I was just reading about the negotiations for a new deal for the NCAA DI basketball tournament. It appears that they were scheduled to get 710 million for next year under the old contract, but are looking to opt out for an increased fee.
Since there are 63 games in the current format of the tournament, on average each game is worth 11 million plus. The total budget allocation to DIII is 22.578 million (that's 3.18% of the total NCAA budget), or the rights revenue from two tournament games.
It is also shown here that the total net expenses for all DIII championships (both men's and women's) was 13 million or so (about 1 DI basketball game's worth of income), and the total cost of transportation was 5 million of that (the first half of a basketball game).
Some 40% of NCAA athletes compete at the DIII level, but for all DIII sports, the NCAA is willing to spend only the equivalent of half a basketball game to support travel for championships in 27 sports. Prohibition of air travel in the early rounds of DIII tournaments really seems to be working to save them money. I couldn't find how much the new DIII logo cost the NCAA, but the lack of interest in supporting collegiate competition at the DIII level is appalling by comparison. Heck, if they are going to add 31 games to the tournament, DIII ought to get at least one whole game for a divisional travel budget.
Since there are 63 games in the current format of the tournament, on average each game is worth 11 million plus. The total budget allocation to DIII is 22.578 million (that's 3.18% of the total NCAA budget), or the rights revenue from two tournament games.
It is also shown here that the total net expenses for all DIII championships (both men's and women's) was 13 million or so (about 1 DI basketball game's worth of income), and the total cost of transportation was 5 million of that (the first half of a basketball game).
Some 40% of NCAA athletes compete at the DIII level, but for all DIII sports, the NCAA is willing to spend only the equivalent of half a basketball game to support travel for championships in 27 sports. Prohibition of air travel in the early rounds of DIII tournaments really seems to be working to save them money. I couldn't find how much the new DIII logo cost the NCAA, but the lack of interest in supporting collegiate competition at the DIII level is appalling by comparison. Heck, if they are going to add 31 games to the tournament, DIII ought to get at least one whole game for a divisional travel budget.
