The newly named American Athletic Conference will begin its search for a site for men’s basketball tournament in Philadelphia.

According to sources familiar with the process, representatives of the American will visit the historic Palestra in Philadelphia on Tuesday as a potential site of the men’s basketball tournament in March 2014.


http://ajerseyguy.com/

Glad Aresco favors a smaller arena. It's important to start out in a place that will for sure be full.

Makes sense, it would follow in the long tradition of screw ups by the Aresco administration.

I am not sure why there is so much love for a smaller arena. I still believe the smart money would be host the tournament in Memphis this season.

I'm down with the Palestra...AAC city...historic venue...all the games should sell out...I like it.

welcome! :)

How many does it hold?

(04-29-2013 06:37 PM)dawgitall Wrote:  How many does it hold?

Like 8,340

8,340? That is just way to small. Why not where the Sixers play?

The Palestra holds 8,722

Is the Spectrum still around?

(04-29-2013 07:09 PM)DrBox Wrote:  Is the Spectrum still around?

Demolished in 2010

The search starts???

I thought that we've been looking and talking about this for months...

Not that I expect every decision to be made at the same time, but jeez... Can't Aresco walk and chew gum at the same time? Or hire someone to do it for him?

(04-29-2013 07:34 PM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  The search starts???

I thought that we've been looking and talking about this for months...

Not that I expect every decision to be made at the same time, but jeez... Can't Aresco walk and chew gum at the same time? Or hire someone to do it for him?

Probably floated the idea for feedback --- like I'd wager was done with the 'American 12' idea.

I would not crow about 'selling out' a mini arena of 8.7K... Palestra is cool, but we should be in Memphis.

Or casino in Connecticut

(04-29-2013 06:31 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  I'm down with the Palestra...AAC city...historic venue...all the games should sell out...I like it.

How about this......even years Palestra.....odd years rotate,in no order, Memphis, Florida (Tampa/Orlando arena), UCONN, Cinn, Tulsa and if my Pirates, the Texas teams or Tulane ever got it in high gear pick up a place near those schools.

That way you have a "home" and also open it up to everyone else that is committed to basketball.

I think the Palestra would be a one time deal...

I would use pods...

Philly/Cincy/Hartford (east)...Memphis/Tulsa (west)...Orlando/Tampa (south)

Just rotate east, west, south every three years.

(04-29-2013 09:07 PM)UofMemphis Wrote:  I think the Palestra would be a one time deal...

I would use pods...

Philly/Cincy/Hartford (east)...Memphis/Tulsa (west)...Orlando/Tampa (south)

Just rotate east, west, south every three years.

For now, it seems Hartford, Cincy, Memphis, Philly. Maybe Orlando/Tampa, not sure of the popularity of hoops there.

My vote would be for the Palestra every year. Establish Philadelphia as your home.