Current:Home > reviewsThe Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness -FutureFinance
The Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness
View
Date:2025-04-15 11:40:50
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! (31561)
Related
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- An Unlikely Alliance of Farm and Environmental Groups Takes on Climate Change
- Teen Wolf's Tyler Posey Engaged to Singer Phem
- As Solar Pushes Electricity Prices Negative, 3 Solutions for California’s Power Grid
- The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
- Teen Wolf's Tyler Posey Engaged to Singer Phem
- MrBeast's Chris Tyson Shares Selfie Celebrating Pride Month After Starting Hormone Replacement Therapy
- Raven-Symoné Reveals Why She's Had Romantic Partners Sign NDAs
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Malaria cases in Florida and Texas are first locally acquired infections in U.S. in 20 years, CDC warns
Ranking
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- New York man shot crossbow that killed infant daughter, authorities say
- Robert De Niro Reacts to Pal Al Pacino and Girlfriend Noor Alfallah's Baby News
- Why Chrishell Stause Isn't Wearing Wedding Ring After Marrying G-Flip
- The FBI should have done more to collect intelligence before the Capitol riot, watchdog finds
- New York man shot crossbow that killed infant daughter, authorities say
- Convicted double murderer Joseph Zieler elbows his attorney in face — then is sentenced to death in Florida
- Small businesses got more than $200 billion in potentially fraudulent COVID loans, report finds
Recommendation
Scoot flight from Singapore to Wuhan turns back after 'technical issue' detected
Justin Timberlake Is Thirsting Over Jessica Biel’s Iconic Summer Catch Scene Too
Tom Brady Spotted on Star-Studded Yacht With Leonardo DiCaprio
American Climate Video: A Pastor Taught His Church to See a Blessing in the Devastation of Hurricane Michael
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
Get 5 Lipsticks for the Price 1: Clinique Black Honey, Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk, YSL, and More
Alex Rodriguez Shares Gum Disease Diagnosis
The Third Rail of Climate Change: Climate Refugees