Conflict may keep Mountain West out of Denver

Steve Addy

Wednesday, June 27, 2001 | 10:40 a.m.

It has become uncertain that the Mountain West basketball tournament will move to Denver after all.

But it doesn't mean the event will automatically return to Las Vegas.

The MWC has reopened bidding for the 2004 and '05 tournaments because the Pepsi Center might be unable to clear the needed dates. On the same March weekends required by the MWC, the Denver arena is scheduled to host Colorado's high school basketball championships.

Talks between the Pepsi Center and the Colorado High School Activities Association haven't produced a solution, so MWC commissioner Craig Thompson is seeking alternative sites for the conference tournament.

"We're not going to kick the high schools out," Thompson said. "They've always played their finals in Denver in the largest building. They have done it for 70 years. But if they move their tournament back or ahead a week, it could work out."

A cash offer from the MWC to the CHSAA is an option, Thompson said.

"Right now, we're just waiting to see if the building is free and clear. If it's (available), we'll stay. If it's not, we won't," he said.

Just in case, Thompson has solicited proposals from MWC schools for those two years, as he already has done for 2003. This season's tournament will be at the Mack from March 7-9, and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority holds an option for 2003, but competition is emerging.

Cox Arena in San Diego has bid for 2003, '04 and '05, and New Mexico is bidding to hold the '03 event at The Pit, Lobos athletic director Rudy Davalos said.

"We're meeting with the Albuquerque convention bureau to put our best foot forward and make a real attractive package," Davalos told the Albuquerque Journal. "(With) all of the NCAA events we've hosted, we have a track record of success."

The Delta Center in Salt Lake City also has expressed renewed interest in bidding.

Thompson said a decision on 2003 is likely by October. The LVCVA's proposal is certain to be the most attractive financially, he said, but money isn't the only criteria.

League coaches have complained that playing on UNLV's home court gives the Rebels an unfair advantage.

That sentiment prompted the move to neutral Denver, and might keep Las Vegas out of the mix even if the Pepsi Center relinquishes the 2004 and '05 events, Thompson said.

"Las Vegas is best for the league financially, but there are people who feel we have to move the tournament around -- that we can't give UNLV an advantage year after year," Thompson said. "We ought to move it around to keep it fresh and give UNLV a break from having to host."

Including the WAC tournament, UNLV has hosted its conference tournament since 1997.