Latest news with #CollegeFootballPlayoffs
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Building the future: Nashville's new Nissan Stadium construction, Super Bowl bids
A lot has changed since Nashville's new Nissan Stadium broke ground in February 2024. For one, the construction site has transformed from a pile of excavated dirt into a massive structure of concrete and steel. Operating partners have been added to the project, covering everything from heating and cooling to the Titans' official soft drink partner. One thing that hasn't changed, however, is the projected completion date for the stadium. More than a year into the construction process, the new home of the Tennessee Titans is still slated to be complete by February 2027. At this stage, around 1,000 construction workers work at the stadium every day, and a handful of cranes loom over the bustling construction site. These are the new Nissan Stadium milestones since construction began last year. A ceremonial groundbreaking at the end of February 2024 marked the start of construction at the new Nissan Stadium just steps away from the existing facility on Nashville's East Bank. "This will be an iconic part of the new skyline. Taylor Swift fans, you can leave your umbrellas at home starting in 2027," Mayor Freddie O'Connell said at the groundbreaking celebration, referencing Swift's concert in the rain in 2023. The new stadium will have a roof, unlike the current open-air arena. "In a generation, you won't recognize this area. You won't believe what it once was." When the Titans began their 2024 season in September, it was next door to an active construction site. Concrete pouring had begun, and the overall structure of the stadium was visible. Fans at the time had fewer parking spaces to choose from because of construction, and that will continue to be the case during future seasons. The team is expected to play the 2025 and 2026 seasons in the current Nissan Stadium before the new one is finished in 2027. The construction project hit the one-year mark in late February 2025. By that time, the foundation for the facility was completely poured and crews were busy at work pouring structural concrete columns, key to the framework of the stadium. In late February, Titans Senior Vice President Dan Werly affirmed the team's interest in hosting a Super Bowl, which he said could come as early as 2029. College Football Playoffs, NCAA Final Four games, WrestleMania and other large events are also on the wish list. "It's my opinion that all those events are going to be coming to Nashville within the next 10 years, kind of staggered over that time period," Werly said. "That's really exciting. That drives a ton of impact to the community, but it's also just, I think, something that's going to be really fun for us all to be able to take advantage of." By March, the first tour groups including media organizations and investment partners were welcomed into the active construction site to survey progress and take photos to share with the public. The project was about 25% completed at that time, on schedule and on budget. The structure's concrete reached its maximum height in early 2025, and a steel top-out comes next, likely around November. The roof could be complete by late 2026. Also in March, more city leaders publicly joined the conversation about bringing a Super Bowl to Nashville. The city submitted a letter of interest to the National Football League to host a Super Bowl in future years, according to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. Governor Bill Lee also confirmed he sent his own letter of interest to NFL Commissioner Roger Gooddell to bring a Super Bowl to Nashville, throwing support behind the city's bid. Other events Nashville is vying for include a college football National Championship Game, NFL Combine, NFL Pro Bowl, NFL Draft, NCAA Men's Final Four game and the Rugby World Cup. As construction progress continues, more operations partners have been announced, including Schneider Electric. The tech company will install infrastructure to manage the heating and cooling of the domed stadium, which will need more sophisticated energy management systems than the old, open-air stadium. The partnership between Schneider and the Titans will pave the way for the new Nissan Stadium to be temperature controlled with the latest energy-management technologies. By April, a new aspect of Nissan Stadium was visible at the construction site: a massive outdoor terrace at the stadium's 300 seating level. It will be open to all ticket-holders and branded after Coca-Cola, which was also announced as the facility's official beverage partner. It's a three-way partnership between the Titans, Coca-Cola and Coca-Cola Consolidated (a bottling company). The soda brand first became a partner for the team when it was established as the Houston Oilers and has maintained a presence in the existing Nissan Stadium, built in 1999. Nashville's Pinnacle Financial Partners also renewed its partnership with the team and announced the Pinnacle Club, an exclusive space with amenities and in-bowl lounge seating. The bank has been a sponsor of the team since 2009 and will continue that collaboration for at least another decade. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville's new Nissan Stadium: Milestones so far amid construction Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
USA Today
3 days ago
- Business
- USA Today
New York Giants hire Darien Harris as director of player engagement
New York Giants hire Darien Harris as director of player engagement The New York Giants made another addition to their front office this week, hiring Darien Harris as the director of player engagement. Harris is a former linebacker for the Michigan State Spartans, who was part of the 2015 team that made the College Football Playoffs. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism in 2015 and achieved his master's degree in marketing research in 2019. He joined the MSU football staff in 2020 as director of player engagement and has advanced his career each year with an updated title. Most recently, Harris served as the assistant athletic director/business development and NIL strategy. With his experience as a player and on the business side of things, Harris brings a wealth of knowledge to the Giants' players and will be a valuable resource for the team.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Notre Dame is a top 15 program since the year 2000
Notre Dame has been ranked as the 13th-best college football program since the year 2000 by one college-football writer. The Athletic's Ian Mandel has the Fighting Irish ahead of big-name programs like Miami (Florida) and Penn State, but behind luminaries like Alabama and Oklahoma. Ohio State is listed at number one. Advertisement Rival schools USC and Michigan are ahead of the Fighting Irish -- USC at No. 8 and Michigan at No. 13. Notre Dame started the 2000s as a fairly middle-of-the-road team, but since Charlie Weis was replaced by Brian Kelly, the Irish have been to two national-championship games, four College Football Playoffs, and had at least 10 wins nine times. Kelly, of course, was replaced by Marcus Freeman when he departed South Bend for LSU. That's a pretty good way to respond after the Weis era failed to bring much success, and hopefully, Notre Dame continues to get better going forward. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Advertisement Follow Tim on X: @tehealey This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame is a top 15 program over the past 25 years
USA Today
23-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Notre Dame is a top 15 program since the year 2000
Notre Dame is a top 15 program since the year 2000 Fighting Irish are behind rivals Michigan and USC. Notre Dame has been ranked as the 13th-best college football program since the year 2000 by one college-football writer. The Athletic's Ian Mandel has the Fighting Irish ahead of big-name programs like Miami (Florida) and Penn State, but behind luminaries like Alabama and Oklahoma. Ohio State is listed at number one. Rival schools USC and Michigan are ahead of the Fighting Irish -- USC at No. 8 and Michigan at No. 13. Notre Dame started the 2000s as a fairly middle-of-the-road team, but since Charlie Weis was replaced by Brian Kelly, the Irish have been to two national-championship games, four College Football Playoffs, and had at least 10 wins nine times. Kelly, of course, was replaced by Marcus Freeman when he departed South Bend for LSU. That's a pretty good way to respond after the Weis era failed to bring much success, and hopefully, Notre Dame continues to get better going forward. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Tim on X: @tehealey
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL QB sends strong message after losing NIL millions
When Quinn Ewers heard his name called with the 231st pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, critics didn't hesitate to pile on. He had reportedly turned down an $8 million NIL offer to transfer out of Texas. Instead, he opted for the NFL, where seventh-round picks aren't exactly showered with signing bonuses. But Ewers didn't flinch. And now, he's finding ways to flip the script. Advertisement The Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback just inked a $3 million exclusive trading card deal with Panini America, a move that immediately softens the blow of his rookie contract—worth $4.3 million over four years, with only $84,000 in base salary his first season. It's a reminder that the power of a name doesn't vanish after a player leaves college. 'Skipping my senior year to enroll at Ohio State early… then decide to go back to my home state of Texas, and really, turn around a program that hadn't really won anything in years, consistently—that's unconventional,' Ewers told On3. Unconventional is putting it lightly. After throwing for 9,218 yards and 68 touchdowns at Texas, Ewers left with a $4.5 million NIL valuation, and speculation swirled that Miami and Duke were among teams willing to offer him up to $4 million to transfer. Had he stayed, sources say his NIL payout could have reached $8 million in 2025. Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) leaves the field after defeating the Clemson Tigers in the first round of the College Football Playoffs at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial E. Martinez/USA T But Ewers' focus wasn't on safe bets. It was legacy—and longevity. Advertisement Now, with a major endorsement in hand and more likely on the way, Ewers is showing young athletes that the leap to the NFL doesn't have to mean leaving money on the table. It just takes vision, strategy, and a brand worth betting on. Quinn Ewers is still making his name pay—even if it's not the way most expected. And as more college stars weigh the balance between NIL riches and NFL dreams, Ewers may become the blueprint for bouncing back. Related: Big Ten coach calls NIL spending 'insanity' — but sees opportunity Related: Jeremiah Smith's $4M NIL valuation continues to rise with new deal
