NCAA president Charlie Baker wants tournament expansion, but declines to say when -- or if -- it will happen
CBS Sports
by
Matt Norlander
February 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
NCAA President Charlie Baker has expressed his support for expanding the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, though he stopped short of providing a timeline or confirming if expansion will ultimately occur. During a meeting with media in Indianapolis, Baker acknowledged the ongoing discussions among the NCAA’s basketball committees, which have debated tournament expansion for nearly four years. While the general public and sports media remain skeptical about diluting one of college sports’ most prestigious events, Baker emphasized his belief that expanding the 68-team format would create more opportunities for teams currently on the bubble. He also highlighted concerns about the current 36-at-large team cutoff, which he argued leaves many strong programs excluded from the tournament.
Baker addressed financial barriers to expansion, stating that the NCAA is confident it can find a way to cover the costs of adding 16 more teams. However, he declined to provide specific figures on the projected expenses or revenue impacts. He also noted that any decision on expansion would likely be made in the coming weeks ahead of the 2027 tournament.
In addition to discussing expansion, Baker touched on other challenges facing the NCAA, including player eligibility disputes and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) regulations. Despite facing criticism, he pointed out that the NCAA has a stronger track record in court than often portrayed, with 30 out of 56 recent eligibility cases denied to plaintiffs since December 2024. Baker also hinted at potential changes for college football players who may seek to return to their teams if they don’t make NFL rosters during training camps in 2026.
This matters because the NCAA Tournament is one of the most significant events in college sports, with billions of dollars at stake and widespread fan engagement. Expanding the tournament could alter the competitive landscape by
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/19/2026