The owner of U.S. Major League Baseball team Los Angeles Dodgers will buy operating rightsto the Los Angeles Marathon and move the annual event from March to February, a spokesman said Friday.
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt's bid to acquire Los Angeles Marathon operating rights was approved earlier in the day by the city council in a unanimous vote, according to McCourt's spokesman Howard Sunkin.
He said McCourt plans to move the race from a Sunday in March to Presidents Day, which falls on the third Monday in February.
"We're very excited for what's about to happen in Los Angeles, "Sunkin said. "The issue of the day of the week of the race is something that has been on many people's agendas since this discussion started. The Boston marathon is run on a state holiday on a Monday . .. we feel it's the right thing to do."
Under the deal, Los Angeles Marathon's current operator, Chicago-based Devine Racing Management LLC, will pay the city about 540,000 dollars it is owed for the past three races.
McCourt's Going the Distance will reimburse the city for futurerace-related costs. The city will also be paid as much as 189,000 dollars a year.
McCourt, a real estate tycoon, earlier called the marathon "an important civic asset that has the potential to have an even greater impact on the city of Los Angeles."
"The Los Angeles Marathon could attract more runners, visitors and corporate sponsors from around the world," McCourt said. "It could stimulate economic activity, boost local tax revenue and benefit community and nonprofit organizations dedicated to youth, fitness and health."
Source:Xinhua
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