The Mountain West Conference’s showing in the NCAA Tournament may be over, but the financial benefits of this year’s Big Dance will continue for the league. Despite a 2-4 record, the MW earned six NCAA Tournament units, each worth approximately $2 million over a six-year payout cycle. This translates to roughly $12 million for the conference, to be evenly split among all MW teams over the next six seasons.
This year’s units bring the MW’s total to 30 in the current cycle, with powerhouse San Diego State contributing 11 of those units. As the conference faces upcoming changes with five schools leaving for the Pac-12, the question arises of how the units will be distributed in the future. The MW has traditionally split revenues evenly among schools, but there is debate about moving to an uneven distribution model.
The 30 active NCAA Tournament units represent the second-highest total in the conference’s history, offering a significant revenue stream for the future. However, with the impending loss of key basketball programs to the Pac-12, the MW will face challenges in maintaining these numbers after 2026. Columnist Chris Murray highlights these financial implications and questions facing the conference as it navigates its basketball landscape moving forward.
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