Big East Bans Fans From Remaining Madison Square Garden Games

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The remaining games in the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden will be played without fans in attendance, conference officials announced.

After playing in front of live audiences on Wednesday night, the Big East will limit admission for the rest of the tournament to just 200 tickets per team. The only people allowed inside the Midtown Manhattan arena will be athletes, coaches, school executives, media, television and conference staff and immediate family members of athletes.

"We have made this decision due to the rapid progression of COVID-19 and escalating developments nationally, as well as through guidance we have received from medical experts, local authorities and other sources," Big East Commissioner Val Ackerman said in a statement.

"The support of our fans has made the BIG EAST Tournament one of the most exciting events in college basketball, but the health and well-being of our game participants is of paramount importance. We are very grateful to Madison Square Garden for their understanding and cooperation as we jointly manage a very difficult situation."

The Big East Conference made the decision following an announcement that the NCAA would bar fans from all of its venues during the annual March Madness men's and women's basketball tournaments.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in New York City jumped by nine to 62 as of Thursday, Mayor Bill de Blasio said during an appearance on CNN. The mayor promised on CNN that "more and more restrictions" were likely as coronavirus spreads but that shutting down the subway, Broadway or schools would only come as a last resort.