The Big East locked up a contract extension with Madison Square Garden through 2032, which will be the 50th anniversary of the Big East Tournament.
Approximately 10 years since the “new” Big East had its first conference tournament after realignment, at first there was plenty of uncertainty, but now, it’s a no-brainer when it comes to the tournament’s prestige and standing.
“When we first started out, we weren’t sure how this ‘new’ conference would be, but to me and to all of us, it’s better,” Madison Square Garden Executive Vice President of Marquee Events Joel Fisher said. “Look at what we’ve seen and the amount of schools. That first year, Creighton made it to the finals, and they had crazy turnout with so many people here. That set the tone going forward and it’s been sold out. We did not skip a beat when it changed and that’s a lot of credit to Val and her standard set right here.”
The Big East announced an extension with Madison Square Garden before the Big East Tournament semifinals tipped off on Friday night.
The partnership is extended through 2032, which will ensure that Madison Square Garden will host 50 consecutive Big East Tournaments.
“The Big East and Madison Square Garden have been a match made in heaven,” Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said. “Our relationship is about history. It’s about adult fans telling us they’ve come here for years or decades — first with a grandparent, then a parent and now with kids or grandkids of their own.
“We’re so mindful of the proud history of this storied event. We recognize our role as caretakers and we’re thrilled to be in business with a company that respects that history and treasures it, shares our intent to hold onto it so future players, coaches, referees, journalists, security guards, Garden staff and fans will get to see it, hear about it and feel what the moments are all about.”
The iconic venue first hosted the tournament back in 1983. The Big East Tournament continues to be college basketball’s longest-running postseason championship event held at the same location.
“It’s gotten better and better every single year,” Fisher said. “We didn’t think it could, but every year, it’s gotten better. We’re thrilled that his can continue, and that we’ll get to say 50 years, and then it will go beyond that.”
Despite the rising costs, Ackerman suggests that money has never been part of the equation when it comes to contract negotiations, stressing the history and significance of tradition.
“Believe it or not, that has never come up,” Ackerman said. “Even our Midwest teams say if we were in Chicago, we could have A-B-C instead of X-Y-Z, but they also say — don’t move it. They love coming here. For our schools, as the case of most conference tournaments, this just becomes a hub of activity for your donors and supporters.
“… We don’t involve (money), when it comes to negotiations. This goes back to when we started. We get great pull from our eastern seaboard schools. It’s automatic, they’ll come in and come back. What’s been heartening is our midwest schools — we had an all-midwest final for the first time, but we still had a robust turnout.”
They ended their official announcement by exchanging gifts to celebrate the deal. Ackerman presented Fisher with a special Big East jersey to commemorate the 50-year anniversary in 2032, plus a signed basketball from all Big East coaches.
In turn, Fisher gave Ackerman a golden key to Madison Square Garden.
“This was easy in a lot of ways,” Fisher said. “We spoke about it in the beginning of the season, and we stuck to our words to get this done, and we did. It was a no-brainer for the both of us.”