• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 6, 2025

NCAA Punts On Expanding Men’s March Madness Field

  • While discussions are ongoing, expansion “is not imminent,” the NCAA said.
  • Last year, college sports stakeholders in the Big East told Front Office Sports they were torn on the proposal.
Connecticut Huskies players celebrates after defeating the San Diego State Aztecs in the national championship game of the 2023 NCAA Tournament at NRG Stadium.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

The NCAA Division I men’s basketball committee has decided not to expand the 68-team men’s March Madness field — yet.

This week, the committee considered the proposal that championship tournament opportunities should be available to 25% of schools in all sports with at least 200 participating teams. That includes the men’s tournament.

A general view of the March Madness logo before game

March Madness Starts With a TV Show. There’s Nothing Else Like It..

March Madness commences when fates are decided live in front of millions.
March 12, 2023

But while discussions are ongoing, expansion “is not imminent,” the NCAA said in a press release. NCAA SVP of Basketball, Dan Gavitt, added: “They are committed to doing their due diligence looking at a few different models to make an informed decision that’s in the best interests of the championship, and that may very well include deciding against expansion.”

Last year, college sports stakeholders in the Big East — the most high-profile basketball-centric conference — told Front Office Sports they were torn on the proposal. 

Coaches favored allowing as many athletes to experience the tournament as possible. But they agreed there were potential logistical challenges with an expanded tournament, especially for host schools. 

Commissioner Val Ackerman also noted that a tournament with more than 68 teams could become unwieldy from a TV scheduling standpoint. She also said there was no guarantee the NCAA would receive increased revenue from an expanded field from CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery, whose current contract with the NCAA runs until 2032.

If the men’s tournament expands, the women’s would have to follow suit — the NCAA can’t afford to make the two tournaments unequal again after the gender equity fiasco at the 2021 tournaments.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ohio State

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

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

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
Jun 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) controls the ball as Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) defends during the first half at College Park Center.

Paige Bueckers Eyes Expanded Season, ‘Rightful Pay’ in New CBA

“The respect, attention, the accessibility—you see everything growing.”
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.

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.

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.
July 3, 2025

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.
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

Pac-12 Hits Football Membership Threshold With Texas State Entry

The school is paying $5 million to leave the Sun Belt Conference.
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.
Sep 16, 2023; Stanford, California, USA; Sacramento State Hornets running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (25) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Stanford Cardinal at Stanford Stadium.
June 25, 2025

Sacramento State ‘Full Steam Ahead’ for FBS Despite Not Receiving NCAA Waiver

The Hornets launched a public campaign to join the FBS last fall.
Jun 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; North Carolina infielder Jackson Van De Brake (6) and outfielder Carter French (18) celebrate an out during the first inning of the Super Regionals game against Arizona in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
June 25, 2025

Most Power Conference Sports Won’t See Revenue-Sharing Dollars

But there is a silver lining for Olympic sports: more scholarships.