Current:Home > InvestThe Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness -MoneyBase
The Utah Jazz arena's WiFi network name is the early star of March Madness
View
Date:2025-04-18 18:46:02
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! (53)
Related
- Meet the volunteers risking their lives to deliver Christmas gifts to children in Haiti
- Dollar Tree left lead-tainted applesauce on shelves for weeks after recall, FDA says
- How one county is reimagining libraries, from teaching kitchens to woodworking shops
- When do new episodes of 'Power Book II: Ghost' Season 4, Part One come out?
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Red Robin releases Olympic-inspired burger that weighs 18 ounces
- Cue the duck boats: Boston set for parade to salute Celtics’ record 18th NBA championship
- Texas medical panel issues new guidelines for doctors but no specific exceptions for abortion ban
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- 2 killed in helicopter crash in Washington state, authorities say
Ranking
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- ‘Hawaii Five-0’ fan favorite and former UFC fighter Taylor Wily dies at 56
- World's oldest deep sea shipwreck discovered off Israel's coast
- Looking to celebrate the cicada invasion of 2024? There's a bobblehead for that.
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Costco made a big change to its rotisserie chicken packaging. Shoppers hate it.
- Nothing like a popsicle on a hot day. Just ask the leopards at the Tampa zoo
- CDK Global cyberattack leaves thousands of car dealers spinning their wheels
Recommendation
Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
TikToker Has Internet Divided After Saying She Charged Fellow Mom Expenses for Daughter's Playdate
DJT stock dive: What's behind Trump Media's plummeting price?
L.A. woman Ksenia Karelina goes on trial in Russia, charged with treason over small donation for Ukraine
The Best Stocking Stuffers Under $25
North Korea and Russia's deepening ties prompt South Korea to reconsider ban on supplying weapons to Ukraine
Ryan Garcia suspended 1 year for failed drug test, win over Devin Haney declared no contest
How to find your phone's expiration date and make it last as long as possible