Last night's championship game in DC had an announced attendance of 1,359. And there were probably less who actually attended as that number may have included tournament pass holders who did not attend.

The CAA is long overdue to move the championship game to on campus sites and be hosted by the highest remaining seed. Had they waited until this upcoming weekend to play the championship game at Hofstra, they could almost guarantee a sellout of 5,000 fans. Using a 10% rule, 500 tickets could have been distributed to Monmouth, more than probably attended on a Tuesday night in DC. It would allowed the CAA and the participating schools a few days to promote the hype and get more people interested. And it would make the game more accessible to students. Some of my greatest memories as a student was attending 4 NAC championship games on campus at Drexel. Those memories are the reason why I've been a season ticket holder for more than 25 years since I graduated. Creating great memories for the students can lead to those students remaining as fans as adults.

The league is hurting itself by having the title game on a Tuesday night more than anything. Monday was bad enough, now you are putting your prime games at a goofy time (because of tv) and the prime games for attendance and fans are the early rounds. Fans will make a Monday work if they have to, but asking for Monday and Tuesday? Its asking a lot. Ideally you want you championship game on the weekend.

It’s locked-in at D.C. through next year, I’ve been told. Then, it will be up for discussion.
Third year in a row that I've stayed home due to having no interest in going to Washington. I’ve let the powers at Campbell know, for what that’s worth!

I like having the CAA Tournament not at the same time as the top conference tournaments. I like having a neutral site. None of the top conferences let the better seed host. The attendance was horrible. It was lower than Hofstra and Towson average. It was lower than 1,926 when Hofstra defeated Northeastern in 2020, and Northeastern gets low attendance and is farther from D.C. than Monmouth is. 2020 and 2026 were both the same date, day of the week, and time. The Summit League Tournament was in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which is tiny compared to D.C., and their Final got over 6,000.

Delaware played five CAA Tournament games last season. If all the games were at the better seed, and they won the same games, they would have had CAA Tournament games in five places. Some conferences do a hybrid of games hosted by the better seed and games at a neutral site. The America East used to play through the Semifinals at a neutral site, and let the better seed host the Final. That reduces travel. If the better seed hosts every game, there are fewer days to sell tickets, and it makes it much harder for devoted fans to attend all of their team's conference tournament games.

J.B., Hofstra took seats away to make activities for fans, so the Mack Sports Complex no longer holds 5,000, albeit maybe they could make it hold 5,000 for a tournament.

Over the years I enjoyed the tournament at a neutral place for many of the reasons Evan mentioned. With the fanbases we now have, I do question the validity and appeal of a full tournament being neutral. I think our league is still above top seed hosting all rounds, but I think the early rounds should go to the higher seed as an advantage. Semi finals and finals should still be neutral. Playing semis and finals on Monday and Tuesday is just dumb in my opinion, especially for a league that sprawls a good chunk of the east coast. The school's fanbases we currently have are not so pro-athletics that everyone is willing to take off work for several days for the event. Big conferences just started opening rounds while we were finishing, there is no reason you cant do opening rounds mid week and the semis and finals on Sat/Sun. If our league is worried about competing with final regular season games from big conferences (due to officials or whatever) that is a completely different issue and Joey D needs to do better for our league.

Overall the individual schools need to do better building fans that want to be there and the league needs to do a better job pushing the league to a broader audience. School's need to get creative in building fans, since its hard to build an attachment these days with the portal and constant movement. Fans dont get to watch players grow over the years, its a new team each year. DC is fine as a middle ground for the league. A little expensive for fanbases, but ok. Going a little further south (Charlotte/Raleigh) would be logical because currently those are the schools who are attending and we should eat our pride about renting out an ACC venue. Fact is we are small time compared to them, stop fighting it and embrace it. Unfortunately too many of the northern team's fanbases dont want to stay and get hotels and make an event out of it, which is on the schools themselves. Not everything is drivable, and in a pro sports area its a tougher sell. I am sure there is an area that can build true excitement for our event, but it takes local communities to care and fanbases to be invested. For all the hate Richmond got, they did those things but it helped that there were big fanbases very close by that could stay in their own beds.

I disagree wholeheartedly...

Many of you posting don't understand my post. I'm note suggesting hosting all games on home courts, just the championship game.

Those who disagree with me on this probably weren't around in the 90's rooting for their teams in the NAC/America East. Drexel/Hofstra/Delaware/BU fans in the 90's are more likely to agree with me. I agree that the Patriot League/Current America East model, which the NAC used up to 1995 isn't the best option. This is where home teams host all games. The travel is a pain in this format.

The absolute best format that the CAA should adopt is the format that America East used to use. Play the quarterfinals on Saturday and the semi finals on Sunday at a neutral site. Then send everyone home and play the championship game later in the week at the highest remaining seed. It actually increases attendance at the neutral site because it's only a weekend commitment that won't carry over into the weeknights like the current CAA does. It gives teams time to hype it up, sell tickets, and get the colleges and communities excited about their basketball teams' shot at winning a championship. And it gives students a chance to see a championship game that they might not normally get to see in a neutral site. I experienced all 3 formats as a fan, and I can attest that this is the absolute best format for the CAA to eventually move to. There's really no downside to this format.

(03-13-2026 07:41 AM)J.B. Wrote:  The absolute best format that the CAA should adopt is the format that America East used to use. Play the quarterfinals on Saturday and the semi finals on Sunday at a neutral site. Then send everyone home and play the championship game later in the week at the highest remaining seed. It actually increases attendance at the neutral site because it's only a weekend commitment that won't carry over into the weeknights like the current CAA does. It gives teams time to hype it up, sell tickets, and get the colleges and communities excited about their basketball teams' shot at winning a championship. And it gives students a chance to see a championship game that they might not normally get to see in a neutral site. I experienced all 3 formats as a fan, and I can attest that this is the absolute best format for the CAA to eventually move to. There's really no downside to this format.

Yes, that does sound good. I can also guarantee that W&M would sell out a final at Kaplan. In fact, we would sell out a final in D.C. if we could ever make it that far.

The CAA tournament is a product with a decidedly finite market as evidenced by the attendance. DC is centrally located, but expensive for out of town fans. Prices in 2027 will be higher. Would wager that next year, at best, will be a repeat of this year. Concur that a review of the business model is in order. The present CAA commissioner was born to take on this mission.

I agree JB. With one caveat. The early rounds should remain at a neutral site, not on campus. In the NAC/AEast days we referred to the tournament as the "Delaware Invitational " since the early rounds were always held at the Bob Carpenter Center.

Not a fan of home game tourneys. If you pick the right location, it works very well. The So Con has a great neutral sight tournament in Asheville NC. Even the MAAC does a decent job in Atlantic City. I think the Patriot would probably prefer a neutral sight but tough to do when don’t have a single member that draws 2,000 for home games.

The CAA should look further south for a site. Your top four draws are UNCW, Charleston, W&M and Towson. I believe DC looks good on paper but there is no local interest or support there, it’s expensive and the arena has zero appeal within walking distance. And it has shown that even granting proximity to the northern edge members hasn’t helped. They still don’t travel well.

Per the Asheville option, a smaller market nearer the more dependable draws makes most sense. I like Charleston. The coliseum there is not technically their home court, the city would embrace the event and it’s a great Spring destination. Some other decent options to consider are Hampton Roads Coliseum or Greensboro NC. But to me, Charleston is the best option.

(03-14-2026 09:20 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Not a fan of home game tourneys. If you pick the right location, it works very well. The So Con has a great neutral sight tournament in Asheville NC. Even the MAAC does a decent job in Atlantic City. I think the Patriot would probably prefer a neutral sight but tough to do when don’t have a single member that draws 2,000 for home games.

The CAA should look further south for a site. Your top four draws are UNCW, Charleston, W&M and Towson. I believe DC looks good on paper but there is no local interest or support there, it’s expensive and the arena has zero appeal within walking distance. And it has shown that even granting proximity to the northern edge members hasn’t helped. They still don’t travel well.

Per the Asheville option, a smaller market nearer the more dependable draws makes most sense. I like Charleston. The coliseum there is not technically their home court, the city would embrace the event and it’s a great Spring destination. Some other decent options to consider are Hampton Roads Coliseum or Greensboro NC. But to me, Charleston is the best option.

Thoughts on Baltimore or Raleigh hosting the tournament?

Both have major airports and Raleigh does not have a professional sports team.

CAA Travel to Raleigh NC
School Distance Approx. Drive Time
Campbell University 29 miles 40 min
Elon University 61 miles 1h 10m
NC A&T State University 75 miles 1h 15m
UNCW 128 miles 2h 10m
Hampton University 178 miles 3h 40m
William & Mary 181 miles 3h 30m
College of Charleston 279 miles 4h 05m
Towson University 308 miles 5h 45m
Drexel University 413 miles 7h 00m
Monmouth University 448 miles 8h 10m
Hofstra University 507 miles 9h 30m
Stony Brook University 540 miles 10h 15m
Northeastern University 696 miles 12h 45m

(03-16-2026 08:48 AM)AGGIE2039 Wrote:  

(03-14-2026 09:20 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Not a fan of home game tourneys. If you pick the right location, it works very well. The So Con has a great neutral sight tournament in Asheville NC. Even the MAAC does a decent job in Atlantic City. I think the Patriot would probably prefer a neutral sight but tough to do when don’t have a single member that draws 2,000 for home games.

The CAA should look further south for a site. Your top four draws are UNCW, Charleston, W&M and Towson. I believe DC looks good on paper but there is no local interest or support there, it’s expensive and the arena has zero appeal within walking distance. And it has shown that even granting proximity to the northern edge members hasn’t helped. They still don’t travel well.

Per the Asheville option, a smaller market nearer the more dependable draws makes most sense. I like Charleston. The coliseum there is not technically their home court, the city would embrace the event and it’s a great Spring destination. Some other decent options to consider are Hampton Roads Coliseum or Greensboro NC. But to me, Charleston is the best option.

Thoughts on Baltimore or Raleigh hosting the tournament?

Both have major airports and Raleigh does not have a professional sports team.

CAA Travel to Raleigh NC
School Distance Approx. Drive Time
Campbell University 29 miles 40 min
Elon University 61 miles 1h 10m
NC A&T State University 75 miles 1h 15m
UNCW 128 miles 2h 10m
Hampton University 178 miles 3h 40m
William & Mary 181 miles 3h 30m
College of Charleston 279 miles 4h 05m
Towson University 308 miles 5h 45m
Drexel University 413 miles 7h 00m
Monmouth University 448 miles 8h 10m
Hofstra University 507 miles 9h 30m
Stony Brook University 540 miles 10h 15m
Northeastern University 696 miles 12h 45m

Baltimore did host the tournament for a few years in the mid 2010's. It was fine there, and a refresher after all the years that it was in Richmond. But regardless of where it's held, it's not going to draw any more than they've drawn in DC, since most of the teams with big time fan bases have moved on. That's why I really think that the conference is at the point were that on campus championship game makes sense. I haven't done the analysis yet, but I'd be willing to bet that the CAA probably had the lowest attended tournament in the entire country. I know that the America East and Patriot far outdrew the CAA by having all of their games on campus sites.

(03-16-2026 03:24 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(03-16-2026 08:48 AM)AGGIE2039 Wrote:  

(03-14-2026 09:20 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Not a fan of home game tourneys. If you pick the right location, it works very well. The So Con has a great neutral sight tournament in Asheville NC. Even the MAAC does a decent job in Atlantic City. I think the Patriot would probably prefer a neutral sight but tough to do when don’t have a single member that draws 2,000 for home games.

The CAA should look further south for a site. Your top four draws are UNCW, Charleston, W&M and Towson. I believe DC looks good on paper but there is no local interest or support there, it’s expensive and the arena has zero appeal within walking distance. And it has shown that even granting proximity to the northern edge members hasn’t helped. They still don’t travel well.

Per the Asheville option, a smaller market nearer the more dependable draws makes most sense. I like Charleston. The coliseum there is not technically their home court, the city would embrace the event and it’s a great Spring destination. Some other decent options to consider are Hampton Roads Coliseum or Greensboro NC. But to me, Charleston is the best option.

Thoughts on Baltimore or Raleigh hosting the tournament?

Both have major airports and Raleigh does not have a professional sports team.

CAA Travel to Raleigh NC
School Distance Approx. Drive Time
Campbell University 29 miles 40 min
Elon University 61 miles 1h 10m
NC A&T State University 75 miles 1h 15m
UNCW 128 miles 2h 10m
Hampton University 178 miles 3h 40m
William & Mary 181 miles 3h 30m
College of Charleston 279 miles 4h 05m
Towson University 308 miles 5h 45m
Drexel University 413 miles 7h 00m
Monmouth University 448 miles 8h 10m
Hofstra University 507 miles 9h 30m
Stony Brook University 540 miles 10h 15m
Northeastern University 696 miles 12h 45m

Baltimore did host the tournament for a few years in the mid 2010's. It was fine there, and a refresher after all the years that it was in Richmond. But regardless of where it's held, it's not going to draw any more than they've drawn in DC, since most of the teams with big time fan bases have moved on. That's why I really think that the conference is at the point were that on campus championship game makes sense. I haven't done the analysis yet, but I'd be willing to bet that the CAA probably had the lowest attended tournament in the entire country. I know that the America East and Patriot far outdrew the CAA by having all of their games on campus sites.

OMG. Most mid-major tournaments with no on campus site tournaments don't draw well, especially if the top seeds who had high expectations, are eliminated before the championship game.

I'm fine with it in Baltimore or S. Charleston again. No on campus sites. This is a flight league... not a bus league.

(03-16-2026 03:24 PM)J.B. Wrote:  

(03-16-2026 08:48 AM)AGGIE2039 Wrote:  

(03-14-2026 09:20 AM)Sitting bull Wrote:  Not a fan of home game tourneys. If you pick the right location, it works very well. The So Con has a great neutral sight tournament in Asheville NC. Even the MAAC does a decent job in Atlantic City. I think the Patriot would probably prefer a neutral sight but tough to do when don’t have a single member that draws 2,000 for home games.

The CAA should look further south for a site. Your top four draws are UNCW, Charleston, W&M and Towson. I believe DC looks good on paper but there is no local interest or support there, it’s expensive and the arena has zero appeal within walking distance. And it has shown that even granting proximity to the northern edge members hasn’t helped. They still don’t travel well.

Per the Asheville option, a smaller market nearer the more dependable draws makes most sense. I like Charleston. The coliseum there is not technically their home court, the city would embrace the event and it’s a great Spring destination. Some other decent options to consider are Hampton Roads Coliseum or Greensboro NC. But to me, Charleston is the best option.

Thoughts on Baltimore or Raleigh hosting the tournament?

Both have major airports and Raleigh does not have a professional sports team.

CAA Travel to Raleigh NC
School Distance Approx. Drive Time
Campbell University 29 miles 40 min
Elon University 61 miles 1h 10m
NC A&T State University 75 miles 1h 15m
UNCW 128 miles 2h 10m
Hampton University 178 miles 3h 40m
William & Mary 181 miles 3h 30m
College of Charleston 279 miles 4h 05m
Towson University 308 miles 5h 45m
Drexel University 413 miles 7h 00m
Monmouth University 448 miles 8h 10m
Hofstra University 507 miles 9h 30m
Stony Brook University 540 miles 10h 15m
Northeastern University 696 miles 12h 45m

Baltimore did host the tournament for a few years in the mid 2010's. It was fine there, and a refresher after all the years that it was in Richmond. But regardless of where it's held, it's not going to draw any more than they've drawn in DC, since most of the teams with big time fan bases have moved on. That's why I really think that the conference is at the point were that on campus championship game makes sense. I haven't done the analysis yet, but I'd be willing to bet that the CAA probably had the lowest attended tournament in the entire country. I know that the America East and Patriot far outdrew the CAA by having all of their games on campus sites.

I think Baltimore did fine but the league has only lost JMU and Delaware since going to DC but neither were the drivers for attendance there. It was W&M and Towson as I recall. So while agree it was ok there, I think the key now is to move the event closer to the bigger draws in the league - and that’s south of DC.

Charleston actually hosted the tourney after Baltimore (at their coliseum, not CCs home arena) and had the best tourney attendance since the old Richmond days, better than Baltimore. There you have the two biggest draws, Charleston and UNCW - also now Campbell - in close proximity. Charleston, unlike the current DC location, would more likely drive local interest as the city would embrace the event, unlike DC or even Baltimore.

Aggie mentioned Raleigh which is another good option though I just wonder if the event would get lost in a metro so focused on the ACC vs a market like Charleston. The other option I think could work is Hampton Roads - you have W&M and Hampton right there and still much closer to the Carolina members that travel. The Hampton Coliseum is also a neutral sight and I think the metro area would also embrace hosting and pull in more local interest.

Your comment on the AEast and Patriot are only true for the respective home base championship games. Their earlier games did not and never have brought in a large number of fans. And I think monetarily, the CAA brings in a lot more money in ticket sales at $50 a pop. I doubt half the people that show up at UMBC or Lehigh for home sights even had to pay.

I think we all agree that the DC location isn’t working. The arena location itself is just not appealing and DC as a market could care less about hosting the tourney.

My suggestion is for Joey D to get with the ADs and have them engage with their Directors of Alumni engagement to identify top 4 cities alums live in. Take that information from each institution and develop options based on alumni population.

Regardless of location I do not believe we will get the casual fan which has no association with the CAA to attend the games. My personal choices would be #1 RDU, #2 Hampton, #3 Baltimore and #4 Charleston

Success #4 are highly dependent on local team making a run in the tournament.

#1 is my preference due to multiple CAA schools having alumni chapters within Raleigh/Durham and proximity to CoC and UNCW largest alumni chapters (Cape Fear Region and Charleston). My assumption is that the men's championship will continue to be played on a Tuesday, therefore ease of access to large alumni bases is important. NC A&T also has 2 alumni chapters in RDU, even though I do not see us making it past round 1 with our current staff...lol.

I'm sure cost to utilize the arena would be a factor too, the tournament is currently profitable.

DC made sense. But hasnt drawn like the league hoped (and most people figured it wouldnt). I agree the league has clearly moved south and a north carolina site makes sense. Hampton Roads/Norfolk should probably be the most north it is held. I do think Charleston is too far south but I also understood that decision and agree if Charleston as a town is the only one willing to embrace this league with locals, it shouldnt be dismissed. I'd argue Richmond should still be considered too, but then you are looking at either Richmond or VCU's arena, which for many are probably non-starters

Location doesn't really matter because it's always going to be a crap shoot. A championship game in DC would have sold out if W&M or Towson were in the game. The on campus championship game is still by far the best option. Nobody has been able to convince me that it's not.

So let me ask a question to those who are against this idea.....
If the CAA decided to go this route, would you be furious? Let's say it's Northeastern, finished in 1st place in the CAA and made it to the championship game and held the game at your brand new arena on a Saturday at noon, rather than a Tuesday night in Charleston, or Raleigh, or DC or Baltimore or Hampton or wherever, would you be upset at this decision?

Same goes for fans are all teams in the CAA?

(03-17-2026 07:23 AM)J.B. Wrote:  Location doesn't really matter because it's always going to be a crap shoot. A championship game in DC would have sold out if W&M or Towson were in the game. The on campus championship game is still by far the best option. Nobody has been able to convince me that it's not.

So let me ask a question to those who are against this idea.....
If the CAA decided to go this route, would you be furious? Let's say it's Northeastern, finished in 1st place in the CAA and made it to the championship game and held the game at your brand new arena on a Saturday at noon, rather than a Tuesday night in Charleston, or Raleigh, or DC or Baltimore or Hampton or wherever, would you be upset at this decision?

Same goes for fans are all teams in the CAA?

But location does matter. The current location is too far from the major draw programs in the league and the current arena location is a crutch. The arena, while new, sits in the middle of a crumbling, fenced off former mental hospital located in a low income, poverty stricken neighborhood with no amenities within walking distance. Not exactly a magnet for fans. It needs to move and it needs to move south.

The tournament to me otherwise is one of the best things the CAA operates. It doesn’t need a structural overhaul, it needs a better home.

The reason a few bottom dweller conferences run campus sight tourneys (PL, AE, NEC) is because they don’t have the reliable fanbases to run a profitable, fan friendly neutral location. The CAA doesn’t have that problem. They just have it too far removed from the top members.

This thread wouldn’t even be relevant most years. This year, our top three fanbases were bounced in the quarterfinals. We had a dud championship with two of the lower draws in the game, Hofstra and Monmouth. It happens once in awhile. I would bet if SMU and Pitt were in the ACC championship in Charlotte, you would see a huge drop off as well. Ditto for the A10 if you had Fordham and Mason in Pittsburgh. Sometimes it just happens that way but it’s the exception, not the rule. You don’t make major structural changes based on the exception.

Sounds like CAA is going to have big decisions to make next year with both the FLO and DC contract expiring.

I'll throw this idea out there again - two regional tournaments

The 7 Northern schools have a 7 team tournament up north
The 7 Southern schools have a 7 team tournament down south

The two winners play each other at the court of the Highest NET ranked team a week later for the NCAA bid on what ESPN calls Championship Saturday

I get all the arguments about unbalanced tournaments, but man this would be fun