BENNER: There’s plenty to ponder in sports world as autumn arrives
Questions for the Colts, the Fever, and more.
Sports Business
Articles
Resurgent Pacers see lift in ticket sales
The Indiana Pacers continued scoring long after last season ended in the second round of the NBA playoffs. The Pacers sales staff hit high-water marks during the off-season that the franchise hasn’t seen in five years. And with almost four weeks until the regular-season home opener Nov. 3, the Pacers are shooting for more.
IndyCar execs say distractions mask progress
IndyCar Series officials insist the open-wheel circuit is on the right track despite a drop in its television ratings, tepid attendance and persistent rumors that it will be sold and its CEO will be fired.
Two locally hosted sporting events score national recognition
The inaugural Big Ten Football Championship and Super Bowl XLVI, both held at Lucas Oil Stadium, were recognized as ‘Event of the Year’ in their respective categories at the SportsTravel Awards held Oct. 4 in Detroit.
IndyCar denies getting offer from George to buy series
The Sports Business Journal is reporting that former Indianapolis Motor Speedway CEO Tony George has assembled an investor group that includes race team owners Chip Ganassi, Roger Penske, Michael Andretti and Kevin Kalkhoven to buy the IndyCar Series.
Colts coach Pagano to miss much of season with leukemia
Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Chuck Pagano has been diagnosed with a treatable form of leukemia and will miss some of the team’s upcoming games, the team announced Monday morning.
Founder of Hoosier Racing Tire dies at 85
Robert Newton, 85, the founder of northern Indiana-based Hoosier Racing Tire, which made tires for NASCAR and other racing series, has died.
Kennedys sell interests in running store chain
Bob and Melina Kennedy have sold their assets in BlueMile, a chain of running and fitness stores they founded 12 years ago as The Running Co. Co-founders Ashley and Andrea Johnson are now sole owners.
IndyCar exploring tire options beyond Firestone
IndyCar said Tuesday it is exploring partnerships with tire manufacturers besides Bridgestone Firestone, which has been the sole supplier for the series and under contract through the 2014 season.
If fans tune out, NFL will settle with referees quickly
After the game-ending controversy on Monday Night Football, many in the media think the NFL must act now to settle its labor dispute with its game referees. But it doesn't matter what the media thinks. It only matters what the fans think, and do.
IndyCar may return open-wheel racing to Pocono
The 2013 IndyCar Series schedule could include a date at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., a traditional NASCAR stronghold that hasn’t hosted an open-wheel race in 23 years.
Indians attendance increases for fourth straight year
A strong regular season and a playoff run pushed attendance at Indianapolis Indians home games to its best mark in four years and fourth best at Victory Field since 2000.
Stakes high as Colts try to renew club seats
At the conclusion of this season, five-year contracts for many of Lucas Oil Stadium’s 7,100 club seats expire. Other club seats on shorter contracts also expire, pushing the total up for renewal to about two-thirds of club seat capacity.
BENNER: Notre Dame appears to score with ACC arrangement
If there are any negatives for Notre Dame in all this, danged if I can find them.
TV ratings show locals loving Colts, still fixated on Peyton
Despite several unfavorable factors, the Indianapolis Colts TV ratings went up from week one to week two. Meanwhile, Indianapolis scores the highest rating of any U.S. market for Denver's Monday night game.
Lucas Oil Stadium meeting revenue expectations
Roughly four years after it opened its doors in late 2008, Lucas Oil Stadium appears to have crossed the threshold of dollars that its creators anticipated from hosting events beyond the scope of the Indianapolis Colts.
Big-time college sports leadership still a man’s world
Forty years after the U.S. government’s Title IX law required equal athletic opportunities for men and women, just four women are in charge at the 120 sports departments in NCAA football’s top tier.
MainGate, Lids score Super Bowl merchandise deals
A pair of Indianapolis-based companies recently scored the largest single-event deal in the world of U.S. sports licensing, unseating 24-year incumbent Facilities Merchandising Inc. to win lucrative deals at the 2013 Super Bowl in New Orleans.
Marian University restoring velodrome to former glory
Marian University has sunk $350,000 so far into restoring the Major Taylor Velodrome near its campus, and has plans for much more.
Indiana Sports Talk still growing after 18-plus years
Statewide syndicated radio show thrives despite doubters, host’s heart attack.