KANSAS CITY- The Big 12 Tournament in Kansas City is barring spectators from attending games in Kansas City starting Thursday.
Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby said fans will be prohibited from attending the conference tournament beginning after Wednesday's game. Teams will have access to 125 tickets. Venue cleared after each game. No bands or cheerleaders or dance teams.
The BIG 12 released this statement:
The priority of the Big 12 Conference is to ensure the safety of our students, coaches, administrators, event staff and fans.
After careful consideration and consulting with medical officials, other conferences, the NCAA and local officials, the Big 12 Conference announced that after tonight’s men’s first round games, all remaining Phillips 66 Big 12 Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championship games will be played with only family, friends, credentialed media and essential staff permitted in the arenas.
NCAA President Mark Emmert says NCAA Division I basketball tournament games will be played without fans in the arenas because of concerns about the spread of coronavirus.
Emmert said in a statement Wednesday he made the decision to conduct both the men's and women's tournaments, which begin next week, with only essential staff and limited family in attendance.
"Given these considerations, coupled with a more unfavorable outcome of COVID-19 in older adults – especially those with underlying chronic medical conditions – we recommend against sporting events open to the public. We do believe sport events can take place with only essential personnel and limited family attendance, and this protects our players, employees, and fans."