Heavyweights may vie to manage venues for troubled CIB
An aide to Mayor Greg Ballard says he hopes a private operator can find “operating and maintenance savings in the millions."
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CIB finances improving, though concerns remain
Approaching the end of 2009, Indianapolis’ cash-strapped Capital Improvement Board is on much more solid financial footing.
Critics: NCAA’s reselling of suites out of sync with scalping ban
Lucas Oil Stadium suite holders are upset that the NCAA is taking their luxury boxes for the men’s basketball Final Four
in April and reselling them on the secondary—or scalpers—market.
Citizens Energy donates land to baseball not-for profit
Citizens has donated 28 acres of land from its former Citizens Gas & Coke Utility site on the southeast side of Indianapolis
to Play Ball Indiana for the development of a youth sports complex.
Circle City Classic must boost attendance, sponsorship revenue to survive
Dramatic decreases in sponsorship and ticket revenue this year and the recent resignation of the Circle City Classic’s
new executive director have some questioning if the event can survive. Now Classic leaders are considering a bevy of bold changes.
Sales of luxury suites slow at most Indianapolis sports venues
Ten years ago, the Indiana Pacers sold out their 69 Conseco Fieldhouse suites and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway
barely touched a phone to sell its 120 luxury boxes. But entertaining at luxury suites is out of vogue
now, thanks to the recession and companies keeping a closer eye on spending.
Indiana Members Credit Union signs Pacers sponsorship pact
The agreement includes player appearances, a Pacers debit card, courtside signage, radio spots,
hospitality and use of the Conseco Fieldhouse practice court for community relations initiatives.
WNBA’s Fever to stay in Indiana, owner says
The Indiana Fever will remain in Indianapolis for the 2010 season, despite speculation that ownership would not keep the
team.
Lucas Oil out to build on Jiffy Lube deal
One year after emblazoning its name on the Indianapolis Colts’ mammoth new home, Lucas Oil Products Inc. has leveraged
that sponsorship into a pact with Jiffy Lube that company founder Forrest Lucas thinks will score huge profits for his company.
NCAA, city haggle over Final Four rental deal
A little more than six months before the 2010 NCAA men’s Final Four is set to tip off at Lucas Oil Stadium, the NCAA
has not yet finalized a rental deal for the facility. While officials for the NCAA and Local Organizing Committee,
the group charged with operating the event in Indianapolis, downplay any problems, sports business experts say it is unusual
not to have an agreement pinned down in the months leading up to the event.
Indians report 2009 attendance figures
The Tribe attracted 549,552 fans (8,202 per game) to Victory Field this season—its third-best average
since 2001.
IUPUI faces tough decisions over aging sports facilities
IUPUI is grappling with how to pay for upkeep and improvements necessary to keep its three world-class athletic facilities—and
the city—in the hunt for high-profile sporting events.
CIB OKs budget, but awaits council vote
Members of the Indianapolis Capital Improvement Board this afternoon passed a $63 million budget for 2010 that hinges on the
City-County Council’s approval of a hike in the local hotel tax.
Colts take lead in fighting drunk driving
The National Football League and stadium operators are sending a strong anti-drunk-driving message to fans this year as
part of an effort to expand the league’s 1-year-old Fan Code of Conduct program.
BENNER: Lin Dunn working her coaching magic on the Indiana Fever
When it comes to basketball coaching greats with Indiana ties, the question is not where to start the list—John Wooden,
Bob Knight, Tony Hinkle and Bobby Leonard would qualify as an initial Mount Rushmore—but where to end it. Among
women, the list is significantly shorter, but there’s one name that would be right at the top.
BENNER: Time will prove the wisdom of building stadium
A year ago, we opened Lucas Oil Stadium. We’ve been arguing about it ever since.
IUPUI rethinks track and field stadium
In its 20-year master strategy unveiled in December, IUPUI planned to tear down its track-and-field stadium along New York Street to make room for a mixed-use housing and retail development. Now IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz says those plans have been reconsidered.
Colts extend home sell-out streak
Despite a ticket price increase, the terrible economy, and an uncertain season ahead, the Indianapolis Colts have sold out
of season tickets, assuring the team will extend its sell-out streak to 97 regular-season home games.
CIB drama goes from bad to worse
I am truly disgusted after reading the latest in the perennial saga of the CIB.
Naming-rights deal puts Lucas Oil in competitive position
Emboldened by the deal he signed to put his company’s name on the Indianapolis Colts’ new home, Forrest Lucas has launched
an arsenal of creative-some would say unorthodox-initiatives to fortify his growing company. Many of them are designed to
help Lucas Oil Products Inc. go head to head with the oil industry’s biggest players.