Kansas extends Players Era relationship thru 2030-31

Kansas men's basketball and the Players Era Festival announced a five-year extension to their agreement, ensuring the Jayhawks will play in the in-season tournament through November 2030.

Kansas is perhaps the most decorated blue blood to participate in the Las Vegas-based tournament in its two-year existence. The Jayhawks were not part of the original eight-team field in 2024, but they signed on in 2025 and went on to take third place by beating Tennessee in the top consolation game.

The Big 12 Conference had previously reached a five-year agreement with the Players Era to provide eight teams to their tournaments per year, in exchange for a 15% stake and guaranteed revenues going toward player NIL. But the Kansas agreement is apparently separate from that.

"We're grateful to have Kansas, one of the preeminent collegiate basketball programs, return for the next several years," Players Era CEO Seth Berger said in a statement. "It's an extraordinary testament to what we're building here with Player's Era -- a competition that delivers an exceptional experience for both fans and student-athletes alike in an atmosphere that feels like March in November."

The 2026-27 Players Era will expand to 24 teams and include a new format with two separate, single-elimination brackets, one of eight teams and one of 16.

Kansas, with head coach Bill Self entering his 24th year on the job, will face UNLV in the first round of what's being called the "Players Era Eight."

Baylor, Houston, Iowa State, Kansas State, TCU, Texas Tech and West Virginia are also signed up for the upcoming season.

--Field Level Media