Latest news with #TepperSports
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte's All-Star bid gets $2M boost
Charlotte's successful bid for the 2026 MLS All-Star Game included a new ingredient: state funding to help offset organizing costs. ALSO READ: Caitlin Clark is still having an impact on WNBA All-Star Game even though she won't play On July 16, when Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber awarded next year's All-Star Game during a news conference at Bank of America Stadium, N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley disclosed a $2 million grant from state government as part of the recruiting pitch. Tepper Sports & Entertainment, owner of the stadium, MLS team Charlotte FC and the NFL Carolina Panthers, pursued the All-Star Game with assistance from civic leaders and groups, including the Charlotte Sports Foundation. The money will come from the state's Major Events, Games & Attractions Fund, created as part of the law passed by the N.C. General Assembly in 2023 to legalize online sports betting. When sports betting started in March 2024, state government began collecting an 18% tax on gross wagering revenue, defined as all money bet minus paid winnings before deductions for fees, taxes or expenses. This marks the first time a Charlotte event will receive a grant through the incentives program. Read the full story on CBJ's website here. VIDEO: Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Charlotte's sports scene surges with 2026 MLS All-Star Game
Charlotte likely cemented itself as a soccer city this week after MLS commissioner Don Garber announced the Queen City will host league's 2026 All-Star Game. Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City It's part of an ongoing effort to put Charlotte on the map through sports. Channel 9 sports reporter DaShawn Brown sat down with one of the key players making it happen. Charlotte-native Will Pitts was named CEO for the Charlotte Sports Foundation this past spring, after his work with the nonprofit since 2010. Pitts was part of the team for the city's first ACC Football Championship game. 'As we think about future opportunities, we need to continue to be creative,' Pitts said. 'When we think about the industry, I would define it as sports and entertainment.' This includes bringing Savannah Bananas baseball to a football stadium when a franchise record-setting crowd was recorded in Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. Savannah Bananas bring Banana Ball to Bank of America Stadium Then there's the Charlotte Invitational, which returns for a second year, which featured a tennis match in what's normally a basketball arena, at the Spectrum Center. Pitts said it's part of their winning formula: Innovation and collaboration. 'We're working closely with the city, the county, the venues, Tepper Sports and Entertainment, Hornets Sports and Entertainment to think creatively about what opportunities are out there that would be great for our community. Some events that already exist, and others that we manufacture and create new.' CSF officials publicly stated their interest in future events including the NFL Draft and an Army-Navy football game. To date, Pitts said they haven't submitted an official bid for the draft but received feedback for both events. 'They've experienced Charlotte through site visits and conversations to this point. They're experiences have been great; they've been very complimentary of what Charlotte has to offer. It probably just comes down to timing,' he said. 'We'll be working through that trying to bring that to fruition in the future.' Meanwhile, the total economic impact from its events continues to grow each year, according to the CSF Annual Report: 2024: $90.6 million 2023: $79.7 million 2022: $77.2 million Pitts projects CSF could surpass $100 million in total economic impact in 2025. VIDEO: Game On: MLS All-Star Game coming to Queen City
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
MLS Commissioner announces the 2026 All-Star game will be in Charlotte
CHARLOTTE (CAROLINA SPORTS LIVE) — 'Charlotte is firmly on the global map,' Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber said as he announced the 2026 All-Star game will be at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Commissioner Don Garber was in Charlotte on Wednesday, July 16, for the special announcement alongside Mayor Vi Lyles, the owners David and Nicole Tepper, and the CEO of Tepper Sports, Kristi Coleman. When Charlotte FC played its first match in 2022, it welcomed 74,479 fans to Bank of America Stadium, an MLS record for inaugural home openers. 'Charlotte has turned into a big-time soccer city, and we are pleased to bring the 2026 MLS All-Star Game to the Queen City,' Garber said. Charlotte FC forward Patrick Agyemang being sent to English team for team-record transfer fee North Carolina Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilly said the state is donating a $2 million grant to support the all-star game and its week-long festivities in 2026. Commissioner Garber said there will be a week-long series of events in Charlotte leading up to the game, including the All-Star Skills Challenge, a fan festival and programs that honor the community. 'Charlotte FC, you've earned this. It's the result of the vision and the commitment of so many people who have been supporting this club,' Garber said. Charlotte has only hosted an all-star weekend for a major professional sport two times, both of which were for the NBA. It was first hosted in 1991 at the Charlotte Coliseum, and then again in 2019 at Spectrum Center (it was supposed to instead be in 2017, but got moved due to House Bill 2, aka the 'bathroom bill,' which was passed the year prior). Charlotte FC's next game is also on Wednesday against DC United at 7:30 p.m. During the announcement for the All-Star Game, the club released new jerseys that will be worn during the match and pay homage to the Carolina Lightnin'. READ MORE: New Charlotte FC kits honor history of 'Carolina Lightnin' The date for the 2026 All-Star Game will be announced at a later date. Watch the full announcement here: Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Reuters
6 days ago
- Sport
- Reuters
Charlotte to host 2026 MLS All-Star Game
July 16 - The MLS All-Star Game is coming to Charlotte, N.C., for the first time in 2026, the league announced Wednesday. "Charlotte has turned into a big-time soccer city, and we are pleased to bring the 2026 MLS All-Star Game to the Queen City," MLS commissioner Don Garber said. "The city and region keep showing up for the sport -- from packed Charlotte FC crowds to global events like the FIFA Club World Cup and Copa America the past two summers. We're excited to bring another marquee soccer event to Charlotte." The date and format of the game will be announced at later date. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be taking place in North America from June 11-July 19, although Charlotte was not selected as one of the 11 U.S. venues. Charlotte FC have ranked among the league leaders in attendance since their 2022 MLS debut. "The success of soccer matches at Bank of America Stadium has helped position Charlotte on the global stage as a premier destination for hosting some of the world's top players and teams," said David Tepper, owner and chairman of Tepper Sports & Entertainment. "With 2026 set to be a landmark year for soccer in the United States, we're honored to play a part by hosting the MLS All-Star Game." The 2025 All-Star Game, featuring MLS All-Stars facing their counterparts from Liga MX, will take place July 23 in Austin, Texas. --Field Level Media
