Big Ten snubs Soldier Field

Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany confirmed that the Sears Centre, in Hoffman Estates will host the women’s basketball tournament in 2013 and 2015. The United Center will welcome the men’s tournament those same years while Soldier Field was completely snubbed in its bid to host the conference title football game.

Huh?

If memory serves me correctly, the city of Chicago and surrounding suburbs make up the third-largest metropolitan area in the country and the third-largest media center. The city boasts the nation’s first- or second-largest passenger airport (it “footballs” between Hartsfield in Atlanta every year) and has a night life and vibrancy Indianapolis can only hope to dream about. And what do the Big Ten grand poobahs do? Why, let’s hold our premier events in the middle of the prairie in Indianapolis.

Did the Big Ten not notice the hype and excitement generated by the Illinois/Northwestern football game last year, held in of all places Wrigley Field. Can you imagine the Pac 10/12, or whatever it is these days, holding any championship other than in metro Los Angeles.

The Big Ten will always be a second-tier conference until they understand that top-tier athletes are attracted to bright lights and worldwide media attention. Chicago affords the Big Ten its biggest recruiting opportunity, and what does it do? Casts aside the nation’s third-largest media and population market.

Brilliant.

Steve Sarich

Grayslake