WNBA’s Fever to stay in Indiana, owner says
The Indiana Fever will remain in Indianapolis for the 2010 season, despite speculation that ownership would not keep the
team.
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Articles
Lucas Oil out to build on Jiffy Lube deal
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.
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.
IUPUI faces tough decisions over aging sports facilities
IUPUI is grappling with how to pay for upkeep and improvements necessary to keep its three world-class athletic facilities—and
the city—in the hunt for high-profile sporting events.
CIB OKs budget, but awaits council vote
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.
Colts take lead in fighting drunk driving
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.
BENNER: Lin Dunn working her coaching magic on the Indiana Fever
When it comes to basketball coaching greats with Indiana ties, the question is not where to start the list—John Wooden,
Bob Knight, Tony Hinkle and Bobby Leonard would qualify as an initial Mount Rushmore—but where to end it. Among
women, the list is significantly shorter, but there’s one name that would be right at the top.
BENNER: Time will prove the wisdom of building stadium
A year ago, we opened Lucas Oil Stadium. We’ve been arguing about it ever since.
IUPUI rethinks track and field stadium
In its 20-year master strategy unveiled in December, IUPUI planned to tear down its track-and-field stadium along New York Street to make room for a mixed-use housing and retail development. Now IUPUI Chancellor Charles Bantz says those plans have been reconsidered.
Colts extend home sell-out streak
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.
CIB drama goes from bad to worse
I am truly disgusted after reading the latest in the perennial saga of the CIB.
Naming-rights deal puts Lucas Oil in competitive position
Emboldened by the deal he signed to put his company’s name on the Indianapolis Colts’ new home, Forrest Lucas has launched
an arsenal of creative-some would say unorthodox-initiatives to fortify his growing company. Many of them are designed to
help Lucas Oil Products Inc. go head to head with the oil industry’s biggest players.
Lucas says please don’t call stadium ‘The Luke’
Officials for Lucas Oil Products Inc. are imploring fans and media not to refer to the team’s new stadium as The Luke,
a nickname that has cropped up on sports talk radio shows and been repeated in print and on TV. The nickname
seems to be gaining momentum, and that doesn’t sit well with Lucas brass already playing defense against
New Jersey-based Lukoil Co. California based-Lucas Oil signed a 20-year, $121.5 million naming-rights deal
for the Colts’ new stadium.
$720 million stadium will open with big operating deficit
Cleaning crews are wiping construction dust from the 63,000 seats in Lucas Oil Stadium, prepping for the public’s first peek at the $720 million venue Aug. 16. But the hard work is only beginning for the city’s Capital Improvement Board, the entity charged with operating the stadium. The fumbling point: CIB is anticipating a $20 million operating deficit for Lucas Oil Stadium in 2009.
Fishers’ hoops venue signs 2 franchise deals, plans more
A multi-court basketball fieldhouse is doing such brisk business in Fishers, its owners have decided to franchise the operation.
Scott Burton, CEO of The Fieldhouse, said deals have already been signed with franchisees in Merrillville and in Naperville,
Ill.
City fights property owners over value of land by stadium
A legal fight is brewing over a 2.3-acre parking lot sandwiched between the RCA Dome and Lucas Oil Stadium. The state is seeking
to acquire the property through eminent domain and is fighting an appraisal that puts its value at $7 million. The owners,
meanwhile, contend the land is worth about twice as much.
Fieldhouse must fend off Louisville arena rival
Although the opening of a 22,000-seat arena in Louisville is still three years away, officials here are already bracing for
a raid on Indianapolis and Conseco Fieldhouse events. Several Indianapolis interests will be watching Aug. 20 as the Louisville
Arena Authority unveils designs for the arena along the Ohio River.