Outdoor Games not coming back to Reno

RENO -- ESPN Outdoors announced today that the ESPN Great Outdoor Games presented by Dodge will not return to Reno-Tahoe in 2004, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitor Authority and ESPN announced.

"ESPN appreciates the support of the RSCVA and the Reno-Tahoe community," said Mark Quenzel, ESPN Senior Vice President of Programming and Production. "The competition was outstanding this summer, and the crowds on site were very enthusiastic. However, the long-term growth of the Great Outdoor Games has always been of primary importance to ESPN and we believe that moving the event to new regions is key to its growth and success."

"Both from a live event and a strategic marketing standpoint, the Games helped to define Reno-Tahoe as America's Adventure Place," said Jeff Beckelman, RSCVA CEO and President. "We are disappointed to see them go. We have a great relationship with ESPN and will continue to try to attract more events in the future."

Officials said the event garnered Reno-Tahoe, billed as America's Adventure Place, multi-million dollars worth of advertising. Overall, more than 28.5 million people watched a portion of the Great Outdoor Games on ABC, ESPN or ESPN 2.E

Beckelman added, "We respect ESPN's decision to move the event. We have been assured that Reno-Tahoe was a great partner and that the Great Outdoor Games was considered a very successful event on all accounts."