Already known for major boxing events, Atlantic City is hoping to be known for a lot more in the sporting world by attracting more sports events to the city.
Towards that end, the city has formed the Atlantic City Sports Commission within the larger Meet AC—formerly the Atlantic City Convention & Visitors Bureau—a group promoting Atlantic City as a meeting and convention destination.
“Sports is big business, and through the formation of the Atlantic City Sports Commission we are positioning Atlantic City to attract additional sporting events to our city year-round,” said Jim Wood, Meet AC’s CEO.
Wood said the group has three main goals of attracting more events to the resort, filling more hotel rooms with sports-related business and using athletics to create “more economic impact” on the Atlantic City area.
That includes amateur sporting events, which according to a study by the National Association of Sports Commissions generate nearly $8 billion a year in revenue. The city already hosts New Jersey high school state wrestling finals, a marathon and various pro and amateur events at Boardwalk Hall.
Meet AC is primarily funded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority and has an annual budget of $8.1 million. The group will work in tune with the operators of Boardwalk Hall, the city’s primary venue for major boxing matches and other large sports events, officials said.
