-City continues long legacy of hosting prestigious sporting event-

ATLANTA (June 15, 2009) – Atlanta has been selected to host the 2014 Southeastern Conference (SEC) Men’s Basketball Tournament.

“Atlanta has a great legacy of hosting SEC Championships and we are excited to have another opportunity to entertain the tournament’s dedicated fans and players,” said William Pate, president & CEO of the Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Since the first SEC Men's Basketball Tournament in 1933, the event has been held in Atlanta 9 times (1933-34; 1987, 1995, 1998-2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008) and the Georgia Dome will host the event for the 11th time in 2014.

“We are pleased that the SEC continues to have the confidence in our venue and the city of Atlanta,” says Carl Adkins, Georgia Dome General Manager.

SEC previously awarded the 2011 game to Atlanta. Last year, the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament attracted 26,000 attendees and generated an estimated $15 million in economic impact.

"The Southeastern Conference and its member institutions are excited to return to Atlanta, ”said SEC Commissioner Mike Slive. "The destination has great facilities that are perfect to showcase our basketball programs and we know that our student-athletes, coaches and fans will enjoy rediscovering the city.”

For more information, please contact Public Relations:

Tammy Wilson / SEC Media Relations
205.458.3000
twilson@sec.org

Suzanne Forte / ACVB Communications
404.521.6632
sforte@atlanta.net

Ashley Boatman / Georgia Dome Public Relations
404.223.4203
aboatman@gwcc.com