MVC Tourney to Kansas City, MO?

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

Moving the thing to Kansas City would be a disaster. That is Big Eight/Big XII country, they have no respect for the Valley even though we play at a similar level. They'd probably allow us to play there but not at Sprint Center. At Municipal Auditorium instead where UMKC plays. That just isn't acceptable to me.

If we want to accommodate the western valley fans then play it in Salina, Kansas. They have the Bicentinnial Center and they would actually be tickled to have the tournament. Or play it in the new arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Either one would be better than KC.And I am dead serious. If St. Louis is apathetic then KC is whatever word in the dictionary that means worse than apathetic and times 10.

[2livewu]

Moving the thing to Kansas City would be a disaster. That is Big Eight/Big XII country, they have no respect for the Valley even though we play at a similar level. They'd probably allow us to play there but not at Sprint Center. At Municipal Auditorium instead where UMKC plays. That just isn't acceptable to me.

If we want to accommodate the western valley fans then play it in Salina, Kansas. They have the Bicentinnial Center and they would actually be tickled to have the tournament. Or play it in the new arena in Lincoln, Nebraska. Either one would be better than KC.And I am dead serious. If St. Louis is apathetic then KC is whatever word in the dictionary that means worse than apathetic and times 10.

You do realize that they have bid on the tourney in the past (recently) and it included the Sprint Center?

Casey, sometimes your jaded views of things causes you to see conspiracy where there is none.

I believe this to be a moot point anyway. The Valley offices aren't going to accept a location other than St. Louis for the foreseeable future. Even if KC loses the Big 12 (which I would contend is extraordinarily unlikely) and offers a big financial package, I'd be stunned to see the change. The offices are in St. Louis, they feel comfortable there, the Valley is a "fair is fair" socialistic group and they will be scared to death of making waves where they think there is already success. They are not interested in upsetting the apple cart.

Unless and until Dr. Sexton and Mr. Rasmussen together in unity go to the Valley and put their collective feet down, this is a non-starter, and even in that scenario I doubt it would get any legs.

But it would be nice.

[unipanther99]

If it was up to me, they'd move the thing to Vegas.

[DoubleJayAlum]

Moving the thing to Kansas City would be a disaster. That is Big Eight/Big XII country, they have no respect for the Valley even though we play at a similar level. They'd probably allow us to play there but not at Sprint Center. At Municipal Auditorium instead where UMKC plays. That just isn't acceptable to me.

It isn't a matter of allowing anything. The Sprint Center would have to bid on it. I do believe that if the Big 12 ditches KC, they will want/need something and would certainly submit a bid.

If we want to accommodate the western valley fans then play it in Salina, Kansas. They have the Bicentinnial Center and they would actually be tickled to have the tournament. Or play it in the new arena in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Dude, if you think KC is Big Eight/Big XII country/anti-MVC, you better steer clear of Lincoln, Nebraska. That place is Big 10/Big 12 country and looks down its noses at the MVC - and I say that knowing that from my driveway it is only about a 45 minute drive to Lincoln. The new Lincoln arena hasn't even been built yet, but it will be too small (By state law it is not allowed to be bigger than the Qwest center...)

[shockem]

I have 2 thoughts on this matter:

#1 - I am surprised every year at how little the local establishments in St. Louis are aware or care that the MVC tourney is happening right under their nose. I am not impressed by the effort that is put nto the MVC tournament in this town.

#2 - If I were working for the Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma City, I would be making a serious push to steal the rights to host the Big 12 tourney from Kansas City. With Nebraska and Mizzou out of the picture, the only schools benefitting from a KC location are KU and KState. Logistically and geographically, OKC and Dallas should be rotating every year for the Big 12 going forward.

[Haha]

I wonder if Tulsa with their new arena might also be a possibility for the big 12 tourney.

[DUBulldog]

If we want to accommodate the western valley fans then play it in Salina, Kansas.

And you say that Iowans make you chuckle.

It would make it essentially a home tournament for WSU.

Other than WSU and Creighton, it is a longer distance to travel for every other MVC school.

And, I doubt Salina has the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, entertainment) to host an event of that size.

Hell, they'd be better off at something like the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Salina, Kansas? For reals?

With an arena that holds 7500??????....sh**, might as well have it in the Knapp Center.

[TylerDurden]

The tournament won't move from St. Louis until another entity puts up a better bid. KC and the other potential sites were well short of the STL bid the last time it was put up.

There is something to be said for STL inertia, but the reality is that this event isn't making a ton of money anyway and moving it would make it a financial loser -- and there isn't a school in the league that wants to see that happen.

There also is more than just ticket sales when it comes to the bottom line of the tournament. I don't really see ticket sales markedly increasing in KC, but even supposing that ticket sales increase by 10-15%, at the prices they are now (I'm guessing people don't want to see a $50 increase), that wouldn't be enough to offset the added expense from moving it out of STL. You can't discount 20+ years worth of business relationships vs. brand new ones--- especially in tight economic times.

I know fans in the western half feel slighted, but if you keep coming, why would anyone move it?

I agree that the Sprint Center is a nicer venue and that KC has better dining/nightlife options close to the venue, but that in and of itself isn't enough to move the tournament from a place its been for 20 years.

Personally, I have no issue with it in STL - it's got a cool brand that people do recognize and it's successful. I'd also go if it were in KC, but it wouldn't be the same. It's like the CWS in the new stadium. Yeah, it's a nice venue with all the bells and whistles, but it isn't Rosenblatt and it never will be.

Call me sentimental, but I like tradition and STL the first week of March is a tradition.

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

I have 2 thoughts on this matter:

#1 - I am surprised every year at how little the local establishments in St. Louis are aware or care that the MVC tourney is happening right under their nose. I am not impressed by the effort that is put nto the MVC tournament in this town.

#2 - If I were working for the Chamber of Commerce in Oklahoma City, I would be making a serious push to steal the rights to host the Big 12 tourney from Kansas City. With Nebraska and Mizzou out of the picture, the only schools benefitting from a KC location are KU and KState. Logistically and geographically, OKC and Dallas should be rotating every year for the Big 12 going forward.

Agreed on number one. St. Louis is a Cards town pure and simple. Then some Rams, a little Blues,Missou, and then a few Illini fans. Overall it is a bad sports town outside of baseball. And it is a little too Eastern culturally for my tastes.

#2, don't forget about Iowa State fans. They really, really come out in droves to KC. Very good fans. The big problem with OKC and especially Dallas is just low attendance. It matters a lot more in KC which is the real shame of the Missouri move. KC really loved that tournament.

[CaseyGarrisonforPrez]

If we want to accommodate the western valley fans then play it in Salina, Kansas.

And you say that Iowans make you chuckle.

It would make it essentially a home tournament for WSU.

Other than WSU and Creighton, it is a longer distance to travel for every other MVC school.

And, I doubt Salina has the infrastructure (hotels, restaurants, entertainment) to host an event of that size.

Hell, they'd be better off at something like the Five Seasons Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Salina, Kansas? For reals?

With an arena that holds 7500??????....sh**, might as well have it in the Knapp Center.

DUBulldog, don't misinterpret. I really like Drake fans. They are really good people.

I hadn't put a lot of thought into the Salina thing. The inferstructure might not be there to support a basketball tournament. I know it hosted some Big Eight women's basketball tournaments in the 80's. But it wasn't entirely thought out on my part.

After what happened with Missouri State getting yet another shaft last season, I'd be all for the Valley tournament being hosted by the regular season champ. It would be the fairest way of doing things. Probably won't happen but it is what I like best. The truth is that there is apathy no matter what neutral site we have it. St. Louis cares little, KC cares even less, etc.