It’s another victory for Tampa. 

On the heels of the heart-stopping, last-second victory for Clemson in the College Football National Championship game in January, the Tampa Bay Sports Commission has scored big-time again.

March Madness is coming.

Executive Director Rob Higgins, of the Tampa Bay Sports Commission and his Team Tampa Bay, has landed the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship. Tampa and Amalie Arena will host the 1st and 2nd rounds of the Big Dance in 2020.

It’s great news, but getting to be nothing new for Tampa. The Sports Commission is attracting more and more top college events.

That makes 10 confirmed NCAA championship events…Divisions I and II…over the next 4 years.

And that’s in addition to the many NCAA championship games that have already been played here over the last several years.

Maybe this is the future of Tampa. College. It does present more opportunities than one Super Bowl every 10 years or so.

Not to denigrate the Super Bowl, of course. The Tampa Bay Sports Commission will continue to push for another one to be awarded here. There is another round of improvements under construction to Raymond James Stadium, so the big ballpark on Dale Mabry can host the NFL’s biggest party.

But think of all the NCAA Sports, and all their championships available to host, and the Sports Commission’s track record with football, basketball, hockey, track and field, soccer, cross country, volleyball, and lacrosse.

Rob Higgins, you and your team are on a championship roll. All these wonderful events can only mean a very bright future for Tampa.