Minneapolis is one of eight finalists to host a Men’s Final Four basketball tournament in 2017-2020, the NCAA Basketball Committee announced Monday.
The news comes on the same day the Vikings and Governor Mark Dayton launched a campaign to bring the 2018 Super Bowl to Minnesota. A Final Four in Minneapolis would likely be hosted by the Vikings at their new stadium, which is scheduled to open in 2016.
Atlanta, Indianapolis, New Orleans, North Texas, Phoenix/Glendale, San Antonio and St. Louis are also finalists. Minneapolis previously hosted Men’s Final Fours in 1992 and 2001. The Duke Blue Devils won the National Championship both years.
“The Men’s Final Four has grown into one of the biggest and best sporting events in the world, so it’s easy to understand why these cities would put their best foot forward in attempt to secure a bid,” NCAA Vice President of Men’s Basketball Dave Gavitt said in a press release. “We fully expect the remainder of the bid process to be competitive, and while it’s obvious that there are difficult decisions ahead, we also know that based on what we have seen so far from these prospective hosts, we are going to have great Final Fours in the coming years.”
Final bids are due from each city in May. A selection committee will visit each contending site this fall, with winning cities being announced in November, according to CBS Sports.
The 2014-2016 Men’s Final Fours will be hosted in North Texas, Indianapolis and Houston.
