Latest news with #NCAAMen'sFinalFour
Axios
3 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Indy's Signia hotel, convention center expansion reach new heights
Construction crews are ahead of schedule on downtown's Indiana Convention Center expansion, the state's first Signia by Hilton hotel and another Georgia Street remix. Why it matters: Even before completion, city leaders say, the development has helped the region's surging hospitality and tourism industry secure new events while providing momentum to a post-pandemic initiative aimed at strengthening Indianapolis' urban core. The latest: The elevator shaft had been completed past the 25th floor of the 38-story Signia by Hilton, and CIB executive director Andy Mallon tells Axios the glass panels wrapping what will become Indy's tallest hotel should reach the 18th floor this week. Meanwhile, crews have started work on the second floor of the ICC expansion, crafting the space that will become the new Grand Ballroom. The plan to transform the west block of Georgia Street into a park-like setting and permanently close it to vehicular traffic from Illinois to Capitol is making progress and should be open in time for the NCAA Men's Final Four in April 2026. What they're saying:"It's almost $1.5 billion in investment in new projects just in that three blocks of Georgia Street alone," Mallon said. "It'll add 800 rooms of inventory to downtown, which is absolutely necessary." Mallon added the extra space will allow Indianapolis to host what he calls two "citywides," as in citywide conventions or events that sell out simultaneously downtown. State of play: Mallon said with the support of agreeable weather, crews are firmly en route to an anticipated completion date of late 2026 for the exterior hotel and convention center work. "The last floor of concrete will be poured probably in September, roof on in September or October. … And then dried in, we'll have everything sort of weathertight hopefully around Christmas," he said. Yes, but: The price tag on the roughly $500 million Signia has gone up. "The construction market has never been hotter in the state of Indiana," Mallon said. All the concurrent work in the region, including projects that share contractors and construction materials, means cost increases for those parts and labor. As a result, the CIB has invested an additional $70 million into the project to ensure it stays on track. Reality check: The Hogsett administration took over the funding of the hotel in May 2023 when the original developer, Kite Realty, was unable to secure private financing. Mallon said most of the convention expansion is paid for through tax increment financing funds, while the cost of the hotel itself is funded through hotel revenue bonds. Zoom in: The project also furthers the downtown resiliency strategy launched by Mayor Joe Hogsett's administration in 2022. The idea was to build a sturdier downtown on the other side of the pandemic through a combination of housing, recreational public space, economic development and connected infrastructure investments. Zoom out: Department of Metropolitan Development director Megan Vukusich said this development — along with projects like the Elanco World Animal Health HQ and the Cole Motor Campus — represents the heart of that effort. "It's really exciting to be now in 2025 and seeing the results of those efforts that began a few years ago. The Signia is a really good physical representation of the progress that's being made."
New York Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
In honor of Winnipeg Jets' comeback win, here are some of the most shocking finishes in sports history
The Winnipeg Jets' shocking double-overtime victory over the St. Louis Blues on Sunday night in Game 7 of their first-round NHL playoff series — in which the Jets were down two goals with less than two minutes left in regulation and tied it up when Cole Perfetti scored with 1.6 seconds remaining — served as a reminder for one of the guiding axioms in sports: It ain't over 'til it's over. Advertisement Here are some other memorable, out-of-your-mind endings that encapsulate how something that seemed to be lost was suddenly, and almost inexplicably, won: Duke vs. Houston, 2025 NCAA Men's Final Four Exactly one month ago, Houston overcame a 14-point deficit in the second half to defeat Duke in the Final Four in San Antonio. Although the Cougars went on to lose to Florida in the title game, the Blue Devils' late collapse is the finish most will remember from this year's tournament. Duke not only coughed up a double-digit lead — including a six-point advantage with less than a minute remaining — but struggled to score in the final three minutes as everything fell apart. The Cougars ended the game on a 9-0 run. 'Somehow we ended up winning,' Houston guard L.J. Cryer said afterward. Atlanta Falcons vs. New England Patriots, Super Bowl LI Atlanta seemed like it was cruising to the first Super Bowl title in franchise history. Instead, the Falcons found themselves on the wrong side of the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. Matt Ryan led Atlanta to a 28-3 lead in the third quarter before the Tom Brady-led Patriots scored 25 unanswered, including 19 in the fourth quarter, to force overtime. A short touchdown run by James White gave New England its fifth Super Bowl victory. Dave Wottle, 800 meters, 1972 Olympics In the final of the men's 800-meter race at the 1972 Munich Olympics, David Wottle looked every bit the underdog. Wearing a tan cap and dead last in the field on the first lap, Wottle seemed more like a fan who'd made his way onto the track rather than a medal contender. Then he began to make his move. Wottle passed one competitor after another on the second lap and kicked hard as he came to the final 100 meters. He caught and passed Evgeni Arzhanov of the Soviet Union right at the finish line, finishing off a thrilling run for the gold medal. New York Mets vs. Boston Red Sox, Game 6, 1986 World Series On the brink of their first title in 68 years, the Boston Red Sox instead found disaster. Having already squandered a one-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Red Sox were up 5-3 in the bottom of the 10th with no one on base and two outs. But Gary Carter, Kevin Mitchell and Ray Knight all singled, making the score 5-4 and putting the tying run at third base. A wild pitch by Bob Stanley scored Mitchell, tying the game at 5-5. Then came a moment that immediately etched itself into baseball lore. Mookie Wilson hit a slow-rolling groundball that went through the legs of Red Sox first baseman Bill Buckner. Knight scored from second and Shea Stadium erupted into pandemonium. The Mets went on to win Game 7 for the second World Series title in franchise history. Houston Rockets vs. San Antonio Spurs, Dec. 9, 2004: Tracy McGrady scores 13 points in 35 seconds Even the broadcasters counted the Houston Rockets out. But with the San Antonio Spurs leading by eight points with 35 seconds left in a 2004 regular-season game, the game's outcome seemed inevitable. But someone forgot to tell Tracy McGrady. Smothered by defenders, McGrady hit consecutive 3-pointers, getting fouled on the second for a four-point play. On Houston's next possession, he took an inbound and swished another 3. Then he grabbed a loose ball, dribbled the length of the floor and swished a pull-up, game-winning 3-pointer to help the Rockets edge the Spurs. Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs, 2021 AFC divisional playoff game In the 2021 AFC Divisional round, the Buffalo Bills were feeling good when a 19-yard touchdown pass by Josh Allen gave them a 36-33 lead with just 13 seconds remaining. But for Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, that was enough time. Two quick completions got Kansas City into field goal range and a 48-yard field goal by Harrison Butker sent the game into overtime. The Chiefs got the ball first in overtime, Mahomes drove them right down the field, tossing an eight-yard touchdown pass to Travis Kelce to clinch the victory and shock Allen and the Bills. Advertisement U.S. men win the 4×100-meter freestyle swimming gold at 2008 Olympics In what is considered one of the greatest Olympic swimming relay races of all time, the United States needed a stunning anchor leg by Jason Lezak to win gold at the Beijing Olympics. After Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale had given the U.S. men the lead halfway through the race, France's Frédérick Bousquet overtook Cullen Jones on the third leg and gave the French team an advantage heading into the final leg. Lezak initially lost ground but then swam the fastest split in the event's history (46.06 seconds) and out-touched France's Alain Bernard at the wall to give the U.S. gold in a record time of 3:08.24. Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, 1974 In what is now known as the Rumble in the Jungle, Muhammad Ali utilized the rope-a-dope strategy against George Foreman to wear him down and win the heavyweight title. Coming into the match, Ali had lost two matches to opponents whom Foreman had easily defeated, and many felt he was past his prime, especially against such a fearsome fighter. The early rounds seemed to confirm that. Foreman went on the attack, with Ali leaning against the ropes and absorbing his punches. But as the fight went on, Foreman began to tire. By the eighth round, he was punched out and Ali was still fresh. He came off the ropes and knocked Foreman out, an iconic moment in Ali's singular career.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Seattle Storm legend Sue Bird to be inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
Seattle Storm and WNBA great Sue Bird will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Bird, a retired point guard, will be inducted with the 2025 Hall of Fame Class in her first time on the ballot. 'This recognition goes beyond statistics and accolades—it honors those who have defined eras, inspired generations, and elevated basketball through their talent, leadership, and dedication. Whether as players, coaches, teams, or contributors, each Finalist has left an indelible mark on the sport, and we are proud to celebrate their extraordinary impact,' said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Advertisement She is a four-time WNBA champion and the all-time WNBA assists leader, finishing her career with 3,234 total assists. On top of that, she is the most decorated International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup athlete in history, with four gold medals, and one bronze. She's also an Olympic career record holder for assists. Bird also broke records in college, playing for the UConn Huskies. She was the first pick of the first round in the 2002 WNBA Draft, and was with the Seattle Storm until her retirement in 2022. The new class will be announced in San Antonio on Saturday, April 5, at the NCAA Men's Final Four. North American Committee: 2008 USA Basketball Men's Olympic Team Advertisement Carmelo Anthony Danny Crawford Billy Donovan Dwight Howard Women's Committee: Sue Bird Sylvia Fowles Maya Moore Contributor's Committee: Micky Arison
Axios
03-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
San Antonio bars and restaurants gear up for Final Four tourism
Local businesses are anticipating a win this weekend no matter which team takes home the NCAA Men's Final Four trophy. Why it matters: An estimated $257 million in direct spending from more than 100,000 visitors is expected to provide a major boost to businesses across the city. "After the challenges of the past few years — road construction and seasonal slowdowns — this event brings a much-needed boost for local businesses," Lisa Wong, owner of Rosario's, tells Axios. Flashback: When San Antonio last hosted the Final Four in 2018, 68,257 people attended the national semifinals, 67,831 showed up for the championship game and 145,000 fans flocked to the March Madness Music Fest. The big picture: Downtown San Antonio has seen major growth since 2018. Hemisfair, the site of the music festival, has undergone extensive upgrades. A new hotel, Kimpton Santo, and the renovated Plaza Hotel are now open. The area — along with adjacent districts like Southtown and St. Paul Square — boasts a lineup of trendy restaurants and bars that didn't exist seven years ago. Zoom in: Hotel searches for downtown are up 119% year-over-year from March 2024 to March 2025, according to What they're saying: Aaron Peña owns Amor Eterno and Gimme Gimme, which opened in Southtown in 2021 and 2023, respectively. He hopes visitors venture just a few blocks from downtown, spend their dollars locally and leave with a fresh perspective on the city. "I view Southtown as the only true walkable neighborhood in the city that has dozens of locally owned establishments," he says. Wong anticipates a surge in foot traffic and has extended her restaurant's hours — even opening on Monday, when it's usually closed. The vibe: Jody Bailey Newman, owner of The Friendly Spot, is gearing up for her second Final Four as a business owner — and it's not just tourists she's excited to see. "We love events that fill the neighborhood and downtown with visitors and locals alike. Our 15-year experience at The Friendly Spot is that NCAA events are just that," she tells Axios. The bottom line:"San Antonio is a hospitality city," Peña says. "So along with hoping our economy and businesses are bolstered by the tournament, I hope guests who've never visited fall in love with our culture, hospitality and city."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Cumulus Media's Westwood One to Broadcast the 2025 NCAA® Division I Men's Final Four® and National Championship Game in Spanish for the Eighth Straight Tournament
NEW YORK, April 02, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cumulus Media's (NSDQ: CMLS) Westwood One will provide exclusive audio coverage of the NCAA Men's Final Four and national championship game in Spanish for the eighth consecutive tournament, presented by Werner Ladder, the official ladder of the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships. Westwood One's Spanish-language broadcasts will kick off at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 5 with the 2025 Men's Final Four live from San Antonio, Texas, when the Auburn Tigers takes on the Florida Gators. The second national semifinal, between the Duke Blue Devils and the Houston Cougars, will begin 40 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Spanish-language coverage will continue with the national championship game on Monday, April 7 at 8:30 p.m. ET. Rafael Hernández Brito will once again serve as the play-by-play announcer, his eighth time with the network, while former All-American point guard Greivis Vásquez will return as analyst for the seventh time. For the fifth time, former Puerto Rican National Basketball Team coach Carlos Morales will host the broadcasts. 'Werner is thrilled to return as the presenting sponsor of the 2025 NCAA Men's Final Four broadcast in Spanish,' stated Stacy Gardella, head of global marketing technology & operations for ProDriven Global Brands. 'This Spanish language broadcast allows Werner to connect with Hispanic basketball enthusiasts while reinforcing Werner's role as the official ladder for the NCAA Men's and Women's Basketball Championships.' About Westwood One's Spanish Broadcast Crew Rafael Hernández Brito, known as Rafa 'El Alcalde,' is a veteran broadcaster who has been the Spanish play-by-play voice for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the last nine seasons. Prior to joining the Cavs, he was the Spanish voice of the Brooklyn Nets for two seasons and called St. John's University basketball. His national broadcast experience includes eight years as the voice of the NFL en Español for Univision, and he has called 11 Super Bowls. He has also done Spanish play-by-play for the Miami Dolphins as well as for Major League Baseball, boxing, and UFC. With the 2015 NBA Finals, he became the first broadcaster in the United States to call the Finals of all three major sports in Spanish. This will be his eighth time calling the NCAA Final Four and national championship game in Spanish for the network. Greivis Vásquez is one of the most successful Hispanic basketball players ever to wear a uniform. Greivis, a native of Venezuela, was a former All-American point guard at University of Maryland, where he led the Terrapins to three NCAA Tournament appearances. As a senior, he was named ACC Player of the year, and the winner of the Bob Cousy award, given annually to the best collegiate point guard in the nation. He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round of the NBA Draft in 2010 and played for six teams in his seven years in the league. Greivis has also played for the Venezuelan National Team and led the squad to the 2014 FIBA South American Championship. In 2012, he was honored as a 'Champion of Change' at the White House for his efforts as a sports diplomat in the United States and his native Venezuela. This will be Vasquez' seventh time calling the Final Four and national championship game in Spanish for the network. Carlos Morales joins Westwood One for the fifth time on the Final Four broadcasts, and fourth as pregame and halftime host. Morales served as the game analyst in 2021. Morales was on the coaching staff of the Puerto Rican national basketball team for a decade, during which time they participated in two Olympic Games, three world championships, and three Goodwill Games. During his time there, the national team captured five gold medals and seven silver medals in international competitions. He also coached professional basketball in both Venezuela and the Dominican Republic before joining ESPN as a television analyst in 2000. He called the Final Four and national championship game in Spanish for ESPN International from 2005-2018. Where to Listen Westwood One's Final Four coverage can be heard on terrestrial radio stations and via SiriusXM. All three games will also be streamed online for free on and the Westwood One Sports mobile app. Additionally, the broadcasts will be available for free via the NCAA March Madness mobile app or The Varsity Network app. Fans can also access live audio via Alexa-enabled devices by asking to 'Abre Westwood One Sports'. TuneIn premium subscribers can also hear all the action live. In addition to broadcasting the NCAA Men's Final Four and national championship game in Spanish for eight years, Westwood One has broadcast the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament since 1982 and every game of March Madness® on multiple platforms since 2005. The network has broadcast the Women's Final Four and national championship game for more than 26 years. NCAA, Final Four, and March Madness are trademarks of the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Westwood One is the exclusive broadcast radio, digital audio, distribution, and licensing partner for the NCAA Championships. About Westwood One Sports Westwood One Sports is home to some of the most exciting sports broadcasts on radio. In addition to being the exclusive network radio partner to the NFL since 1987—featuring regular and post-season NFL football, including the playoffs and the Super Bowl -- its other extensive properties include NCAA Basketball, including the NCAA Men's and Women's Tournaments and the Final Four®; U.S. Soccer; The Masters; NCAA Football; and other marquee sports events. Westwood One also distributes and represents Infinity Sports Network. On social media, join the Westwood One Sports community on Facebook at on Instagram at and X (formerly Twitter) at For more information, visit or download the Westwood One Sports app in the iTunes or Google Play stores. About Cumulus Media Cumulus Media (NASDAQ: CMLS) is an audio-first media company delivering premium content to over a quarter billion people every month — wherever and whenever they want it. Cumulus Media engages listeners with high-quality local programming through 400 owned-and-operated radio stations across 84 markets; delivers nationally-syndicated sports, news, talk, and entertainment programming from iconic brands including the NFL, the NCAA, the Masters, CNN, AP News, the Academy of Country Music Awards, and many other world-class partners across more than 9,500 affiliated stations through Westwood One, the largest audio network in America; and inspires listeners through the Cumulus Podcast Network, its rapidly growing network of original podcasts that are smart, entertaining and thought-provoking. Cumulus Media provides advertisers with personal connections, local impact and national reach through broadcast and on-demand digital, mobile, social, and voice-activated platforms, as well as integrated digital marketing services, powerful influencers, full-service audio solutions, industry-leading research and insights, and live event experiences. Cumulus Media is the only audio media company to provide marketers with local and national advertising performance guarantees. For more information visit About the NCAA The NCAA is a diverse association of more than 1,100 member colleges and universities that prioritize academics, well-being and fairness to create greater opportunities for nearly half a million student-athletes each year. The NCAA provides a pathway to higher education and beyond for student-athletes pursuing academic goals and competing in NCAA sports. More than 54,000 student-athletes experience the pinnacle of intercollegiate athletics by competing in NCAA championships each year. Visit and for more details about the Association and the corporate partnerships that support the NCAA and its student-athletes. The NCAA is proud to have AT&T, Capital One and Coca-Cola as official corporate champions and the following elite companies as official corporate partners: Buffalo Wild Wings, Buick, GEICO, Great Clips, Intuit Turbotax, Invesco QQQ, Marriott Bonvoy, Nabisco, Nissan, Pizza Hut, Reese's, Samsung Galaxy, The Home Depot, Unilever and Wendy's. Contact: Lisa Dollinger Strategic Communication for Cumulus Media | Westwood One | lisa@ Sign in to access your portfolio
