Advantage Charlotte or Cincinnati? Cities battle for a major tennis event

Mary Ramsey
·3 min read
2

A potential project for Charlotte’s River District may pit a pair of “Queen Cities” against each other in a quest to secure a high-profile tennis tournament capable of bringing in millions of dollars in economic impact.

The South Carolina-based Beemok Capital proposed Wednesday a $400 million project that would bring the Western-Southern Open tournament and 40 courts across four stadiums to the banks of the Catawba River.

The complex and tournament would be “a pinnacle of the sport,” Beemok chief operating officer Ford Perry told Charlotte and Mecklenburg County officials Wednesday.

But the tournament’s current home — the Cincinnati, Ohio, area — could put up a fight to keep the Western-Southern Open. Beemok officials say they want to make a decision soon.

A view of what tennis and other courts could look like in Charlotte’s River District. The development, proposed by Charleston-based Beemok Capital, would accompany the move of The Western and Southern Open from Cincinnati to Charlotte.
A view of what tennis and other courts could look like in Charlotte’s River District. The development, proposed by Charleston-based Beemok Capital, would accompany the move of The Western and Southern Open from Cincinnati to Charlotte.

What’s Charlotte got to do win the Western-Southern Open?

Beemok officials said Wednesday they want Mecklenburg County, the city of Charlotte and North Carolina to cover a third of the costs for the project, which would span 150 acres, including 100 acres for parking.

And, Perry said, the company wants approval of the financial incentives by the end of the summer, when it plans to make its decision on where to host the tournament.

“Charlotte has always been at the top of my list with respect to what the opportunity could be for this tournament,” Perry said.

The project is “a generational opportunity for our city, county and state,” Charlotte City Council member Malcolm Graham said at Wednesday’s joint city-county meeting where Perry unveiled the plans.

“We have the staff and the resources to do it,” he said.

What’s Cincinnati doing to keep the Western-Southern Open?

Mason, Ohio — the Cincinnati-area city that hosts the Open — “is working proactively with state and local officials to keep the tournament in Ohio,” the Cincinnati Enquirer reported Wednesday.

“We recognize this is a competitive process with multiple locations,” city officials told the Enquirer. “Mason is no stranger to this and has a well-established history for competing and winning some of the highest profile, large-scale and global economic development projects.”

Ohio legislators had included an $84.5 million earmark for the facility that hosts the tournament, “a one-time $22.5 million increase over its usual funding amount,” in a budget bill proposed in April, per the Enquirer.

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman told the Enquirer he was unsure if the funding would stay in the bill, currently under revision.

One of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments is considering moving to Charlotte’s budding River District, building this stadium, three other stadiums, five match courts and 40 indoor clay tennis courts that Charlotteans could use year-round.
One of the world’s most prestigious tennis tournaments is considering moving to Charlotte’s budding River District, building this stadium, three other stadiums, five match courts and 40 indoor clay tennis courts that Charlotteans could use year-round.

Economic impact of the Western-Southern Open

The potential move of the Western-Southern Open could be a financial win for Charlotte and a hit to Cincinnati’s tourism industry.

Perry told Charlotte and Mecklenburg County officials the company’s proposal could bring 350,000 ticket buyers and a $275 million economic impact to the Charlotte area.

A 2017 study found the tournament had a $65 million financial impact on the Cincinnati area, the Ohio-based ABC affiliate WCPO reported previously.

History of the Western-Southern Open

The Western-Southern Open is the nation’s oldest professional tennis tournament still played in its city of origin, according to the tournament’s website.

It was “first played in 1899 on the site of current day Xavier University” in Cincinnati. “More than 100 International Tennis Hall of Famers” have played in the tournament in its history.

The tournament is “considered just one step below the Grand Slam events.” the Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Beemok Capital bought the tournament from the United States Tennis Association in August. Perry said Wednesday the rights cost several hundred million dollars and that the group plans to expand the tournament starting in 2025.