• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 30, 2025
Want a chance to win $250 and free FOS gear? Take our quick reader survey. Take the survey here

Calipari vs. Pitino: March Madness Showdown Set for Huge Ratings

March Madness has already seen record TV ratings for its First Four play-in round. On Saturday, two Hall of Fame coaches will renew their longtime rivalry. 

The Providence Journal

March Madness is already off to a hot start on TV with the most-watched First Four under the play-in round’s traditional format. One particularly juicy matchup in this weekend’s games could lead to even more ratings records. 

After No. 10 Arkansas upset No. 7 Kansas on Thursday and No. 2 St. John’s took care of business against No. 15 Omaha in the bracket’s west region, John Calipari and Rick Pitino are set to renew their longtime rivalry in what will likely be the marquee telecast of the second round.

CBS will broadcast Arkansas–St. John’s on Saturday at 2:40 p.m. ET. 

While the Razorbacks and Red Storm programs don’t have enormous national fan bases in men’s basketball, their Hall of Fame coaches have made a combined 13 Final Fours at five different schools. Calipari and Pitino last faced off in the NCAA tournament in 2014, when a Kentucky-Louisville clash in the Sweet 16 drew 10.1 million viewers.

First- and second-round TV ratings will build on the record 7.4 million combined viewers who watched First Four play-in games on truTV, led by 2.2 million that tuned in to UNC’s victory after its controversial March Madness selection.

Billionaire Basketball

Off the court, both St. John’s and Arkansas are big business stories in their own right.

Pitino led St. John’s to its first Big East tournament championship in 25 years, led by millions of dollars in NIL (name, image, and likeness) funding from billionaire alum Mike Repole, the founder of sports drink BodyArmor and now the majority owner of sports apparel brand NoBull. Meanwhile, with the Johnnies hoping to make their first Final Four since 1985, their fans in New York—the No. 1 sports betting market in the U.S.—are not allowed to place bets on the team.

Calipari stunned the college basketball world last year by leaving Kentucky, where he had five years and $44 million left on his contract, to take the head coach job at Arkansas, thanks to his relationship with Razorbacks donor and Tyson Foods billionaire John H. Tyson. Calipari was able to seal an NIL budget of at least $5 million at his new job.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

ESPN Says No Issues With Its Handling of NBA Gambling Scandal

Viewership for every ESPN studio show was “up significantly.”
Oct 29, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Mark Walter looks on in the eighth inning between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Los Angeles Dodgers during game five of the 2025 MLB World Series at Dodger Stadium.

NBA Approves Mark Walter As New Lakers Owner

Walter has turned the Dodgers into a powerhouse.

NBA Season Opens With Best Ratings in 8 Years Despite Off-Court Scandals

It’s the first year of the NBA’s 11-year, $77 billion media deal.
Sep 11, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese (5) stands on the sidelines before a WNBA game against the New York Liberty at Wintrust Arena.

After ‘Mebounds’ and ‘Reesebounds,’ Angel Reese Trademarks Her Name

The Sky player has already trademarked “Reesebounds” and “Mebounds.”

Featured Today

September 21, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell before the game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium

NFL Fall Meeting: 7 Big Topics Among Team Owners 

Media, facilities, and labor highlight some of the key areas of concern.
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Isaiah West (32) runs the ball in the second half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin
October 25, 2025

NIL Has Birthed a Third-Party Cottage Industry—and It’s a Mess

There’s no limit to how much players can make from NIL deals.
Christie's
October 21, 2025

Lou Gehrig’s $4M Jersey and the Exploding Sports Memorabilia Market

An ultra-rare sports collection is about to hit the auction block.
@chef__tezz/Instagram
October 19, 2025

Inside the NFL’s Private Chef Network

Private chefs are the unsung architects of player performance.
Oct 4, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions quarterback Drew Allar (15) takes hits from UCLA Bruins linebacker Jalen Woods (9) and defensive back Rodrick Pleasant (18) during the fourth quarter at Rose Bowl.

Rose Bowl Lawsuit Claims UCLA Tried to Move Games to SoFi Stadium

UCLA has called the Rose Bowl home since the early 1980s.
Harold Perkins Jr interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.
October 29, 2025

Louisiana Governor Says LSU Athletic Director Will Not Choose Next Football Coach

Jeff Landry has little confidence in Scott Woodward.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
Sponsored

How HOKA is Reimagining the NIL Relationship

TNT Sports is going all-in on college athletics—bringing fans closer and giving brands a powerful new way to connect.
Sankey
October 28, 2025

SEC’s Sankey Blasts NCAA Plan to Allow Pro Sports Betting

NCAA athletes can bet on professional sports starting Nov. 1.
October 28, 2025

SEC Coaches Kiffin, Smart Question LSU’s Firing of Kelly: ‘Ridiculous’ 

Three SEC teams have fired their football coaches midseason.
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to an audience at Louisiana Tech University on Aug. 25, 2025.
October 28, 2025

Why Louisiana’s Governor Was Involved in the Brian Kelly Firing

Jeff Landry reportedly hosted a meeting at the governor’s mansion Sunday.
Brian Kelly
October 28, 2025

CFB Firings Tracker: LSU Owes Brian Kelly $53 Million

The sum owed Kelly slightly tops James Franklin’s at Penn State.