For Immediate Release
January 27, 2014

AS SUPER BOWL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CHAIRS ANNOUNCED,

MINNESOTA NAMED FINALIST FOR NCAA TOURNAMENT

January 27, 2014 (Minneapolis, MN) As Governor Dayton announced the chairs of the Super Bowl Local Organizing Committee this morning, the NCAA was preparing to announce that Minnesota has been chosen as one of eight finalists for the Mens NCAA Final Four tournament. The new Multi-Purpose stadium is being considered for the tournament for years 2017 2020. Partners involved in the NCAA bid are the University of Minnesota and Meet Minneapolis.

We are very excited that even before the new stadium has been built that is has attracted such strong interest in premiere sporting events, said Michele Kelm-Helgen, chair of the MSFA. The public investment in the new stadium has spurred a $400 million private investment by Wells Fargo and Ryan Companies, and if we are fortunate enough to host both of these events, it means additional hundreds of millions of dollars for local businesses, the city and state.

The Indiana Sports Corporation commissioned a study after the 2012 Indianapolis Super Bowl that showed an economic benefit to the region of $324 million. The report estimates that over 116,000 non-residents came to town to go to the game and other events.

The 2013 Mens NCAA Final Four was held in Atlanta, Georgia and the Atlanta Visitor and Convention Bureau estimates that the events generated more than $70 million for the city. The Super Bowl decision will be made in May, and the NCAA Final Four decision will be made in November.

The other seven finalists are: Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, North Texas, Phoenix/Glendale, San Antonio, and St. Louis.