Kansas Basketball will participate in the Players Era Festival for the first time this week. The second-year MTE grew from eight teams in 2024 to 18 teams in its second year. KU will play three games in Las Vegas this week, the first match being against Our Lady and the second game being against Syracuse. KU will play a third game Wednesday or Thursday.
The Player Era is a different type of MTE. There is no bracket and teams receive zero money for participating in the event. Each team receives $1 million in NIL for player payments for their participation. Then, cash prizes will be awarded to the top four teams. Reportedly, the winner will receive an additional $1 million, with second place receiving $500,000, third place $300,000, and fourth place $200,000.
This is much different from previous tournaments – like the Maui Invitational – which had no payout and were expensive trips for athletic departments.
“I think it’s going to be a necessity to play in real zero opportunities,” Self said. “Because with the rev share agreement and what schools can do, and each individual school has their own agreement and how it’s set up within their department on what schools can get in each sport respectively. How important would it be to have a real NIL, which is 100% licensed, to have opportunities that you might not have if you weren’t playing in events like this.”
MTEs like the Maui Invitational have seen their competitors decline in overall quality and this season the Maui Invitational is headlined by TexasState of North Carolina, U.S.C. And Arizona State.
Self thinks some of the other MTEs might have to follow Players Era’s lead.
“I would say it would be up to the organizers and promoters of the event to see if they can do what the Players Era does,” Self said. “So I don’t think they’re in danger unless they make some adjustments.”
