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PAC-12 Conference Tournament moving to Vegas?

 
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Shades



Joined: 10 Jul 2006
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 3:37 pm    ::: PAC-12 Conference Tournament moving to Vegas? Reply Reply with quote

https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865696699/Pac-12-to-move-womens-basketball-tournament-to-Las-Vegas.html

Quote:
The Pac-12 women's basketball tournament is moving to Vegas for the next two years at least, league commissioner Larry Scott announced Thursday.

Scott said the women's basketball tournament, which has been played at KeyArena in Seattle since 2013, will be played at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2019 and at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in 2020.

The Pac-12 men's and women's tournaments will still be played a week apart, with the women's tournament taking place the week before the men's tourney.She



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CamrnCrz1974



Joined: 18 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 4:39 pm    ::: Re: PAC-12 Conference Tournament moving to Vegas? Reply Reply with quote

Shades wrote:
https://www.deseretnews.com/article/865696699/Pac-12-to-move-womens-basketball-tournament-to-Las-Vegas.html

Quote:
The Pac-12 women's basketball tournament is moving to Vegas for the next two years at least, league commissioner Larry Scott announced Thursday.

Scott said the women's basketball tournament, which has been played at KeyArena in Seattle since 2013, will be played at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in 2019 and at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in 2020.

The Pac-12 men's and women's tournaments will still be played a week apart, with the women's tournament taking place the week before the men's tourney.She



Now, the Las Vegas Aces franchise needs to work with the Pac-12 to do plenty of WNBA promotional work during the men's and women's tournaments...


insidewinder



Joined: 19 Feb 2006
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 5:18 pm    ::: I would attend Reply Reply with quote

Lots of flights, lots of options for hotels, etc., can be done relatively cheaply. I would attend. Never made it to Seattle, planned to a couple of times, but after looking at flights and hotel prices that were convenient decided against it.


dtsnms



Joined: 23 Sep 2004
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 5:22 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Is this because of the Key's renovations?


Queenie



Joined: 18 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 5:32 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Vegas next March is looking more and more like a thing. Go to whichever arena(s) that would accept backpacks/laptops. See a tournament or seventeen. Wink



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calbearman76



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 6:17 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

The Seattle Storm has done a nice job of helping to put on the Tournament over the past few years. I certainly hope the Aces contribute as well. While I an very happy about the change because it shortens my trip from 750 miles to 440 miles, I do have some concerns.

Seattle was convenient for Oregon and Oregon St, the current power base of the Pac 12 women. UCLA, USC, Arizona and Arizona St, the closest teams to Las Vegas, all do not draw well. I hope that the Bay Area fans and the Oregon fans will both make the trip and take advantage of all the other activities in the city as well.


patsweetpat



Joined: 14 Jul 2010
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 6:20 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

I'm goin'. See you there.


elsie



Joined: 08 Apr 2016
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 7:41 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

there is something about being in Vegas staying at a casino watching bb over a few days....people are up milling around 24/7 and its a party atmosphere especially if your college can draw fans there....Vegas is not as cheap as it used to be but still its worth it...


PUmatty



Joined: 10 Nov 2004
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 7:51 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

Like this year's B10 men's tournament, this would put them tournament in a state that doesn't include a conference school. It's a bizarre move.


calbearman76



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 8:07 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

PUmatty wrote:
Like this year's B10 men's tournament, this would put them tournament in a state that doesn't include a conference school. It's a bizarre move.


Unlike the Big 10, Las Vegas is surrounded by Pac 12 schools. Nevada is bordered by Arizona to the South, Utah to the East, California to the West and Oregon to the North, so even though Nevada doesn't house a Pac 12 school it is central to the geographical footprint of the conference. 9 of the 12 schools are in bordering states and the other 3 are one state away.

The Big 10, and for that matter the ACC, would have a much more difficult time claiming that New York is central to its conference.


PUmatty



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PostPosted: 03/09/18 8:27 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

calbearman76 wrote:
PUmatty wrote:
Like this year's B10 men's tournament, this would put them tournament in a state that doesn't include a conference school. It's a bizarre move.


Unlike the Big 10, Las Vegas is surrounded by Pac 12 schools. Nevada is bordered by Arizona to the South, Utah to the East, California to the West and Oregon to the North, so even though Nevada doesn't house a Pac 12 school it is central to the geographical footprint of the conference. 9 of the 12 schools are in bordering states and the other 3 are one state away.

The Big 10, and for that matter the ACC, would have a much more difficult time claiming that New York is central to its conference.


Certainly not central, though Rutgers is in the metro area. Still, I hope the tournament is never out there again.

I guess I am just still reacting to how odd it is that Utah and Colorado are in the P12.


patsweetpat



Joined: 14 Jul 2010
Posts: 2306
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PostPosted: 03/09/18 8:44 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

PUmatty wrote:
Like this year's B10 men's tournament, this would put them tournament in a state that doesn't include a conference school. It's a bizarre move.


The men's P12 tourney has been in Las Vegas for a few years now. It's been generally well-received, I think.


bcdawg04



Joined: 12 Apr 2016
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PostPosted: 03/10/18 4:33 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

dtsnms wrote:
Is this because of the Key's renovations?


Yes. The Storm brought the Pac-12 tournament here, and the arena renovations will temporarily force the Storm out as well. Due to the lease extension signed last year, though, the city will pay the Storm up to $2.6 million for each season they are displaced.

Last I heard, arena renovations are scheduled to begin this fall.

If the tournament returns, I plan on continuing to attend all of the sessions as I had since it first came to Seattle. It's pretty exhausting to attend the entire tournament without taking any time off from work, but it was worth it.


LitePal



Joined: 08 Sep 2005
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PostPosted: 03/10/18 5:23 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

People too often think that moving to Vegas is a magic cure. Reality says something different. It might be good for the Pac12 but remember, its still women's basketball and it draws a smaller audience. Since the tourney is at Mandalay, it can also be difficult to get to the arena. Right now, the Mountain West mens tournament has been having problems with attendance at Thomas and Mack and that could be directly connected to the influx of other tournaments that have relocated to Vegas. WCC conference women average in the 6000 so who knows what can happen.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/vegasmadness/mountain-west-looks-for-answers-for-dwindling-crowds-in-las-vegas/


calbearman76



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 03/10/18 7:39 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

LitePal wrote:
People too often think that moving to Vegas is a magic cure. Reality says something different. It might be good for the Pac12 but remember, its still women's basketball and it draws a smaller audience. Since the tourney is at Mandalay, it can also be difficult to get to the arena. Right now, the Mountain West mens tournament has been having problems with attendance at Thomas and Mack and that could be directly connected to the influx of other tournaments that have relocated to Vegas. WCC conference women average in the 6000 so who knows what can happen.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/vegasmadness/mountain-west-looks-for-answers-for-dwindling-crowds-in-las-vegas/


There is little question that Las Vegas isn't going to cure all problems. But anyone that knows Las Vegas could tell you that having a better Running Rebels team is the number one need for success of the Mountain West tournament. Better teams in San Diego St and New Mexico, two teams that travel well, will also help. But I doubt seriously that Phoenix or San Diego will cure any of the problems the tournament has. Las Vegas is both more central and also more able to handle not just one, but several tournaments at the same time. While it is true that there are some locals who would attend more than one tourney if they didn't overlap, the main attendance comes from people traveling in, and the town is easily able to handle all of them.

As for the women, this is more of a question. My concern is that the closest teams have not traveled that well. Stanford has a strong contingent in Washington and I suspect they will show up in somewhat larger numbers in Vegas. But by far the largest traveling contingents have been from Oregon and Oregon St. This makes sense because they are the two closest schools (Washington doesn't have to travel) and they both have top programs. But will they be willing to travel 900 miles instead of 250 miles. And will USC, UCLA and Arizona St travel the 300 miles to see their womens' teams. I hope so.


bcdawg04



Joined: 12 Apr 2016
Posts: 562
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PostPosted: 03/10/18 10:38 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

LitePal wrote:
People too often think that moving to Vegas is a magic cure. Reality says something different. It might be good for the Pac12 but remember, its still women's basketball and it draws a smaller audience. Since the tourney is at Mandalay, it can also be difficult to get to the arena. Right now, the Mountain West mens tournament has been having problems with attendance at Thomas and Mack and that could be directly connected to the influx of other tournaments that have relocated to Vegas. WCC conference women average in the 6000 so who knows what can happen.

https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/basketball/vegasmadness/mountain-west-looks-for-answers-for-dwindling-crowds-in-las-vegas/


It's not like the Pac-12 moved the women's tournament to try to improve it. If it weren't for the upcoming renovations of KeyArena, the tournament would be here next year, no question.

In addition to considering Las Vegas for next year's tournament, the conference also thought about returning to LA or to San Jose, or about bringing the tournament to Phoenix. Attendance was poor in San Jose. It was significantly worse in LA--despite the fact that the games were played on USC's campus.

When I heard they were considering Phoenix, my first thought was that Phoenix could be a really good location, if the Mercury wanted to get involved. I don't see the women's tournament staying in Las Vegas long term. I mean, maybe if attendance is good and the Aces get involved, then there's a chance.


calbearman76



Joined: 02 Nov 2009
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PostPosted: 03/10/18 11:31 pm    ::: Reply Reply with quote

The biggest problem with San Jose is that the Arena is too big, and because it is made for hockey there is no feeling of intimacy. It is also inconvenient for public transportation. That combined with the expense of the Bay Area make for some negatives.

The Galen Center at USC is a nice facility but there is limited parking, particularly for the day games on Thursday and Friday. UCLA and USC do not have as passionate fans and as a result I doubt the tournament would ever draw there. Phoenix has some advantages, but March is the height of their tourist season with Spring Training baseball and the best weather of the year. That means higher hotel costs. Also Arizona State has not drawn that well in women's basketball and you are a long way away from the best drawing programs.

It seems to me the best alternative may have been either Eugene, where the Tournament started, or Portland. But for me Vegas works very well, and I intend to welcome all Rebkell contributors to Nevada with some type of get-together during the Tournament next year.


tfan



Joined: 31 May 2010
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PostPosted: 03/11/18 12:53 am    ::: Reply Reply with quote

I went to the Pac-10 tournament in San Jose the night that Stanford played Cal back in the Candice Wiggins days. There was a large contingent of both Cal and Stanford (larger) fans, although still not enough to fill all of the lower bowl. But Seattle may be able to draw even more fans from all four Oregon/Washington schools.



The thing that surprised me about Vegas back when I was looking to go there was that it has a massive amount of hotel rooms, but it didn't seem like there was much discounting going on, even given that people are more likely to gamble and eat in the casino they are staying in. The place that did seem to discount bigtime was the Stratosphere which was at the far north end of the strip. Circus Circus was cheaper than average as well, but also a bit north of everybody else. But looking now on Google maps, it looks like there are a fair amount of places with very cheap prices ($2x and $3x) showing up on or near The Strip. But to me, there still is a bit of a stigma about Vegas. Maybe because I went there before it was a destination city for people in their 20's. At one point it was a place for people 50+ to go and do one primary thing - gamble.


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