Ackerman Pleased With Year One As New-Look Big East Tourney Gets Under Way
Published March 12, 2014
Ackerman says lots of work remains, but the big items have been addressed
Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said that she is "pleased with the first season of the new league," according to Zach Braziller of the N.Y. POST. Ackerman "admitted there is a possibility of expansion down the road." However, she said that the league's presidents "favor the 10-team, round-robin format" for the Big East Tournament. Ackerman: "We're among the best (conferences in the country)." She added that she expects this week "to build on the memories the Big East Tournament created over the years, and establish new rivalries in the years to come" (N.Y. POST, 3/10). In N.Y., Zach Schonbrun profiles Ackerman's first nine months on the job and notes she is still operating out of a temporary HQ on the "24th floor of the Proskauer Rose law firm's office in Manhattan." While the conference is "still searching for a residence," the progress the Big East has made "on more important matters, such as lining up sponsors, spearheading a new advertising campaign and making sure a 12-year deal with Fox Sports, worth $500 million, did not go to waste." Ackerman said, "We still have things to do, don't get me wrong. But we've pulled this off. It hasn't been perfect, but I think we've addressed the big items." Tickets to this week's Big East Tournament were "made available to the public for the first time" since '03. Ackerman said that this was a "result of six fewer teams participating than in some recent seasons." But Schonbrun notes sales "have been sluggish." TiqIQ VP/Data & Communications Chris Matcovich said that the "average price for a ticket to the championship game on the resale market was down" 18% from last year. Ackerman: "The landscape, I think, is far from settled. We're in a quiet period in terms of alignment. It's not like it was a couple of years ago. But I think our schools are set for now" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/12).
BIG LEAST? In N.Y., Ben Fischer writes MSG "just won't be the same." Fans "simply aren't that interested -- at least compared to the prior years of the event that once stood as the pinnacle of college basketball's conference tournaments." Data from SeatGeek.com showed that "none of the five days are sold out" and prices for the Saturday semifinals are "down 32 percent and the Sunday championship game is down 48 percent." SeatGeek.com Communications Analyst Connor Gregoire said, "There may be room for prices to rise for the semifinal and championship sessions if nearby Villanova or, better yet, St. John's makes a deep run in the tournament, but on the other side of the coin, if Creighton and its Omaha fan base advance to Friday and/or Saturday, prices will likely fall even further" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/12). SNY's Sal Licata said, "I couldn't even name you the teams in the Big East" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 3/11).
JUST GIVE IT A CHANCE: The AP's Jim O'Connell wrote this week's tourney will show "if that 10-team league can drum up the interest of the 'old' Big East." The first tournament "without those highly ranked schools that brought a lot of fervent fans along will be watched by many to see if [it] lives up to the past." St. John's coach Steve Lavin said, "It's important, but I don't see any reason why it won't deliver an outstanding tournament as the conference has for years" (AP, 3/11). In Philadelphia, Bob Ford writes under the header, "Big East Tournament Not What It Used To Be." What the remnants of the Big East "will become is still unknown." What it is "now is better than might have been feared, but also somewhat less than might have been hoped" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/12). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes fans need to "let the New Big East breathe." Fans need to "stop comparing 2014 to 1985, stop wondering if this new basketball alliance can ever compare with the old one which we still remember fondly" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/12).
TRIPLE THREAT POSITION: On Long Island, Neil Best writes finding the Big East tournament broadcasts on FS1 "might be a bit of a challenge." But FS1's "credibility will be helped immensely by the A-list announcing crew it has deployed" in Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery and Erin Andrews. All three are "hugely popular, including in social media and among young fans" (NEWSDAY, 3/11).
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 12, 2014, 12:35:33 PM
Ackerman Pleased With Year One As New-Look Big East Tourney Gets Under Way
Published March 12, 2014
Ackerman says lots of work remains, but the big items have been addressed
Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said that she is "pleased with the first season of the new league," according to Zach Braziller of the N.Y. POST. Ackerman "admitted there is a possibility of expansion down the road." However, she said that the league's presidents "favor the 10-team, round-robin format" for the Big East Tournament. Ackerman: "We're among the best (conferences in the country)." She added that she expects this week "to build on the memories the Big East Tournament created over the years, and establish new rivalries in the years to come" (N.Y. POST, 3/10). In N.Y., Zach Schonbrun profiles Ackerman's first nine months on the job and notes she is still operating out of a temporary HQ on the "24th floor of the Proskauer Rose law firm's office in Manhattan." While the conference is "still searching for a residence," the progress the Big East has made "on more important matters, such as lining up sponsors, spearheading a new advertising campaign and making sure a 12-year deal with Fox Sports, worth $500 million, did not go to waste." Ackerman said, "We still have things to do, don't get me wrong. But we've pulled this off. It hasn't been perfect, but I think we've addressed the big items." Tickets to this week's Big East Tournament were "made available to the public for the first time" since '03. Ackerman said that this was a "result of six fewer teams participating than in some recent seasons." But Schonbrun notes sales "have been sluggish." TiqIQ VP/Data & Communications Chris Matcovich said that the "average price for a ticket to the championship game on the resale market was down" 18% from last year. Ackerman: "The landscape, I think, is far from settled. We're in a quiet period in terms of alignment. It's not like it was a couple of years ago. But I think our schools are set for now" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/12).
BIG LEAST? In N.Y., Ben Fischer writes MSG "just won't be the same." Fans "simply aren't that interested -- at least compared to the prior years of the event that once stood as the pinnacle of college basketball's conference tournaments." Data from SeatGeek.com showed that "none of the five days are sold out" and prices for the Saturday semifinals are "down 32 percent and the Sunday championship game is down 48 percent." SeatGeek.com Communications Analyst Connor Gregoire said, "There may be room for prices to rise for the semifinal and championship sessions if nearby Villanova or, better yet, St. John's makes a deep run in the tournament, but on the other side of the coin, if Creighton and its Omaha fan base advance to Friday and/or Saturday, prices will likely fall even further" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 3/12). SNY's Sal Licata said, "I couldn't even name you the teams in the Big East" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 3/11).
JUST GIVE IT A CHANCE: The AP's Jim O'Connell wrote this week's tourney will show "if that 10-team league can drum up the interest of the 'old' Big East." The first tournament "without those highly ranked schools that brought a lot of fervent fans along will be watched by many to see if [it] lives up to the past." St. John's coach Steve Lavin said, "It's important, but I don't see any reason why it won't deliver an outstanding tournament as the conference has for years" (AP, 3/11). In Philadelphia, Bob Ford writes under the header, "Big East Tournament Not What It Used To Be." What the remnants of the Big East "will become is still unknown." What it is "now is better than might have been feared, but also somewhat less than might have been hoped" (PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 3/12). In N.Y., Mike Vaccaro writes fans need to "let the New Big East breathe." Fans need to "stop comparing 2014 to 1985, stop wondering if this new basketball alliance can ever compare with the old one which we still remember fondly" (N.Y. DAILY NEWS, 3/12).
TRIPLE THREAT POSITION: On Long Island, Neil Best writes finding the Big East tournament broadcasts on FS1 "might be a bit of a challenge." But FS1's "credibility will be helped immensely by the A-list announcing crew it has deployed" in Gus Johnson, Bill Raftery and Erin Andrews. All three are "hugely popular, including in social media and among young fans" (NEWSDAY, 3/11).
Its sort of unfair that because our conference is no longer the best in the history of college basketball everyone is acting like we are some sort of mid major.
We were the 4th best conference in college basketball this year. You aren't getting this kind of media coverage about the other 3rd, 5th conferences etc. criticizing them.
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 12, 2014, 12:43:58 PM
Its sort of unfair that because our conference is no longer the best in the history of college basketball everyone is acting like we are some sort of mid major.
We were the 4th best conference in college basketball this year. You aren't getting this kind of media coverage about the other 3rd, 5th conferences etc. criticizing them.
Sort of unfair? Sure. Human nature? Yep. We love to compare.
Think about what we do on this board in almost every post.
The Pac-12, Big 12, SEC don't matter. We are being compared to what's now the best basketball conf, the ACC, because they want our lease. And let's face it, the ACC, if it committed full-time to MSG would kill it there. I think our saving grace is some ACC-types may not want to make MSG a permanent home.
Quote from: The Lens on March 12, 2014, 03:19:46 PM
The Pac-12, Big 12, SEC don't matter. We are being compared to what's now the best basketball conf, the ACC, because they want our lease. And let's face it, the ACC, if it committed full-time to MSG would kill it there. I think our saving grace is some ACC-types may not want to make MSG a permanent home.
True. But MSG is a long way from Tobacco Road....
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 12, 2014, 03:20:48 PM
True. But MSG is a long way from Tobacco Road....
Yes.
But Marquette is a long way from the "east" in the Big East conference and they've made that work after nearly a decade.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 12, 2014, 12:35:33 PMSNY's Sal Licata said, "I couldn't even name you the teams in the Big East" ("Loud Mouths," SNY, 3/11).
How does this guy have a job? I can only assume this is Mike Hunt's pseudonym
Does anyone think that maybe it would have been good to take a new name for our conference to avoid these comparisons that would inevitably be bad? I didn't think about it at the time, but we are getting rough treatment just because the conference isn't what it was.
Quote from: BW221 on March 12, 2014, 04:29:04 PM
Does anyone think that maybe it would have been good to take a new name for our conference to avoid these comparisons that would inevitably be bad? I didn't think about it at the time, but we are getting rough treatment just because the conference isn't what it was.
It's a fair point, but remember it's only year one and the big kid in the room (ESPN) is screaming about this because it helps them. Eventually things will settle in and the league will be appreciated for what it is...a pure basketball conference with a lot of tradition and history.
Also when the eventual football conference explosion we'll be referred for being the bastion of pure basketball.
Quote from: CreightonWarrior on March 12, 2014, 03:28:06 PM
How does this guy have a job? I can only assume this is Mike Hunt's pseudonym
LOL. That was the line that jumped out at me too! How can you work for a sports network in NYC and admit you don't even know the teams in the Big East? What's this guy's job at SNY - parking attendant?
Quote from: BW221 on March 12, 2014, 04:29:04 PM
Does anyone think that maybe it would have been good to take a new name for our conference to avoid these comparisons that would inevitably be bad? I didn't think about it at the time, but we are getting rough treatment just because the conference isn't what it was.
Nah. better to be compared to the old conference and come up short than be something no one has ever heard of
Quote from: Bleuteaux on March 12, 2014, 04:35:04 PM
Nah. better to be compared to the old conference and come up short than be something no one has ever heard of
Agreed. If we're having issues, imagine what things are like over at the American whatever conference.
You want the Big East tournament to rock? You need four plus teams in the top 20 and you need St. John's and Georgetown and Villanova to be those top 20 teams. Creighton and Butler are definitely not going to attract the attention and even MU, Seton Hall, Depaul and Providence don't have the cache to attract an audience unless their playing style is attractive and they are putting out a national title contender.
Quote from: BW221 on March 12, 2014, 04:29:04 PM
Does anyone think that maybe it would have been good to take a new name for our conference to avoid these comparisons that would inevitably be bad? I didn't think about it at the time, but we are getting rough treatment just because the conference isn't what it was.
Look at how much grief the American Conference got when they did their re-brand. All the Conference USA 2.0 jokes, best of the rest conference, etc. What would we have re-named the league? The Eastern Catholic Basketball Conference? It would inevitably be compared with the Atlantic-10 conference, which isn't something the league should want.
Quote from: CreightonWarrior on March 12, 2014, 03:28:06 PM
How does this guy have a job? I can only assume this is Mike Hunt's pseudonym
Not sure if this line is any better:
"none of the five days are sold out"
The tournament, after all, is only four days.
I'm actually not too worried about the ACC making a move to MSG anytime soon. The Carolina schools (UNC, Duke, Wake Forest and NC State) would vehemently be opposed to such a move (despite what Syracuse, Pitt and Louisville would be in favor of).
Quote from: mufanatic on March 12, 2014, 04:44:30 PM
You want the Big East tournament to rock? You need four plus teams in the top 20 and you need St. John's and Georgetown and Villanova to be those top 20 teams. Creighton and Butler are definitely not going to attract the attention and even MU, Seton Hall, Depaul and Providence don't have the cache to attract an audience unless their playing style is attractive and they are putting out a national title contender.
You're underestimating Creighton's fan base, they will carry this tournament this season.
That being said, I wished the C7 would have taken a new league name after the split to avoid the crappy comparisons.
Quote from: Golden Avalanche on March 12, 2014, 03:24:33 PM
Yes.
But Marquette is a long way from the "east" in the Big East conference and they've made that work after nearly a decade.
Marquette fans weren't the ones filling MSG for the old BET.
Hoping Georgetown fans are all still in the bars and will show up later on. There looks to be about 4,000 people there.
Quote from: PTM on March 12, 2014, 05:13:08 PM
I wished the C7 would have taken a new league name after the split to avoid the crappy comparisons.
This would have been a tragic mistake
I understand all the history that goes with MSG, but honestly the tournament would be better suited in Chicago at the UC. The top two attendance schools, Creighton and us, would easily sell more tickets than at MSG. If only St Johns had someone that would help them sell majority of tickets at MSG.
Quote from: BW221 on March 12, 2014, 04:29:04 PM
Does anyone think that maybe it would have been good to take a new name for our conference to avoid these comparisons that would inevitably be bad? I didn't think about it at the time, but we are getting rough treatment just because the conference isn't what it was.
Nope. The comparisons are what they are, but starting from scratch would scream mid major (even if it isn't) and would not be good. Look how tough it is for the AAC to get traction with their name and they have 4 legit teams in there.
Quote from: mu03eng on March 12, 2014, 04:34:27 PM
It's a fair point, but remember it's only year one and the big kid in the room (ESPN) is screaming about this because it helps them. Eventually things will settle in and the league will be appreciated for what it is...a pure basketball conference with a lot of tradition and history.
Also when the eventual football conference explosion we'll be referred for being the bastion of pure basketball.
I don't think they are screaming at all. Too many people here think ESPN is out to get this conference. ESPN doesn't need help by going down this path.
Quote from: marquette20 on March 12, 2014, 06:30:52 PM
I understand all the history that goes with MSG, but honestly the tournament would be better suited in Chicago at the UC. The top two attendance schools, Creighton and us, would easily sell more tickets than at MSG. If only St Johns had someone that would help them sell majority of tickets at MSG.
Maybe, but playing in the media capital of the world is not a bad thing...for recruiting, relevance, etc. Chicago is Big Ten country, the last thing I would want is to be playing there or Indianapolis unless the Big Ten committed to always having their tournament in Indy. If they did, then maybe, but as long they rotate it, no thanks. New York is a destination for many of these kids....an attraction. Going to Chicago....
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on March 12, 2014, 06:38:14 PM
I don't think they are screaming at all. Too many people here think ESPN is out to get this conference. ESPN doesn't need help by going down this path.
Going down what path?
MSG looks good for Butler and Seton Hall. Most seats look filled. Juice in the building.
Quote from: GoldenWarrior11 on March 12, 2014, 05:08:33 PM
I'm actually not too worried about the ACC making a move to MSG anytime soon. The Carolina schools (UNC, Duke, Wake Forest and NC State) would vehemently be opposed to such a move (despite what Syracuse, Pitt and Louisville would be in favor of).
Really? Why? Duke and UNC travel well and have large fan base. They would love nothing better to play in NYC. Every time Duke or UNC plays in MSG their fans fill the place.
Re: Attendance:
Creighton probably has the best fanbase bc they are Omaha's team, not just Creighton alums team. We're going to be very thankful for them. The rest of the Big East teams will struggle because no other school with the exception of maybe PC "owns" their town. And we're all small schools, which means small alumni bases. Hopefully Val & Co built in attainable benchmarks in their deal with MSG.
Re: ESPN's "agenda"
Grantland premiered its Untucked 30 for 30 short today...
Mike & Mike had FOX's Bill Raferty on this morning...
The McDerrmotts were on PTI last week...
We're still getting the same treatment as the SEC, PAC-12 etc on ESPN.com
STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT with the ESPN agenda.
Im so sick of this...
http://m.golocalprov.com/sports/big-east-future-at-msg-may-include-company
Quote from: 79Warrior on March 12, 2014, 07:34:19 PM
Really? Why? Duke and UNC travel well and have large fan base. They would love nothing better to play in NYC. Every time Duke or UNC plays in MSG their fans fill the place.
The ACC tourney in the backyard is pretty much a state holiday. It's been in Greensboro, Raleigh, or
all the way in Charlotte 50 of 61 years. The NC schools don't want to travel any further than the Coliseum. The other schools had to pitch a fit to get it in Atlanta a couple times. They now have enough leverage with the additions to get it moved out of NC, but the NC schools won't be thrilled.
Quote from: mu03eng on March 12, 2014, 07:06:40 PM
Going down what path?
A path of attacking the Big East or some how ostracizing the conference. Too much conspiracy talk on this. ESPN is not covering Big East like they did in the past because the conference isn't as good, big, etc. That's just reality of what has happened when you lose a Pitt, Syracuse, Louisville, WVU, Rutgers, etc
Quote from: MUBasketball on March 12, 2014, 09:05:33 PM
Im so sick of this...
http://m.golocalprov.com/sports/big-east-future-at-msg-may-include-company
Not sure why the ACC TV rights holder would go for this but...
ACC could stage Saturday Semi's during the day, with BE Champ on Saturday night. Then ACC Champ game on Sunday.
Friday would be interesting squeezing 6 games (4 ACC & 2 BE) into 4 slots. What's a 2nd site for early round games? Barclays is out.
Quote from: The Lens on March 12, 2014, 08:38:13 PM
Re: Attendance:
Creighton probably has the best fanbase bc they are Omaha's team, not just Creighton alums team. We're going to be very thankful for them. The rest of the Big East teams will struggle because no other school with the exception of maybe PC "owns" their town. And we're all small schools, which means small alumni bases. Hopefully Val & Co built in attainable benchmarks in their deal with MSG.
Re: ESPN's "agenda"
Grantland premiered its Untucked 30 for 30 short today...
Mike & Mike had FOX's Bill Raferty on this morning...
The McDerrmotts were on PTI last week...
We're still getting the same treatment as the SEC, PAC-12 etc on ESPN.com
STOP IT, STOP IT, STOP IT with the ESPN agenda.
Lens and Chico are right - there is no anti-BE conspiracy at ESPN. Just as there is no anti-MU conspiracy at the MJS.
Quote from: keefe on March 12, 2014, 11:45:02 PM
Lens and Chico are right - there is no anti-BE conspiracy at ESPN. Just as there is no anti-MU conspiracy at the MJS.
Agree there is no "conspiracy."
But networks are going to hype the conferences they have deals with.
Quote from: GoldenWarrior11 on March 12, 2014, 04:59:10 PM
Look at how much grief the American Conference got when they did their re-brand. All the Conference USA 2.0 jokes, best of the rest conference, etc. What would we have re-named the league? The Eastern Catholic Basketball Conference? It would inevitably be compared with the Atlantic-10 conference, which isn't something the league should want.
The AAC may have gotten grief during the rebrand but they got more coverage in the NYC metro and NJ this season than the Big East. UConn still rules the roost and with Cincinnati making a concerted effort to recruit NJ/NYC hard they have become a pseudo "local" school.
This solution is simple: it comes down to good basketball. The Big East desperately needs the Johnnies to become nationally relevant year in and year out along with Georgetown and Marquette to show this past season was an outlier. It would also help everyone if DePaul became a NCAA Tournament possibility.
Quote from: keefe on March 12, 2014, 11:45:02 PM
Lens and Chico are right - there is no anti-BE conspiracy at ESPN. Just as there is no anti-MU conspiracy at the MJS.
True - no conspiracy. They just don't give a s&*t.
Quote from: WarriorFan on March 13, 2014, 10:11:42 AM
True - no conspiracy. They just don't give a s&*t.
Fact is the new BE is not that exciting this year. Of the three marquee legacy programs. MU sucks, Georgetown sucks. Only Nova is pulling its weight.
I'll be interested to see how many Creighton fans there are tonight.
A friend from Omaha told me that lots of CU season ticket holders are passing on NYC, and saving their post-season $$$ with the hopes of a deep run in the NCAAs. I suspect they'll still have solid showing because they have a good following, but it may not be as big as some think.....
Quote from: GooooMarquette on March 13, 2014, 01:00:03 PM
I'll be interested to see how many Creighton fans there are tonight.
A friend from Omaha told me that lots of CU season ticket holders are passing on NYC, and saving their post-season $$$ with the hopes of a deep run in the NCAAs. I suspect they'll still have solid showing because they have a good following, but it may not be as big as some think.....
I flew from St Louis to Chicago last night on a plane that was continuing on to Newark. On the STL to Chicago leg, there were probably about two dozen people in Creighton gear on the plane. When I got off, there were probably another two dozen or so Creighton attired people waiting at the gate for the continuing flight.
If this is any indication, they will be fairly well represented at MSG.
Quote from: GooooMarquette on March 13, 2014, 01:00:03 PM
I'll be interested to see how many Creighton fans there are tonight.
A friend from Omaha told me that lots of CU season ticket holders are passing on NYC, and saving their post-season $$$ with the hopes of a deep run in the NCAAs. I suspect they'll still have solid showing because they have a good following, but it may not be as big as some think.....
Over 3000 all session sold, over double amount of any other school...they'll be there in force.
Quote from: The Lens on March 12, 2014, 09:23:56 PM
Not sure why the ACC TV rights holder would go for this but...
ACC could stage Saturday Semi's during the day, with BE Champ on Saturday night. Then ACC Champ game on Sunday.
Friday would be interesting squeezing 6 games (4 ACC & 2 BE) into 4 slots. What's a 2nd site for early round games? Barclays is out.
Heard this from a client plugged into SJU - MSG could host semis of ACC on Saturdays as well as BE championship game. ACC ends it's tourney on Sunday so there is no conflict there. ACC would play earlier rounds where they historically play it's tourney and provide teams one day off to travel to NYC.
He also said that he heard one of the MSG stipulations was a threshold of "at least 90% of all tickets sold based on capacity." Of course, he couldn't confirm it and neither can I.
Regardless, the ACC has no interest in making MSG it's permanent location for tourney. However, with the dilution of North Carolina influence, their tourney could rotate between verizon center, MSG and one location in NC.
ACC finalizing details to play its tournament at Barclays Center
Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20140314/acc-tournament-barclays-center-2017/#ixzz2vwamH8FI (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/college-basketball/news/20140314/acc-tournament-barclays-center-2017/?eref=sihp)
Quote from: WarriorFan on March 13, 2014, 10:11:42 AM
True - no conspiracy. They just don't give a s&*t.
And that is different. Sins of omission vs. sins of commission.
Quote from: keefe on March 12, 2014, 11:45:02 PM
Lens and Chico are right - there is no anti-BE conspiracy at ESPN. Just as there is no anti-MU conspiracy at the MJS.
It's certainly not a conspiracy from a menacing standpoint, but ESPN does have an economically driven bias. They have economic incentive to drive eyeballs to content they provide and prevent eyeballs from going to content provided by others. Ergo, as a news operation they are biased to cover content provided by their live broadcast arm and minimize the impact/coverage of non-provided content.
Again this is capitalism, but let's not act as if ESPN is making decisions in a vacuum.
I was surprised to see that the BE Tourney logo just said "New York" and not "Madison Square Garden".
Put your assets front and center where everyone can see them, Val.