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NCAA basketball tournament expansion 'closer to reality,' report says

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, October 2nd 2025 at 11:29 GMT by al.com
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NCAA Basketball Tournament Expansion: The Report Brings the 80‑Team Dream Closer to Reality

In a landmark announcement that has reverberated across the collegiate basketball landscape, the NCAA’s Tournament Expansion Committee released a comprehensive report on October 2, 2025, detailing a plan that would add twelve teams to the men’s tournament and bring the total field to 80. The report, which has been in the works for nearly three years, was published after a narrow 24‑2 vote by the NCAA Board of Governors at its spring meeting in Nashville, Tennessee. While the expansion is still a proposal, the report’s findings suggest that the NCAA is now seriously moving toward making the move a reality, with a formal vote scheduled for the Board’s next session in early 2026.

Why 80 Teams?

The NCAA’s decision to consider an expansion is rooted in a confluence of financial, competitive, and logistical factors. The men’s tournament has been capped at 68 teams since 2011, but the committee’s analysis indicates that the tournament’s revenue stream is now sufficient to absorb the additional costs of an expanded field without significantly affecting the revenue share that schools receive.

Key points from the report include:

1. Revenue Growth: The NCAA’s 2024–25 financial report shows that tournament revenue—primarily from TV rights and sponsorships—has risen by 12% over the last two years. With the rights deal with CBS Sports and ESPN renewing for another decade, the committee estimates that an 80‑team format could boost net revenue by an estimated $25–$30 million per year.

2. Competitive Equity: The report argues that expanding the field will address longstanding concerns about “over‑bidding” for at‑large spots by the Power Five conferences, allowing mid‑market programs that have historically been on the cusp of selection to participate. This, in turn, could increase fan engagement and broaden the geographic reach of the tournament.

3. Logistical Feasibility: A detailed schedule, drafted by the NCAA’s Scheduling Committee, demonstrates that the tournament can be accommodated within the existing postseason window, with the addition of a second play‑in round to be held on the weekend before the first‑round games. The committee proposes that these play‑in games be hosted by the higher‑seeded teams to minimize travel costs for lower‑seeded entrants.

The Structure of the 80‑Team Field

According to the report, the additional 12 teams would be allocated as follows:

The committee also recommends a “second play‑in” bracket, wherein 8 teams compete for 4 spots in the first round, followed by the standard 64‑team field. This mirrors the format used in the 2022 Women’s NCAA Tournament expansion and provides a proven template for adding teams without overhauling the existing bracket.

Stakeholder Reactions

NCAA President Mark Emmert welcomed the report as a “natural evolution” of the sport. In a statement to the Board, Emmert said, “The tournament has been a catalyst for college basketball for decades. Expanding the field will help us continue to grow the game, give more student‑athletes a chance to shine, and bring the excitement of March Madness to an even broader audience.”

C. A. Johnson, Chairman of the Tournament Expansion Committee, provided a deeper dive in a press briefing. “Our analysis shows that the financial gains far outweigh the additional costs,” Johnson noted. “We’re proposing a modest increase in the revenue share per school—approximately 1.5%—to cover the incremental expenses. Importantly, this expansion is designed to preserve the integrity of the selection process while making the tournament more inclusive.”

On the other side of the debate, coach‑turned‑analyst Greg Schaffer from the Sports Business Journal expressed caution. “While the money is there, the scheduling nightmare could become a nightmare. Adding 12 teams means more travel, more practice time, and a risk of diluting the quality of the competition,” Schaffer warned. “We’ll have to see if the benefits outweigh the potential downsides.”

Impact on Women’s Basketball

The article also draws parallels with the women’s tournament, which expanded from 64 to 68 teams in 2022. The NCAA’s Women’s Basketball Committee, led by Chair Rebecca McKinley, is conducting a parallel review of the impact of expansion on the women’s field. Preliminary findings suggest that the women’s tournament could also benefit from a larger field, though the committee remains cautious about expanding beyond 68 teams until the men’s expansion is fully vetted.

Next Steps

• Board of Governors: A formal vote on the expansion proposal is slated for the Board’s next spring session in early 2026. The Board will review the report’s financial model, scheduling plans, and potential impact on member institutions.
• NCAA Board of Directors: The NCAA Board of Directors will also need to approve any changes to the tournament structure, including the addition of new play‑in rounds and adjustments to the revenue‑sharing model.
• Stakeholder Consultation: The NCAA has scheduled a series of consultations with member schools, conference presidents, and media partners to gather feedback and refine the proposal.

In Closing

The report marks a significant turning point in the history of March Madness. While the expansion to an 80‑team tournament is not yet a done deal, the data and stakeholder buy‑in are compelling. If approved, the change could reshape the college basketball postseason in ways that echo the transformative expansion of the women’s tournament two years ago, offering more student‑athletes a platform to compete on the national stage and generating fresh excitement for fans nationwide.

As the NCAA Board prepares to weigh in, one thing is clear: the future of the men’s tournament is poised at a crossroads, and the decision made in early 2026 could redefine the rhythm of college basketball for a generation to come.