When it became clear that college football’s new championship game would be bid out to a neutral site, a handful of cities began throwing their names into the hosting conversation.
Thought to be a favorite in that discussion, the city of Indianapolis has instead decided it won’t be submitting a bid to host a college football championship after all -- at least not anytime soon.
Indiana Sports Corporation president Susan Williams said Wednesday the city has too many other priorities, including bids for a Super Bowl in 2018 and Olympic trials in 2016. Indianapolis is also scheduled to host the Big Ten football title game through 2015, the NCAA men’s Final Four in 2015 and the women’s Final Four in 2016.
“Just for purposes of the press, and to tie a ribbon around this topic, it is highly unlikely that Indianapolis will pursue the BCS national championship in the near future,’’ Williams said. “And I underline, near future.”
The first championship game under the new playoff format, along with two semifinals rotating among six major bowls, will begin following the 2014 season. As all major bowls are warm weather games, the decision by the city of Indianapolis has all but officially eliminated the chance of any postseason game being played close to Big Ten territory right away outside of Detroit.
(Hat tip: Indianapolis Star)