Overview
- Announced Monday in Las Vegas, the partnership guarantees eight Big 12 teams spots in the Players Era over the next five years as the 2025 event features Baylor, Houston, Iowa State and Kansas.
- Participants receive at least $1 million in NIL payouts, and organizers say this year's men's tournament is profitable and will deliver more than $20 million to schools with backing from major sponsors.
- Players Era plans a 32-team format in 2026 with four eight-team pools leading to a 'Four Kings' final stage, with the Big 12 slated for at least two teams per pool.
- Event leaders are in talks on a multiyear media-rights agreement with ESPN, Fox, Netflix and incumbent TNT, while the 2025 games air on TNT, truTV and Max.
- Big 12 selections are expected to follow conference standings with flexibility for prior commitments, and some programs hold multiyear deals, including Kansas for six years and Houston contingent on the Sampson coaches' tenure.