Florida Tourism Board’s Investment Outbids Orlando’s Higher Offer

Summary:
– St. Petersburg-Clearwater Florida Tourism Board secures WWE Royal Rumble with a $500,000 bid.
– The bid outpaces Orlando’s higher offer of $850,000.
– The event is expected to attract a significant crowd, potentially breaking Tropicana Field’s attendance record.

The St. Petersburg-Clearwater Florida Tourism Board has invested $500,000 to secure the hosting rights for the upcoming WWE Royal Rumble at Tropicana Field. This move comes as a surprise, especially considering Orlando’s bid was a heftier $850,000. The funds for St. Petersburg’s bid were sourced from the tourism development tax, accumulated from hotel stays within Pinellas County.

The board anticipates the event to attract over 40,000 fans. County Commissioner Chris Latvala even hinted at the possibility of the Royal Rumble breaking the current attendance record at Tropicana Field, which stands at 47,150 from a 1990 concert. The board remains optimistic about the extensive exposure and potential long-term benefits the event could bring to the area. Interestingly, Orlando’s bid projected a potential $28 million economic impact on the city. This move is in line with WWE’s recent trend of securing site fees from cities to host their premium live events.