NIL deals favor larger programs in March Madness

The NCAA Tournament is currently underway, with the first-round games having concluded. So far, the tournament has seen fewer upsets than usual. McNeese achieved a rare victory against Clemson but was knocked out in the second round. Drake, however, continues to impress after beating Missouri and could be a potential Cinderella story as they prepare to face Texas Tech. Clay Travis, an analyst with Fox Sports, believes the lack of surprises in this year's tournament is due to the impact of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policies. He argues that these changes have harmed mid-major teams. Travis notes that many talented players are now attracted to larger programs with more financial resources. He points out that 22 of the remaining 32 teams come from major conferences like the SEC, Big Ten, and Big 12. This trend raises concerns about the future of the NCAA Tournament. March Madness has always celebrated upsets and the rise of unexpected heroes, but this year might be different. As the tournament continues, fans are left wondering if a mid-major team can make a deep run or if power conference teams will dominate.