Intersport on the weekend of the Final Four in San Antonio will host the 3X3U National Championship that will see college seniors "who won't be playing in the Final Four" compete for a total of $100,000 in prize money, according to Matt Norlander of CBSSPORTS.com. The tournament is "sponsored by Dos Equis" and will take place over three days from Friday, March 30, to Sunday, April 1, at St. Mary's Univ.'s Bill Greehey Arena. All 32 D-I conferences "will be represented, meaning there will be a big bracket." There will be "four players per team" for a total of 128 players on 32 teams chosen by a selection committee "spearheaded by NCAA.com's Andy Katz." But the tournament is "not affiliated with the NCAA", as only players who have "exhausted their eligibility are permitted" to play. Their amateur playing careers "will be over the second their seasons end -- which means they can make money and not put themselves or their schools at risk." The tournament will be "broadcast live on Twitter and on ESPN2." Games on Friday and Saturday will only be "broadcast on Twitter." There "will be 24 pool play games" on Friday beginning at 7:00pm ET, running until "approximately midnight," with pool play continuing Saturday from approximately 11:00am through the 4:00pm hour. The event is "trying to become the thing to watch before the Final Four tips later that evening." The championship on Sunday is a "best-of-three and will be broadcast" at 3:30pm on ESPN2. Quarterfinals and semifinals will "precede that," beginning at 2:00pm. Intersport will "pay for all players' travel, hotel and provide per diems" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/5).
THE MOST INTERESTING EVENT: SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL’s Michael Smith reports Dos Equis “emerged in recent months as the title sponsor” for 3X3U and will “receive a significant media presence on the broadcasts, as well as branding within the event logo and around the court.” Sources “pegged the title sponsorship in the low seven figures for this year’s event.” Dos Equis’ sponsorship fee will “go toward covering the prize money and travel for the 128 players, and operational costs associated with running the competition and marketing the event.” The “unique nature of the 3-on-3 event was part of the attraction for the beer brand.” Dos Equis “signed a one-year deal to cover the inaugural 3-on-3 championship, but both sides say they’re already discussing how to do more with it” in ’19 and beyond. Dos Equis and Intersport have a relationship that “goes back more than two years” (SPORTSBUSINESS JOURNAL, 2/5 issue).
