We could be in store for an even bigger “Big Dance” in the 2010-2011 season if the NCAA decides expand the men’s basketball tournament to 96 teams, according to multiple sources like ESPN and the Washington Post. If the NCAA cancels its current contract with CBS to televise all the games, there will be a network bidding war to broadcast all of some of the games. The NCAA still has three years and $2.131 billion dollars remaining on the contract with CBS if it considers opting out.
The Sports Business Journal reported that the NCAA is contemplating dropping the TV contract and expanding from a 65-team tournament to either 68 or 96, producing 31 more games. A 96-team tournament would most likely result in two or more networks splitting the games. ESPN, FOX and a CBS/Turner affiliate may collaborate for a bid on the expanded tournament. The extra 32 spots may go to at-large berths in the top 10 or 12 conferences.
Many college basketball fans are against the expansion, saying that it would ruin the lure and magic of March Madness. In the sports betting world, it would have a dramatic impact. When the World Cup expanded from 24 teams to 32 in 1998, it was a huge success. It came for financial reasons and its commercial success exploded in Asia. As a result, Asia sends four teams each year to the World Cup. Asian betting houses used the Internet to increase the number of wagers.
The expansion works for betting because there would be more soft games to bet on. March Madness always brings in a hefty influx of betting. An expanded tournament would bring in more fans and widespread appeal. Yes, it could affect the tournament negatively, especially if an expansion results in no change to BCS college football, which fans have been complaining about for decades and hinting at a playoff similar to March Madness. But, it would be good for sports betting. An expanded tournament would no doubt bring in more bets and result in a few Cinderella teams getting to the final rounds instead of just one or two.