BROOKLYN (March 26, 2014) – Barclays Center announced today a two-year agreement with the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and an extension with the Atlantic 10 Conference (A-10) that secures postseason conference tournaments in Brooklyn’s major sports and entertainment venue through 2021.
The ACC Tournament will be played at Barclays Center in 2017 and ’18. The A-10 will continue to hold its championship at Barclays Center in 2015 and 2016 and then return to the venue for three years in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The ACC and the A-10 will play inter-conference doubleheaders at Barclays Center in 2015, 2016 and 2017. In addition, the A-10 has secured a spot for its teams to participate in the annual BROOKLYN HOOPS™ events at Barclays Center.
“It’s exciting to bring the elite ACC and its storied men’s basketball tournament history to Brooklyn,” said Barclays Center CEO Brett Yormark. “We’re looking forward to extending our Atlantic 10 partnership starting in 2019 through 2021 and creating competitive inter-conference doubleheaders with the ACC and the A-10. I want to thank ACC Commissioner John Swofford and Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette McGlade for their commitment to Barclays Center and to Brooklyn. It’s clear that our position with both Conferences validates Barclays Center as the leading college basketball venue in the country.”
“We are pleased that the ACC Basketball Tournament will be played at Barclays Center in 2017 and 2018,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “Barclays Center has quickly emerged as one of the premier sports and entertainment venues in the world and Brooklyn is a hot spot within the New York marketplace, which is an important part of our league’s new footprint. I appreciate the cooperation and ongoing relationship with Bernadette McGlade and I want to thank Brett Yormark for his tireless efforts as this is an outstanding opportunity for our players, coaches, alumni and fans that continue to support the ACC and our 15 member institutions.”
“Playing the A-10 Championship in Barclays Center is fantastic, and securing a three year extension is a great opportunity for the conference. Working in a collaborative way with Brett Yormark and John Swofford to negotiate a plan that is a win-win for all involved has been a good experience,” stated Atlantic 10 Commissioner Bernadette V. McGlade. “This agreement that creates a scheduling partnership, the ability to play the A-10 Championship in other areas of our footprint and returning to the NY market is exciting, securing a solid future for the A-10.”
The ACC Tournament has been held in seven different cities and 11 venues since the inaugural event in March of 1954. The Greensboro (N.C.) Coliseum serves as host in 2015 and Washington D.C. will host the tournament in 2016.
The Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball Championship just completed its second year at Barclays Center following six years at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. It has also been held in Cincinnati, Ohio, Philadelphia, Pa. and Dayton, Ohio.
The Barclays Center college basketball platform BROOKLYN HOOPS™ Tournament Play is presented by Ticketmaster, with other partners including Applebee’s, GEICO, High Point Solutions, McDonald’s, Modell’s, JetBlue, New York Life, PC Richard & Son, and Honda.
About the Atlantic Coast Conference
The Atlantic Coast Conference, now in its 61st year of competition and 15 members strong, has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. ACC members continue to build upon the cornerstones on which the league was founded in 1953 with a consistent balance of academics, athletics and integrity. For more information, visit theACC.com and follow @theACC and on facebook.com/theACC.
About the Atlantic 10 Conference
The Atlantic 10 Conference is a basketball-centric conference founded in 1976 and consists of 13 diverse members across seven states and Washington, D.C. The mission of the Atlantic 10 Conference is to provide an enhanced student-athlete experience through 21 nationally competitive championship sports. The conference is committed to integrity, educational excellence and providing quality equitable championship experiences for its student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. The membership consists of University of Dayton, Duquesne University, Fordham University, George Mason University, The George Washington University, La Salle University, the University of Massachusetts, the University of Rhode Island, University of Richmond, St. Bonaventure University, Saint Joseph’s University, Saint Louis University and Virginia Commonwealth University. For more information, visit www.atlantic10.com.
About Barclays Center
Barclays Center opened on September 28, 2012, and is a major sports and entertainment venue in the heart of Brooklyn, New York. One of the most intimate seating configurations ever designed into a modern multi-purpose arena, Barclays Center offers 17,732 seats for basketball, 15,813 for hockey, and up to 18,000 seats for concerts, and has 101 luxury suites, four bars/lounges, four clubs, and 40/40 CLUB & Restaurant by American Express.
Barclays Center hosts an extensive variety of events, including premier concerts, major professional boxing cards, top college basketball, family shows, the Brooklyn Nets and soon the New York Islanders.
Barclays Center has redefined the arena customer service and culinary experience. Its more than 2,000 employees are trained by Disney Institute, the business advisory arm of The Walt Disney Company, and its BrooklynTaste™ food program features selections from 55 well-known restaurants and vendors in the borough.
Barclays Center engages the customer with state-of-the-art technology to enhance the fan experience. As the first arena in the world to utilize Cisco StadiumVision mobile multicast streaming technology, Barclays Center allows fans to watch live video and instant replays from their mobile phones while connected to the arena’s free Wi-Fi.
Located atop one of the largest transportation hubs in New York City, Barclays Center is accessible by 11 subway lines, the Long Island Rail Road, and 11 bus lines.
Courtesy Of Barclays Communications
Mandy Gutmann