National Football League

Orlando hopes Pro Bowl puts city on sports map

Published Jun. 2, 2016 6:26 p.m. ET

foxsports

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) Orlando already draws more tourists than any other U.S. destination. Could landing the NFL's underperforming Pro Bowl also make Orlando a major player when it comes to attracting the biggest sporting events?

Mayor Buddy Dyer is sure of it.

After the NFL announced a three-year deal to move the Pro Bowl from Honolulu to Orlando, the mayor boasted that it helps the city solidify its reputation as THE U.S. sports destination.

The city is hosting all manner of sporting events in the months to come, from football and basketball to Wrestlemania, providing a big economic development boost nearly a decade after city and county taxpayers approved a $1 billion upgrade to their sports and entertainment venues.