College hoops research: Construction, attendance, media

College arena construction

A record $810.7 million in college arena construction was completed last year. Nearly one-third of that total ($269 million) occurred as the result of the openings of seven new arenas. The year’s biggest project was the University of Illinois’ $169.5 million makeover of State Farm Center, formerly known as Assembly Hall.

	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
College arenas	$89.2	$55.0	$98.0	$379.0	$393.3	$333.1	$503.9	$259.2	$642.5	$574.4	$396.9	$341.5	$314.4
	2007	2008	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019+
College arenas	$273.5	$413.5	$155.6	$540.2	$542.6	$434.8	$479.8	$597.4	$322.9	$810.7	$389.3	$232.6	$330.0

New for 2017

This year, two-thirds of the $389.3 million that will be spent on college arena construction will come via new venues for DePaul and New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Wintrust Arena (Chicago)

DePaul University
Costs: $164.0 million
Architect: Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
General contractor: Prairie District3 Partners (coalition led by Clark Construction,  consists of Bulley & Andrews, Old Veteran Construction, McKissack & McKissack, Goettsch Partners and Moody Nolan)

NJIT Wellness and Events Center (Newark)

New Jersey Institute of Technology
Cost: $102.0 million
Architect: AECOM
General contractor: Torcon

Average NCAA Division I

NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament attendance

* Through March 5
Source: NCAA

Top schools in attendance

* Through March 5
Source: NCAA

NCAA Men’s Basketball National Championship Game trend

Note: 2016 game featured team-centric simulcasts on TNT, truTV. Audience across all three networks is combined.
Source: Austin Karp, SportsBusiness Daily

March Madness Live: Complete men’s tournament (10 Platforms)

Notes: Turner came onboard as full NCAA media partner in 2013. Hours in 2016 represent record for MML.
Source: Turner Sports