• Loading stock data...
Monday, July 7, 2025

Duke’s Coach K: NCAA Can’t Afford Another March Madness Cancellation

  • The cancellation of the 2020 men’s tournament reportedly cost the NCAA $375 million.
  • Krzyzewski, often called Coach K, says the association should hold a 2021 tournament, regardless of when.
Duke’s Coach K: NCAA Can’t Afford Another March Madness Cancellation
Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Duke head men’s basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski doesn’t think the NCAA can afford another canceled postseason tournament, he said on Aug. 18’s episode of Keyshawn, JWII & Zubin on ESPN Radio. 

On Aug. 17, the association said it expects to have a decision in mid-September on whether the 2020-21 Division I basketball season can start on time — it’s currently slated to begin Nov. 10. The men’s postseason tournament, which was canceled for the 2019-20 season, generates the vast majority of the NCAA’s revenue. 

Prior to the cancellation, the association was set to distribute a total of $600 million to over 1,200 schools across all divisions over the summer, but reportedly only distributed $225 million, amounting to a $375 million loss for schools. 

“I think this is a time for our sport to move forward and have a different structure. We’re the thing that the NCAA is most concerned about because men’s college basketball and the tournament produces 98% or more of the money for the NCAA, not college football or any other sport,” Krzyzewski said. “We need to have the tournament. We can’t have it where two years in a row you do not have the NCAA tournament.”

Krzyzewski, who is often called Coach K, went on to applaud the NBA’s efforts, and said the NCAA should just make sure there is a tournament at some point next season, pointing to the NBA’s success with the bubble season as a potential path for college basketball.

NCAA President Mark Emmert floated the idea of creating a bubble-like environment when he announced the cancellation of all Division I fall sports championships last week. 

“I think that’s where you should start. Make sure we have the tournament, doesn’t make any difference when it is,”  Krzyzewski said. “Because we don’t even know when the NBA season is going to be next year. And we should look at them to see how they navigate the waters going forward. They’ve navigated it really well with the bubble.”  

According to the NCAA, broadcast and marketing rights to the Division I Men’s Basketball Championship are worth $875 million, and the event brings in $177.9 million in ticket sales alone. 

Much of the revenue generated is redistributed across the NCAA’s divisions and sports.

$222 million goes to sports sponsorship and scholarship funds, $168.8 million goes to the Division I Basketball Performance Fund, $153.8 goes to various costs associated with Division I championships and $86.6 million goes to the Student Assistance Fund. Other portions of the money go to athlete insurance, academic services, and communications, while $53.3 million goes to Division II and $35.2 million to Division III initiatives.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jun 9, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz (45) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Progressive Field.

Guardians Pitcher Luis Ortiz Put on Paid Leave Amid MLB Probe

Reports say the investigation is tied to gambling.

Everything You Need to Know About EA’s Return to College Basketball Video..

There hasn’t been a college basketball game in more than 15 years.
Sophie Cunningham

WNBA Expansion Decisions Show League Prioritizes North, NBA Ties

One player ripped the league for its geographic choices.

Featured Today

American Celebs Want to Be Sports Owners. Soccer Is Where They Start

As U.S. team prices climb, investors set their sights abroad.
July 5, 2025

Baseball’s Celebrity Row: Behind MLB’s First-Pitch Ritual

Often planned, sometimes spontaneous, the ritual throw is baseball’s celebrity row.
July 4, 2025

3,000 Hot Dogs, $20K in Prizes: Behind the Nathan’s Eating Contest

Nathan’s serves up thousands of hot dogs and $20,000 in prize money.
July 3, 2025

Geoffrey Esper Can’t Catch a Break at Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest

“Hot dogs is not one of my favorite competitions of the year.”

Revenue-Sharing Chaos Begins as Texas Tech Secures Five-Star OT

The Red Raiders spent more than $10 million in the winter transfer portal.
July 1, 2025

Big Ten Commish Still Pushes for 4 Auto CFP Bids in 16-Team..

The conference wants four guaranteed spots in the Playoff.
Ohio State
July 1, 2025

Collectives Funnel $20 Million to College Athletes on Last Day Before Revenue..

Collectives frontloaded payments just before the revenue sharing era begins July 1.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 30, 2025

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
June 30, 2025

Pac-12 Hits Football Membership Threshold With Texas State Entry

The school is paying $5 million to leave the Sun Belt Conference.
Mar 23, 2025; Raleigh, NC, USA; Baylor Bears guard Jeremy Roach (3) reacts after a play during the first half against the Duke Blue Devils in the second round of the NCAA Tournament at Lenovo Center.
June 26, 2025

Power Four Put Finishing Touches on How Revenue Sharing Era Will Work

The agreement stipulates that schools can’t sue to challenge any terms of the settlement.
June 26, 2025

Pac-12 Rebuild Nears Completion With 2026 Texas State Addition

The Sun Belt school is likely joining the Pac-12 in 2026.