Players Era Tournament reshapes November hoops with million-dollar NIL payouts, top teams, and a field now eclipsing Maui and Atlantis.

Matt Norlander's notebook from Las Vegas dives into the team with the biggest gripe over the Players Era format — but won out anyway

Players Era Festival CEO Seth Berger said teams receive over $1 million in NIL compensation on average, with more opportunities for top four teams.

The Big 12 and Players Era inked a six-year, $50 million deal. What does this mean for the conference and Iowa State basketball?

"Is it perfect? No," Michigan's Dusty May said of the Players Era tournament format. "There are no perfect answers for any of these things."

The Players Era Championship (née Festival) is back in Las Vegas this week for its second edition, this time featuring 18 men’s basketball teams, including top-25 programs Houston, Michigan, St. John’s and Auburn.

The 2025 Players Era Festival will take place this week in Las Vegas. Here's what to know, including bracket, scores and how to watch information:

This is the second year of the tournament, which began Monday. Each of the eight teams that played in last year's event received at least $1 million, organizers have said.

And on Tuesday, we learned Tennessee is again one of the most physical and impressive defensive teams in the country. The biggest matchup of Day 2 played out at MGM Grand Garden Arena: No. 17 Tennessee 76, No. 3 Houston 73. The Vols atoned for their 19-point Elite Eight loss to the Cougars last season.

Big 12 announced Monday that it will get eight automatic bids to the Players Era Festival, in coming years, which will give every participant a guaranteed $1 million NIL payout.

The Iowa State Cyclones are partaking in the Players Era Festival this year. This is a rapidly expanding tournament that featured eight teams last year and has