Mountain West wants to stay in Vegas, but maybe leave T&M

Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson said the conference plans to keep its basketball tournaments in Las Vegas, but he is exploring a possible change of venue after 2016, when a contract with the Thomas & Mack Center expires.

Thompson said a survey of fans in March showed 96 percent want the basketball tournaments to remain in Las Vegas. One-third of those surveyed are New Mexico fans. Most league coaches object to playing in UNLV’s home arena.

The Pacific-12 Conference, which holds its men’s tournament at the MGM Grand Garden, might seek a move to the MGM’s new 20,000-seat arena.

“I don’t know that we have a first choice,” Thompson said. “I would say there’s a tremendous chance it will remain in Las Vegas, and we just have to weigh what the options are. MGM Garden may not be an option. We know for a fact Thomas & Mack is an option. We are going to start the process and look at where we can play this thing.”