Source: ACC Wants Basketball Tournament in New York
As the Atlantic Coast Conference continues to expand, the location for its basketball tournament for 2016 and beyond is still unknown. Expansion, however, is opening up many doors for the ACC including Pittsburgh and New York.
Jan 26, 2013; Durham, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils fans let the Maryland Terrapins know their opinion on leaving the ACC during the second half at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Dolejs-USA TODAY Sports
With an increase of exposure in the northeast and a small part of the midwest, the ACC has numerous options when it comes to relocating the tournament. From the Florida Keys all the way up to New York and as far west as Kentucky.
According to sources via ESPN, the ACC is working to find a deal to have their annual basketball championship tournament in New York. New York is said to be a high priority for the ACC according to this source.
Despite the Madison Square Garden (in New York City) and Barclay’s Center (in Brooklyn) not entering a bid to host the ACC tournament, the conference is said to have strong interest in finding a New York location for the tournament.
Other New York area options are:
- Carrier Dome (Syracuse)
- First Niagara Center (Buffalo)
- Nassau Coliseum (Uniondale)
While the ACC has eliminated Miami, Orlando, Atlanta’s Georgia Dome, and Pittsburgh (cities that placed a bid to host the tournament), the conference has a list of their own favorite cities to pursue. That list includes:
- Atlanta’s Philips Arena
- Charlotte
- Greensboro
- New York
- Tampa
- Washington DC
New York obviously would give the ACC the most exposure and with the addition of Syracuse next year, it does not make for a crazy idea. With the tournament being held in Greensboro in the past and for the next few years, changing the location would greatly benefit the exposure of the conference no matter which of the cities above is chosen.
Until the new location is decided upon, the tournament will continue to be held in Greensboro at the Greensboro Coliseum as it has been in the past.
The contract that puts the tournament in Greensboro through 2015.