Mo. lawmakers approve incentives for sports events

SPORTS EVENTS: Missouri has a history of hosting big amateur sports events, such as college basketball tournaments. But local organizers say Missouri has been passed over for some future events in favor of other states offering incentives.

INCENTIVES: A bill given final approval by Missouri lawmakers would provide subsidies equal to $5 for each ticket sold to local governments and nonprofit organizations that compete to attract sports events. Incentives would be capped at $3 million annually.

FUTURE EVENTS: Missouri's incentives could be used for events sponsored by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, other college organizations, the U.S. Olympic Committee and amateur organizations for golf, tennis, softball and other sports, so long as Missouri is competing with at least one other state to get the event.