NCAAB athletes set to earn up to $9,000,000 via Players Era Festival in Las Vegas

Modified Sep 11, 2024 06:27 GMT

The 2024 Players Era Festival has been scheduled for November 26-30 in Las Vegas Nevada. Eight college basketball programs from different NCAA conferences will compete in the two separate tournament setups.

Houston, Alabama, Rutgers, and Notre Dame will play in the Impact Tournament, while San Diego State, Creighton, Oregon, and Texas A&M will take part in the Power Tournament.

EverWonder Studio, the organizer of the festival event announced the format and schedules on Monday. However, the major highlight was the disclosure of the potential earning estimates for participating student-athletes.

In an Instagram post by BR Hoops, the Players Era Festival plans to give $9 million in NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. NCAAB players can earn this money by participating in off-court activities that follow NCAA rules. They would have to take part in events outside of the tournament such as autograph signings, and community and charity service.

Alabama head coach Nate Oats shared his excitement to be part of the inaugural class of participants in the festival.

"We are always going to support our student-athletes at the highest levels and do everything we can to help them succeed," Oats said in a statement in June per Tuscaloosa News.

"The Players Era Festival aligns with those objectives. In addition to playing quality opponents in an NCAA tournament-like atmosphere, the trip should provide our players with access to NIL opportunities."

Furthermore, the tourney will expand to sixteen teams from eight next year. That means more players would have the chance to earn lucrative NIL deals during the festival.

The Players Era Festival Teams and Schedule

There will be two separate competitions — Impact Tournament and Power Tournament — held as part of the event, each featuring a distinct set of four teams.