Move over LeBron James. The Undertaker, John Cena, Edge and other wrestling superstars are heading to South Beach.
It was revealed Wednesday that Miami beat out the competition, winning a battle royal to host the biggest event in sports entertainment as local officials joined up with WWE Inc. to announce that Miami will be hosting WrestleMania XXVIII on Sunday, April 1, 2012 in Sun Life Stadium.
Flanked by WWE wrestlers, including fan favorite John Cena, Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of WWE, joined up with Jose Pepe Diaz of the Miami-Dade County Commission and Miami-Dade Sports Commission, CEO Mike Dee of the Miami Dolphins and Dolphins legend Dan Marino to announce the news that WrestleMania was coming to Miami.
Miami has always been the home of first class events, and this event will add to that legacy, said Diaz. Hosting WrestleMania is a huge coup for Miami.
On behalf of WWE, I would like to thank Commissioner Diaz and all his colleagues for their support, and the Miami-Dade Sports Commission for graciously rolling out the red carpet to bring WrestleMania to one of the worlds most cosmopolitan cities, said McMahon. We look forward to adding WrestleMania to the list of prestigious events held at Sun Life Stadium.
WWE officials estimate that WrestleMania and the activities that surround it, including a week of events including charitable outings as well as the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, have brought almost $150 million in revenue for the host cities. This year the event will be held in Atlanta. Last year, WrestleMania was in Phoenix. More than 72,000 fans attended WrestleMania XXVI in Arizona.
For nearly twenty-five years Sun Life Stadium has played host to South Floridas world class events that provide economic benefit to the entire community, said Dee. We applaud the efforts of Commissioner Diaz and the Sports Commission on attracting WWE and look forward to an unforgettable WrestleMania in 2012.
Miami was edged out by Atlanta to host WrestleMania in 2011. However, Miami beat out fourteen other cities, including New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Jacksonville and Tampa, to hold the event in 2012.
This will be the second time WrestleMania will be held in Florida. Back in 2008, WrestleMania XXIV was held in the Citrus Bowl in Orlando. Officials estimated that the event brought in more than $51 million into the local economy, more than double initial estimates. They also estimate more than 50,000 visitors came to Orlando for the WrestleMania festivities and around 75,000 attendees for the wrestling event.
Leaders in Orlandoincluding Mayor Buddy Dyer and former Orange County Mayor Rich Crotty are backing efforts to bring the WWE Hall of Fame to their city.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859
