Every March, the nation’s attention turns to college basketball. But for The Home Depot, the excitement of the NCAA Tournament isn’t just about what happens on the court – it’s about what the company can build off it.
This year, as the Official Home Improvement Partner for March Madness, The Home Depot is furnishing player lounges for every men’s and women’s team competing at the Final Four in Indianapolis and Phoenix. Inside, players will find fully outfitted spaces – couches, rugs, tables, and massage chairs – designed to help them decompress, refocus, and prepare for the biggest games of their lives.
After the last game is played and the confetti settles, the impact continues: every piece of that furniture gets donated to local community organizations in Indianapolis and Phoenix.
The Home Depot is furnishing player lounges
“For us, a sports partnership isn’t just about visibility,” said Heather Dade Themelis, Senior Manager of Sports Marketing at The Home Depot. “It’s an opportunity to show up for the communities where sports bring people together.”
The furniture donation is just one part of a broader community commitment this Final Four season.
Through its support of the Atlanta Tipoff Club’s Naismith Award Final Four Legacy Project, The Home Depot is supporting full gymnasium renovations at two YMCAs: the Avondale Meadows YMCA in Indianapolis (Men’s Final Four) and the Legacy Foundation Chris-Town YMCA in Phoenix (Women’s Final Four).
Dedication events will take place during Naismith Awards Week – April 1 in Phoenix and April 4 in Indianapolis – bringing together community members, local leaders, and the next generation of players who will use these spaces for years to come.
Building More Than Sponsorships
The Home Depot has long been a presence in college sports, and March Madness remains one of its most visible platforms. But the company’s focus extends beyond brand exposure.
“We’re in the business of helping people build and improve the spaces they love,” Dade Themelis said.
For the kids who will take their first shots in a newly renovated gym this spring, the Final Four won’t just be about a championship. It will be a moment when their community gotsomething back – built with the kind of investment The Home Depot aims to bring to every community it serves.
