It could be a one-year hiatus or the end of a tradition, but the PSAL will not hold its Class AA boys and girls basketball championship games at Madison Square Garden this March, a source told The Post.
When contacted, MSG released this statement: “Madison Square Garden is one of the busiest arenas in the country with more than 400 events annually, and one of our biggest challenges continues to be not having enough date availability. We have a great, longstanding relationship with the PSAL, but unfortunately, due to scheduling conflicts, we’re unable to find a date to host the event this season.”
The PSAL often plays its championship games in the middle of the month. And the Garden is busy those weekends, hosting a WWE event March 8, the Rangers against the Red Wings March 9, the Knicks against the Bucks March 15 and Rangers against the Sharks March 16. A source said there were a range of dates the two sides were discussing, but MSG either had confirmed events or events on hold for the dates.
PSAL spokesperson Margie Feinberg said: “We have not yet finalized our plans, which we will announce when they are done. Meanwhile, we do have a longstanding relationship with MSG, but recognize their scheduling constraints.”
A source said “we will continue to have discussions on the future,” but there is no certainty the games will return to the Garden.
The Garden has hosted the PSAL final since 1990. The tradition continued even after an ugly riot erupted in the stands during the 2007 boys final between Lincoln and Boys & Girls, leading to 21 arrests. Tickets were distributed solely through the league and its schools and the games were moved to the daytime, and have since gone on without incident.
The PSAL played games at the old Garden until 1964, when a brawl caused Garden ownership to ban high school basketball for 25 years.
“It’s going to annoy coaches that really think they have a chance of getting there,” Cardozo coach Ron Naclerio said. “If they get [to the finals] and they’re walking into a college or high school gym, it will be very anticlimactic.”
The natural assumption would be the PSAL turning to Barclays Center, which hosted the Jordan Brand All-American Classic, a high school all-star game, last April. It could also look to St. John’s or possibly Fordham.
A source said there are no ongoing talks between the PSAL and Barclays Center.
“It’s not at the Garden; that hurts,” Naclerio said. “If it’s not at Barclays, I’m going to be really, really hurt. It’s something that’s great for kids and the PSAL program, that’s not great anymore.”