KU Basketball Joins Players Era Festival Amid Exciting Changes

LAWRENCE, Kansas – The University of Kansas (KU) basketball team is set to participate in the Players Era Festival for the first time this week. This second-year multi-team event (MTE) has expanded from eight to 18 teams since its inception in 2024.

KU will play three games during the festival, starting with a matchup against an undisclosed opponent, followed by a game against Syracuse. The third game is scheduled for either Wednesday or Thursday.

What makes the Players Era unique is its format and incentives. Unlike traditional tournaments with brackets, this festival provides each participating team with $1 million in Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) money. Additional prize money is awarded to the top four teams, with the winner receiving an extra $1 million, second place earning $500,000, third place awarded $300,000, and fourth place taking home $200,000.

Head Coach Bill Self emphasized the significance of these NIL opportunities. He noted, “I think it’s going to be a necessity to play in true NIL opportunities… How important would it be to have true NIL, which is 100% permissible?” as traditional MTEs, like the Maui Invitational, don’t offer financial incentives and can burden athletic departments.

Self pointed out that some classic MTEs have struggled with competition quality. This year’s Maui Invitational features teams such as NC State, but Self believes these events may need to adapt to remain competitive. “I would say that it would be up to the organizers and the event promoters,” he said.

As the Jayhawks prepare, they face challenges on their roster. With one forward injured, Self has relied on a starting lineup featuring players who excelled in the last two games. He stressed the need for smart play, stating, “It’s not only smart fouling decisions… It’s learning how to play without fouling.”

KU has arrived in the festival’s host city, having prepared detailed scouting reports for their opponents. Self shared that the team practiced four times before leaving Lawrence and will adjust their strategies based on the outcomes of earlier games in the festival.

As the tournament progresses, Self remains confident. “Life is full of adjustments,” he said. “If you can’t adjust to that, then you probably don’t have a very tough team.”