Minnesota In The Running To Host NCAA Final Four

It wasn’t that long ago that Minnesota was named the host of Super Bowl 52, but now they are in the running to host an NCAA Final Four as well.  Today, Minnesota governor Mark Dayton officially announced the bid to host the event in the yet to be constructed stadium which will be home to the Minnesota Vikings.

Apr 7, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; NCAA president Mark Emmert presents the championship trophy to Connecticut Huskies head coach Kevin Ollie after the Huskies beat the Kentucky Wildcats in the championship game of the Final Four in the 2014 NCAA Mens Division I Championship tournament at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

A committee was formed to help Minnesota push this bid and help it become a reality.  Minnesota knows it has a chance since they were selected as a finalist to host one of the NCAA Final Fours between 2017 and 2020.  It is one of eight locations working hard to win the right to host the games.  With the stadium construction expected to take nearly two years and the Super Bowl in 2018, it seems as though Minnesota will have to look at either 2019 or 2020 as a realistic time to push for.

NCAA officials will visit Minnesota in August to hear the committee’s pleas and evaluate the potential site.  The NCAA will make their decision in November and announce the host locations of the 2017-2020 Final Fours.

While this is a considerable amount of time away, this is a good sign for the future of the new stadium in Minnesota.  A Super Bowl and an NCAA Final Four would go a long way to make this stadium a big attraction and money maker.

Personally, I’m also hoping that the new stadium in Minnesota makes a push to host a WWE Wrestlemania as well, but I’ll just have to keep my fingers crossed on that one.  In the meantime, I’ll be cheering for Minnesota in their bid to host an NCAA Final Four.