Changes at Oklahoma City's Cox Convention Center won't hurt Big 12 bid

<br>(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A proposed renovation of the arena at the Cox Convention Center isn't likely to affect Oklahoma City's bid for a Big 12 basketball tournament. <br><br>City leaders want

Thursday, July 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Oklahoma City-AP) -- A proposed renovation of the arena at the Cox Convention Center isn't likely to affect Oklahoma City's bid for a Big 12 basketball tournament.

City leaders want to convert the arena to allow more meeting space, which would change the dimensions for athletic events.

The All Sports Association is preparing a bid to host the men's and women's Big 12 tournaments at the Ford Center and Cox Convention Center in 2006, 2007 and 2008.

The convention center arena seats more than 13 thousand. Association director Tim Brassfield says it needs to seat at least 12-thousand people to attract the women's tournament.

Proximity of two arenas is one of the factors in determining which city gets the tournaments.