Bassmaster Classic to return to Birmingham in 2014

It's official -- the Bassmaster Classic will return to the Magic City in 2014.

Governor Robert Bentley and city leaders made the announcement Thursday morning. Bentley estimates that the classic will bring $24 million to our state and Mayor William Bell says 5,000 hotel rooms will be booked during the event.

"The decisions we made a year or so ago to build the entertainment district and Westin Hotel, it played a role in bringing the expo [and] classic back here to Birmingham," Bell said.

One of the largest events in bass fishing, the will be held Feb. 21-23 with weigh-ins and the related expo taking place at the BJCC. Fifty-five of the world's best bass fishermen will compete for a $500,000 prize.

The classic started in 1971 and it's been held in Alabama 12 times. Eight of those were in Birmingham.

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