03-11-2020, 09:58 PM
(03-11-2020, 09:22 PM)chrisk Wrote:(03-11-2020, 08:59 PM)winflop Wrote:(03-11-2020, 08:19 PM)chrisk Wrote: How do you justify playing the NCAA and cancelling the NIT? Money?
If it is student-athletes first, they should either play both or cancel both.
One is for a national championship. The other one is not.
The implication is that the NIT just go away for good. The CBI is run by a separate organization and would not be missed. Stanford has won several NIT championships. How many "championships" would Stanford have if not for the NIT?
The NIT normally gives teams on the wrong side of the bubble a chance to play a few games at home and then maybe go to NYC. The lower tier teams get a chance to play the top seeds in big noisy venues which is likely a big deal for those players.
This year the NIT will be a massive money loser for the top seeds as they can't sell tickets. The lower seeds won't play in arenas with 10,000+ fans.
So a money loser for the top seeds. No amazing opportunities for the lower seeds. And a much higher risk of corona virus exposure for everyone.
Pass....
Most college administrators will easily make this call. NCAA would be smart to get in front of it, and just cancel the NIT for this season.
The NCAA is probably just a couple of positive tests away from needing to cancel the NCAA tournament. The players will probably be OK even if they get the virus, not as certain the coaches and support staff would be as lucky.
The billions of dollars in the TV contract apparently get the deciding vote, at least for now.