Instead of renting out the NBA arenas they could play on campus and have 4 host schools bid on the games. Maybee play 3 games in three nites where we play CSU, Wright State and Youngstown State. Butler would have the money to support it. Maybee Toledo and perhaps UW Milwaukee puts up the money. Our ability to outbid the other schools in our bracket to host would be likely. By having the biding that would generate some money for the two conferences.
I still think that's a recipe for empty arenas. The people in Toledo aren't going to go watch Wright State against Akron or Eastern Michigan. Do it just like the ACC-Big 10 does. TV would be nice but not necessary IMO. It just gives us a game with a little more meaning than your standard OOC game. Plus it would be nice to have a chance to get Butler in Athens.
I agree, this doesn't work unless its at home sites. Outside of Kent or Akron getting Butler at the Q, I don't think any non-campus sites would work at all.