MEAC basketball tournament will stay in Norfolk at least three more years, sources say

NORFOLK, Virginia -- The Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference will announce later this month that it has signed a three-year extension to keep its men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at Scope, according to two sources at league schools who asked not to be identified.

The tournaments moved to Norfolk in 2013 from Winston-Salem, N.C., and have seen a steady growth in ticket sales, from 52,293 in 2013 to 74,281 in 2016.

One of Norfolk’s biggest strengths is its central location, MEAC officials have said, with seven of the league’s 13 schools within a 4½-hour drive. With the contract ready to expire after this year’s event, the MEAC had put the tournament up for bid. The league had offers from several cities, officials said late last year.

The MEAC is headquartered in Norfolk, and has two local schools in Norfolk State and Hampton University. However, Hampton is leaving for the Big South next season, leading to speculation the tournament might go elsewhere.

MEAC commissioner Dennis Thomas would not confirm or deny Thursday that an extension has been agreed to, but profusely praised Norfolk officials, including Mayor Kenny Alexander and city manager Doug Smith.

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