The Pac-12 tournament is trading the West Coast for Sin City.
Commissioner Larry Scott made the move official on Tuesday (it had been rumored for months, with many hints dropped the last few weeks), selling the new MGM Grand venue as a switch that help attract fans to a spot for a tournament that had flagging attendance figures the last few years at L.A.’s Staples Center.
It’ll be one four tournaments in Las Vegas – the Mountain West, Western Athletic and West Coast will all be there in 2013 – but Scott says that just adds to the attraction.
“For hardcore basketball fans, this is going to be like Disneyland,” Scott said.
He’s not the only one excited, either. Washington coach Lorenzo Romar said “I can see this taking us to the next level as a conference with national exposure.”
Las Vegas got the nod over Salt Lake City, Seattle and Los Angeles.
The Pac-12 women’s tournament will head to Seattle.
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