Orange commissioners to consider $3M request for NFL Pro Bowl bid

ORLANDO, Florida. – Orange County commissioners will decide whether to spend $3 million in tourism development taxes to bring the NFL Pro Bowl to Orlando in 2025.

Florida Citrus Sports made the request at the county Tourism Development Board meeting Friday, and the board approved the recommendation to the board of county commissioners.

“This really allows Florida Citrus Sports to start the negotiation process with the NFL, so the deal isn’t totally done, but it’s the first step in the process,” said Steve Hogan, CEO of Florida Citrus Sports , who runs the event management company that brings sporting events to the region.

There have already been five NFL Pro Bowls in Orlando, including the one earlier this year.

(RELATED: Orange County tourism tax collections are breaking records. This is what money is for and why)

“We don’t have an NFL team here, so to see 88 of the best on the planet of all teams playing on your field, I think it’s a blessing for the kids in this community,” Hogan said.

The money would come from revenues from the tourism development tax, a 6 percent tax on short-term rentals like hotel rooms.

“Our tourism development tax raises more than $350 million on an annual basis,” said Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings.

Money can only be spent on projects that benefit the tourism industry. The money is currently used for tourism advertising and tourism agency Visit Orlando, the Orange County Convention Center, the Kia Center of Orlando, the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center and Camping World Stadium, as well as various programs artistic and cultural in the county.

Casandra Matej, president and CEO of Visit Orlando, says last year’s numbers show Orlando remains the nation’s top tourist destination. “We have welcomed more than 74 million visitors, but the main takeaway is that our international travelers are on the rise.”

If the commission approves funding for the Pro Bowl bid, we will know shortly after July 4 if Orlando gets another Pro Bowl in 2025.

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