More March Madness? NCAA in Talks to Expand Brackets to 96 Teams

by Andres Romay

Over the past few days rumors and stories have been circulating about the possible expansion of the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.  Although history dictates aggressive expansion of the tournament from 16 teams to 32 then to 48 and 64, only to see one final expansion to 65 teams, the last two dunking it out in what is referred to as a “Play In” game, for a spot in the field of 64.  Now, the NCAA is toying with the idea of expanding the field once again, this time wither to 68 teams, creating 4 “Play In” games, or expanding the field to 96 teams.  Understanding that the NCAA does create tremendous amounts of revenue from this event; the TV rights alone are worth $6 Billion dollars, not to mention the memorabilia, promotional material and tickets that are sold to the two week March Madness event.

Like most organizations, it looks like the NCAA is following the money, looking to generate more revenue from this event by stretching it an extra week, adding more teams, more games, additional venues and of course a bigger TV contact.  The NCAA is reportedly toying with the idea of opting out of its final three years of its CBS contract looking for a more lucrative TV contract.

Since these rumors started surfacing a few days ago, there has been a frenzy of opinions, both positive and negative.  There are some that see the expansion as a great way for more teams to get national recognition and create the ultimate David-vs-Goliath type scenario.  Others are concerned that if the event is expanded there will be little attention nationally for the regular season and perhaps the conference tournaments as people will be waiting the new Big Dance.  Is this move being done to appease the bubble teams that get left out of the tournament every year?  Maybe, but realistically how many teams complain each year about getting past over for this event?  Three?  Four?  Perhaps, but not 32!

Jason Stark from ESPN Radio commented earlier that “no team that actually has a chance of winning the tournament is ever left out, a sweet sixteen team might, but not one that has a legitimate shot of winning the entire tournament.”

Perhaps we should listen and take advise from those closest to the game, and get their reaction.  Jim Delany, current Big Ten Commissioner and former Chairman of the NCAA Committee that runs the tournament has expressed concerns about watering down the sport’s signature event.  He also mentions that “I have no problem with looking at expansion, whether it is small or big.  I only say that issue is one that must be managed openly and transparently, [and] I have concerns that it’s not.”  His sentiment it echoed by others like Texas AD, DeLoss Dodds, who says “I don’t know their process, but their process seems to be pretty hidden.”

It appears that the thought of expansion creates a myriad of sentiment from everyone with a voice.  It is slightly comical to think, that same people who complain about expanding the college football season by adding a playoff system, because it would hurt the academics of student athletes, are the same people looking to expand the tournament an extra week.  Perhaps, the NCAA should worry more about including those influential people in the decision making process and the quality of the event, instead of worrying about their pockets.