In a "push to significantly increase Atlanta's profile
for sporting competitions, local business leaders plan to
bid on a multitude of new events in the next decade,"
according to Maria Saporta of the ATLANTA CONSTITUTION. The
Atlanta Sports Council yesterday unveiled a five-year
business plan that "aims to multiply the organization's
budget, its membership and its ability to lure major events
so it can live up to its latest proclamation that Atlanta is
the sports capital of the world." The Council is looking to
lure the 2001-02 X Games, the 2003 NBA All-Star Game, the
2000 Int'l Shooting World Cup, the 2001 World Figure Skating
Championships, the 2001 USA Gymnastics Championships and the
2001 NCAA women's and men's soccer championships. The city
already will host the 2000 Super Bowl, the 2000 MLB All-Star
Game, the 2001 PGA Championship and the 2002 Men's Final
Four, among other events. The Sports Council is looking to
raise $4M by 2003 to "fund its operations and increase its
staff." Sports Council President Gary Stokan said the
Council's annual budget of $300,000 is "among the lowest in
the country," and has a staff of less than three (ATLANTA
CONSTITUTION, 7/30). The Atlanta Convention & Visitors
Bureau, the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Sports Council is
hosting a four-day "media update and showcase" August 11-14,
"touting the Atlanta sports machine and its economic impact"
to a group of journalists (ATLANTA CONSTITUTION, 7/30).
