ESPN’s Michael Wilbon shreds NCAA for considering March Madness expansion: ‘There’s not a more worthless brand in sports’
By Andrew Olson
Published:
ESPN’s Michael Wilbon did not hold back on the NCAA for considering expanding the NCAA Tournament.
The possibility of expanding March Madness beyond 68 teams has made headlines plenty of times over the past few years. With NCAA President Charlie Baker’s support, there’s a legitimate possibility that the tournament expands for 2026.
Per college basketball insider Jeff Goodman, the NCAA selection committee had discussions about possible expansion on Wednesday in Savannah, but did not come to a decision. It will reportedly be discussed again on Thursday.
The NCAA selection committee had discussions today in Savannah regarding NCAA tournament expansion and no decision was reached yet, source told @TheFieldOf68.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) July 9, 2025
More discussions tomorrow in this annual offseason meeting.
Expanding the Big Dance is wildly unpopular with both fans and media members. During Wednesday’s Pardon The Interruption, Wilbon tore into the NCAA for considering expanding the tournament.
“You’re leaving this to a body, up there that logo that says ‘NCAA,’ there’s not a more worthless brand in sports. There’s not a more mistrusted brand in all of sports than the logo that says ‘NCAA,’” Wilbon said. “Because the people who rule for that body, they look like clowns much of the time.”
"There's not a more worthless brand in sports … than the logo that says 'NCAA.' Because the people who rule for that body, they look like clowns much of the time."
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) July 9, 2025
Michael Wilbon and Tony Kornheiser teed off on March Madness expansion today on 'PTI': pic.twitter.com/dtM1eEXADD
Time will tell if scathing criticism from Wilbon and others will influence the NCAA’s decision on the size of the tournament.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.
