65 to 68. CBS and TBS. My head is spinning. Andy Lyons/Getty Images
I just got an alert from the Washington Post on my phone and it read “NCAA to Expand Basketball Tournament.” I said “ugh” loudly in disgust and then realized there were people around me who weren’t getting this alert (if they had, I’m sure they would have understood).
In my mind all I could think was how terrible having a 96-team tournament – the number that’s been tossed around for the past few months – would be. My favorite time of year ruined by corporate greed. But then I actually opened the e-mail and saw that the NCAA would only be adding three teams – from 65 to 68. What?! That doesn’t even make any sense. And, I have yet to read an article from a major news outlet that explains this move.
However, these reports are also announcing that CBS, along with Turner Broadcasting (Ted Turner. Now nana will NEVER watch college basketball), will continue their relationship with the NCAA in a $10.8 billion, 14-year deal. Interesting to note about this tidbit is that starting next year, EVERY NCAA men’s tournament game will be broadcast (YAY), and beginning in 2016, coverage of the regional finals on will be split between CBS and Turner, with coverage of the championship game alternating between the two networks (the Final Four on TBS? yuck.)
So if someone wants to explain to me the benefit to adding three teams – when all anyone seems to talk about is how 96 teams will generate more revenue – I’d love to hear it. Comment below!
NoMad Blogger 