Kansas with become a staple in the annual Players Era Festival.
The Jayhawks signed a five-year contract with the event, keeping the elite program in the tournament through the 2030-31 season.
“The Players Era commitment to college basketball has been very impressive,” Kansas head coach Bill Self said. “They have brought in high level teams which creates great matchups during the pre-conference season. The Players Era has also produced great NIL opportunities for our players. Being locked in through
the 2030-31 season is a reinforcement of the direction the Players Era is moving. Not only is it great for our players but it allows our fans to plan vacations to come cheer on the Jayhawks.”
Kansas defeated Tennessee in the third-place game last year in Las Vegas. Michigan went on to route Gonzaga in the final.
The tournament expanded to 18 teams from eight the year before, which was the inaugural event. The idea of the tournament was to give teams a chance to earn extra money toward their NIL funds. The winner of the tournament would get $1 million toward this. Oregon defeated Alabama in the first year of the event.
There will be further expansion this year as 24 teams will compete for the overall prize. It will feature an eight-team tournament and 16-team event. The Jayhawks will be part of a bracket featuring Florida, Rutgers, Notre Dame, UNLV, Houston, and West Virginia this year.
“We’re grateful to have Kansas, one of the preeminent collegiate basketball programs, return for the next several years,” Players Era CEO Seth Berger said. “It’s an extraordinary testament to what we’re building here with Player’s Era — a competition that delivers an exceptional experience for both fans and student-athletes alike in an atmosphere that feels like March in November.”
