Press Releases

NCAA WOMEN'S FINAL FOUR RETURNS TO TAMPA BAY IN 2015

Related Document:  2015 WFF Announcement Release for Press Conference.pdf

TAMPA, FL – Tampa Bay & Company is proud to announce that the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Committee has selected Tampa Bay, and the University of South Florida, to host the 2015 NCAA Division I Women's Final Four Championship. 

"This announcement serves as tremendous validation for all of the hard work that went into the 2008 Women's Final Four," said Executive Director of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission Rob Higgins.  "Hosting an event like this is usually a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but our great community will fortunately experience the Women's Final Four a second time through the efforts of numerous organizations, countless volunteers, and the entire hospitality industry that comprises Team Tampa Bay."

After submitting an intent-to-bid form in November 2007, representatives of 12 cities attended a pre-bid seminar in January 2008 and met with NCAA staff for individual planning and progress updates in April and June 2008.  After selecting eight finalist cities in August 2008, women's basketball committee members made site visits to each finalist city in September and October 2008.

Following the site visits to each city, potential host-city representatives made final presentations to the committee on Nov. 11-12 in Indianapolis, Ind.  When evaluating prospective host cities, the committee reviewed each city's competition venue, convention center, hotel community, transportation plans, legacy programs and financial commitment, as well as the community's and prospective host institution/conference's overall commitment to the event.

"I was proud to be the only female on Team Tampa Bay.  The excitement and energy that the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four brought to Tampa was memorable, and I can hardly wait until 2015!" said Hillsborough County Commissioner Rose Ferlia.  "Thank you to the Women's Basketball Committee for the selection and congratulations to our community."

With the dedication and support that the University of South Florida (USF) showed for the efforts in 2008, the University will once again fill the role of Host Institution in 2015. 

"I am extremely excited about USF again serving as the host institution for another NCAA Women's Basketball Final 4.  We are fortunate to have some committed community partners in securing this bid," said Doug Woolard, director of athletics for USF.  "The Women's Final Four has become one of the NCAA premier championship events, and the 2008 Championship in Tampa Bay proved to be an outstanding experience for all of the student-athletes that participated, as well as coaches and fans from across the United States."

Just as with the 2008 Championship, the 2015 Women's Final Four will be played at Tampa's St. Pete Times Forum, in the heart of downtown Tampa. 

"We appreciate the opportunity and the faith the NCAA has in us to bring its marquee women's event back to Tampa and back to the St. Pete Times Forum," said Oren Koules, owner, governor and CEO of the Tampa Bay Lightning.  "We look to continue working with our community partners to bring more major events into Tampa Bay."

In addition to Tampa Bay, the Women's Basketball Committee has also chosen host cities for the 2012 – 2016 Women's Final Four Championships.  The Women's Final Four host cities for 2012 – 2016 are: 2012 – Denver, Colo.; 2013 – New Orleans, La.; 2014 – Nashville, Tenn.; 2015 – Tampa Bay, Fla.; 2016 – Indianapolis, Ind.  

The cities selected represent a blend of cities with past Women's Final Four hosting experience including Indianapolis (2005), New Orleans (1991, 2004) and Tampa Bay (2008), while Denver and Nashville will be hosting the event for the first time.

"We are honored to be able to host an event of this caliber for the second time and showcase was a wonderful community and premier destination we have in Tampa Bay," said Paul Catoe, president and CEO of Tampa Bay & Company.  "With the success of the 2008 NCAA Women's Final Four Championship, among other elite-level events that our area has hosted, Tampa Bay has a proven track record of success and we look forward to taking the 2015 Women's Final Four to new heights." 

Media contact is Travis Claytor, communications manager for Tampa Bay & Company, at 813-342-4052 or TClaytor@VisitTampaBay.com.