Now this is a blow to the chest.

Sports By Brooks just posted that an ESPN source and a source at a “powerhouse NCAA” school has knowledge of The Tournament’s expansion to 96 teams being a “done deal.”

What an awful idea. Do I need to complain and take up your time and mine by bitching about how this will kill all meaning to the regular season? Here’s an excerpt from Brooks’ piece.

An ESPN source said, “It’s a done deal with the expansion of the tournament. Depending on how soon a (TV) deal is done, the added teams could start next year. The NCAA confirmed that bidders would be interested in 96 teams, so they’re going with it.”

The response on Twitter came in swiftly and uniform: Don’t let this happen.

And Sports Business Journal is also reporting today that CBS and Turner Sports (TNT and TBS, most notably) would bid on a 96-team-tournament’s broadcast rights.

The broadcaster and cable network could share rights to the tournament if the NCAA decides to expand the field to 96 teams. In that scenario, the channel broadcasting the Final Four would pay 60 percent of the annual rights fee and the other network would pay 40 percent. The broadcast partners would alternate coverage of the Final Four each year.

Other networks, including ESPN and Fox, also are considering making bids for the tournament’s rights.

The broadcasters are basing their bids on an expanded tournament field, according to a request for proposal issued by the NCAA to potential bidders late last year.

The money is too big and the pressure from schools to want in on the act is too stop this piano from falling down the stairs.

For once, I mean it: Stop the madness.

Source: March Madness with 96 team ‘done deal’ {Sports By Brooks}
CBS-Turner bid possible for NCAA tourney {Sports Business Journal}

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