Syracuse Basketball vs. San Diego St.: 'Battle on the Midway' in jeopardy of cancellation

The season-opening contest between the Syracuse Orange and San Diego St. Aztecs men's basketball programs is in jeopardy of being canceled due to lack of sponsorships, the San Diego Union-Tribune is reporting. The non-conference contest that's being called "The Battle on the Midway" because it will be played on top of the San Diego-based aircraft carrier museum, the U.S.S. Midway, has already canceled a charity concert and a gala dinner.

According to the report, there's a television deal with Fox Sports San Diego, however, promoters have yet to announce any national sponsors and the game has yet to sell out the 4,000-seat temporary arena -- tickets are upwards of $1,000 and have yet to be offered to the general public. Right now, both San Diego State and Syracuse are hurrying to find financial backing to save the game, which is scheduled to be played on Nov. 9.

"I am just starting to hear dribbles (of information)," said Mac McLaughlin, president and CEO of the Midway Museum. "I know they have had sponsorship challenges. That’s all I know. We’re the Midway. We’re just here to service San Diego State and the game. If there’s a game and we’re playing it on the Midway, we’re here for them."

If the game can't be played on the U.S.S. Midway it could be moved to an indoor facility. The nearest is the 14,000-seat Valley View Casino Center. However, there are concerns Syracuse, which is traveling across the country for the tilt, would not agree to those terms.