NCAA snubs Detroit's bid to host Final Four tournament

Despite Detroit's recent renaissance, which has seen an influx of both people and capital to the downtown region, the city won't have the honor of playing host to the NCAA Final Four tournament anytime soon.

Detroit was one of seven finalists vying for a slot to host the Final Four series – other finalists included Houston, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Dallas, and San Antonio. The news comes as a major disappointment for local basketball enthusiasts, as the Final Four selection series were chosen for the years 2023-2026.

The submission for the bid was compiled by the Detroit Sports Commission in an effort to bring the tournament back to the city for the first time since 2009, which saw North Carolina beat Michigan State University in the finals at Ford Field. As part of the bid, last month the Detroit Sports Commission invited both NCAA officials and some of Michigan's biggest athletic influencers for a tour of Ford Field's renovated facilities. Among these important figures were former-Governor and Michigan State University interim president John Engler, MSU head coach Tom Izzo, University of Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel, and former MSU athletic director Mark Hollis.

Although the announcement was not the answer that the Detroit Sports Commission was hoping for, the organization's spirits remain high.

“While we were eagerly looking forward to a more favorable outcome, we are proud of and grateful for the efforts put forward by the Big Ten, Michigan State University and the Detroit Sports Organizing Corp. to bring the NCAA Men’s Final Four back to Detroit,” said DPC director Kris Smith, in a prepared statement. “We thank the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee for allowing us to showcase the city of Detroit and present its viability as a premier event location."

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