The Big 12 women's basketball tournament "will remain in Oklahoma City" through the '18-19 season, a "long-term agreement that was designed to allow one site to build the tournament over time rather than having it bounce around from site to site," according to Jason Kersey of the OKLAHOMAN. The tournament was held in Dallas last season. Over this year's four-day tournament, 20,672 fans "attended in total for a daily average of 5,168 fans." Two years ago in Oklahoma City, the four-day average was 4,822. Big 12 Senior Associate Commissioner Dru Hancock said that the goal is to "get to the point where the women's tournament is averaging 7-to-8,000 fans" per day (OKLAHOMAN, 3/8).
APPLE JAX: In Jacksonville, Gene Frenette noted the SEC "took a flyer" on bringing its women's tournament to Veterans Memorial Arena, and signs show that the city "impresses people by its ability to roll out the welcome mat." The conference is "looking for a primary home for its women's tournament, possibly to host it from 2019-21, and every indication is Jacksonville has earned the right to be a contender." SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey: "Jacksonville is absolutely part of the conversation. My sense is this year has been a good step forward for us. They've done many positive things to make sure Jacksonville will continue to be in the discussion (for future SEC women's tournaments)" (FLORIDA TIMES-UNION, 3/6).
