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.
Mayoral Chief of Staff Paul Okeson said the city isn’t sure it makes sense to privatize operations now handled by
the Capital Improvement Board, “but we’re obligated on behalf of the taxpayer to find out.”
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.
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.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning beat the heat in Miami Monday night using a new cutting-edge air-conditioned
shoulder pad system.
Manning’s endorsement of the product could send sales sky high.
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.
When Brett Favre signed with the Minnesota Vikings Aug. 18, cheers could be heard at MainGate Inc.’s 7900 Rockville
Road headquarters. Predictably, Favre jerseys went flying off the shelves—about 6,000 in the first 72 hours—and
MainGate gets to keep a portion of those sales. The Vikings are one of six teams the Indianapolis-based merchandising
specialist has signed deals with in 2-1/2 years, making MainGate one of the biggest retail players in the goliath of professional
sports leagues.
Three music events with direct visitor spending estimated at $28 million that were hosted at Lucas Oil Stadium offer proof,
city officials said, that the expense of the retractable roof and other features of the $720 million facility are paying off.
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.
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.
A year ago, we opened Lucas Oil Stadium. We’ve been arguing about it ever since.
The Indianapolis Colts recently signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Carmel-based James Allen Insurance Brokers to
become one of the primary sponsors at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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.
I am truly disgusted after reading the latest in the perennial saga of the CIB.
A vibrant Indianapolis powers a dynamic Indiana and the governor, the mayor and the members of the General Assembly should all recognize that.
Congratulations to Lucas Oil Stadium Director Mike Fox, assistant Andy Arnold and the amazing crew at the stadium for transforming the venue into an intimate, 40,000-seat basketball venue for the NCAA’s Midwest Regional.
Of this, that and the other while wondering if NBA Commissioner David Stern had just taken a hit off Michael Phelps’ bong
when he proclaimed this to be "the golden age of basketball" during his all-star weekend news conference in Phoenix.
If the Capital Improvement Board comes, hat in hand, looking for help, we trust the investing companies will carefully weigh the benefits they’ve derived from the city and its thriving downtown before delivering an answer.
A group of mostly local companies that made big investments to help launch Circle Centre mall soon could be asked to write
off a portion of profits they agreed to redirect into the construction of Conseco Fieldhouse.
So much sad, bad, disturbing sports news. Time to look on the brighter side.
