What is a Buy Game in College Basketball?
In the world of college basketball, a "buy game" is a term used to describe a non-conference matchup between two teams, typically featuring a power conference team and a mid-major or lower-level program. These games are often played during the early part of the season, usually in November or December, and are designed to provide a financial boost to the participating teams.
What is the Purpose of a Buy Game?
The primary purpose of a buy game is to generate revenue for the participating teams. Mid-major programs, which are typically smaller schools with lower budgets, can benefit financially from playing a power conference team. The power conference team, on the other hand, may not have a strong non-conference schedule and may need to play a weaker opponent to pad their win-loss record.
How Do Buy Games Work?
Here’s a breakdown of how buy games typically work:
- Guarantee Games: In a guarantee game, the power conference team agrees to pay the mid-major program a guaranteed amount of money to play the game. This amount can range from $50,000 to $200,000 or more, depending on the teams involved.
- Revenue-Sharing: In a revenue-sharing game, the gate receipts from the game are split between the two teams. This can be a more lucrative option for the mid-major program, as they can earn a percentage of the revenue generated from ticket sales.
- TV Contracts: Some buy games are played as part of a TV contract, where the teams involved receive a guaranteed payment for participating in the game.
Benefits of Buy Games
While buy games may not be the most exciting or competitive matchups, they do provide several benefits to the participating teams:
- Financial Boost: As mentioned earlier, buy games can provide a significant financial boost to mid-major programs, which can help offset the costs of running a college basketball program.
- Exposure: Playing a power conference team can provide mid-major programs with exposure and publicity, which can help attract recruits and boost their national profile.
- Scheduling Flexibility: Buy games can provide power conference teams with scheduling flexibility, allowing them to fill gaps in their non-conference schedule and avoid playing weaker opponents.
Examples of Buy Games
Here are a few examples of buy games that have taken place in recent years:
| Team | Opponent | Date | Guarantee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kentucky | Eastern Kentucky | November 14, 2019 | $100,000 |
| North Carolina | Wofford | November 13, 2019 | $75,000 |
| Duke | Eastern Michigan | November 12, 2019 | $50,000 |
Criticism of Buy Games
While buy games can provide financial benefits to participating teams, they have also been criticized for:
- Lack of Competition: Buy games often feature a significant mismatch between the two teams, which can lead to a lack of competition and excitement.
- Unfair Advantage: Some argue that buy games give power conference teams an unfair advantage, as they can use the game to pad their win-loss record and improve their NCAA Tournament seeding.
- Exploitation: Critics argue that buy games exploit smaller programs, which may not have the same level of resources or talent as power conference teams.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buy games are a common occurrence in college basketball, providing a financial boost to participating teams and filling gaps in their non-conference schedules. While they may not be the most exciting or competitive matchups, they do provide several benefits to the teams involved. However, critics argue that buy games can lead to a lack of competition and unfair advantages, and that they exploit smaller programs. As the college basketball landscape continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how buy games are viewed and utilized in the future.