INDIANAPOLIS -- The National Invitation Tournament and Madison Square Garden have reached an extension that will keep the NIT in New York City through the 2019 championship.
A fixture in New York City and at Madison Square Garden since the tournament began in 1938, the NIT is the nation’s oldest postseason tournament. The agreement guarantees that the semifinal and championship games of the NIT will be played in New York through the 82nd NIT Championship.
“The NIT and Madison Square Garden have a long and tremendous history,” said Dan Gavitt, NCAA senior vice president of basketball. “We’re excited that the championship will continue for another year at the World’s Most Famous Arena.”
“We are excited to continue our relationship with the NIT,” said Joel Fisher, executive vice president for MSG Sports. “The Garden has been hosting the season-ending tournament since its inception and is thrilled to continue providing the opportunity for student-athletes to win a championship on the famed Garden court.”
The first, second and quarterfinal rounds of the NIT are played on campus sites followed by the semifinals and championship at MSG. The 2019 NIT semifinals will be played April 2 with the championship game scheduled for April 4.
The 81st NIT concludes with Penn State and Utah playing in the NIT championship will at 7 p.m. Eastern time Thursday, March 29.
