KANSAS CITY, Mo. — There’s talk around town that Kansas City could become a future host of the NCAA Final Four.
This rumor first started because the NCAA announced that regionals no longer have to be held in cities with domed stadiums. Now there’s hope this will also apply to the Final Four.
If so, the Sprint Center is in the perfect position to be considered as a host.
A concern held by many is the Sprint Center is too small. It only has about 19,000 seats compared to past Final Four venues like the Georgia Dome, which can hold more than 70,000 people. However, Kathy Nelson, President of the Kansas City Sports Commission says the intimate setting may be the assist we need.
“Some of the new leaders of the NCAA are looking at what it looks like for the student athlete, their fans and their families,” said Nelson. “The other thing the NCAA looks at is sell outs. They want every seat filled.”
The Sprint Center sold out during second round games of the NCAA this year.
“It’s designed for basketball, that’s one of its aspects,” said Kansas City Convention and Visitors Association President Rick Hughes. “Number two, it’s notoriety in the world is huge. Thirdly, all the periphery and all the things that supports pre-game and post-game that we’ve developed over last 10 years is a gain for something like the Sprint Center.”
Kansas City can certainly handle a Final Four crowd with more than 32,000 hotels rooms in the immediate area and countless restaurants and bars.
“When you look at all the Power and Light District, all that has been developed and hotel capacity…I hate to say it’s a slam dunk, but it is,” said Hughes.
Now, city leaders just need to find out what exactly the NCAA is looking for.
There are 500 possible cities that could bid on this,” said Nelson. “I think if we would truly qualify from what those specifications look like, I think our chances are fairly good.”
Final Four bid specifications won’t be released until later this year, but even if Kansas City meets the requirements and puts in a bid, it still won’t know until next spring or summer whether the Sprint Center was chosen.