SEC reaches multiyear deal to hold tourney in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Southeastern Conference has agreed to bring the men's basketball tournament to Nashville three more times this decade, making Music City home to four events through 2019.

The league announced the multiyear agreement Friday. The SEC men's tournament already had been scheduled to be played at Bridgestone Arena in 2013, and now the event will be in Nashville in 2015, 2016 and 2019.

Commissioner Mike Slive says they are excited about this relationship with Nashville in a town that provides SEC fans and teams a great postseason experience. The tournament averaged 17,441 fans in Nashville in March.

The SEC has yet to award the tournament for 2017 and 2018. The tournament will be in Atlanta in 2011 and 2014 and New Orleans in 2012.