Video: Portland to cash in on NCAA Tourney action

It’s a big week for basketball in Bridge City. For the first time since the 1970s, Portland will host NCAA tournament action at the Rose Garden.
City hopes to cash in on hoops

Portland is one of eight cities hosting first and second round games in the tournament. Games are scheduled for Thursday and Saturday.

Oregon Sports Authority and the University of Oregon are co-hosting the tournament’s first and second rounds — two days, four games and eight universities.

“It’s just a thrill to bring back March Madness,” said Drew Mahalic, chief executive of Oregon Sports Authority. “We want to do such a fine job with the NCAA to impress them that they want to come back and give us a regional bid in 2011 or 2012.”

The city threw its hat in the ring for the 2009 tournament a few years ago — long before the national recession.

More: Portland State heads to Boise in NCAA first round

But Cathy Krets of Travel Portland said the city has been keenly aware of the tournament’s benefits.

Click here to view the entire story from KGW Northwest NewsChannel 8.