Springfield Mayor Criticizes Hall of Fame for Talks on Relocating Hoophall Classic

SPRINGFIELD — Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno sent a letter on Feb. 25 to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame officials to formally express his disappointment on learning of secret discussions by Hall of Fame officials to relocate a major Springfield event to Boston: the annual Hoophall Classic basketball tournaments.

In Sarno’s letter to Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, he claims these secret discussions were intended to intentionally leave Springfield and Western Mass. out of the conversation about an action that would have a significant negative impact upon the local region.

Sarno detailed the ability of Greater Springfield to meet the tournament’s needs for hotel rooms and gym space (mainly at public schools, colleges, and community centers). “There is also the Big E Fairgrounds, where the annual Hooplandia event is held, and various other locations in the Greater Springfield area that could accommodate the increasing numbers of the Hoophall Classic, thus keeping this wonderful event and all the positive economic spinoff it creates here in the Greater Springfield area,” he added.

Click here to read the entire letter.