Players Era Festival Debuts in Las Vegas

This Thanksgiving week, men's college basketball is buzzing with high-stakes tournaments, including the Players Era Festival in Las Vegas, where each of the eight participating teams will earn at least $1 million for their NIL collectives, with bonuses for top finishes. The festival features matchups among top contenders such as No. 21 Creighton and No. 9 Alabama. Meanwhile, Cleveland State hosts the Thanksgiving Throwback Tournament, seeking to rebound from a recent loss, while NJIT aims for its first win of the season. Across the nation, other tournaments like the Maui Invitational and Battle 4 Atlantis are also drawing attention, with teams including No. 2 Connecticut and No. 4 Gonzaga. In women's college basketball, the Fort Myers Tip-Off showcases defending champions South Carolina, who have returned a strong roster and are led by notable coach Dawn Staley. The excitement around these events underscores the evolving landscape of college sports, particularly with NIL deals influencing team dynamics and fan engagement.