NCAA Weighs NCAA Tournament Expansion Amid Financial Talks

⁣ Updated May 29, 2025

Orlando, Fla.— NCAA President Charlie Baker indicated Thursday that expanding the NCAA Tournament⁢ is under consideration, wiht a decision expected in the coming months.The discussion took place during big ‍12 spring meetings, where leaders addressed revenue sharing, the transfer portal, and name, image⁣ and likeness (NIL) compensation.

Baker said the possibility of increasing the field from 68 teams to either 72 or 76 is being explored. He noted ongoing conversations with CBS and Warner Bros. Revelation, the ⁣broadcast partners for March Madness.

“We’ve had good conversations with CBS⁤ and WBD,” Baker said. “our goal here is to try to sort of get to either yes or‍ no ⁣sometime in the next⁣ few months⁤ because there’s a lot of logistical work ‍that would be associated with doing this…it gets elaborate.”

The NCAA Tournament last expanded in 2011, adding ⁤the First Four round. This round‍ features the lowest-seeded at-large teams and conference champions competing for a spot in⁣ the main bracket.

Baker suggested the‍ current format has shortcomings ⁤and that‍ expanding the‍ field could⁤ benefit deserving ⁣teams that narrowly miss selection.

“if⁣ you have a tournament that’s got 64 or 68 ⁤teams in it, you’re ⁣going to have a bunch of teams that are probably among what most people would consider to be ⁢the best 68 or 70 teams in the country that aren’t going to make the tournament, period,” Baker said. “The point behind going from⁣ 68 to 72⁣ or 76‍ is to basically give some of those schools that were probably among the 72, 76, 68, ⁣64 best teams in the country a way into the tournament.”

He cited Indiana State’s strong performance and subsequent NIT title game appearance as an example of a team deserving of a tournament bid. Kansas coach Bill Self added that other ⁣Big 12 coaches generally support NCAA tourney⁣ expansion.

“There was ⁣a little bit that was brought forth and the consensus among the coaches, even though it⁤ was very little, would be in favor of that,” Self said. “I don’t know if you could make it where it was totally equitable all the way across the board for everybody. Certainly, there’s going to be outliers on every situation.”

Changes could be implemented as early as the upcoming season, but negotiations must progress⁣ quickly.

What’s next

Baker hopes to reach a decision this summer to allow for implementation of⁣ any changes by ⁣next season.