Kansas City Keeps Big Eight Tourney

The Big Eight Conference men’s basketball tournament will remain at Kemper Arena in Kansas City for at least three more years, the conference announced.

Denver, Oklahoma City and St. Louis had expressed interest in playing host to the tournament, which has been held at Kemper Arena since its inception in 1977, the conference said.

“We have been very pleased with the facility and with the fan support that has made this one of the finest sporting events in the country,” Commissioner Carl James said Friday.

James said 59,017 fans witnessed the championship last March--the first time all eight teams were played in Kansas City. In previous years, the first-round games had been played at campus sites. Kemper Arena will also be the site of the NCAA Final Four in 1988.

Ticket prices next year will be announced after the Big Eight’s spring meetings next month.