Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

New host cities for the SEC tournament?

SEC Basketball Tournament - Vanderbilt v Kentucky

NEW ORLEANS, LA - MARCH 11: Michael Kidd-Gilchrist #14 of the Kentucky Wildcats dunks on the Vanderbilt Commodores during the championship game of the 2012 SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament at New Orleans Arena on March 11, 2012 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Getty Images

Missouri is moving to the SEC, and with that move may come new venues for the conference tournament. Nashville will be hosting next season, followed by Atlanta (site of 9 of the past 15 tourneys), and then two more in Nashville. But 2017 and 2018 are still open.

SEC Commissioner Mike Slive was in Kansas City today, and during a Q&A with Missouri boosters, he indicated that both Kansas City and St. Louis had already expressed interest in the tournament.

People will likely make a big deal about the SEC leaving the south, but with all things in college athletics, it’s about money and a brand. The Big East has all sorts of geographic options, the ACC has a school from western Pennsylvania and the Big West has a team from New Jersey. The SEC playing hoops in the midwest would be no big deal.

The SEC has yet to solicit bids for the 2017 tournament, but don’t be surprised if Missouri ends up as the de facto host school.