Should Charlotte bid on CIAA Tournament Again?

There's a rumor floating around Bobcats Arena that Charlotte officials are not planning to bid on bringing the CIAA Tournment back after 2008, when our contract expires. Apparently it was a false alarm. They haven't said what their plans are.

But after talking with some of the local fans, I was surprised at how mixed opinions are on the matter. Some love the tournament being here. It's one of the biggest events of the year and it's right in our backyard. No travel involved. You have access to all the happenings and when it's over, you can retreat to the comforts of home. But enough about me.

Others say they liked it better in Raleigh because the RBC Center has a hugh central parking lot, instead of the scattered parking of uptown Charlotte. It simply was easier to come and go. And they liked getting away for the tournament, like a vacation. And I'm sure out-of-towners are split, too.

But for those who make the decision on whether to bid, it'll boil down to money. How much does the CIAA add to the local economy? Last year, local restaurants and bars said they didn't make nearly as much money as they had expected. But on the other hand, it's more than they would've gotten with any other tournament taking place this week. And the ACC Tournament doesn't start till the following week.

If they want my opinion (and I'm sure they do) I'd at least wait until this year's CIAA Tournament is over before deciding.

What do you think? Should we try to bring it back after 2008? Why or why not?