KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas responded Thursday to a recent Arizona Daily Star column calling on Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark to begin moving the tournament to other locations at the end of the current contract in 2031.
Lucas equates the Big 12 Tournament to the College World Series in Omaha, a tradition families can plan around. But in big time college sports with big time money and sponsors, competition to retain the tournament could become increasingly fierce as the conference has expanded.
For eight days women’s and now men’s college basketball fans have flocked to T-Mobile Center and Power and Light for Fan Fest fun.
“Kansas City knows how to do it right they are a great host city we love it here,” Iowa State fan Barbara Sloniker said.
Kansas City remains near the geographic center of the conference. But road trips have turned into flights as it added schools like UCF and former Pac-12 schools in Utah and Arizona.
“I like it but it’s a little bit far for us, we would like Las Vegas,” Arizona fan Henry Salazar said.
As the tournaments got underway last week the Arizona columnist called for a 6-year rotation for the tournament beginning in 2032 in Las Vegas. It said the tournament could then move to Oklahoma City, Denver, Dallas and Salt Lake City before being allowed to return to Kansas City.
Lucas responded to those opinions on Thursday.
“I think to anyone who says it should be anywhere else, look at the tradition, look at the history of the Big 12 Tournament. More than anything look at the crowds that I think are thrilled with what’s going on,” Lucas said.
A majority of fans we spoke with agree the tournament has become a cultural staple for the city and they wouldn’t be in favor of seeing it hosted in other cities.
“The whole city gets behind the tournament. You have the local support from Kansas State,Kansas, Iowa State that show out in numbers year over year that the other cities don’t have,” Iowa State fan Blake Ostrem said.
“People are going to get off work at from Iowa and Kansas at 5pm and make it here on time . This is a Thursday night and Las Vegas? People go to Vegas for a different reason. That would be a mistake by the Big 12 for sure,” Kansas fan Blake Shumaker said.
While there’s no signs the tournament that’s been held in Kansas City 23 times could be on the move, the conference is making attempts to broaden its appeal.
A glass LED floor has been added in the arena and DJ Khaled will host a free show at KC Live at the conclusion of the championship game Saturday.
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