, but I’m hopeful this is a long-term permanent engagement,” Dyer said.
U.S. Tennis Association General Manager Tim Cass, during Orlando Business Journal’s Business of Sports Luncheon on Jan. 20 revealed that tennis pro Catherine Cartan “CiCi” Bellis may move to Lake Nona.
Several tennis pros have roots in Central Florida, such as Jim Courier, a Florida resident who was born and raised in the Sanford area.
