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The World Games

Musicians Say The World Games is Shorting Their Payment for Performances

In July, Kathleen Costello along with dozens of other musicians performed on a stage at Protective Stadium in downtown Birmingham to welcome athletes from across the globe to The World Games. Playing as part of the opening ceremony was a unique opportunity for the Alabama Symphony Orchestra’s principal clarinetist. But it has turned into a financial headache as Costello has yet to be paid in full for her performance. Costello is not alone. WBHM has spoken with a number of individuals and organizations who are concerned they will not get paid for the work they did for The World Games after event organizers announced a $15 million dollar deficit. Read more.

by Richard Banks, WBHM

JeffCo Commission Approves Extra Money for TWG Over Tyson’s Objection About Lack of Information

Sheila Tyson was determined to take her stand, even if she stood alone. The Jefferson County Commission today approved allotting an additional $4 million to help offset the deficit incurred by organizers of The World Games. The matter passed on a 4-1 vote with Tyson casting the dissenting vote. The District 2 commissioner said there was too much information that had not been made available to the commission or citizens. “We don’t know who they hired, how much they paid. Nothing was brought up about how the money was spent,” Tyson said. “I just feel like the taxpayers were due this information, that the commission was due this information.” Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Birmingham Councilors Approve $5 Million for World Games Debt, Express Ire Over Being Left in the Dark

The city of Birmingham will pay $5 million more to the cash-strapped World Games 2022 committee. That decision was made during Tuesday’s council meeting, amid an atmosphere of bitterness from city officials who felt they’d been misled by the games’ organizers. “I know each of you enough to know this sucks,” Mayor Randall Woodfin told councilors. “I feel the same way you feel.” The World Games, which took place July 7-17 after years of planning and promotion, fell far short of its revenue goals, it was reported last week. Though the event ended up costing roughly $65.1 million — which CEO Nick Sellers admitted was close to $10 million less than initially expected — it only generated $51 million in revenue. The organizing committee was left with a $14.1 million deficit and many local vendors were left unpaid for their services. Read more.

by Sam Prickett

JeffCo Discussion on World Games Deficit Delayed; Activist Says Games Should File Bankruptcy

The Jefferson County Commission on Tuesday delayed discussion and possible action regarding a reported $14 million deficit in the operations of The World Games 2022. Commissioner Joe Knight, the commission’s finance committee chairman and liaison to The World Games, said the commission has been asked for an additional $4 million to address the shortfall. While moving the matter to the committee agenda of Sept. 6, Knight said he still counts the 11-day sports event as a triumph for the metro area. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

Tyson Says JeffCo Not Getting ‘Most Bang for Its Buck’ for TWG 2022; Knight Expects Budget Shortfall

Sheila Tyson said Jefferson County hasn’t gotten “the most bang for its buck” from The World Games 2022. She expressed that sentiment as she and other commissioners met this morning at the Bessemer Justice Center. Tyson said Commissioner Joe Knight, the commission’s representative to The World Games, should have been more prominently used, perhaps during the Opening Ceremony last week or the Closing Ceremony set for Sunday. “We have just as much money (invested in The World Games) as the city has,” Tyson said. “I feel like Commissioner Knight should have at least been able to speak at the Opening and the Closing Ceremony. Read more.

by Solomon Crenshaw Jr.

The World Comes to Birmingham

Thousands of athletes from around the world have gathered in Birmingham to compete in The World Games. The 11-day competition is a chance for non-Olympic sports to shine. Read more.

by Kyra Miles, WBHM

World Games Kicks Off in Birmingham

As The World Games begin, residents around event venues already have been dealing with detours and road closures. If acquiring residents’ passes and plotting new routes already has you frazzled, recite this mantra: $265 million … $265 million. That’s the economic impact the games is predicted to generate throughout the Birmingham metro. Here is information and on the venues and road closings around them. Read more.

by Virginia Martin
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