Big East Tournament Re-Signs With Madison Square Garden Through 2032
The New York Knicks will continue to sublet Madison Square Garden to the Big East Conference.
A deal to keep the conference's hallowed men's basketball tournament on metropolitan hardwood was announced on Friday, one that will keep the competition rolling through at least a 50th year of collaboration in 2032. MSG has hosted the Big East since 1983 and the event remains one of the most anticipated happenings of the college basketball season.
"I'm very happy to report that we have renewed our vows," Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said, per the Associated Press. "This event, a New York City staple, has long been synonymous with tradition, rivalries and heart-stopping moments."
Brad Penner, USA TODAY SPORTS
The relationship between MSG and the Big East Tournament is the longest-running collaboration between a single-site college basketball conference competition and its host. Joel Fisher, the executive vice president, marquee events and operations at MSG Entertainment, hinted that the Garden is already envisioning a path to a century, fully intending to re-up after the 50th anniversary.
"Trust me, it will be more than 50 years," Fisher said. "It's just gotten better and better every single year and we didn't think it could."
The Knicks have long enjoyed the antics of Big East Tournament participants, as the efforts of legendary names like Carmelo Anthony (Syracuse, now in the ACC) and Patrick Ewing (Georgetown) fill out their record books.
In modern times, the Knicks have taken advantage of the Villanova Wildcats' recent expertise of MSG victories, adding Jalen Brunson, Donte DiVincenzo, and Josh Hart into the fold. That group helped Jay Wright's Wildcats become the first program to win three consecutive Big East Tournaments, part of a five-title haul between 2015 and 2022.
The Big East championship game will be staged on Saturday (6:30 p.m. ET, Fox) when the top-ranked Connecticut Huskies will look to tie Georgetown with their record eighth title after topping the local heroes from St. John's on Friday. In their way stands the third-seeded and defending tournament champion Marquette Golden Eagles, who will look to protect their title after disposing of Providence in the semifinal nightcap.
