The on-again, off-again Michigan-Duke rematch is officially off. The game was originally announced to be played in Madison Square Garden, then reportedly moved to the Miami Marlins stadium, and now won’t be played at all.
The game — slated to be broadcast on Amazon Prime — had caused issues with the Big Ten’s television partners, hence the move to Miami. The move to loanDepot Park was based on May’s relationship with the Marlins’ owner, but May left Michigan for the Dallas Mavericks.
CBS reports that the game was called off in recent days:
With May no longer around, and with the game still coming under dispute from broadcast television partners in the past month, Duke and Michigan decided in recent days to walk away from the game due to the ongoing complexities with pulling off the matchup under unique circumstances.
CBS also reported that “the Wolverines don’t have their replacement opponent locked in just yet, but a source said a secondary plan is in the works and the hope is to firm up the opening on their schedule in the days ahead. ”
The Wolverines are currently slated to play non-conference games against UConn (Boston), Marquette and Villanova, along with three (or four) games at the Players Era 16 in Las Vegas. With eight reported non-conference opponents, Michigan still has four spots on its schedule to fill.
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93grad
That’s maybe is not a bad thing. The schedule is loaded and there may be some growing pains with the new head coach.
goblue851
i’m ok with it. The big ten going be gaunlet anyway.
goblue8
I hate the b1g, big job of the next ad needs to be battling for more of Michigans own tv rights(specifically hockey and non con rights for basketball and football).
Erik_in_Dayton
Count me as disappointed. A chance to beat Duke is an inherent good.
umhoops
Everything about this game was messy, hopefully they can figure out something to replace it, but it doesn’t feel like the time to slot in a Christmas Miami baseball stadium game in right now really. I think I’m mostly okay with it falling off for this year.