Bearcats Dillon Mitchell (23) scores during Game 2 of the 2025 Phillips 66 Big 12 Basketball Championship against the Iowa State Cyclones at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri on Wednesday March 12, 2025. Cyclones won the game with a final score of 76-56. Phil Didion/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Report: NIL Prize Pool Total Revealed For Inaugural College Basketball Crown Tournament

Originally posted on Cincinnati Bearcats on SI
By Russell Heltman | Last updated Mar 25, 2025 11:25 AM ET

The College Basketball Crown is offering its 16-team field a reported $500,000 total NIL package to be split amongst the top finishers. Sports Business Journal reports the pool is split into a $300,000 NIL package for the champion, second place earns a $100,000 package and the remaining $100,000 will be split evenly between the third- and fourth-place teams ($50,000 each).

It's a nice carrot to hang in front of players who otherwise may hang it up for the season and enter the transfer portal while maintaining their health.

The money is dished out through brand ambassador deals with Vivid Seats. Participating athletes work as Vivid Seats brand ambassadors through varying marketing campaigns, including social media activations and more to access the prize pool.

UC head coach Wes Miller noted last week on his 700 WLW radio show that he expects a full Cincinnati roster to take on the challenge. The Bearcats open their Crown action on April 1 at 3 p.m. ET on FS1 against DePaul. UC is a clear betting favorite in the game.