New Charlotte Sports Foundation CEO eyes organization's future
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Will Pitts was born in Atlanta. His family moved to Charlotte when he was young, and he spent fourth grade through his senior year at Charlotte Country Day School. Photo: Courtesy of Charlotte Sports Foundation
The Charlotte Sports Foundation's Will Pitts era has officially begun.
Why it matters: CSF's new CEO's first day was April 1, but he's been running day-to-day operations since being named chief operating officer in 2023. Now the Charlotte Country Day School alumnus is leading the organization, whose events generate millions for Charlotte.
- This includes everything from longstanding events like the Duke's Mayo Bowl to pitching Charlotte as a host city for a future NFL Draft.
By the numbers: CSF's five 2023 events generated $79.7 million, per CSF and Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority data. Data for 2024 events is expected to be released this spring.
Context: CSF hosted seven events in 2024, adding the Meck Mile and the Charlotte Invitational to its lineup.
- The Meck Mile, which is open to runners and walkers of all ages, returns to American Legion Memorial Stadium on May 10. The inaugural event featured 1,100 participants.
- The Charlotte Invitational, which featured some of the best tennis players in the world, was such a success they're hoping to bring more tennis to Charlotte.
- The Jumpman Invitational will not return, as its contract is up. A new men's basketball event could be in place within the next couple of years, if not by the end of the year.
- As for women's basketball, the Ally Tipoff contract runs through 2026. The event expanded from a single game to a doubleheader last year. Ally Tipoff has consistently drawn more than 15,000 people, garnering support for women's sports.
- The Duke's Mayo Classic is a longstanding annual event at Bank of America Stadium at the beginning of the college football season. This year's matchup features the Charlotte 49ers and Appalachian State on Aug. 29.
- Other college football events CSF oversees at Bank of America Stadium include the Duke's Mayo Bowl and the ACC football championship.
The big picture: Pitts has been with CSF since before it officially became CSF in 2013. He joined Charlotte Collegiate Football, which oversaw Charlotte's bowl game, in 2010. He's been managing high-profile sporting events in Charlotte ever since.
- Now he's looking ahead to how CSF can continue to grow its portfolio of events, he tells Axios.
- That includes in June, when the popular Savannah Bananas play two nights at Bank of America Stadium.
- It will be the first time baseball will be played at the stadium and an example of the types of creative ways he envisions CSF using sports facilities in Charlotte, whether it's baseball at Bank of America Stadium, tennis at Spectrum Center, or people running around Charlotte's oldest stadium.
What we're watching: Pitts declined to share specific events CSF will be announcing in the future, but you can expect updates in the coming months.
- As for the NFL Draft, they're still exploring the possibility. This year's draft will take place in Green Bay, Wisconsin, and 2026 is heading to Pittsburgh.