We got an email this morning from the WAC, stating that commish Karl Benson is making a 'major announcement' on Wednesday at 2 p.m. I think it's safe to assume at this point that the pieces are finally in place for an announcement regarding moving the WAC tournament to Las Vegas.
15 comments:
How long would the agreement between the two last? I would assume its going to be at the Orleans like the women's volleyball tournament.
I believe it will be the Orleans as well anon (11:27). Does anyone know anything about this facility? seating capacity etc.
I just hope that if that is the case ALL championships go to neutral sites. I dont think we should take the highest profile tournament out of one of our cities and then let Hawaii host the baseball tournament for example.
9,000 capacity, the May 5th blog you posted had some replies going back and forth about the Orleans. It was built as a hockey arena then used as a football arena.
www.orleansarena.com
Anon, Baseball is in mesa arizona and volleyball is already at the Orleans Arena anon at 11:32
Capacity for basketball would be 7,471. Not very good I think.
I hear for basketball it's between 7500 and 8500 capacity.
Great, neutral court. Now, the real question is; how many of you are going to the tournament now that it is in Las Vegas? The WAC brain trust thinks that it will draw many more people from our universities. We don't have a Gonzaga in the WAC that will travel 7,000 and fill the Orleans arena as they did, do we? What do you think?
While its a good time in Vegas for the fans, the economies local to the schools get no benefit.
One good thing, though, about this move is there shouldn't be any home court advantage. People from Reno will have to make the trip just like everyone else.
Here is Teddy's story from the conference call.
http://www.lcsun-news.com/ci_12679950
Now the question is do you think it will fill the arena? I have a hard time believing that it will unless Nevada reaches the final. Fairness wise, it's a good move, but the WAC is a large conference geographically. It's a long trip for say Idaho fans to make
This maybe fan friendly but is it family friendly? Im single with no kids, so it doesnt really apply to me. But my brother for example has a wife and two kids.
We all went to Reno and they came to LC the previous years, but I dont think the kids are making the trip in the years to come. Meaning at least 2 fewer tickets will be sold. Granted, Reno has gambling as well, but not nearly as much as LV.
Plus, will the stands be full while the other teams are playing?
I know I would rather hit the strip while Idaho takes on La Tech.
Anon 7:47..you must have not been paying attention to the league if you think LA Tech and Idaho is a bad match up. This is going to be a tough league.
As for the WAC being a weird regional make-up, thus not attracting patrons...It's true, but there are people all over the southwest with WAC ties. Lets not minimize that.
I never said it was a bad matchup, I'm just saying there is so much more going on in Vegas other than the games. Hell it could be Nevada and the UtAgs, or FSU and Hawai'i, I'm still not going.
I will be there for the NMSU games and that's it.
ic, i guess we just look at it differently. I'll be in Vegas for the WAC Tourney, not any of the other frills of Vegas. Do they serve beer at the arena?
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