Big East future at MSG may include company
Thursday, March 13, 2014
The "new " Big East Tournament was barely underway when a river of rumors began flowing about the future of this event - at Madison Square Garden.
While the conference maintains a contract with MSG through 2026, there are clauses contained within the deal that would allow either party an escape clause. Sources have confirmed to GoLocalProv that the Atlantic Coast Conference, with membership now including former Big East members Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Notre Dame, Boston College, Miami, Virginia Tech and Louisville (for next season) has not only continued discussions with MSG about bringing the ACC Tournament to New York, but that an agreement may be imminent to actually bring the event here.
Details still need to be finalized, but the ACC would love to bring its event to New York at least once every three to four years, including the Garden in their rotation of tournament sites, but there is no interest in a permanent site change or relationship at the present time. While the Garden has always publicly maintained any agreement for another tournament would have to be for a long term deal to give the Big East some company - or perhaps, the boot - there are parties concerned over ticket sales and revenue that will (or won't) be driven by the new 10-team Big East. ACC membership currently numbers 15 schools, which is where the Big East was before the 2013 break up.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe possibility even exists for simultaneous, or back-to-back tournaments being held at MSG for both the Big East and ACC. Clearly, there are many details still to be worked out. But it may be that future Garden parties will include guests from Tobacco Road, and beyond.
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