2021 Connect Sports Game Changers: Ryan Vaughn

Ryan Vaughn is president of the Indiana Sports Corp.

2021 Connect Sports Game Changers: Ryan Vaughn

Ryan Vaughn
President, Indiana Sports Corp
Indianapolis

Bold
Innovative
Fun

Twitter: @ryanvaughnindy
Instagram: @ryanvaughnindy

Main Event: 2020-21 March Madness and the Men’s Final Four. We were able to host thousands of athletes and fans from around the country and also put thousands of people back to work.  

How I got here: In my prior careers as a lawyer and an elected official, and serving a mayor, I came to appreciate the importance of our mission—to advance and inspire our community through sports—and the impact it has had on Indy. 

What I did to assist the sports tourism recovery during COVID: In late fall we created our own controlled environment and hosted a variety of games, which allowed us to learn the lessons necessary for success when it came time to host all of March Madness. 

Impressive stats: We were able to safely host 98 college basketball games in seven different venues in March and the first week of April during a pandemic.  

What’s next? We have a full slate of Olympic and collegiate sports properties on our agenda over the coming year. In addition, we’ll be heading into our second year of the Esport Combine, which last year connected over 550 esports players to college scholarship opportunities. 

Favorite sports movie: “Hoosiers”

Favorite athlete of all-time: Reggie Miller