Council presses CRVA over public funds, hotel rates, and Spectrum Center access with April bid deadline looming
By Jack Beckett
Senior Writer, Charlotte Mercury
With a mid-April deadline approaching, Charlotte is working to submit a bid to bring the CIAA basketball tournament back to the Queen City from 2028 to 2030. But despite public enthusiasm and reminders of the tournament’s past economic impact, Council members expressed concern last week over what remains unclear: the total public cost, venue certainty, and how much of the culture Charlotte wants to host.
“This isn’t safe for passengers or the actual workers at the airport,” said Council member Dante Anderson during the March 24 business meeting, referring to public feedback she’s heard—not about the airport, but the city’s lack of financial clarity.
Charlotte last hosted the CIAA tournament in 2020. The event generated $43.7 million in economic impact in 2019 and over $650 million during its 15-year run in the city. The league moved the tournament to Baltimore in 2021. Only two cities have expressed intent to bid—Charlotte and Baltimore.
Steve Bagwell, CEO of the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), said the city is positioning itself to bid on the 2028 to 2030 tournaments despite the league’s original request for 2027–2029.
“We feel we’re best positioned to go after years 28 through 30. That is different than the RFP that asked for a bid regarding 27 through 29,” Bagwell said.
The reason for the shift: venue conflicts in 2027. Spectrum Center is already committed to hosting the ACC Women’s Championship and an NCAA Regional that year. Without full-week access to the arena, Bagwell made clear, Charlotte’s bid is unlikely to succeed.
“The commissioners made clear to me that Spectrum—they want the tournament to be at Spectrum Center for the full week,” Bagwell told Council.
He said CRVA has been in conversation with the Charlotte Hornets, who manage the venue, and described them as “open-minded.”
$1M Investment, $1.5M Scholarship Fund—and No Final Budget
Council members asked how much the city would be spending—directly or indirectly—to secure the event. The answers were partial.
“The CRVA is planning to take on those costs, and we’re planning for about a million dollars of investment there,” Bagwell said, referring to venue rental, marketing, and transportation support.
The CIAA also requires a $1.5 million scholarship fundraising commitment from host cities. Bagwell said CRVA would turn to the private sector to meet that obligation.
“So long story short, I’d just like to know in financial terms what the ask would be from the city or from hospitality funds in order to make this happen,” said Council Member Ed Driggs.
Bagwell said the city itself would not subsidize hotel rates. However, hotels would be asked to meet aggressive pricing goals:
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$125 per night for teams
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$200 per night for staff
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$225 per night for fans
“Charlotte is a little different community, and we’re doing quite well,” said Mike Butts of Visit Charlotte, noting some hotels were not meeting the requested ranges.
Even though those rates match what CIAA paid when it was last hosted in Charlotte, Butts confirmed that many hotels were pushing back.
Council Member Tariq Bokhari pointed out that the discussion lacked essential numbers.
“It would be interesting at least for us to have some notion of what funds, if any, will the city of Charlotte need to put forward,” Anderson added.
Bagwell pointed to the possibility of securing funding from the state’s Major Events, Games, and Attractions Fund.
“If we receive funding in that capacity, it could allow some of the money that the CRVA is planning on to go to another purpose, which would enhance our bid,” he said.
Council Member James Mitchell echoed that optimism. “I think that’s a definite. It’s different for us—that can give us some advantages in the proposal.”
Culture or Control? Promoters Face New Expectations
While financial transparency was one concern, Council Member LaWana Mayfield focused on who gets to make money—and how much of it benefits the students the tournament is meant to support.
“There is a lot of money that are made over that week with outside promoters. If we have the ability… that a percentage on the front end… is going directly towards the tournament,” Mayfield said.
She suggested tying access to uptown venues to a required commitment to CIAA scholarships, noting that many events historically capitalized on tournament traffic without giving back.
“If you’re going to come into our city and make money a day leap out, this is how you gonna need to benefit if there’s a possibility of a consideration in that conversation,” she said.
Council Member Malcolm Graham backed Mayfield’s push to protect CIAA’s brand and ensure unsanctioned events didn’t undermine safety or credibility.
“One of the most important things that the CIAA really wants the city out with is their branding infringement and marketing,” Graham said. “A lot of the incident that Ed referred to had nothing to do with the conference at all.”
Public Safety, Promises, and Pressure
Driggs brought up the tournament’s history of drawing large crowds and the occasional spike in uptown crime.
“CMPD officers, they’re like, wow, we have four or five programs going on, big programs going on simultaneously on a weekend. It puts stress on our police department,” Anderson said.
Driggs was blunt: “I think we would set a bad precedent if we depart from our normal procedure for things like this… The developer is a contractor for the city. The owners have the protection of due process in the courts. We are not a tribunal.”
Despite the pressures and unknowns, no council member said the city should stop its pursuit. But the tone was far more analytical than celebratory.
“I think we could hit those free throws,” said Graham, invoking a basketball metaphor. “But we gotta make sure we hit ‘em.”
What’s Next?
Charlotte must finalize and submit its proposal to CIAA by April 15. The league will conduct site visits and presentations in June, with a final decision expected this summer.
Bagwell emphasized that the Hornets’ cooperation on Spectrum Center access remains unresolved. Without it, Charlotte’s bid could be in jeopardy.
“We’re not there yet,” he said.
☕️ Jack Beckett writes with the energy of a triple espresso and the bitterness of a lukewarm drip left on a City Council dais. He files dispatches for the Charlotte Mercury from every corner of this town where money and power meet, usually with Summit Coffee’s Basecamp Blend nearby. It’s strong. It’s smooth. It’s exactly what you need to read public documents for six hours straight.
Want to visit Summit? Hit their flagship café in Davidson, or catch a show at their rotating Charlotte locations. Check out events, sustainability projects, and more blends at summitcoffee.com.
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