For the past few decades Charlotte has been know as a banking hub following behind New York City. With this position in the world of finance Charlotte has continued to have a diversified economy with contributions from entertainment, sports, services, energy, transportation, healthcare and technology. With the banking turmoil across the nation Charlotte has held stronger than most and the Charlotte Business Journal annouced yesterday that we may have more reason to pull ahead of the pack. (NOTE: We have the best Business Journal.....great support for Charlotte)
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Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 5:23pm EDT | Modified: Wednesday, April 8, 2009, 5:27pm
BofA Stadium possible World Cup host
Charlotte Business Journal
Bank of America Stadium in uptown Charlotte is among 70 U.S. stadiums that could host soccer's World Cup in 2018 or 2022, the USA Bid Committee said Wednesday.
Other contenders include the Georgia Dome and The University of Georgia's Sanford Stadium.
The committee mailed letters last week to public officials and stadium operators in metropolitan markets across the United States in a first step toward preparing a formal bid to play host to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022.
"The United States is uniquely qualified to stage the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022 as demonstrated by the dozens of metropolitan markets with venues capable of staging World Cup matches in every respect, from the quality of their stadiums to their overall ability to accommodate thousands of fans, news media and visitors from around the world," said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati, in a news release. "We will soon begin discussions with officials from throughout the U.S. in the name of presenting a world class proposal to FIFA and the global soccer community."
In 1994, nine U.S. stadiums were used when the United States played host to FIFA World Cup, which then featured a 24-team and 52-match format compared with today's field of 32 nations competing in 64 matches.
The United States is one of nine nations that have formally declared their desire to host to the FIFA World Cup in 2018 or 2022. The others are Australia, England, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico and Russia, with joint bids from Netherlands-Belgium and Portugal-Spain. Qatar and South Korea have applied only as candidates to play host to the tournament in 2022.
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With Charlotte's commercial growth combined with job opportunities that continue to spark this city we have also been hurled into one of top cities for sports. This growth secured the NASCAR Hall of Fame (almost $200 million) and two major NASCAR races each year, one of which is the coveted All-Stars Race. In addition we also boast the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte Bobcats (NBA). Now with the possibility to host the FIFA World Cup......what's next......THE OLYMPICS?????
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