Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

About The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission

Organization

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission is a 501(c)(3), nonprofit organization governed by a committed group of trustees representing some of the region's most esteemed private, public and nonprofit institutions. The organization currently has 13 full-time staff overseeing business development, marketing, communications, fundraising and event management. The Sports Commission is funded by contributions from the board of trustees, and annual benefit - the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards, fees from a partnership with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles, revenue earned from events, foundations and public support from Cuyahoga County and the City of Cleveland.

Refounded in 2000, the Sports Commission has been directly responsible for attracting, creating and/or managing over 160 sporting events and activities to the Greater Cleveland area, generating more than $410 million in economic activity.

Click here to view the economic impact summary since 2000.

Beyond the Numbers

The Sports Commission has established itself as a revenue-generating entity that has become an integral part of Cleveland's economic future. Sports Commission events have rapidly become valued community assets.

While Sports Commission events mean tens of millions of annual dollars to the local economy, they also add much more. Through Sports Commission events, hundreds of thousands of visitors have experienced Cleveland; and Cleveland's story has been told on various national media platforms.

The Sports Commission's impact goes beyond economic activity. The organization's community programming and Urban Youth Initiative impacts hundreds of Clevelanders each year.

Vision

The philosophy of the Sports Commission sets it apart from others by operating as an economic and community development organization utilizing sports as a vehicle to forward other community agendas. The organization takes the unique approach to becoming a management and financial partner in each event with the goal of producing events that are more successful in Cleveland than other cities in which they have been held.

The Greater Cleveland Sports Commission offers a wide array of services and assistance to not only attract events to Cleveland, but to ensure their success.

  • Sponsorship
  • Event Management
  • Marketing
  • Graphic Design
  • Merchandising
  • Media Relations
  • Facility and Site Selection
  • Volunteer Recruitment & Management
  • Fundraising