NCAA to allow potential Olympians to receive more benefits
The Indianapolis-based NCAA will now permit elite athletes to be paid for training expenses by the U.S. Olympic Committee and other national governing bodies.
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Colts pick Fanatics for 10-year merchandising deal
The Indianapolis Colts have inked a 10-year deal with Florida-based sports merchandiser Fanatics Inc. to operate the team’s in-stadium, online, mobile and roving retail shops, the team and company announced Thursday.
Evansville coach fired amid misconduct allegations; Lickliter hired
Todd Lickliter, a former National Basketball Coach of the Year at Butler University, is replacing Walter McCarty, who was fired by the University of Evansville amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Indy Championships Fund raises more than $20M for major sport events
The money is expected to go a long way in funding three events on the city’s calendar: the NBA All-Star Weekend and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four in 2021 and the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2022.
CIB approves $62 million in contracts for Fieldhouse overhaul
The board approved eight bids—mostly to local firms—for the first and second phases of the $360 million project.
Hinchcliffe lands sponsorship with Genesys for May races
Popular auto racer James Hinchcliffe, who was abruptly ousted from his IndyCar team in October, has secured a corporate sponsorship that will allow him to drive in two races in May, including the Indy 500.
IHSAA commissioner Cox planning to retire in August
As commissioner, Bobby Cox pushed for more corporate sponsors and better technology while promoting better sportsmanship and stronger health initiatives.
Stolen away: Hoosier great Erskine recalls 1951 sign-stealing scam
Anderson resident and former Major League pitching great Carl Erskine said the current sign-stealing scandal brings back memories of 1951, when his Brooklyn Dodgers lost the National League pennant to the New York Giants, who had designed an elaborate system to steal catchers’ signals and tip off their hitters.
Indianapolis Motor Speedway adds NASCAR road-course race to Brickyard 400 lineup
The NASCAR Xfinity Series—the second tier in professional stock-car racing—will run the race Saturday, July 4, on a road course that uses part of the historic speedway oval.
IndyCar driver Ericsson lands hot chocolate company sponsor
This is the first entry into IndyCar for Huski Chocolate, a company headquartered in Stockholm that already does business in Formula One with McLaren and with the English soccer club Millwall.
WNBA’s 8-year labor deal to hike average salary to $130,000
The WNBA and its union announced a tentative eight-year labor deal Tuesday that will allow top players to earn more than $500,000 while the average annual compensation will surpass six figures for the first time.
Legendary golf course designer Pete Dye dies at 94
Dye—often with his wife, Alice—designed more than 20 courses in Indiana and more than 150 worldwide. Golfer Greg Norman referred to him as the “Picasso of golf architecture” who changed golf course design in the 20th century.
Indy gears up for 2022 college championship game
A contingent of 16 local officials will be in New Orleans this weekend for the College Football Playoff National Championship, as Indianapolis ramps up preparations to host the massive event in two years.
Penske’s purchase of IMS, IndyCar finalized
The sale puts Roger Penske in charge of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the open-wheel series that is built around the Indy 500 and the track’s esteemed production group.
Bourdais, Hinchcliffe casualties of cruel IndyCar offseason
The abrupt sackings of four-time series champion Sebastien Bourdais and popular veteran James Hinchcliffe has made for an offseason of distasteful business decisions that has contributed to a rapidly changing landscape in a series trying to make a comeback.
Ballard to remain patient about Colts quarterback options
The Indianapolis Colts are willing to give Jacoby Brissett another full season to prove himself. But it doesn’t mean they’re out of the quarterback market.
IU seeks rare 9th win in Gator Bowl against Tennessee
The perennial Big Ten doormat, known more for its basketball prowess than its football progress, has a chance to match its most wins in program history on Thursday night.
David Stern, architect of NBA’s rise to global powerhouse, dies at 77
After Stern’s 30-year tenure as commissioner, the NBA had grown to a more than $5 billion a year industry, and its brand of basketball had become perhaps the world’s most popular sport after soccer.
IBJ Podcast: The top Indianapolis-area stories of 2019
Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ Managing Editor Lesley Weidenbener and reporter Anthony Schoettle about Penske Corp.’s acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Eli Lilly and Co.’s biggest acquisition ever, trucking giant Celadon’s demise, Ambrose’s decision to pull back from the GM stamping plant site and more.
Evansville coach McCarty placed on leave for Title IX violations
The school’s action comes six weeks after McCarty guided the unranked Purple Aces’ stunning 67-64 upset of then-No. 1 Kentucky, his alma mater, on its home court.