Office of Sports and Entertainment merges with Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity
Birmingham, AL – The Mayor’s Office of Sports and Entertainment (OSE) has merged into the Department of Innovation and Economic Opportunity (IEO) to enhance the city of Birmingham’s efforts to recruit world-class sports and entertainment events.
“The merger of IEO and OSE better positions the city and its residents in the mutual goal of creating vibrant entertainment options for an improved quality of life,” IEO director Cornell Wesley said. “This alignment provides support to further document and demonstrate the economic impact of these events for the city and the region.”
Mayor Randall L. Woodfin formed OSE in 2018. Since its creation, OSE has played a pivotal role in recruiting major events to Birmingham, including:
- 2023 NCAA Tournament, Division I men’s basketball, first and second round
- 2025 NCAA Tournament, Division I women’s basketball, southern regional
- Birmingham 2025 World Police and Fire Games
OSE also worked with regional partners to secure the return to Birmingham of the AHSAA Super 7 Football Championships in December 2021.
In addition to recruitment, OSE serves as the liaison between the city and events such as the nation’s largest HBCU event, the Magic City Classic, the annual Mercedes Marathon and The World Games 2022, which will bring a global audience to Birmingham from July 7 through July 17, 2022.
“The AHSAA State Basketball Finals taking place this weekend in the city are a great example of our work,” OSE commissioner Faye Oates said. “We are focused on investing in events that are good for the people of our city and events that provide an economic return that benefits our residents and small businesses. It only makes sense to combine with IEO.”
IEO is the principal economic development department for the city of Birmingham. It is responsible for creating economic vitality through innovation and inclusive growth.
