by WBR Tom » Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:51 am
Fox is working on a postseason tournament that would feature the top 16 teams from the three power leagues they hold TV rights to (Big East, Big 12, Big Ten). It would be held in Las Vegas the week between the NCAA Tourney's regionals and the Final Four, and teams from those leagues would be required to play if selected. Reportedly the Big East and Big 12 are already on board. Fox's plan is to work with their sponsors on NIL deals to pay players to compete in it -- ensuring it doesn't end up like football bowl games where players with pro prospects opt out.
So, two things. One, that might not be the end of the NIT necessarily, but it's another shot across the bow of the NCAA as an organization (since they own that tourney now). Come to think of it, if the NIT consists only of ACC and mid-major/low-major teams and the finals aren't at MSG anymore, that might be the end of it.
Two, the Big East's inclusion and apparent enthusiastic "yes" means both sides must anticipate their TV deal continuing past the current one.