Conference USA Championship a Boon for El Paso Once Again

EL PASO, TEXAS -- The final financial reconciliation for the 2014 Conference USA Championships has been completed. UTEP hosted the event March 11-15 at the Don Haskins Center and Memorial Gym.

A joint resolution signed by the El Paso Sports Commission, the County of El Paso, the City of El Paso, Destination El Paso and the University of Texas at El Paso offered Conference USA a minimum $500,000 guarantee in exchange for the opportunity to host the tournament.

After generating approximately $1.1 million in ticket revenue, UTEP was able to cover tournament expenses and the minimum guarantee to C-USA without requesting funding from the El Paso Sports Commission, County of El Paso, the City of El Paso and Destination El Paso.

The tournament was a rousing success, producing an estimated economic impact of $4.5 million while providing two days of national television exposure for UTEP and the city of El Paso on CBS and CBS College Sports.

"Destination El Paso is very pleased with the final outcome of the 2014 Conference USA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships," said Bryan Crowe, General Manager of Destination El Paso. "With an increase in number of teams [31 total], this made for a longer tournament and more hotel rooms being booked. A total of 3,200 hotel rooms were utilized by teams, cheerleaders, bands, cheer/dance squads, officials, media and fans in attendance which contributed an estimated $4.5 Mil to the local economy. Equally impressive, the event garnered national media attention valued at nearly $400,000."

"The Sports Commission is proud to have been an integral part of the team that was assembled to stage this incredible tournament," said Brian Kennedy, CEO of the El Paso Sports Commission. "From beginning to end, the teamwork of all El Paso was an example of how people coming together can accomplish anything."

"The Sun Bowl Association and its volunteers are committed to showcasing the top-notch hospitality our community offers," said Bernie Olivas. "Events such as the Conference USA Basketball Championships are vital to the growth and promotion of El Paso and we were honored to assist with this event. Our volunteers recognized the importance of supporting UTEP and jumped at the opportunity to create special memories for all of our Conference USA guests."

"Our staff, the city of El Paso, the El Paso Sports Commission, Destination El Paso, and the Sun Bowl volunteers partnered to create a wonderful Conference USA Championship for the second time in four years," said UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull. "Conference USA was extremely happy with the quality of the event once again, and we thank everyone for their support."