CHARLOTTE, NC. — A Charlotte City Council member says several other cities are making plays to steal the CIAA Basketball Tournament from the Queen City. The bid to host the 2021 to 2023 CIAA tournament is due later this week.

Charlotte City Council member James Mitchell says for the first time since 2005, we have major competition from Baltimore, Richmond, and Norfolk.

Mitchell says city leaders are to working hard to put together the best bid they can, trying to match up to the corporate support of those three cities, using Charlotte’s best assets.

“Great hotels, Spectrum arena and more corporate support to raise that scholarship threshold,” says Councilmember Mitchell.

For now, Mitchell thinks Baltimore is our biggest competitor.

“They’re going to be able to offer something the city of Charlotte can’t offer– gambling.”

The tournament brings $50.2 million in economic impact.

A spokesperson for the CIAA wouldn’t tell WCCB which cities have submitted formal bids or letters or interest, but do say:

“Board is open to considering cities within the CIAA footprint including North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and now South Carolina.”

The CIAA board will review formal bids and make a determination sometime in December.