America's Cup Wanted 10,000 Free Hotel Rooms As Part Of San Diego's '17 Bid

The America’s Cup requested 10,000 "free hotel room nights in the three years leading up to" the '17 event as part of San Diego's bid, according to Horn & Weisberg of the SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. San Diego Sports Commission President Mike McDowell said that the organizers would "use the rooms to court corporate sponsors" leading up to the event. He added that the America’s Cup would also want "an additional 7,500 room nights at half price, meaning a total gift" of $2.75M in room nights. While the America's Cup "original proposal was not considered, McDowell floated a counter offer" for the city's Tourism Marketing District. That would entail the district offering $2M over the "next three years to buy hotel room nights for use by America’s Cup officials, which officials would then reimburse" at 50%. San Diego and Bermuda are the finalists to host the '17 event. A decision is "expected by late summer" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 8/23).