The following are key conference tournaments for men’s basketball. Media partners listed are for late-round coverage only. Conference radio affiliations, such as the SEC Radio Network, are not listed. Additionally, while each conference and its sponsors hosts a tournament fan gathering, only specific company-named events or promotions are listed in the corporate activation sections. For tournament information for women’s basketball, visit: www.sportsbusinessjournal.com.
 Atlantic Coast Conference
City: Charlotte
Arena (capacity): Charlotte Bobcats Arena (20,200)
Coverage: Raycom, ESPN, XM Satellite Radio
Corporate activation: NA
Tickets: No public sale; tickets equally distributed among the 12 member institutions
Future sites: 2009 and 2012, Georgia Dome (Atlanta); 2010-11, 2013-2015, Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum
Note: ISP handles sales for the XM broadcasts | Atlantic 10 Conference
City: Atlantic City, N.J.
Arena (capacity): Boardwalk Hall (12,000)
Coverage: CSTV, ESPN
Corporate activation: FanZone presented by the Nike Factory Store Atlantic City Outlet Tickets: $25-$300 (Ticketmaster)
Future sites: TBD | Big East Conference
City: New York
Arena (capacity): Madison Square Garden (19,763)
Coverage: ESPN
Corporate activation: Aeropostale (title sponsor)
Tickets: Through member schools only
Future sites: 2009-Madison Square Garden | Big Ten Conference
City: Indianapolis
Arena (capacity): Conseco Fieldhouse (18,165)
Coverage: CBS
Corporate activation: NA
Tickets: $20-$275
Future sites: This will mark the first of a five-year agreement, through 2012, with the City of Indianapolis to host both the men’s and women’s tournaments. | Big 12 Conference
City: Kansas City, Mo.
Arena (capacity): Sprint Center (18,630)
Coverage: ESPN Plus, ESPN, ESPN2
Tickets: $240 (sold to general public via random, online drawing)
Corporate activation: Phillips 66 (title sponsor)
Future sites: 2009, Ford Center (Oklahoma City); 2010-11, Sprint Center
Note: Telecast shown on ESPN Plus stations in Big 12 markets, on ESPN2 nationally | Conference USA
City: Memphis
Arena (capacity): FedEx Forum (18,119)
Coverage: CSTV, CBS
Tickets: $60-$300
Corporate activation: NA
Future sites: TBD | | Missouri Valley Conference
City: St. Louis
Arena (capacity): Scottrade Center (22,000)
Coverage: Fox Sports Net Midwest, Comcast SportsNet, CBS
Tickets: $10-$100 (Ticketmaster)
Corporate activation: State Farm (title sponsor), Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, Diet Pepsi, Fox Sports Net
Future sites: 2009-2012, Scottrade Center; conference holds option for two additional years | Mountain West Conference
City: Las Vegas
Arena (capacity): Thomas and Mack Center (18,776)
Coverage: The mtn., CSTV, Versus
Tickets: $10-$500 (Paciolan/Ticketmaster)
Corporate activation: Phillips 66 (title sponsor)
Future sites: 2009-10, Thomas and Mack Center | Pac-10 Conference
City: Los Angeles
Arena (capacity): Staples Center (20,000)
Coverage: Fox Sports Net, CBS
Tickets: $140-$325 (Ticketmaster)
Corporate activation: State Farm (title sponsor); State Farm Pride of the Pac Luncheon; Pac-10 Hall of Honor Banquet presented by World Financial Group
Future sites: 2009-10, Staples Center | Southeastern Conference
City: Atlanta
Arena (capacity): Georgia Dome (26,000)
Coverage: Raycom, CBS, XM Satellite Radio
Tickets: $260 (SouthTix)
Corporate activation:Dr Pepper SEC Fanfare; Host Communications/IMG College and the SEC’s 14 corporate partners combined for the “SEC Ultimate Basketball Weekend” promotion
Future sites: 2009, St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa); 2010, Sommet Center (Nashville); 2011, Georgia Dome; 2012, New Orleans Arena | West Coast Conference
City: San Diego
Arena (capacity): Jenny Craig Pavilion (5,100)
Coverage: ESPN, ESPN2
Tickets: $10-$100
Corporate activation: None
Future sites: (Site rotates between the league’s three west regions on a two-year basis) 2008-09, Southern California; 2010-11, Bay Area; 2012-13, Pacific Northwest | |
| Source: SportsBusiness Journal research |
