CHARLOTTE, N.C. — For the first time, Channel 9 is hearing from the CIAA Commissioner about the decision to move the basketball tournament out of Charlotte.
It has been played in the Queen City for 13 years, but will go to Baltimore in 2021.
Channel 9's DaShawn Brown learned the decision came down to money and branding.
"What was presented from the other city, it was extremely, it just raised the bar of the value," commissioner Jacqie McWilliams said.
The decision was not McWilliams to make, but instead 13 university presidents who make up the Board of Directors.
On Baltimore, McWilliams said the city offered to raise the scholarships amount every year and also offered hotel rates below $200.
A copy of Charlotte's bid shows the city offered rates for fans and staff between $215 and $239 a night.
The total investment from Charlotte came out to more than $2.6 million, between scholarships, venues, marketing, and operating costs.
[RELATED: 2018 CIAA tournament brought $50 million to Charlotte economy]
"It was a comprehensive bid. It just didn't match up to the other city," McWilliams said. "So when I talk about it's a business decision, it's not just we're leaving Charlotte because we don't like Charlotte."
McWilliams said Baltimore also agreed to pick up another cost -- some of the money they have spent to protect the CIAA brand.
At times, the brand has been compromised by crime at events using the conference's name, but are not affiliated.
"I hope that Charlotte doesn't see this as a sad day, but see it as an opportunity for us to figure out how does this tournament come back here if there's an interest," McWilliams said.
McWilliams told Channel 9 she would like to look for other opportunities where the conference can partner with Charlotte.
They host 14 championships every year.
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