Episode 31SportsIndianapolis Metro

How Indianapolis Became America's Biggest Sports Event Destination

Get IN. Sports·Dom Miranda·Oct 16, 2026·54 min
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Show Notes

On today’s episode of Get IN. Sports, Dom Miranda sat down with Sarah Myer, chief of staff & strategy at Indiana Sports Corp, to discuss how Indianapolis attracts and delivers major sporting events and how her career led her there.

Myer shares her Cleveland upbringing, Butler University experience, and marketing background at NUVO and the Indianapolis Symphony, including lessons on audience research, leadership, and finding her voice in male-dominated rooms.

She details joining Indiana Sports Corp in 2019, navigating COVID and helping plan the 2021 March Madness tournament in 75 days (held exclusively at venues in central Indiana), then leading the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium, which set attendance records and drew global attention.

Myer explains bid complexity, fundraising realities, and Indy’s hosting advantages, and also outlines the Sports Corp 2050 vision with pillars including women’s sports and sports tech.

If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. Sports episodes where Dom talks about Indiana sports, visit getindiana.com/podcast/shows/get-in-sports.

You are going to learn about:

  • Why Indianapolis Can Host Major Events Successfully
  • The 2021 NCAA Men’s March Madness Tournament and 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials
  • How Indiana Sports Corp Bids and Fundraises for Major Events
  • Indiana Sports Corp 2050 Vision
Episode Details
Show
Get IN. Sports
Category
Sports
Topic
Get IN Sports
Region
Indianapolis Metro
Duration
00:54:12
Published
Oct 16, 2026
Guests
Sarah Myer
Chief of staff & strategy, Indiana Sports Corp

Mentioned: Indiana Sports Corp, Butler University, NUVO, Indianapolis Symphony, Lucas Oil Stadium

About the Host
Dom Miranda
Dom Miranda
Host · Get IN. Sports

Dom Miranda covers everything Indiana sports, from Friday night sectionals to Pacers playoff runs, talking with the people closest to the story.

View show

Chapters

  1. 00:28Podcast Intro & Meet Sarah Meyer
  2. 02:18Growing Up in Cleveland & Path to Sports
  3. 03:41Butler University & Early Career in Indy
  4. 06:13Nuvo, Symphony & Marketing Lessons
  5. 09:42Finding Her Voice: Women in Leadership
  6. 13:04Joining Indiana Sports Corp (2019)
  7. 14:02March Madness 2021: 75 Days to Plan
  8. 14:58Leading the Olympic Swim Trials
  9. 21:48Planning, Marketing & the Swim Community
  10. 26:53Opening Night: World Records Broken
  11. 30:31Paris Olympics & Global Recognition
  12. 32:11Reflection: Relief & Grief After Events
  13. 33:27What People Don't Realize About Event Planning
  14. 36:08Favorite Events & Community Impact
  15. 38:36The 2050 Vision: Global Epicenter of Sport
  16. 42:24Sports Tech in Indiana
  17. 44:17A New Chapter: Moving Back to Cleveland
  18. 48:27What Makes Indiana Sports Special
  19. 49:40NFL Draft, Combine & Looking Ahead
  20. 53:35Closing & Sign Off

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

The useful details, answered clearly and without the digging.

01

How did Indianapolis plan the 2021 NCAA March Madness tournament in just 75 days?

Sarah Myer helped lead the rapid planning effort after Indiana Sports Corp won the bid to host the 2021 March Madness tournament. The entire event was held exclusively at venues in central Indiana, requiring coordination across multiple locations and rapid execution to meet the compressed timeline.

02

What made the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium successful?

Under Sarah Myer's leadership, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Swim Trials set attendance records and drew global attention. The event featured world records broken on opening night and positioned Indianapolis as a major venue for elite swimming competition.

03

Why is Indianapolis successful at hosting major sporting events?

Indianapolis has hosting advantages including central Indiana venues, infrastructure, and the ability to coordinate across multiple locations. Indiana Sports Corp's bidding and fundraising capabilities, combined with the city's experience managing large-scale events, make it an attractive destination for major tournaments.

04

What is Indiana Sports Corp's 2050 vision?

The Sports Corp 2050 vision positions Indianapolis as a global epicenter of sport with pillars including women's sports and sports tech. This long-term strategy guides the organization's approach to future event bids and community impact.

05

What does Sarah Myer say people don't realize about event planning?

The episode explores what people don't realize about the complexity of event planning, including bid complexity, fundraising realities, and the behind-the-scenes coordination required to deliver major sporting events successfully.

06

How did Sarah Myer's marketing background prepare her for Indiana Sports Corp?

Before joining Indiana Sports Corp in 2019, Myer worked in marketing at NUVO and the Indianapolis Symphony, where she gained lessons in audience research, leadership, and finding her voice in male-dominated rooms—skills directly applicable to event strategy and promotion.

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