USA Football makes move to Indianapolis official

As expected, city officials announced Tuesday that USA Football will relocate its headquarters to Indianapolis from Vienna, Va. The move should be complete by August.

Mayor Greg Ballard joined Indianapolis Convention & Visitors Association CEO Don Welsh in making the formal announcement Tuesday morning. IBJ reported in February that leaders of the organization—the national governing body for youth and amateur football—were considering the move.

“Indianapolis is the ideal place for USA Football on many levels and we are excited to make it our home,” Executive Director Scott Hallenbeck said in prepared remarks. “This is a vibrant community that owns a passion and legacy for football and amateur sport—we are inspired to contribute to that tradition.”

A site for the headquarters operation is still being finalized, spokesman Steve Alic said.

“We continue to review options,” he told IBJ. “But we are committed to a downtown location.”

Pan Am Plaza and the 30 South Meridian building, where the ICVA has its headquarters, are among the possible locations the organization is considering, and officials also are said to be considering the Citizens Gas property at 2950 Prospect St.

Hallenbeck said the group's short-term goal is to set up shop in a downtown office and get to know the community. Longer term—likely in the next couple years—the organization would like to build a so-called "sports performance center" in Indianapolis that could include football fields and other facilities that would be used for training and development events.

"There are some interesting ideas on the horizon," he said.

USA Football, a not-for-profit organization that has 20 full-time employees, conducts more than 80 football training events annually nationwide; 63 are conducted in partnership with NFL teams. Alic said the organization expects to add employees by the end of the year.

The organization also awards more than $1 million annually in equipment grants to youth football leagues and high school football programs based on merit and need.