American Men's Basketball tournament had really bad support. And fans did not travel at all.

Missing the ole days at MSG. Big East tournament is a hit.

As my alma mater, UCF, we even travelled thousands to NIT Tournament.

New York city brings the hype and excitement, the Buzz and media more than anywhere.

Most importantly, we would travel.

Shockerfans will travel anywhere. It doesn't matter to me, but i don't think it will help attendance much. If your fans travel, they will travel anywhere. If they don't, then they won't. It's all about the product.

And the excitement of a NIT Final Four isn't the same as a conference tournament. Generally the NIT teams in the Final Four haven't been there in a long time or ever. So fans are always excited because it typically means your program is on the rise.

And it's fun to try and end your season on a win

@shockerfan1313 I do understand your reasoning. But on a scale more or less, location matters.

Speaking as a true fan of myself, if it is in New York, I would travel just to have a vacation.

Welcome to American, shocker nation!

Let's show the world the American Power

We are too spread out and will never have great attendance. I'd put in in a huge tourist destination or a city within driving distance of at least 4-5 fan bases. New Orleans would be my first choice. Great destination and fun place to be even if your team flames out early. Dallas isnt as great a tourist town---but it might work as its about an 8 hr or less car drive from 6 AAC schools SMU/Houston/Tulane/Tulsa/Memphis and Wichita. Not to mention, Dallas is the likely future home for the AAC headquarters.

New Orleans in the spring time is the obvious choice.

I agree location will help in general. Just not on a super large scale. But it is definitely better than having it some hard to get to, boring location.

I’m still on the OKC train. You want 20k+, OKC is how you do it.

(01-06-2018 12:21 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  We are too spread out and will never have great attendance. I'd put in in a huge tourist destination or a city within driving distance of at least 4-5 fan bases. New Orleans would be my first choice. Great destination and fun place to be even if your team flames out early. Dallas isnt as great a tourist town---but it might work as its about an 8 hr or less car drive from 6 AAC schools SMU/Houston/Tulane/Tulsa/Memphis and Wichita. Not to mention, Dallas is the likely future home for the AAC headquarters.

I guess we will find out when we play the tournament in Fort Worth.

I would say, being so spread out, find a Eastern location and a Western location and alternate. Much like the Big XII does between KC and Dallas

@Attackcoog when is that going to happen for AAC HQ?

I don't get why many AAC fans believe been spread out is a bad thing for this league... I think is brilliant, we just have to keep up our dominance when all eyeballs are tuned in.

(01-06-2018 12:59 AM)BigHouston Wrote:  I don't get why many AAC fans believe been spread out is a bad thing for this league... I think is brilliant, we just have to keep up our dominance when all eyeballs are tuned in.

It's not a bad thing in terms of coverage (media, social media...etc).

Travel is about the only drawback and even that is overrated when talking about the teams. Most teams charter flights anyway. Travel is only an issue with fans. Or at least some fans.

I suppose to a lesser extent also it takes away some natural rivalries. But, again, thanks to media, social media....etc) even that isn't that big of a deal. New rivalries will always develop.

(01-06-2018 12:26 AM)AGuyIn_Water Wrote:  @Attackcoog when is that going to happen for AAC HQ?

They won’t move until thier existing HQ lease in Providence (that the league inherited from the Big East) expires. Pony94 might know the exact year it expires. Seems like I remember someone saying it has 3-4 years left on it.

(01-06-2018 12:26 AM)shockerfan1313 Wrote:  I would say, being so spread out, find a Eastern location and a Western location and alternate. Much like the Big XII does between KC and Dallas

Pretty reasonable option. Is there someplace suitable where it would be within an 8 hour drive of several fanbases in the east? Maybe Philly? Temple, UConn, and ECU are within 8. Cinci is about a 9 hour drive. Everyone would else would probably need to fly. The eastern schools are just more spread out.

For pretty selfish reasons I wish Saint Louis would just give the AAC the TWA Dome in exchange for moving the headquarters here. Pretty close to alot of teams. Wichita State fans show up in droves. Southwest I think flies to every AAC market and flights are reasonable/cheap.

Orlando in March is the perfect place and easiest to get to.

(01-06-2018 12:25 AM)AndShock Wrote:  I’m still on the OKC train. You want 20k+, OKC is how you do it.

(01-06-2018 04:58 AM)STL_Wave Wrote:  For pretty selfish reasons I wish Saint Louis would just give the AAC the TWA Dome in exchange for moving the headquarters here. Pretty close to alot of teams. Wichita State fans show up in droves. Southwest I think flies to every AAC market and flights are reasonable/cheap.

St. Louis would certainly be convenient for Shocker fans. I am looking forward to the tourney being in Ft. Worth for a couple of years. Ft. Worth is actually about 75 miles closer to Wichita than St. Louis.

New York is a great city, but would be pretty far for most fans of AAC schools. Holding it there occasionally might make sense, but not all of the time.

Orlando, Tampa Bay, Dallas, New Orleans are the best options in my opinion.

(01-06-2018 04:58 AM)STL_Wave Wrote:  For pretty selfish reasons I wish Saint Louis would just give the AAC the TWA Dome in exchange for moving the headquarters here. Pretty close to alot of teams. Wichita State fans show up in droves. Southwest I think flies to every AAC market and flights are reasonable/cheap.

The Rams' old stadium has already been turned into a convention center. They make way more money that way.