Hoosier Dome, Aerial View, n.d.

The opening of the Hoosier Dome in 1984 marked the culmination of a multi-year, multi-institutional effort involving business leaders, philanthropists, and politicians to expand Indianapolis's sports and convention facilities. Civic leaders sought to use the facility as leverage to attract professional sports franchises (especially football and baseball) as well as amateur athletic events to Indianapolis. Even before the official opening events at the Hoosier Dome in May and July 1984, the structure served as a key bargaining chip in convincing owners of the Colts National Football League franchise to move from Baltimore to Indianapolis.