Nov 6, 2023
The college basketball season begins on Monday night with dozens of games for D-I men’s and women’s programs, and the sport is feeling the impact of the shifting amateur sports landscape.
Conference realignment has largely been driven by efforts to maximize media rights revenue around football. But college hoops is a key moneymaker, too, and is creating its own new opportunities for universities and media entities alike.
The men’s NCAA Tournament is locked into a deal with CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery through 2032, but the second-tier NIT event, founded in 1938, could soon be dealing with new competition.
Fox Sports is reportedly exploring creating a new postseason tournament for teams from conference partners that don’t qualify for March Madness. That would include the Big 12, Big East, and Big Ten, potentially beginning as early as next season.
Source: Front Office Sports