It’s a similar format to the Players Era Festival, an early-season tournament also in Las Vegas that offered at least $1 million in NIL money to each of the eight participating teams. Bazant said the Crown borrowed some ideas from that event and other tournaments.

Utah is one of 16 teams playing in the inaugural tournament that has a $500,000 NIL package, with $300,000 awarded to the winner.

When the Boise State men’s basketball team wasn’t selected for the NCAA Tournament, head coach Leon Rice quickly pivoted to the alternatives. And for Rice, the decision was a no-brainer. The Broncos had the option to participate in the long-running NIT or the College Basketball Crown,

The College Basketball Crown is set to unveil a hefty $500,000 NIL endorsement opportunity. John Fanta spoke to three participating head coaches about how the first-year tournament is differentiating itself from other postseason events.

Madness continues, certain college basketball teams are gearing up for an exciting new postseason event: the College Basketball Crown. What makes this tournament stand out isn’t just the competition—it’s the game-changing $500,

College basketball programs that fell shy of the NCAA's March Madness tournament will now have the opportunity to compete in the postseason through the College Basketball Crown.

Some states initially allowed bets for the 16-team tournament that began on Mar. 31, but bettors had their wagers voided and funds returned.