Cowboys may score Final Four
The new Dallas Cowboys stadium hasn't opened yet, but it's already booked the
Super Bowl and
Cotton Bowl. Now the Cowboys have their eyes on the
Final Four.
Team officials plan to let the NCAA know this week that they intend to bid for the college basketball national championship, said Brett Daniels, Cowboys spokesman.
Bid "intentions" are due Wednesday, the NCAA has said. They are being accepted for the Division I Men's and Women's Final Fours 2012 through 2016.
Completed bids will be due in June, the NCAA has said. Recommendations for Final Four sites will be issued in November 2008, with the locations to be chosen by an NCAA panel.
"We're just excited that the opportunity is presenting itself," Mr. Daniels said. "It's certainly been one of the high-profile events that we have anticipated bidding on and bringing to our new facility."
The billion-dollar Arlington stadium is scheduled to open in 2009.
Cowboys officials expect to receive Final Four bid specifications early next year, Mr. Daniels said.
The team plans to partner with the North Texas Commission and the city of Arlington, among other groups.
"Our goal is for this to be a regional effort to bring together all of the communities, like [it was with] the Super Bowl," Mr. Daniels said. "We know that an event like the Final Four, much like the Super Bowl, is too large for one city to hold."
Mr. Daniels said the Cowboys intend to bid on the Men's Final Four. He wasn't aware of any discussion about trying to host the Women's Final Four.
The last time the Dallas area hosted a Final Four was 1986, at Reunion Arena.
If the new Cowboys stadium lands the Final Four, the championship would join a growing list of high-profile events set for the Arlington venue.
The Cotton Bowl will move to Arlington in 2010. The Super Bowl will be held there in 2011. In addition, the stadium will host the Big 12 football championship games in 2009 and 2010.
