Detroit wants to be a major sports city. But it needs state funding to help.

More than a year after Detroit smashed the attendance record for the NFL Draft, city officials are warning Michigan is at risk of falling behind other states in attracting similar major events.

That’s because other states – like Texas and Indiana – have dedicated funding models in place aimed at attracting high-level events, while Michigan does not.

Cities engage in a “cutthroat” bidding process to entice event sponsors to host their events there, including by offering economic incentives to help offset costs.

But since Michigan doesn’t have a dedicated source of funding for attracting major events, that leaves the Detroit Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau – commonly known as Visit Detroit – and the Detroit Sports Commission mostly on their own to back the city’s bids.


https://michiganadvance.com/2025/07/31/detroit-wants-to-be-a-major-sports-city-but-it-needs-state-funding-to-help/