New Fox Sports Post Season Tournament

[sirthought]

Word has been out about this already, but...

I learned Fox Sports is producing a new tournament featuring the top 16 Big East, Big 10, and Big 12 schools that didn't make the NCAA.

The event will be held after the Elite 8 games, in Las Vegas, starting in 2025. I don't know if this will hold, but reports are saying these three conferences' teams would have to decline any NIT invite if they are invited to this new event. The invites would be set by top NET rankings, so one conference could potentially not have as many teams.

The NIT has scrambled to change some of their invite rules, trying to ensure they'd be getting the best teams possible, as this could rip the NIT apart if fans from these bigger hoops conferences don't get involved. Mid Major programs are pissed about this already.

Two main thoughts from me:

1) These reports seem like a good sign that Big East is going to stay with Fox in their next media contract. Not sure if that's the best thing for their ratings, but FS1 has treated them well, and it might be a happy match for everyone. (I doubt they'll have as many games as they have now on FS1.)

I'm guessing that a big reason Fox isn't pulling the trigger on this tourney sooner is because they don't have the Big East wrapped up yet. Other outlets will be calling, but this kind of featured event could be an attractive option for the Big East. It could also be a sign of a potential arms race various media outlets might try to coordinate to compete for conferences in the future.

2) A tourney with Big 10, Big 12, and Big East schools in late March sounds damn good! I'd much rather see the mid pack programs from these conferences over something lower profile. And between the big Fox, FS1 and FS2 we could have a nice choice of network packaging. (The CBS/Turner deal with the NCAA runs though 2032, but Fox might not to wait that long to see if they could land that deal next.)

That said, I know this hurts those mid major underdog programs that are trying to establish their programs. Especially if you win regular season, but not your conference tournament. How much hoops will casual fans tune in for if there's NCAA, NIT, and a well-heeled event like this? Does an event like this just dilute casual fan interest with confusion over what to watch? Fox must think not.

All the A10 and MAC and the like are fuming about this development, as the rich seem to be richer with media attention here.

And in many ways it won't be as fun as seeing some school you haven't followed come out of nowhere to beat the bigger program. Parity amongst these three conferences is pretty strong. But I actually like that this is different than the NCAA tournament. It's hopefully just good basketball.

Naturally XU wants to be in the NCAA, but if things don't go that way, we could potentially have a Crosstown Shootout in Vegas.

[MHettel]

Yeah, I don’t know…

I’m losing track, but I want to say that the BE has 11 teams, the B12 will have 16 and the b10 will have 16 as well. That’s 43 teams total. If you assume that 50% of the teams will make the NCAA tourney, then you have 21 or 22 teams from which you pick the “best” 16. There is going to be some hot garbage involved in that. Given the proposed timing of “after the elite 8”, it is possible that you could see teams that got knocked out of their conference tourney early (Tuesday for instance) and then don’t play for the rest of the confeence tourney week, and then for 2 additional weeks while the NCAA is working towards the final 4.

Watching a rusty crap Butler team take on a rusty crap Minnesota team seems like a real Bonanza!

I realize it’s all about money, and there might be a window where some viewers MIGHT care, but the product is gonna be shit.

[MADXSTER]

The other concerning issues is having coaches and coaching staffs moving onto other programs prior to the tourney. When does the transfer portal open? That may be another issue.

[D-West & PO-Z]

You would think Fox has some sort of commitment from the conferences on this to attend this tourney and not the NIT. Taking Hett's numbers if you have 21-22 teams and 2 of them from each conference made the NIT (not a stretch given the new NIT rules) and went there instead you are literally only left with exactly the amount you need.

And the whole tournament is in Vegas? Over what time period? The finalists needs to play 4 games. You don't get any of the money coming in from hosting a game. I am guessing the conferences get some slice of the pie then distribute it. But again, I am thinking Fox would expect some sort of commitment from these conferences for their tourney over the NIT.

Will be interesting to see how this plays out and the logistics.

[muskiefan82]

Could a team that lost in the NCAA tournament before the Elite 8 move to this tournament?

[94GRAD]

Could a team that lost in the NCAA tournament before the Elite 8 move to this tournament?

No, It will be for teams that don't make the Tournament.

[MHettel]

Could a team that lost in the NCAA tournament before the Elite 8 move to this tournament?

that would actually be brilliant. If half of the 43 total teams make the dance (lets say 21), at most 8 of them can make teh elite 8, which would leave 13 available for the 16 spots. But in reality, there is more likely to be 4-5 teams from the conferences into the Elite 8. So, maybe the whole thing COULD be seeded with NCAA teams. Although I dont see the motivation to keep playing....

caveat- no way do I seriously think this is a possibility....but it is brilliant

[UCGRAD4X]

Interesting question. If Xavier lost in S16, would you want to watch them play in this tourney afterwards? Or would you be so disappointed that this would seem like slumming it?

[Masterofreality]

Interesting question. If Xavier lost in S16, would you want to watch them play in this tourney afterwards? Or would you be so disappointed that this would seem like slumming it?

Nah. Sweet 16 loss? Season over.