Expansion plans for March Madness by the baker encounter restrictions within the television marketplace
March Madness Might Go Big: NCAA Ponders 72-76 Team Brackets
Charlie Baker, the bossman at the NCAA, spilled the beans on Thursday about some hot discussions going down with CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery. The topic? Expanding the good ol' March Madness men's basketball bracket from its classic 68 teams to a whopping 76! Baker said they're aiming to make a decision about this mega-change over the next few months, as there's a TON of logistical work involved.
Baker hinted that they're shooting for either 72 or 76 teams, but who knows? Logistics could get a bit tricky.
Ever heard about automatic bids? Ya, they're a thing, and 31 of the 68 teams that get picked each year lock their spots in, no matter their regular-season ranking. With all those automatic lock-ins, Baker noted that there’ll be plenty of extremely good squads left on the sidelines. Baker believes expanding the bracket would give those top-performing teams a fighting chance to get in the game.
But, always a catch, right? CBS and WBD, the current holders of the media rights, would probably jump at more hoop action in March. But, the NCAA wanting to squeeze a little extra cash out of them? That's a tricky situation at best. The media dudes already pay big bucks for the tourney, already having dropped $8.8 billion on a contract extend for the tourney back in 2016.
In Baker's words, "It's a way to get some of the teams into the tournament who would, as at-large teams, get in." And guess what? The NCAA has no intention of scrapping those automatic bids. They really, really believe in 'em.
Digging Deeper
Expanding the bracket isn't a brand new idea. Back in 2011, the men’s bracket expanded from 64 to 68 teams, while the ladies’ bracket ballooned after the 2020-21 season. But before you get too excited about the prospect of your mid-major college hoopin’ it up against the big boys, remember the logistical nightmares this change may cause.
Tournament structure might shift to accommodate the extra teams, meaning more play-in games or modifying existing rounds. Scheduling, travel arrangements, and TV coverage could also become headaches as more teams, venues, and games are added to the mix. And let's not forget about the financial implications; media partners might not be keen on shelling out more dough for the added games.
More teams could mean more representation for conferences, which isn't all bad. But, of course, adding more teams also means lower-ranked teams squeeze their way in, potentially diluting the competition and sparking criticism. The revenue potential for the NCAA is there, but it remains to be seen whether the additional games would deliver significant financial returns.
People are eagerly anticipating the NCAA's decision on expanding the March Madness men's basketball bracket from 68 to 72 or 76 teams, as this change could provide more sports-analysis opportunities and give top-performing teams a greater chance to participate in sports like basketball. However, the logistical challenges involved in accommodating more teams, venues, and games, as well as the potential financial implications, might lead to headaches for both the NCAA and its media partners.
