Let's Move the WNIT To Madison Square Garden
Moving the Women's NIT to the Garden keeps alive one of college basketball's most tried and true traditions.
The rumors appear to be true as the NIT will be leaving Madison Square Garden after this Spring's tournament, ending over 80 years of history for now. To many, this may not seem like a big deal to but remaining a staple in the Big Apple sports landscape is no small task.
While merely viewed as a consolation prize today, the NIT once was the crown jewel of men's basketball's postseason, with teams longing for the Big Apple Lights. Legendary Marquette coach Al McGuire even refused an NCAA Tournament bid one year so his team could play in the NIT.
However, after a year in Texas due to the pandemic in 2021, the tournament is seeking greener pastures, such as Hinkle Fieldhouse, St. Louis, and even Sin City. Still, the tradition does not have to die. Why not move the Women's NIT semifinals to Madison Square Garden.
Women's basketball has long lacked the exposure of the men's game, especially in March. It was only last year when Oregon star Sedona Prince exposed the NCAA giving the Women's Basketball Tournament bubble inferior facilities. While the NCAA is making progress in giving their women's basketball players more exposure, they still have a ways to go.
One way to give exposure to female athletes is by moving the Women's NIT to Madison Square Garden. Women's basketball games hardly get the limelight of sparkling pro venues. While most of the men's tournament venues are played at large pro venues, many of the women's games are relegated to campus sites.
To increase exposure, and frankly the desirability of their tournament, the Women's NIT should move their semifinals to The Garden. The NIT will likely lose even more of the little luster it has by moving away from Madison Square Garden, so now is the perfect time for the WNIT to take advantage and fill the gap.
Moving the WNIT to Madison Square Garden would make the WNIT even more special as it would make the semifinals a rare experience. Even if some players in the WNIT were to make the WNBA, this may be the only chance they get to play at Madison Square Garden as the New York Liberty play their home games at the Barclays Center. While the Barclays Center is a great venue, its history and reputation pales in comparison to Madison Square Garden.
With one tradition dying, one can take its place. The WNIT can be huge for women’s basketball by catering to nostalgia-crazed fans like myself and filling that Garden gap.