Indy Eleven expecting record attendance for home opener
The team should easily beat its previous high of 11,000, when it plays its home opener on Saturday in spacious Lucas Oil Stadium.
Sports Business
Articles
Colts QB Luck throwing footballs again as part of rehab
Andrew Luck’s progress is good news for the Colts, who stand to see a rise in season ticket sales if fans feel more secure about the star quarterback’s health.
Naming-rights deal could boost Pacers’ income
Pacers Sports & Entertainment should have little problem securing a new naming-rights sponsor for the fieldhouse that will pay at least double the current rate of $2 million a year, experts say.
UPDATE: IndyCar inks three-year media rights deal with NBC Sports
The deal with NBC Sports Group will dramatically increase IndyCar’s exposure next season and move the Indianapolis 500 to a different network for the first time since 1965. It won’t end the live local blackout of the Indy 500.
Networks score big with men’s basketball tournament broadcasts
In prime time, first-round action for the tournament averaged 4.98 million total viewers on CBS, according to Nielsen, up 11 percent from last year’s 4.47 million on the comparable nights.
Bye-bye box seats? Tax law may curb corporate cash at games
U.S. companies spend hundreds of millions annually on entertaining customers and clients at sporting events, tournaments and arts venues, an expense they can no longer partially deduct from their tax bill under new law.
UPDATE: Is ABC broadcasting its last IndyCar season?
A staffer at an ABC affiliate in Georgia tweeted that 2018 would be the network’s last year to broadcast IndyCar races, including the Indy 500. That would put NBC in the driver’s seat, according to earlier remarks by IndyCar boss Mark Miles.
Former IU coach Crean takes Georgia job after Matta turns down offer
Tom Crean, who was fired by Indiana University a year ago, agreed to a reported six-year deal with the University of Georgia worth $19.2 million.
Local sports software firm scores acquisition
Upper Hand Inc. had year-over-year revenue growth of 200 percent in 2017, and thanks in part to an acquisition announced this week, the company’s founder is projecting faster growth this year.
Indy Eleven inks deal with MainGate for merchandise, online shop
The Indianapolis-based manufacturer and seller of licensed products will develop a full line of apparel and novelties, in addition to a new e-commerce site, for the soccer team.
Colts exhibit sticks largely to positive playbook
“Indianapolis Colts: The Exhibit,” which opened on March 10 and runs through January 2020, is a celebratory view of the team’s impact on Indianapolis and Indiana and its on-field successes.
Colts season-ticket renewals dip precipitously; more premium seating offered for Indy 500
A 4-12 record last season and uncertainty over whether Andrew Luck will play this season is likely contributing to a significant decrease in season-ticket renewals at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Graduation rates stagnant for men’s NCAA tournament teams
A study of teams in the NCAA men's basketball tournament shows that graduation rates for players have become stagnant and that the sport's governing body may need to raise academic standards to get them moving upward again.
Fieldhouse to lose Bankers Life moniker after insurer declines to renew naming deal
The 18,165-seat sports and entertainment venue known as Bankers Life Fieldhouse isn’t going anywhere, but the moniker will disappear next year.
Recruiting scandal hangs over March Madness
The tournament has become so big that sports experts doubt a federal investigation alleging dozens of prominent players, coaches and schools broke NCAA rules will hurt sponsor support.
Manning shed Papa John’s franchises prior to chain’s NFL split
Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning sold 31 Denver-area Papa John's stores last week, three days before the NFL replaced the chain as its official pizza sponsor.
NCAA passes $1 billion in revenue for first time
The Indianapolis-based NCAA raised most of the revenue from its television deal for the men's basketball tournament.
Adviser admits defrauding former Colt of $4.7M
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Kenneth Ray Cleveland of suburban Los Angeles is required to make restitution to former Colt Cory Redding.
Greenwood firm ensnared in case involving Manning, Al Jazeera
A private-investigations firm hired by Peyton Manning’s lawyers is facing a broadcaster’s petition to turn over information it uncovered about a documentary.
Pacers name new PR chief to replace retiring Bill Benner
A Fishers native and Butler University graduate has been hired to succeed senior vice president Bill Benner, a longtime fixture in the local sports community.