ORLANDO, Fla. — Orange County and Orlando officials have been working for months to bring the NFL Pro Bowl to the city.
Tourism officials voted Friday to spend $3 million in tourist tax dollars to make a bid for the Pro Bowl in 2017 as part of a three-year deal. Orlando is not the only city to make a bid, as Houston, Honolulu and Sydney, Australia are also in the running.
"Orlando is the family destination. It's the No. 1 destination in the world. We think has some natural advantages for anyone wanting to do business here. That's the pitch we've made," Steve Hogan of Florida Citrus Sports said.
The Pro Bowl typically pulls 50,000 fans when it's played in Hawaii. When it was played in Miami, there were about 70,000 fans in the stadium.
Hogan said he would expect a sold-out crowd that would bring in around $40 million to the local economy.
The Pro Bowl has a big cable-TV draw that's similar to "Monday Night Football" numbers. Officials said it's important to earn the bid for the city, which could bid for a college national championship or a World Cup in the future.
"The country is taking notice. Now you host the Pro Bowl? I think it removes any question anyone might have about doing business in this community. That's what I think it means for us," Hogan said.
The NFL will likely decide on a move by the end of the month. Honolulu has bid more money up front than Orlando, but the city believes it has more to offer in amenities and a sold-out crowd.
Officials said no money will be spent unless the city wins the bid.
For more information about this story, contact Jamie Holmes.