After hosting its first Final Four, the metro Phoenix area "solidified its reputation as the best big-game host in America," reinforcing that the "best ambassador for the state of Arizona is sports," according to Dan Bickley of the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. The Final Four was "something new and different," and the region "exceeded all expectations." The "three games in Glendale were all competitive, and the energy in the building was fabulous." Aerosmith "tweeted out their appreciation after playing a free concert and their iconic singer, Steven Tyler, even showed up for Monday's game" (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/4). In Phoenix, Paola Boivin writes the Final Four "capped an incredible run of high-profile sporting events in the state." The three games "delivered a large dose of entertaining basketball." The "weather delivered, too, with sunshine and comfortable temperatures." The downtown events were "so popular the music festival had to frequently limit the number of attendees." Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton said, "It's been a great weekend. The preparations have gone very well." Boivin writes the Final Four was a "well-executed event with a few snafus." The traffic and distance between events "irked some out-of-towners who appreciate the more centralized events in Final Four cities like Indianapolis and San Antonio," while some fans "complained of food running out" at Univ. of Phoenix Stadium. However, controversy "never escapes big sporting events." Bradley Univ. President Gary Roberts during a symposium yesterday said he thought it was "terrible" that North Carolina, faced with an academic scandal, was allowed in the championship game for the second straight year and called its presence "unbelievably treasonous." Boivin notes today might be a "tough day for hardcore local sports fans because the community is about to suffer a major sports drought." (ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 4/4).
MISSING IN ACTION: USA TODAY's Andrew Joseph noted about 90 minutes before tipoff last night, a "line of white-clad students started to file into UNC's student section," but they "weren't even North Carolina students." UNC "had failed to sell out its student section," so "nearby Arizona State volunteered to help ... and to cheer" (USATODAY.com, 4/3). Hornets Owner and UNC alum Michael Jordan "was not in attendance" last night (USA TODAY, 4/4).
DOING YOUR HOMEWORK: In St. Paul, Chad Graff noted two years before the "nation turns its attention to the Twin Cities" for the '19 Final Four, a "team of a dozen Minnesotans" were in Glendale this past weekend "studying and soaking in this year's event as they prepare to host the ever-growing" event. '19 Minneapolis Final Four Local Organizing Committee President & CEO Kate Mortenson said, "The first year you're just absorbing from the 10,000-foot level. This year and next year we go into it with a different lens of detail that we're picking up to bring back to Minneapolis and work next year's progress off of." Mortenson "guides a team that is bringing the Final four back to Minnesota for the first time since the Metrodome hosted" the '01 event. Graff noted organizers "set up shop in a space in U.S. Bank Plaza four months ago but begin the bulk of their work upon their return from the Final Four" (ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, 4/1).
PUMPING UP THE CROWD: In Virginia, David Teel noted as the Final Four concluded after another "compelling NCAA Tournament," NCAA Senior VP/Basketball Dan Gavitt and others are "pondering how to energize the regular season's lifeless start." The "problem is two-fold" as there are "too few marquee matchups and too little oxygen remaining in the sports stratosphere." Gavitt: "We're looking at possibly starting the season earlier by a few days, mid-week, to allow for the less compression, maybe more attention to the season as it starts, rather than on a Friday night heading into a busy football-filled fall weekend" (Hampton Roads DAILY PRESS, 4/2).
CAROLINA ON MY MIND: In Charlotte, Katherine Peralta notes North Carolina once again is in the "running to host NCAA championship games." Days after the repeal of House Bill 2 -- the reason the NCAA pulled its events for the '16 season from the state -- the association said that its BOG "voted 'reluctantly' to consider championship bids in North Carolina" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 4/4).
TELL SBJ/SBD ABOUT YOUR FINAL FOUR EXPERIENCE: Did you or someone you know in sports business go to the Final Four? If so, SBJ/SBD wants to hear about your experience. Sign up here and we’ll connect with you this week.
