By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The Mid- America Intercollegiate Athletics Association presidents unanimously voted to keep the men's and women's basketball tournaments in Kansas City until at least 2030.
With a contract expiring in 2026, a bid process was put out for communities to try to get the tournament away from Municipal Auditorium. St. Joseph was one of those bids.
St. Joseph Sports Commission Director Brett Esely says he's disappointed for St. Joseph in the MIAA's decision
"Simply because, we host events of that nature in a very professional, hospitable manner, and being around that event for so long, just from my previous experience, the MIAA basketball championship would be a great fit for St. Joseph," Esely tells KFEQ/St. Joseph Post. "And it still could be someday."
Esely says he feels like they put together a very competitive bid to bring the tournament to St. Joseph, but adds he respects the decision to go back to Kansas City.
Esely doesn't feel though as if the bids from other communities were used to get a better deal from Kansas City
"I think the MIAA, Commissioner Racy and his staff, did their due diligence to seek, really, communities that could host the leagues marquee championship," Esely says. "And we felt from day one that it was a real bid process; I think it definitely was."
Esely feels like this is just the reality of the bid process and says he respects the decision and the opportunity and looks forward to future opportunities with the MIAA.
Esely says when the next bid process comes around, an obvious thing that could make a stronger case for St. Joseph is more hotels and conference space
"I do think, four years from now, I think that landscape in St. Joseph will look considerably different than it does today." Esely says.
Esely points out one new hotel has already been developed in the North Village Shoppes, and there is another on the way. There is also development underway on a hotel and conference center at the site of the old Ramada Inn at I-29 and Frederick.
Esely says it is also paramount to continue working on getting more hotel spaces in downtown St. Joseph
"I don't know this, but you often wonder if there was a downtown hotel open and functional today, would the MIAA's decision have been different?" Esely questions. "You know, I don't know that I can't answer that, but I know it certainly wouldn't have hurt."
Esely says he thinks keeping amenities in mind and knowing what out-of-town groups need needs to be kept in the forefront when talking about tourism as well as these big sporting events.
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