Matt Norlander: Duke To Pull Out Of Atlantis, Hopes To Sponsor Separate Event In Durham

According to CBS’s Matt Norlander, Duke is expected to pull out of the Battle 4 Atlantis, which has moved to South Dakota due to the Corona virus pandemic, and instead will host an event in Durham. Here’s what he tweeted.

“Sources tell @CBSSports that Duke, which is not expected to play in the South Dakota/Battle 4 Atlantis event, is in the process of trying to build a multi-team event this season to be held at Duke and would center around a theme and backdrop of social-justice activism.”

Obviously neither situation - Duke pulling out of Atlantis or starting a new event in Cameron - has been confirmed yet. We’d think the key would be getting enough quality teams to participate. Given the pandemic, it might make sense to do something unusual and invite the other area ACC teams.

Duke could, in fact, replicate the Dixie Classic structure and invite four outside teams to pay the ACC schools.

That seems unlikely, but it’s time for innovation and there’s no question that all four Big Four athletic departments could use a major financial shot in the arm.

Odds are it’ll be just Duke though.

We’ll post more when more is available.