General | December 9, 2025 | 8:09

The Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC) for the 2027 NCAA® Men's Final Four® today announced Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison and BasBlue CEO and Founder Nancy Tellem as committee co-chairs for the event.

"The Detroit Local Organizing Committee is extremely pleased that Chief Bettison and Nancy Tellem will serve as co-chairs for the 2027 NCAA Men's Final Four," said Dave Beachnau, DLOC CEO. "Chief Bettison,  through his extensive support of the record-breaking 2024 NFL Draft, and Nancy Tellem's tireless commitment to elevating a variety of diverse and inclusive causes in the Detroit community, will provide a unique and valued blend of leadership needed to support our organization's goal of hosting the best men's Final Four ever."

"I'm honored to be selected to the Detroit Local Organizing Committee as we continue to work together to host the 2027 NCAA Men's Final Four," said Chief Todd A. Bettison. "Safely hosting large events is what we do in Detroit, and my officers and I look forward to welcoming fans from all over the country to make this a safe and memorable experience for all."

The 2027 NCAA® Men's Final Four® will be hosted at Ford Field with the semifinals on Saturday, April 3 and the championship game on Monday, April 5. In addition to the exciting March Madness competition on the court, the event will feature a variety of fan-friendly, basketball-themed community events designed to leave a lasting legacy in the Detroit region.

"I look forward to supporting the Detroit Local Organizing Committee's hosting of the 2027 NCAA Men's Final Four and leveraging the platform of the event to help elevate the Detroit community," said Nancy Tellem, CEO and Co-Founder BasBlue. "Since Arn and I arrived in Detroit, nearly a decade ago, I have made it a priority to devote my efforts to supporting the on-going transformation of Detroit and developing initiatives to help those in need throughout the city."

ABOUT THE DETROIT LOCAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE (DLOC)

The Detroit Local Organizing Committee (DLOC) is a collaboration between Visit Detroit, Detroit Sports Commission, Ford Field, the City of Detroit, Wayne County, and Michigan State University, which serves as the host institution. Designated as a tax-exempt 501(c)3 organization, the DLOC is responsible for partnering with the NCAA® to plan and host the 2027 NCAA® Men's Final Four®.

DETROIT POLICE CHIEF TODD BETTISON BIOGRAPHY

Prior to being named Chief of Police, Todd A. Bettison had a distinguished 27-year career at DPD, retiring as First Assistant Chief of Police – the second highest ranking member of the department – before accepting the position of Deputy Mayor in 2022. In both roles, Bettison is highly regarded and deeply respected for his leadership skills, management ability and strong connection with the community.

Throughout his career at DPD, Bettison was one of the fastest rising members of the department. His career with DPD began in 1994 as a patrol officer. Bettison was promoted to the rank of sergeant within five years of starting his career. Just one year later, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant, scoring the highest of any candidate in the department with each promotion. Bettison's rapid rise continued as he was promoted to the ranks of Inspector, Captain, Commander, Deputy Chief, Assistant Chief and eventually 1st Assistant Chief in 2021.

Bettison has long-standing relationships with DPD officers and collaborative partnerships with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies. He has also established deep trust with grassroots community partners, and as Deputy Mayor initiated the successful ShotStoppers community violence intervention program which has contributed to a reduction in violent crime.

Bettison holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayne State University in Criminal Justice and a graduate business certificate from the Mike Ilitch School of Business. He is also a graduate of Eastern Michigan University's Staff and Command and Oakland University's Six Sigma/Lean Management Certification-Green Belt Program.

NANCY TELLEM BIOGRAPHY

Nancy Tellem is the Executive Chairperson of Eko (formerly Interlude), a visual e-commerce company using its proprietary interactive and AI technology to drive deeper and immersive customer engagements and sales; its technology enhances customer engagement, boosts conversion rates, and reduces cart abandonment and returns.

From 2012 to 2014, Ms. Tellem, as President of Xbox Entertainment Studios, oversaw Microsoft's TV strategy and created a studio focused on developing and producing interactive programming. Ms. Tellem was President of the CBS Network Television Entertainment Group from 1997 to 2012, where she oversaw both CBS Entertainment Network and CBS Studios.

As President, she evaluated business and strategic opportunities: content partnerships, new production models, developing technologies, and emerging media. She also oversaw all programming, development, production, business and legal operations, and the network's primetime, daytime and late-night lineups. During her tenure at CBS, Ms. Tellem helped revive the network by championing "Survivor", "CSI" and "Everybody Loves Raymond", and played an important role in the company's early efforts to expand its content and distribution across digital and mobile platforms.

Before CBS, Ms. Tellem shepherded in such hits as "ER" and "Friends" as Executive Vice President of Business and Financial Affairs for Warner Brothers. In 2006, Ms. Tellem was inducted into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame for her contributions to the electronic arts. Two years later, Forbes ranked her 32nd on its list "The World's 100 Most Powerful Women." Simultaneously, Entertainment Weekly named her the third-smartest person in TV for quickly restoring CBS's entire primetime lineup after the 100-day writers' strike. The National Association of Television Program Executives awarded Ms. Tellem a Brandon Tartikoff Legacy Award in recognition of her "extraordinary passion, leadership, independence and vision in the process of creating TV programming."

In 2020, Ms. Tellem founded BasBlue Inc., a nonprofit organization and first ever women's space in Detroit dedicated to promoting a diverse and inclusive community of women by fostering authentic connections, and leadership and growth opportunities through educational seminars, mentorship programs, and other programming.  Ms. Tellem has held and currently holds board and advisory positions at numerous digital and media-related companies, including Eko, Metro-Goldwyn Mayer Studios, Rocket Companies Inc, Nielsen Holdings, TKO Group Holdings, Inc. and Sipur, an Israeli film and TV company, and several nonprofit organizations, including the Cranbrook Academy of Art and Museum, and the Detroit Riverfront Conservancy. Ms. Tellem earned her B.A. from the University of California Berkeley and her J.D. from the University of California, San Francisco School of Law.