Nashville is one of 8 finalists for NCAA Women's Final Four from 2021-24

Nashville was named a finalist among eight cities to serve as host for the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Final Four from 2021-24.

The NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee on Thursday identified eight cities under consideration for that four-year period.

The other cities: Cleveland, Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Mo., Minneapolis and San Antonio.

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“We were encouraged by the number and quality of potential host cities for the Women’s Final Four,” said Rhonda Lundin Bennett, chairwoman of the Division I Women’s Basketball Committee and senior associate athletics director and senior woman administrator at the University of Nevada. “The Women’s Final Four selection process will ultimately identify those cities that have the enthusiasm and energy to continue to build the legacy of one of America’s premier women’s sporting events.”

The 2014 Women's Final Four was played in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena.

The Ohio Valley Conference, with its home office located in Brentwood, served as the official host institution.

Connecticut, Notre Dame, Stanford and Maryland participated. Connecticut defeated Notre Dame in the championship game.

The next step for the upcoming Final Four includes finalist cities submitting final bids by April 27, 2018.

The NCAA committee and staff then will conduct site visits to each city in July and August.

The finalist cities will have a final in-person presentation for members of the committee the week of Sept. 17-21.

The announcement of the futures sites will be made in early October.

Cleveland (2007), Dallas (2017), Indianapolis (2005, 2011 and 2016), Kansas City (1998); Minneapolis (1995), and San Antonio (2002 and 2010) all have experience hosting the Women's Final Four. Houston is vying to host for the first time.

The 2018 Women’s Final Four will be at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 30 and April 1.

Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla., will be the site for the 2019 (April 5 and 7) Final Four, while the event is scheduled to be held April 3 and 5, 2020, in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center.

Reach Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 and on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.