One challenge is blocking light from entering the window wall for broadcast and competitive reasonsGETTY IMAGES
NCAA officials believe this season's Final Four at Mercedes-Benz Stadium will be the first time the event is "played in a building that has never before had a single basketball game," according to Tim Tucker of the ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION. However, NCAA Senior VP/Basketball Dan Gavitt said that the NCAA "isn't concerned about the stadium making its hoops debut on such a high-stakes stage." The NCAA will have a "large temporary video board/scoreboard installed above midcourt for the Final Four, rather than relying exclusively on the stadium's famous halo-shaped video board that is incorporated into the roof structure." A center-hung video board "typically is added to NFL stadiums when they host a Final Four, but the NCAA had contemplated whether that would be necessary" at M-B Stadium. Gavitt said the temporary board also may "shrink the feel" of the massive stadium for the event. Meanwhile, the NCAA's temporary seating system will be "installed on top of much of the permanent lower-level seating bowl to improve sight-lines and extend the seating almost to the court." Although the exact capacity "hasn't been determined, the NCAA expects it to top 80,000." Duke AD Kevin White, Chair of the D-I men's basketball committee, said, "It looks like we can break the (Final Four attendance) record here." The record is 79,444 for the semifinals of the '14 Final Four at AT&T Stadium (ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION, 10/29).
THE LOOKING GLASS: In Atlanta, Eric Jackson notes another challenge that "remains is covering the window wall" at M-B Stadium, which "must be blocked from outside light for broadcasting and competitive reasons." A "similar darkening solution installed at U.S. Bank Stadium earlier this year for the Final Four in Minnesota had a hefty price tag" of $4.6M. But Atlanta Final Four Host Committee Exec Dir Carl Adkins said that he "expects it won't cost as much" in '20 after "finding a cheaper solution that's similar to the material made for the Super Bowl earlier this year" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 10/29).
