Current:Home > FinanceThe Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness -MarketLink
The Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness
View
Date:2025-04-14 05:47:55
It has been nearly 26 years since Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls took down the Utah Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals. That doesn't mean the Jazz have gotten over it.
The Delta Center, home of the Utah Jazz, is hosting first- and second-round games for March Madness in Salt Lake City this year. On Wednesday, one reporter there to cover the tournament noticed the arena's WiFi network had a unique name: JordanPushedOff.
"JordanPushedOff" is a reference to one of the most (in)famous moments of Jordan's career and of Jazz (and Bulls) franchise history.
The Bulls led the 1998 NBA Finals three games to two, but they trailed the Jazz by one point with 10 seconds left in the game. Jordan dribbled the ball to the top of the paint and hit a crossover that sent his defender past him before hitting a mid-range jump shot with five seconds left.
NCAA tournament:How to stream March Madness on your phone
IT'S BRACKET MADNESS: Enter USA TODAY's NCAA tournament bracket contest for a chance at $1 million prize.
The 2-pointer ultimately gave Chicago its sixth title and was his last shot attempt with the Bulls, which has made the moment iconic in the Windy City.
In Salt Lake City, Jazz fans continue to hold the opinion that Jordan pushed off Bryon Russell during the crossover before taking the shot, hence the name of the Delta Center's WiFi network.
Jazz owner Ryan Smith told Pat McAfee about the "JordanPushedOff" network name on an episode of The PatMcAfee Show last November The reference has come back into the limelight with the arena hosting some March Madness games.
Did Michael Jordan push off Bryon Russell?
Jordan's last shot with the Bulls remains one of the most controversial of his career, and NBA fans still all have their own interpretations.
NCAA Tournament schedule:What March Madness Games are tomorrow?
March Madness games in Salt Lake City
There are four first-round games taking place at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 21.
- No. 15 Long Beach State vs. No. 2 Arizona, 2 p.m. ET/Noon MT
- No. 10 Nevada vs. No. 7 Dayton, 4:30 p.m. ET/2:30 p.m. MT
- No. 12 McNeese State vs. No. 5 Gonzaga, 7:25 p.m. ET/5:25 p.m. MT
- No. 13 Samford vs. No. 4 Kansas, 9:55 p.m. ET/7:55 p.m. MT
The winners of the four games will advance to play each other in the second round at the Delta Center on Saturday, March 23.
veryGood! (482)
Related
- Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
- Support pours in after death of former first lady Rosalynn Carter
- Aaron Nola returns to Phillies on 7-year deal, AP source says
- 5 common family challenges around the holidays and how to navigate them, according to therapists
- Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
- Taylor Swift postpones Saturday Rio show due to high temperatures
- Chargers coach Brandon Staley gets heated in postgame exchange after loss to Packers
- National Weather Service surveying wind damage from ‘possible tornado’ in Arizona town
- Who are the most valuable sports franchises? Forbes releases new list of top 50 teams
- Taylor Swift postpones Saturday Rio show due to high temperatures
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- When landlords won't fix asthma triggers like mold, doctors call in the lawyers
- NATO chief commits to Bosnia’s territorial integrity and condemns ‘malign’ Russian influence
- 'Saltburn' basks in excess and bleak comedy
- 'Squid Game' without subtitles? Duolingo, Netflix encourage fans to learn Korean
- Taylor Swift returns to the Rio stage after fan's death, show postponement
- Horoscopes Today, November 19, 2023
- Syracuse fires football coach Dino Babers after eight seasons
Recommendation
Justice Department, Louisville reach deal after probe prompted by Breonna Taylor killing
Shakira to appear in Barcelona court on the first day of her tax fraud trial in Spain
'Rustin' fact check: Did J. Edgar Hoover spread rumors about him and Martin Luther King?
Honda recalls nearly 250,000 cars, SUVs and pickup trucks
Federal appeals court upholds $14.25 million fine against Exxon for pollution in Texas
'Rustin' fact check: Did J. Edgar Hoover spread rumors about him and Martin Luther King?
Investigators probe for motive behind shooting at New Hampshire psychiatric hospital
'Rustin' fact check: Did J. Edgar Hoover spread rumors about him and Martin Luther King?