Mayor Domenic J. Sarno sent a letter today 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 Mayor Sarno’s letter to Basketball Hall of Fame President and CEO John Doleva, he expressed not only his disappointment, but concern, that these secret discissions were done to intentionally leave Springfield and Western Mass out of the conversation about an action that would have a significant negative impact upon our local region.
Mayor Sarno also addresses that some of the concerns that the BHOF brings up now that their efforts to relocate have come to light are disingenuous. The BHOF has not previously shared their concerns about this event with the City of Springfield. The City and numerous Western Mass stakeholders are ready, willing, and able to accommodate the increasing numbers of the Hoophall Classic to help keep this wonderful event and all the positive economic spinoff it creates here in the birthplace of basketball, Springfield.
Read the full letter here.