Title
City of Phoenix 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four Host Committee Sponsorship (Ordinance S-50185)
Description
Request to authorize the City Manager, or his designee, to enter into a one-year sponsorship agreement with the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee, in an amount not to exceed $500,000, for the support of hosting responsibilities for the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four. Funding is available in the Downtown Community Reinvestment Fund. Further request to authorize the City Controller to disburse funds under the terms of the agreement.
Report
Summary
The Community and Economic Development Department is seeking to enter into an agreement to sponsor the Phoenix Final Four Local Organizing Committee and its activities to host the 2024 NCAA Men’s Final Four in Phoenix in April 2024. As a sponsor, the City will work with the host committee to determine event venue locations, be included in marketing materials, and collaborate to improve opportunities for Phoenix businesses to participate in the Business Connect and the CEO Forum programs related to Final Four events. The 2024 NCAA Men’s national semifinal and championship games will be played at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, with major fan-related events, lodging and meeting activities associated with the tournament being held in Phoenix.
In 2017, Phoenix last hosted the Final Four ancillary and community events in conjunction with the Phoenix Local Organizing Committee and Arizona State University (Host Institution). The 2017 Phoenix Final Four was the first to be held in the West in 22 years and was the second highest attended in Final Four history. Final Four Fan Fest activities at the Phoenix Convention Center attracted more than 50,000 people; 135,000 attended the March Madness Music Festival at Margaret T. Hance Park; and 6,000 participated in the Final Four Dribble at Heritage and Science Park. The Final Four games were watched by nearly 23 million viewers in 176 countries, with 2,200 media members in town to cover the games and related events.
As part of the ongoing familiarization (FAM) tour activities, staff will be returning at the next Council meeting with plans to host a Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) All Star Game FAM tour in 2024 to further highlight Phoenix to leading corporate decision makers.
Contract Term
The term of the one-year contract will begin on or about Nov. 1, 2023.
Financial Impact
The total sponsorship contract will not exceed $500,000. Funding is available in the Downtown Community Reinvestment Fund.
Department
Responsible Department
This item is recommended by Deputy City Manager John Chan and the Community and Economic Development Department.