Mohegan — It was a year ago now when the Eastern Connecticut Conference, using nothing more than existing evidence and good business strategy, opted to move its boys' basketball tournament to Mohegan Sun Arena. The hundreds and hundreds of spectators left outside the Francis X. Sweeney Fieldhouse in Waterford the year before suggested the event was outgrowing local gyms, prompting a trip to Neon Uncasville.

The result: home run. The paid attendance last season exceeded 3,000 with nearly 4,000 total in the building to watch St. Bernard/Stonington and NFA/Waterford.

The league, meanwhile, opted to keep the girls' tournament at Norwich Free Academy because previous attendance numbers hadn't moved the needle enough to inspire change and leave campus.

The reaction went something like this: "The boys getting something the girls aren't? It's sexist! It's sexist! It's sexist! Sooooo sexist! Sexist! Not fair!"

Actually, it was a business decision based on fact. But then, we're nothing anymore without apocalyptic growls from the gallery at every perceived slight.

Ah but the voices from the wilderness, inaccurate as they were, were heard. The league decided this past offseason to move the girls' championship games, Divisions I and II, to Mohegan Sun as well. The 2020 title games will be Tuesday, Feb. 25. Here is a link to purchase advance tickets:

https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/1D00583FF8AD4822

Now comes the fun part.

How many of the aspiring Gloria Steinems out there, the ones with plenty to say on social media, the ones who toss the word "sexist" around like horseshoes at the family picnic, are actually going to show up?

Because here's another fact: If Mohegan Sun Arena is empty, the tournament will be back to campus in 2021. Playing at Mohegan Sun is a privilege. Not a birthright. "Sexist," by the way, would be defined as denying the girls a chance to play in the ECC Tournament. The location of said tournament is based on the level of interest.

I get that history suggests boys and men often benefit from prosperities girls and women don't. We need to be mindful inequity exists and vigilant to protect against it. However, the perception of unfairness does not provide a universal crutch, a one-argument-fits-all mindset every time circumstances appear inequitable.

And yet the ECC, always mindful of inequity and eminently fair to both genders, got the darts tossed its way, nonetheless last year. Why? Because it's easy. It's without repercussion. The word "sexism" comes with its own shield. If you dare express a different opinion, you are labeled sexist.

You want to call me "sexist?" Go right ahead. I'd put The Day's coverage of girls' and women's sports up there with any other newspaper in the country. There's nothing I've enjoyed more in almost 30 years here now than telling the stories of the UConn women, Connecticut Sun and most recently, New London girls' basketball of the last decade.

Remember, too, that I'm Italian. Archie Bunker says Italians are famous for spaghetti and revenge. I'd add this: We always keep score and we never forget. I'm very well aware of who all the sexism screamers were last year about tournament locales. I'm also aware of the recent sexism screamers when it was assumed I would pick a boys' all-decade team only.

So if you think my eyes won't be combing the stands during the girls' ECC finals to see who's there — and who's not — you don't know me very well.

Mohegan Sun, a welcoming, accommodating neighbor and partner to the league, didn't get to be Mohegan Sun without good, sound business strategies. A certain number of butts in the seats are required to make its night worthwhile. Mohegan Sun is opening its doors to the league on two separate nights, all while keeping the ECC's expenses to a minimum. It is extraordinarily kind.

The boys' tournament will draw well. It has for a number of years now in Waterford. But even the "X" and its 1,800 seats isn't big enough anymore.

The girls' tournament get the grand stage Feb. 25. Now the people with plenty to say actually get to prove they're not frauds. We'll see.

This is the opinion of Day sports columnist Mike DiMauro