Slots revenue revives hopes of state’s horse breeding industry
Purses at Hoosier Park in Anderson and Indiana Downs in Shelbyville have swollen since the two tracks added slot machines
in June 2008.
Sports Business
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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.
Super Bowl Committee adds vice president of event operations
The 2012 host committee recently hired South Bend native and Indiana University graduate Michelle Raines,
who previously served in senior management roles for four Republican national conventions.
BENNER: Can we keep the franchise the Simons saved?
The passing of Mel Simon adds more uncertainty to the Indiana Pacers’ future in Indianapolis.
Herb Simon takes over sole ownership of Pacers
In the wake of Mel Simon’s death, Indiana Pacers’ future is in the firm grip of younger brother Herb, who now has sole ownership
of the team.
Brand did more at IU than just fire Bob Knight
Myles Brand was best known as the man who fired Bob Knight and as president of the NCAA, but he left a legacy at Indiana University
much broader than the world of athletics.
NCAA President Myles Brand dies of cancer at 67
NCAA President Myles Brand has died at age 67 after a struggle with pancreatic cancer. Brand took the post in January 2003
after serving as president of Indiana University.
Anticipated development near stadium isn’t materializing
Not long ago, developers seemed to vie for every square inch of open ground in the vicinity of the just-completed Lucas Oil
Stadium. These days, the entire neighborhood has been pushed, if not into a financial deep freeze, then at the very least
to the back of the crisper drawer.
UPDATE: Simon remembered for vision, courage
A Friday funeral is planned for a man who made a fortune building shopping malls across the U.S. and later became a prolific
philanthropist in his adopted hometown of Indianapolis. Melvin Simon, 82, succumbed this morning after a battle with pancreatic
cancer.
‘Community icon’ Melvin Simon dies
Melvin Simon, a tailor’s son who earned billions building shopping malls across the U.S. and later became a prolific
philanthropist in his adopted hometown of Indianapolis, has died. He was 82.
U.S. Army extends sponsorship with Horizon League
The league that includes Butler University recently extended its sponsorship deal with the U.S. Army through the
2009-2010 academic year.
BENNER: Respect shouldn’t be a college-football novelty
Just as it’s probably unwise to make too much nice out of a pre-game handshake, it’s also over the top to paint with too broad a brush the unfortunate incident that occurred at Boise State.
Sidewalk inspections help downtown get spiffed up for big events
They used to say that downtown Indianapolis rolled up the sidewalks at 6 p.m. No one says
that anymore. Now they say those sidewalks need to be clean. Sidewalk cleanliness is important on a day-to-day
basis for aesthetic reasons, but even more so when Indianapolis wants to put on its best face for major events
like the Final Four, the Indianapolis 500 and the Super Bowl.
BENNER: Football season arrives – and so do these questions
“Is Indiana now a football state?” and other questions.
MainGate Inc. racks up revenue with NFL deals
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.
MZD to market volleyball sponsorships
Locally based MZD Advertising has signed a contract to market sponsorships and a trade show for the Mizuno Volleyball Mid
East Qualifier, to be held in 2010 in Indianapolis and St. Louis.
Indianapolis Monumental Marathon hires executive director
Julie Patterson, a former radio personality who’s been working for WISH-TV, will lead the marathon, which will be a qualifying
event for the Boston Marathon in 2010 and 2011.
BENNER: Honoring Knight is the right thing for IU to do
Even as one of Knight’s most ardent critics during the latter half of his tenure at Indiana, I concur with the majority
of opinions expressed on the subject.
ICVA: Stadium’s retractable roof worth the cost
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.