The PAC-12 today announced that after eleven years in Los Angeles their men’s basketball tournament will move to Las Vegas starting in 2013. The conference also provided more detail on how the broadcast rights will rotate among ESPN, FOX and the PAC-12 network. From the release:
The new agreement, which runs through 2015, brings the Pac-12 Tournament to one of the most popular and exciting travel destinations in the world, one that averages approximately 40 million visitors annually and showcases some of the most iconic entertainment events in the country. All tournament games will be televised nationally on ESPN, FOX and the Pac-12 Networks. The 2013 tournament will be played March 13-16.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to create a new, dynamic atmosphere for our schools, our student-athletes and our fans,” Pac-12 Commissioner Larry Scott said. “Las Vegas is one of the most exciting destinations in the country and with our new partnership with Las Vegas Events, the MGM Grand Garden Arena and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority we expect the stature and energy of the Pac-12 Tournament to continue to flourish.”
The tournament moves from the Staples Center, home of the Lakers and Clippers to the MGM Grand Garden Arena, home of a lot of boxing and MMA fights. The move to a neutral site should be appreciated by every team not named UCLA and spending four days in Vegas watching basketball isn’t exactly a rough assignment for PAC-12 fans.
You can read the full release here.
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