Despite opposing sports gambling in New Jersey, the NCAA “will allow eight schools to play in a nationally televised basketball tournament” at the Atlantis resort in the Bahamas, a facility that “offers a sports book,” according to Zach Helfand of the L.A. TIMES. Though the NCAA “bars its championship events from being held in states that offer sports wagering, it permits schools and conferences to play where they please,” including in the Bahamas, which has a “sizable gambling industry.” Meanwhile, the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Tipoff last week was held at the Connecticut-based Mohegan Sun casino. Four conferences, “including the Pac-12, hold league tournaments in Las Vegas, and the American Athletic Conference holds its women's basketball tournament at Mohegan Sun.” The NCAA in a statement said its championship policy "is in place to ensure the integrity of the game, provide consistency in awarding NCAA championships and to address concerns for student-athlete well-being.” Helfand notes the Battle 4 Atlantis tourney in the Bahamas “has a reputation of attracting a strong field, which helps participants build their NCAA tournament resumes,” while the location “makes it a draw for fans.” UCLA AD Dan Guerrero said that “nationally televised, high-profile tournaments provide prime exposure that helps with recruiting.” Guerrero: “All those things, that whole package if you will, makes it an attractive situation.” Helfand notes in the past, UCLA has “allowed student-athletes over 21 to play floor games on Las Vegas trips.” Guerrero said that in the Bahamas, “that won't be the case.” Guerrero: “We've certainly indicated to our student-athletes that we do not want them in the casino, and certainly not betting. There's no question about that. They're there to play basketball” (L.A. TIMES, 11/26).
