Mayor's Cup: Let's play two - Tulsa World (1-23-10)

[Dr. Cornelius]

As much as I like 2 chances for ORU to get into the tournament. Do we really need 2 auto bids from every small conference in D-1? 2 bids from the Ivy League or other small conferences (Even the Summit)?

I don't get your point. Every league would have this opportunity not just small conferences. If anything the Big East and ACC would get 10+ teams but the problem is small leagues having the opportunity to have more than one autobid?

[ManiacAlum]

Everybody shares some part of this if the tournament goes to 96 teams..

The NCAA has so many eggs in the CBS/March Madness basket that now everyone is going to suffer in terms of competition. The tournament contract with CBS brings in 85% of the NCAA revenue, and the advertising revenue generated for CBS is the highest of ANY sport-- including the Super Bowl/NFL Playoffs.

And even with all that-- the problem becomes with the NCAA wanting so much for the broadcasting rights, it isn't very profitable for CBS. Which leads them to the idea of an extra weekend of basketball for more advertising...which CBS may have to share with a cable partner to help with the costs anyway.

The most embarrassing part really is that those with influential voice at the NCAA-- the BCS conference commissioners, etc. have been less than outspoken about how pointless this is from a basketball standpoint. Just more of their teams to add and share the revenue.

So what happens when its time to re-new another contract? More expansion? An all divisions battle royale? This would be just a short-term NCAA stimulus, and meanwhile, everyone from the networks to the coaches are just trying to protect their money.