[Farm93]

Anybody really think this will put more butts in the seats? I\'m skeptical.
http://leftcoasthoops.com/blog/pac-10/pa...other-news

Having the Women\'s tournament in the same CITY is the problem.  Those with any interest in college hoops can watch 9 men\'s games at Staples in that same weekend.  With that kind of access to hoops there simply are not enough casual fans or Pac-10 touring types left to attend the women\'s games.

The women should return to playing in a different Pac-10 city.  Even the NCAA knows to resist the idea of having the Women\'s Final Four in the same city as the Men\'s Final Four.

Speaking of Staples...now that there are a few more votes in the mix.  I think the Pac-12 should revisit the Staples policy.  There are NBA and NHL venues all over the Pac-12.  And thanks to the 12, 3 schools can object (UCLA, Stanford and UofA) and the deal can still go through.

Watching the tournament in the massive, and empty, Staples Center is depressing.  If it rotates there might be more of a novelty element to draw fans.  Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Denver, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Phoenix could all join the fun.

Staples was always done to get Fox to cover everything and for UCLA to say yes.  However, with a new TV network and room for 3 no votes it might be time to switch it up!

[Farm93]

Anybody really think this will put more butts in the seats? I\'m skeptical.
http://leftcoasthoops.com/blog/pac-10/pa...other-news

Having the Women\'s tournament in the same CITY is the problem.  Those with any interest in college hoops can watch 9 men\'s games at Staples in that same weekend.  With that kind of access to hoops there simply are not enough casual fans or Pac-10 touring types left to attend the women\'s games.

The women should return to playing in a different Pac-10 city.  Even the NCAA knows to resist the idea of having the Women\'s Final Four in the same city as the Men\'s Final Four.

Speaking of Staples...now that there are a few more votes in the mix.  I think the Pac-12 should revisit the Staples policy.  There are NBA and NHL venues all over the Pac-12.  And thanks to the 12, 3 schools can object (UCLA, Stanford and UofA) and the deal can still go through.

Watching the tournament in the massive, and empty, Staples Center is depressing.  If it rotates there might be more of a novelty element to draw fans.  Seattle, Portland, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Denver, Los Angeles, Anaheim and Phoenix could all join the fun.

Staples was always done to get Fox to cover everything and for UCLA to say yes.  However, with a new TV network and room for 3 no votes it might be time to switch it up!

[Spiny_Norman]

Farm93, a new Pac 12 network will require a broadcast partner which will likely be Fox or ESPN.  Fox is already set up in the Staples Center.  ESPN\'s West Coast broadcast center is across the street from Staples.  It will take some fancy dancing by Larry Scott to convince Fox or ESPN that it is worth their while to broadcast a tournament somewhere besides LA.

When you sell out for tv, you have to dance to their tune.

[Spiny_Norman]

Farm93, a new Pac 12 network will require a broadcast partner which will likely be Fox or ESPN.  Fox is already set up in the Staples Center.  ESPN\'s West Coast broadcast center is across the street from Staples.  It will take some fancy dancing by Larry Scott to convince Fox or ESPN that it is worth their while to broadcast a tournament somewhere besides LA.

When you sell out for tv, you have to dance to their tune.

[Viking_Guy]

Spiny, it\'s long been my belief that UCLA changed their vote (thus enabling the return of the Pac-10 tournament) precisely because Fox (which isn\'t just set up at the Staples Center, but don\'t they own a share of it) assured them that the tournament would be in Los Angeles perenially.

Anyone know any more details on that sordid story?

VG

[Viking_Guy]

Spiny, it\'s long been my belief that UCLA changed their vote (thus enabling the return of the Pac-10 tournament) precisely because Fox (which isn\'t just set up at the Staples Center, but don\'t they own a share of it) assured them that the tournament would be in Los Angeles perenially.

Anyone know any more details on that sordid story?

VG

[Spiny_Norman]

Garvin, my comment about selling out to tv was intended to refer to the actions and plans of the current Pac 10 commissioner.  The strategy behind the Pac 12/near-Pac 16 is to generate more revenue from future tv deals.  Hey, those are just the marching orders that Larry Scott received from the presidents and ADs.  We should not be surprised if that strategy plays out in other Pac 12 decisions, like where the conference hoops tourneys are played.

[Spiny_Norman]

Garvin, my comment about selling out to tv was intended to refer to the actions and plans of the current Pac 10 commissioner.  The strategy behind the Pac 12/near-Pac 16 is to generate more revenue from future tv deals.  Hey, those are just the marching orders that Larry Scott received from the presidents and ADs.  We should not be surprised if that strategy plays out in other Pac 12 decisions, like where the conference hoops tourneys are played.

[Farm93]

I always understood the appeal for Fox to have the event in Staples.  And if Fox remains the Pac-12\'s partner I would be shocked to see the event move.

But my hope was that the others would see the light.  ESPN offices across the street seems less relevant, those commentators are not LA based.  And few of their college truck crews likely call LA home.  ESPN seems more than capable of going on the road, and almost glorifies it to show they really cover the country.  Comcast/NBC/Universal would probably prefer to get the thing out of the Fox house ASAP.

In any event, any new TV partner would likely recognize that holding an event on a rotating basis would be better for ratings if it could get more butts in the seats.

[Farm93]

I always understood the appeal for Fox to have the event in Staples.  And if Fox remains the Pac-12\'s partner I would be shocked to see the event move.

But my hope was that the others would see the light.  ESPN offices across the street seems less relevant, those commentators are not LA based.  And few of their college truck crews likely call LA home.  ESPN seems more than capable of going on the road, and almost glorifies it to show they really cover the country.  Comcast/NBC/Universal would probably prefer to get the thing out of the Fox house ASAP.

In any event, any new TV partner would likely recognize that holding an event on a rotating basis would be better for ratings if it could get more butts in the seats.