Interviews with Val Ackerman (good and the bad...BET tickets issue)

[ChicosBailBonds]

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).

[Coleman]

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.

[MU82]

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 Lens]

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.

[Coleman]

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....

[Golden Avalanche]

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.

[CreightonWarrior]

SNY'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

[THEbig0]

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. 

[mu03eng]

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.

[GooooMarquette]

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?

[Coleman]

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

[GooooMarquette]

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.

[Big Papi]

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. 

[GoldenWarrior11]

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.

[copious1218]

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.

[GoldenWarrior11]

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).   

[🏀]

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.

[LAZER]

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.

[Atticus]

Hoping Georgetown fans are all still in the bars and will show up later on. There looks to be about 4,000 people there.

[keefe]

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

[marquette20]

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.

[ChicosBailBonds]

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. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

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. 

[ChicosBailBonds]

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....

[mu03eng]

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?