The financial windfall comes from what the NCAA calls “units,” a tally of wins, automatic qualifiers and at-large bids that determine how much conferences are paid.
HOUSTON — The joy around the Mountain West Conference is palpable, stretching from the league office to each of its member schools.
Each distribution year is assigned a value for a single unit, which is paid to the conferences over the next six years. The additional money allows mid-major conferences to be bolder on the promotional front and upgrade league tournaments. Schools often use the influx of money to upgrade facilities, increase campus video production, even on an extra charter flight here or there.
The Missouri Valley Conference had two big financial bumps in a five-year span: Wichita State's run to the 2013 Final Four and Loyola Chicago's run with fan favorite Sister Jean in 2018. The influx of money from the two deep March Madness runs also includes a production stipend, which allows schools to invest more in on-campus production, often with students manning the equipment. Now the Missouri Valley produces about 950 events across all sports.
Following Loyola Chicago's 2018 Final Four run, CBS told the MVC it was picking up a four-year option on its sub-license with ESPN, extending what originally had been a five-year deal.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Final Four: The time is now for the Pac-12 to poach San Diego StateThe weather has always been perfect. The city is big enough. The location — along the cliffs and beaches and mesas of Southern California — has always been desirable.
Read more »
Marin City native honors late friend as he leads San Diego State to Final FourWhen Darrion Trammell started walking at the precocious age of 7 months old, his dad knew he was different.
Read more »
San Diego State practices for Final Four in HoustonThe San Diego State basketball team practiced Friday for their Final Four Game at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Read more »
Steve Fisher, San Diego State architect, takes pride in Aztecs' Final Four runSteve Fisher, who rebuilt San Diego State's program, is in Houston to support the Aztecs...
Read more »
Final Four: San Diego State, Florida Atlantic ready for mid-major semifinalThe national semifinal between first-time participants marks the second time two mid-major programs will meet in the Final Four since the NCAA tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985.
Read more »
Like looking in a mirror: San Diego State finds familiarities in Final Four foeFAU is hard-working, tough and determined. 'Very similar to our team,' Aztecs guard Matt Bradley says ahead of Saturday's showdown in Houston
Read more »