NCAA President Charlie Baker on Thursday said expanding the Division I men’s and women’s basketball tournaments is unlikely for the upcoming 2025-26 season due to logistical challenges.
While speaking at a National Press Club Headliners Breakfast, Baker confirmed that if expansion is approved by the required governance committees, it still likely won’t be ready in time. “I think that’s a reasonable statement,” Baker said, referencing doubts that expansion could be implemented this season. “Just logistics. I mean, it’s a lot of airplanes in a very short period of time.”
The NCAA currently manages travel for all tournament teams. Any expansion — whether to 72 or 76 teams from the current 68 — would require more transportation, venues, and planning within a tight tournament window, typically between the end of conference championships and the week before the Masters.
Support for expansion, but not immediately
Baker, who played basketball at Harvard, has shown support for expanding the tournament in the long term. He pointed out that 32 spots are automatically given to conference champions, leaving only 36 at-large bids.
“I love that,” Baker said of the automatic bids. “And I never want that to change. But that means there’s only 36 slots left for everybody else.”
Baker specifically cited St. John’s and Indiana State as programs that were deserving of NCAA bids last season but were left out. “I don’t buy this argument that none of the teams that get left out on the bubble are good,” he said. “It’s untrue.”
Approval process and governance structure
For expansion to move forward, it must be approved by both the men’s and women’s basketball committees (which also select tournament teams), their respective oversight committees, and the NCAA Division I Board of Directors. If funding is involved, the NCAA Board of Governors may also need to sign off.
Baker said both basketball committees are scheduled to meet next week to continue ongoing discussions.
Other key comments from Baker
On federal legislation: Baker expressed support for temporary, conditional antitrust protection for NCAA rulemaking, such as athlete eligibility and transfer policies. “It’s more about [protection] that’s defined, conditional and temporary,” he said.
On transgender athlete litigation: Baker declined to comment on a legal dispute over NCAA records held by transgender athletes, citing pending litigation.
Bottom line
While Charlie Baker supports expanding March Madness in the future, logistical concerns and the multi-layered approval process mean it’s highly unlikely the men’s or women’s fields will grow in time for the 2025-26 season.