Zika concerns force relocation of Puerto Rico Tipoff
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The Missouri Tigers will have to settle for a trip to Orlando now that the tournament they were scheduled to play in this November has been relocated.
This year's Puerto Rico Tipoff will move to Orlando, Florida, due to concerns about Zika virus on the island.
In a news release posted Monday on the tournament website, ESPN Events senior vice president Pete Derzis said the concern for the welfare of participants and spectators was "the primary driver" in the decision. Derzis said the plan is to return to Puerto Rico in the future.
ESPN Events, a division of the sports network, owns and operates the tournament.
The eight-team tournament will move from Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan to the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. It will keep its original Nov. 17-20 schedule, as well as the field of Xavier, Oklahoma, Arizona State, Clemson, Davidson, Missouri, Northern Iowa and Tulane.
Miami won the event last November.
