Charlotte Sports Foundation

What Charlotte Sports Foundation does

Charlotte Sports Foundation (CSF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 and headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, that develops and operates a portfolio of signature sporting events to drive economic impact and quality-of-life outcomes for the Charlotte region. The foundation runs six major properties: the Duke's Mayo Classic (college football, contracted through 2032), Duke's Mayo Bowl, Dick Vitale Invitational (men's college basketball), Ally Tipoff (women's college basketball), Charlotte Invitational (professional tennis exhibition), and the recently acquired Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. Events are staged at premier Charlotte venues including Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center, with ticketing operated through Ticketmaster and Account Manager platforms and marathon registration through RunSignUp; the proprietary CSF Official Mobile App on iOS enables mobile ticketing, transfer, and fan engagement across all properties.

CSF's business model rests on three revenue streams: (1) multi-tier Co-Captain corporate sponsorships (Executive Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Bronze) with 40+ named partners across financial services, healthcare, retail, automotive, and professional services; (2) ticket sales for signature events; and (3) charitable contributions consistent with its nonprofit tax status. The organization reaches 200+ million fans through event platforms and TV partnerships, and reported 362,612 attendees and $118.25 million in regional economic impact in 2025, a 72% attendance surge and 30.5% economic impact increase year-over-year. Customers include college sports fans, running enthusiasts, corporate sponsors, and community organizations benefiting from CSF's $650,000+ annual giving.

Name

Charlotte Sports Foundation

Legal name

Charlotte Sports Foundation

Website

https://charlottesports.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2013

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports Event Hosting & Management

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events (7113)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Athlete & Team Sponsorship Deals (Official Partners, Jersey/Kit Sponsors) (MPAKALAA), Sponsorship Sales, Valuation & Analytics Services (Rights Sales, Measurement, Consulting) (MPAKALAK), Cause, Community & CSR-Linked Sports Partnerships (Foundations, Youth Programs) (MPAKALAJ)

Keywords

• Sports event management
• College football events
• Corporate sports sponsorships
• Marathon race organization
• Signature sporting events

Headquarters

HQ city

Charlotte

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Corporate Sponsorships: Revenue generated through the Co-Captain program with multiple tiers (Executive Diamond, Diamond, Platinum, Gold, Bronze) offering marketing exposure, event recognition, complimentary tickets, hospitality access, and early ticket purchasing privileges to corporate partners.
2. Ticket Sales: Revenue from ticket sales for signature events including Duke's Mayo Classic, Duke's Mayo Bowl, Dick Vitale Invitational, Ally Tipoff, Charlotte Invitational, and Charlotte Marathon through Ticketmaster and RunSignUp platforms.
3. Charitable Contributions: As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, CSF receives charitable contributions from Co-Captains and donors to fund operations and community programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Charlotte Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that hosts and operates a portfolio of signature sporting events in Charlotte, NC, including college football classics and bowl games (Duke's Mayo Classic, Duke's Mayo Bowl), college basketball showcases (Dick Vitale Invitational, Ally Tipoff), a professional tennis exhibition (Charlotte Invitational), and a marathon (Novant Health Charlotte Marathon). It generates revenue through consumer ticket sales and a multi-tiered corporate Co-Captain sponsorship program, while reinvesting proceeds into community programs and the local Charlotte economy.

Product overview

The Charlotte Sports Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that operates as a portfolio of signature sporting events rather than a traditional software product. The foundation hosts major college football events (Duke's Mayo Classic and Duke's Mayo Bowl), basketball tournaments (Dick Vitale Invitational and Ally Tipoff), a professional tennis exhibition (Charlotte Invitational), and a marathon event (Novant Health Charlotte Marathon). Digital services include a mobile app for ticketing and event management. All events are held at Charlotte venues including Bank of America Stadium and Spectrum Center, with the organization driving economic impact through sports tourism while providing community engagement and sponsorship opportunities for partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Duke's Mayo Classic: Annual college football classic game hosted at Bank of America Stadium featuring major collegiate matchups.
• Duke's Mayo Bowl
• Dick Vitale Invitational
• Ally Tipoff
• Charlotte Invitational
• Novant Health Charlotte Marathon

Products and services

• Duke's Mayo Classic

Quantifiable outcome

• $118.25 million economic impact in 2025 with 362,612 attendees (72% increase year-over-year)
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• AlbemarleflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Supports Meck Mile presented by Albemarle event. One of the top-tier corporate partners providing significant funding and marketing support.
• ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Provides conference events including ACC Football Championship Game and basketball tournaments hosted by CSF at Charlotte venues.
• Bank of AmericaflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Host venue (Bank of America Stadium) partner. Major financial institution with significant community investment in Charlotte sports.
• Duke EnergyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Major utility company and top-tier corporate partner supporting CSF events and community initiatives.
• Duke's MayonnaiseflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Title sponsor of Duke's Mayo Bowl and Duke's Mayo Classic. Deep partnership with naming rights and event branding.
• ESPN EventsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Broadcast and media partner for CSF bowl games and college football events.
• LuquireflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Marketing communications partner providing strategic marketing support for CSF events.
• Truist BankflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Major regional bank providing financial partnership and marketing support for CSF events.
• BelkflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerExecutive Diamond Co-Captain sponsor. Retail partner with Belk Shopping Spree activation and presenting sponsor of Dick Vitale Invitational.
• Novant HealthflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. Title sponsor of Novant Health Charlotte Marathon. Provides event medicine and sports performance services for marathon.
• American AirlinescoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. Official airline partner for Charlotte Invitational and other events.
• Carolina PantherscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. Local NFL franchise with community partnership and shared venue interests.
• City of CharlottecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. Municipal government partner supporting sports development and economic impact initiatives.
• CRVA (Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. Regional tourism and visitors authority providing economic impact data and promotional support.
• Mecklenburg CountycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerDiamond Co-Captain sponsor. County government partner supporting regional sports and community initiatives.
• Ally FinancialcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPlatinum Co-Captain sponsor. Title partner of Ally Tipoff women's basketball event. Digital banking partner with marketing activation at events.
• Atrium HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Co-Captain sponsor. Healthcare system partner providing community health support and wellness programs.
• DeloittecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Co-Captain sponsor. Professional services firm providing consulting and advisory support.
• Hendrick Automotive GroupcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Co-Captain sponsor. Associate partner of Ally Tipoff. Major automotive dealership group supporting local sports.
• Lowe'scoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProud partner of Dick Vitale Invitational. Major home improvement retailer with event marketing presence.
• Charlotte Motor SpeedwayminorGTM or Marketing PartnerGold Co-Captain sponsor. Motorsports venue partner with shared interest in Charlotte sports events.
• CPI SecurityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPlatinum Co-Captain sponsor. Associate partner of Charlotte Invitational. Local security company with community presence.
• Dr PeppercoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick Award. Major beverage brand supporting community programs and college football events.
• Savannah BananasflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerBanana Ball events partnership. Two sold-out events in 2025 drew 148,000 fans to Bank of America Stadium, marking Charlotte as one of the first cities to host Banana Ball in a professional football stadium.
• Second Harvest Food Bank of MetrolinaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner. Duke's Mayo Bowl teams volunteer at Second Harvest during bowl week for food sorting and packaging.
• Big 10 ConferencecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Partner. College athletic conference with games hosted at Charlotte venues.
• Southeastern Conference (SEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor Partner. College athletic conference with games hosted at Charlotte venues.
• Sports Biz CareersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner. CSF supports Sports Biz Careers' mission to empower future leaders in sports through the Charlotte Sports Business Fellowship program.
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner. CSF supports CMS through Extra Yard for Teachers program and the Jimmie Lee Kirkpatrick Award.
• Black Tennis ConnectminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity partner. Partnership to implement community tennis programs aimed at growing tennis within marginalized communities.

Scale indicators9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Nashville Sports Council: Tennessee-based nonprofit that promotes Nashville as a host city for major sporting events including the NFL Draft and SEC events. Operates as a regional peer to CSF with a similar mission of leveraging sports for economic impact and community engagement.
• Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA): Charlotte's official destination marketing organization and a Diamond-tier Co-Captain partner of CSF. While focused on tourism and visitor attraction rather than event hosting, CRVA is the closest regional peer and shares economic-impact assessment and citywide sports promotion responsibilities with CSF.
• Atlanta Sports Council: Metro Atlanta chamber-affiliated organization that bids for and hosts major sporting events including the College Football Playoff, SEC Championship, and Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. Functions as a peer sports commission to CSF in a competing Southeast market.

Direct peers

• Peach Bowl, Inc. Atlanta-based nonprofit operating the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl and College Football Playoff semifinal game. Shares CSF's structure as a sports-hosting nonprofit with title-sponsor economics, corporate partnership tiers, and deep relationships with ACC/SEC college football programs in the Southeast.
• Sun Bowl Association: El Paso-based nonprofit association that hosts the Sun Bowl each December. Comparable in scale and structure to CSF as a regional nonprofit sports foundation reliant on title sponsorships, conference partnerships, and stadium-based event operations.
• Orlando Sports Foundation: Florida-based nonprofit that operates the Cure Bowl and supporting community programs through collegiate sports. Mirrors CSF's nonprofit foundation model combining signature bowl games with community/charitable programming.
• San Diego Bowl Game Association (Holiday Bowl): Nonprofit organization that produces the Holiday Bowl and other college football events in San Diego. Directly comparable to CSF as a regional sports foundation operating a single marquee bowl game with corporate sponsorship revenue and stadium-based fan experiences.
• Fiesta Bowl Organization: Arizona-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates the Fiesta Bowl, Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, and ancillary college football events. Directly comparable to CSF in mission (nonprofit sports foundation), revenue model (corporate sponsorship tiers), and event portfolio (bowl games and college sports championships).

Emerging players

• Savannah Bananas / Fans First Entertainment: Traveling baseball entertainment phenomenon that partnered with CSF to host two sold-out Banana Ball games at Bank of America Stadium in 2025. Comparable as a fast-growing sports entertainment property generating massive live attendance and brand sponsorship opportunities.

Broad incumbents

• ESPN Events: Division of ESPN that owns and operates more than 30 college sports events including bowl games, basketball tournaments, and football kickoff games. ESPN Events is both a sponsor and a quasi-competitor of CSF, as it brokers many of the same types of collegiate sporting events that CSF hosts.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CLTsports
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCnRnYaNCeTM55cC9FAfC60w
• Facebookfacebook.com/charlottesports
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/charlotte-sports-foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/cltsports

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Charlotte Sports Foundation