UNLV Basketball Joins Players Era Festival for $1 Million Payout in 2025
UNLV men’s basketball will follow that up with a second appearance in the NCAA event, taking part in the Players Era Festival tournament in November 2025 instead of going back to the Maui Invitational. This is a financially beneficial choice in the current climate of college basketball shifting, where players are looking to take advantage of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) benefits. The decision highlights a larger change in college basketball, namely, that programs are pursuing NIL-fueled financial opportunities rather than the glory of classic tournaments.
“For our program, it’s huge,” said UNLV head coach Kevin Kruger, emphasizing how the $1 million payout from the Players Era Festival will significantly enhance recruitment efforts, particularly in the transfer portal. While benefits from the Maui Invitational for UNLV would be exposure-based, the tournament’s direct financial impact on the long-term growth and sustainability of the program is apparent and immediate.
The Players Era Festival is designed to provide significant financial support to college basketball programs by offering substantial NIL opportunities for players.
The tournament will feature top-tier Power 5 programs, including Auburn, Houston, and Gonzaga, ensuring a highly competitive field. Although NCAA rules do not allow coaches to negotiate deals directly with a player, NIL collectives are essential in setting up agreements for players. D.J. Thomas, UNLV’s top-paid player, already has a six-figure NIL deal, a sign that financial opportunities await players under the new approach.
Junior forward Jeremiah “Bear” Cherry admitted the financial side of the tourney appeals to him, but he is more excited about playing on a big stage against elite programs. Taking a tongue-in-cheek approach, Cherry pitched players a share of the tournament payout — a topic that keeps bubbling up in conversations about fair NIL distribution among athletes.
UNLV’s decision is a strategic shift for a school looking to leverage financial incentives to stay competitive in the new age of NIL.
