Players Era
The Future of College Basketball
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The Players Era Festival is a week-long celebration of college basketball, taking place Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas, featuring elite players, teams and coaches.
The Players Era Festival is committed to providing $9 Million in NIL to college basketball players in 2024 for their engagement in activities separate and apart from competition, and more than $50 million in NIL over the next three years. For these NIL payments, players will perform services and activities fully compliant with current NCAA regulations.
In addition to an innovative format designed to invigorate early season tournament competition before the start of conference play, there will also be financial education programs, and multiple on-call NIL opportunities for players.
Quotes from Coaches
"We are always going to support our student-athletes at the highest levels and do everything we can to help them succeed. The Players Era Festival aligns with those objectives. In addition to playing quality opponents in an NCAA tournament-like atmosphere, the trip should provide our players with access to NIL opportunities. We’re looking forward to being part of the inaugural class of participants."
Nate Oats, University of Alabama
"Michigan is excited to participate in the Players Era event. This forward thinking MTE will provide our University and student athletes wonderful new opportunities"
Dusty May, University of Michigan
"This is an opportunity for us to play against some of the best teams in the country early in the season. The Players Era Festival has great teams, great coaches and great players, and we appreciate the chance to compete in its first year. It will be a great way for our program to test itself."
Kelvin Sampson, University of Houston
"We are thrilled to be part of the Players Era Festival. Not only is this a top-notch event, featuring some of the best teams in the country, but it also provides terrific opportunities and experiences for our student-athletes beyond the basketball court."
Scott Drew, Baylor University
"We are excited for our university and student-athletes to get to participate in a new opportunity with Players Era. Our student-athletes have always enjoyed our MTE events and this will have a direct impact on them, both now and in the future. In addition to helping our student-athletes, we look forward to the high-level teams, coaches and players that will be featured in the event."
T. J. Otzelberger, Iowa State
Players Era 2025
2025 Festival to Showcase 18 Teams
Additional Committed Teams for 2025
Baylor #4
Iowa State #5
Gonzaga #8
St. Johns #25
Michigan #32
Syracuse
Saint Joseph's
Rothstein 45 Preseason Rankings
About the creators
Players Era was created by EverWonder Studio, Seth Berger, and MGM Resorts International. EverWonder is a new independent content studio led by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Ian Orefice – the former President of TIME and TIME Studios – and backed by RedBird IMI and Jeff Zucker – the former President of NBCUniversal, CNN, and Turner Sports. Seth has been the CEO of four consumer businesses, including being the Founder and CEO of AND 1 Basketball. MGM Resorts International is a global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife, and retail offerings.
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