Draft:Charlotte Sports Foundation

= Charlotte Sports Foundation = The Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization "that provides leadership for sports-based initiatives that impact the economy and quality of life in the Charlotte region." CSF works with of organizations to develop large-scale, sporting events, on the professional, collegiate, and amateur levels. These events include the Ally Tipoff, Jumpman Invitational presented by Novant Health, Duke’s Mayo Bowl and more.

History
Prior to the creation of Charlotte Sports Foundation, Charlotte had two primary sports development groups, the Charlotte Regional Sports Commission and Charlotte Collegiate Football. In 2013, the groups merged to form a single entity that is the Charlotte Sports Foundation. "Its origins can be traced to the vision of Charlotte civic leaders after the hosting of the 1994 NCAA Men’s Final Four.”

The inaugural group was headed by Will Webb who served as the Executive Director from 2013-2019. Charlotte Sports Foundation’s first events were the 2013 ACC Football Championship and 2013 Belk Bowl. In May 2019, Danny Morrison, former president of the Carolina Panthers, was introduced as the new Executive Director following Webb’s departure.

CSF underwent a rebrand in March 2024 for the first time since its founding. The new logo titled the “Champions Crown” drew “inspiration from the organization’s previous logo and other sources, including the 1994 Final Four, one of the first major events awarded to the Queen City.”

Recognition
In 2021, Charlotte Sports Foundation was featured on Axios’ list of top 25 Charlotteans.

Two years later, in 2023, Charlotte, NC was named number three in the Sports Business Journal’s Best “Sports Business Cities” due in part to the success of events that Charlotte Sports Foundation put on and assisted with. Additionally, executive Director Danny Morrison was named Business Person of the Year by the Charlotte Business Journal.