Will next year's March Madness have 96 teams? According to reports, including this work from Sports Business Daily, the NCAA is looking to opt out of its current contract with CBS after this year and initiate a new bidding process for a 12-year deal. They have until August 31 to opt out of the three remaining years left on an 11-year, $6 billion contract.
The 2011 NCAA tournament will be hosted in Houston, and,
if the NCAA gets their way,
every other arena available in the continental U.S.
The NCAA is hoping for a new deal that will give them a no-penalty exit clause and, more importantly, the ability to expand to tournament to 68 or 96 teams. Under the 68-team format, there would be three play-in games to start the tournament. A 96-team field would include an extra round for 64 teams, with the top 32 teams would receiving a first round bye.
Could the people on the side move in a bit?
We gotta fit in 32 more.
It's being reported that Turner Sports, ESPN, Fox, and even CBS are interested. According to Sports Business Daily, the options for the NCAA are thus:
- The NCAA could keep its current deal with CBS
- The NCAA could make a new deal with CBS
- The NCAA could make a new deal with a new partner, or
- The NCAA could create a split-rights agreement.
More games, more money for the NCAA -- the same reason there's no playoff in division one college football.
Anyway, here's something completely unrelated, but it made my weekend. Gotta love those Canucks...
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