Green Bay Seeks NCAA Waiver for TBT Entry

The University of Wisconsin-Green Bay has filed a waiver with the NCAA to allow its men's basketball team, led by coach Doug Gottlieb, to participate in The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a summer event with a $1 million winner-take-all prize that typically features alumni and professional players. Green Bay argues that TBT should be treated like the international exhibition tours permitted for NCAA teams every four years, particularly given the school's inability to afford overseas travel. The university proposes donating any prize money to charity, emphasizing player experience over financial reward. Under current NCAA rules, active college teams are barred from U.S.-based non-sanctioned tournaments, even though similar contests are allowed abroad or in Canada, a policy criticized by Gottlieb. The waiver has support from TBT organizers and the Horizon League commissioner, and if granted, would make Green Bay the first active NCAA team to compete in TBT. The move follows a challenging 4-28 season for Green Bay and underscores debates about NCAA rules amid changes in college sports.