Arlington's chances of hosting "marquee events such as the Academy of Country Music Awards and major political conventions at Cowboys Stadium got a boost Thursday when the state House gave final approval to legislation allowing it to tap the Major Events Trust Fund," according to Hanna & Schrock of the FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. The Super Bowl, NBA All-Star Game and NCAA Final Four are "already eligible under the fund." Arlington officials "have touted how the fund allowed the city and North Texas to successfully host the NBA All-Star Game in 2010 and Super Bowl XLV this year at Cowboys Stadium." The fund is "designed to lure events typically held in other states." The Academy of Country Music Awards show has been held in Las Vegas, but Arlington officials said that organizers are "looking to relocate it to the much larger Cowboys Stadium." The Democratic National Committee "briefly considered Arlington and Cowboys Stadium for its 2012 convention, but the city did not make a bid because national political conventions weren't eligible for funding" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 4/15).
