More than 90 million viewers to focus on Indy in 2021 sports year

We don't have mountains. We don't have an ocean. 

But Indy has a tremendous sports calendar from February 2021 to January 2022, starting with the NBA All-Star Game, which was announced this week.

That, plus the NCAA Men's Final Four, the Indianapolis 500, the Big Ten Football Championship and the College Football Playoff Championship Game will bring a total TV audience of about 90 million, based on recent data. 

The Olympics (Atlanta, 1996; Los Angeles, 2028) and the Super Bowl (which Indy had in 2012) dwarf all of those events, yet what Indy will have starting in 2021 is a remarkable collection for a city of its size.

And if the Pacers or Colts make a playoff run, it will be even better.

Visit Indy and the Capital Improvement Board publish economic impact figures about such events. But sports economists are deeply skeptical, saying such figures overestimate visitor spending and don't mention the public's massive investment in stadiums and their maintenance.

Visit Indy and the Indiana Sports Corp also do not reveal publicly the taxpayer-funded incentives given to attract the events. They cite an exception in the state's public records law and say the incentives have to be secret to prevent competing cities from seeing them.  

Downtown restaurants and hotels, however, welcome the crowds, and city officials crave the national publicity.

Here's a look at how many eyes could be on Indy for its super sports year.

FEB 2021

NBA All-Star Game

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Average TV audience last five years: 7.6 million

Average attendance last five years: 16,405

Ancillary events: Rising Stars game between first- and second-year players; Skills Challenge; Three-point shooting contest; Slam Dunk contest.

Previous year in Indy: 1985

APRIL 2021

NCAA Men's Final Four

Lucas Oil Stadium

Average TV audience last five years: 22.7 million for championship; 15.4 million for semifinals.

Average attendance last five years: 75,044 for championship.

Ancillary events: Fan festival, concert.

Previous year in Indy: 2015.

MAY 2021

Bankers Life Fieldhouse

Pacers in NBA Playoffs?

MAY 2021

Indianapolis 500

Indianapolis Motor Speedway

Average TV audience last five years: 5.9 million.

Average attendance last five years: No official figures released.

Ancillary events: IndyCar Grand Prix, practice sessions, qualifications, Pole Day, Carb Day, downtown parade.

Previous year in Indy: Annual.

DEC 2021

Big Ten Football Championship Game

Lucas Oil Stadium

Average TV audience last five years: 10.4 million.

Average attendance last five years: 64,824.

Ancillary events: Fan festival.

Previous year in Indy: Annual since 2011, with 2021 being last year of current contract.

JAN 2022

College Football Playoff Championship Game

Lucas Oil Stadium

Average TV audience (for three years since inaugural game): 28.5 million.

Average attendance (for three years since inaugural game): 78,688.

Ancillary events: Fan festival.

Previous year in Indy: Never.

JAN 2022

Lucas Oil Stadium

Colts in NFL playoffs?