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March Madness could get a lot wilder in future years.
The NCAA is considering a raft of changes that would reshape how many schools qualify for top tournaments and how funds are distributed. The proposals were released in a 22-page report by the NCAA Division I transformation committee on Tuesday.
- The 21-member committee proposed allowing 25% of teams in sports sponsored by at least 200 schools to qualify for yearly championship events.
- March Madness could grow from 68 teams to 90.
- The group also recommended adjustments to standards for Division I schools creating attendance minimums for top-tier football schools, and accountability, training, and certification standards for coaches.
Athletes would see a boost in allowed benefits, with schools permitted to cover travel, training outside of school, and more cash for housing, meals, and certain educational costs.
Revenue Redistribution
Also on the table is how the NCAA metes out $638 million to Division I schools, $171 million of which is distributed based on performance in the men’s NCAA March Madness tournament.
The committee recommended altering the distribution system to reward success in women’s sports and other competitions.
The men’s tournament currently brings in more than 85% of the NCAA’s roughly $1 billion in annual revenue.
