More time is needed to transfer operation of Georgia’s Sports Hall of Fame in Macon from the state to a new group. But officials say the delay will not sidetrack the deal.

The Sports Hall of Fame’s Authority Board voted to extend negotiations with the group ‘Hall of Fame, Inc.’ until the end of July. Authority chairman Kirby Moore says nothing’s in jeopardy, but only that all parties involved simply need more time to close paperwork.

All state funding for the Hall goes away on June 30th.

Moore says going forward into the facility’s new era, operators hope to hire a professional fundraiser to help boost revenue.

“The plan is still to hire somebody to get events, to get more visitors, and more dollars to come into the sports hall of fame.”

Moore says a deal of at least three years is expected with the new operating group.

The Sports Hall of Fame is luckier than its Music counterpart, which closed its doors last weekend.

Tags: legislature, Macon, Georgia Sports Hall of Fame, state lawmakers, state funding, Inc., Georgia Sports Hall of Fame Authority, Halls of Fame, Kirby Moore