Latest news with #CharlotteSportsFoundation
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Meck Mile returns with 'run for relief' to help Helene survivors
Meck Mile returns with 'run for relief' to help Helene survivors A unique mile run in Charlotte will help storm survivors at the same time. The Meck Mile is set to return in May for its second year at American Legion Memorial Stadium. Many people watched the inaugural run on Channel 9 as hundreds took to the course around American Legion Memorial Stadium. Advertisement WSOC SECTION: Meck Mile This year, organizers are introducing a 'run for relief' option. Eight volunteers will run for four hours, stacking up miles, while raising money. The fundraiser will benefit beloved Asheville to support families impacted by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina. Organizers said there will be other changes as well. 'As soon as it was over, we started talking about how we make it bigger,' said Miller Yoho, the director of communications and marketing for the Charlotte Sports Foundation. 'How do we make it better? How do we bring more excitement around the event?' There will be larger groups for each heat, a later start for the recreational group and a new date for the race, May 10. Advertisement Last year, the community watched the inaugural race play out on Channel 9 with runners spanning 86 years old to one year old. There were also athletes representing Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and professional runners who participated. ALSO READ: Meck Mile returns with runner racing backward 'It still leaves me a little bit speechless to think how an idea has grown into an event, which has grown into something that we believe can be one of the top miles in America,' Yoho said. 'I was looking at the numbers. [They] were already top 10 in attendance and participation in just year one.' Year one included $22,000 in prize money and attendance exceeded 1,000 people. Advertisement Organizers hope to grow that number this year and continue to their mission to give back. 'What truly counts is that everyone shares the same experience,' Yoho said. As the Meck Mile continues to expand, their goal is to keep kids enthusiastic and ensure that participants not only run their best but also improve their times compared to the previous year, Yoho said. PAST VIDEO: Meck Mile offers race experience for runners of all experience levels
Axios
11-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Sports pumped millions into Charlotte's economy in 2024
Sports continue to boost Charlotte's economy, with Charlotte Sports Foundation's seven 2024 events generating $90.6 million in economic impact, per Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority data. Why it matters: Charlotte is gearing up for several major sporting events and hoping to woo even more. While some of these events are run by different entities, they all feed into the narrative Charlotte has been chasing for years — that this is a world class city capable of attracting and hosting top-tier events. By the numbers: In 2024, CSF events drew 211,100 fans who booked 65,300 hotel rooms. Direct visitor spending was up from $42.9 million in 2023 to $48.5 last year. College football was the major draw: The Duke's Mayo Classic brought in more than 72,000 fans to watch N.C. State play Tennessee and generated $26.1 million in economic impact. The ACC Championship between Clemson and SMU also brought in $26.1 million and more than 53,000 fans. Catch up quick: Two new events took place in 2024: the Meck Mile and the Charlotte Invitational. The inaugural Meck Mile drew 1,100 participants. The event focuses on runners and walkers of all ages, and will return to American Legion Memorial Stadium on May 10. The Charlotte Invitational featured some of the biggest names in tennis. What we're watching: CSF plans to host nine events this year, including a new men's college basketball event this fall. Announcements about the new event, another tennis event and the teams for the Ally Tipoff are expected later this year. What's next: After the Meck Mile in May, the popular Savannah Bananas will play the Party Animals June 6-7 at Bank of America Stadium. Other 2025 CSF events include: Ally Tipoff: Elite women's college basketball teams meet at Spectrum Center. Date TBD. Duke's Mayo Classic: Charlotte 49ers play Appalachian State on Aug. 29 at Bank of America Stadium. TBA men's basketball and tennis. College football with the ACC Championship and the Duke's Mayo Bowl.
Axios
01-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
New Charlotte Sports Foundation CEO eyes organization's future
The Charlotte Sports Foundation's Will Pitts era has officially begun. Why it matters: CSF's new CEO's first day was April 1, but he's been running day-to-day operations since being named chief operating officer in 2023. Now the Charlotte Country Day School alumnus is leading the organization, whose events generate millions for Charlotte. This includes everything from longstanding events like the Duke's Mayo Bowl to pitching Charlotte as a host city for a future NFL Draft. By the numbers: CSF's five 2023 events generated $79.7 million, per CSF and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority data. Data for 2024 events is expected to be released this spring. Context: CSF hosted seven events in 2024, adding the Meck Mile and the Charlotte Invitational to its lineup. The Meck Mile, which is open to runners and walkers of all ages, returns to American Legion Memorial Stadium on May 10. The inaugural event featured 1,100 participants. The Charlotte Invitational, which featured some of the best tennis players in the world, was such a success they're hoping to bring more tennis to Charlotte. The Jumpman Invitational will not return, as its contract is up. A new men's basketball event could be in place within the next couple of years, if not by the end of the year. As for women's basketball, the Ally Tipoff contract runs through 2026. The event expanded from a single game to a doubleheader last year. Ally Tipoff has consistently drawn more than 15,000 people, garnering support for women's sports. The Duke's Mayo Classic is a longstanding annual event at Bank of America Stadium at the beginning of the college football season. This year's matchup features the Charlotte 49ers and Appalachian State on Aug. 29. Other college football events CSF oversees at Bank of America Stadium include the Duke's Mayo Bowl and the ACC football championship. The big picture: Pitts has been with CSF since before it officially became CSF in 2013. He joined Charlotte Collegiate Football, which oversaw Charlotte's bowl game, in 2010. He's been managing high-profile sporting events in Charlotte ever since. Now he's looking ahead to how CSF can continue to grow its portfolio of events, he tells Axios. That includes in June, when the popular Savannah Bananas play two nights at Bank of America Stadium. It will be the first time baseball will be played at the stadium and an example of the types of creative ways he envisions CSF using sports facilities in Charlotte, whether it's baseball at Bank of America Stadium, tennis at Spectrum Center, or people running around Charlotte's oldest stadium. What we're watching: Pitts declined to share specific events CSF will be announcing in the future, but you can expect updates in the coming months.
