$100,000 for Cleveland Gay Games Bid

The Akron visitors bureau committed $100,000 on Wednesday to help nearby Cleveland sweeten its bid to host the 2014 Gay Games.

The pledge from the Akron/Summit County Convention and Visitors Bureau would be spent on marketing and promotion only if the sporting event comes to Cleveland. Estimates suggest the Gay Games would bring significant benefits to the northeast Ohio region, in which the two cities reside, according to the Akron Beacon Journal.

"The tourism group would be foolish not to financially back the event, considering it could have more than a $60 million economic impact on the region, bureau president Susan Hamo said Wednesday," the Akron Beacon Journal reported.

The Cleveland City Council approved a $700,000 grant for the Gay Games earlier this week. The event, which takes place every four years, could draw up to 65,000 athletes and spectators to the region.

Cleveland, Boston, and Washington, D.C., are the finalists in the competition to host the 2014 Gay Games. The winner will be announced on September 29.