UNLV basketball to play in $1 million tournament in 2025

UNLV Rebels forward Jeremiah Cherry (45) shoots over Colorado State Rams center Nikola Djapa (23) during the first half of an NCAA basketball game at Thomas & Mack Center Saturday, Feb. 22, 2025. Photo by Steve Marcus

UNLV has found a replacement for the Maui Invitational, and it’s a lucrative one.

The Scarlet and Gray will be part of the Players Era Festival in 2025, staying in Las Vegas and competing in the NIL-focused tournament on Thanksgiving weekend next season.

The event made it official on Wednesday, less than a week after it was announced that UNLV was exiting the 2025 Maui Invitational.

While the Maui Invitational remains one of the most prestigious nonconference tournaments in college basketball, relocating to the Players Era is a financial boon for UNLV. Each team that competes in the Players Era receives $1 million toward its NIL fund, and advancing in the tournament earns additional money for each win.

Last year’s Players Era champion, Oregon, earned an extra $500,000 for winning the tournament, while San Diego State netted an additional $150,000 for finishing third.

When asked about the possibility of UNLV playing in the Players Era event last summer, head coach Kevin Kruger was enthusiastic about the concept and said he would jump at the chance.

“Absolutely,” Kruger said. “I think it’s great. Anything we can do to get money to the players, it should become part of our objective.”

The 2024 event was played at MGM Grand Garden Arena and broadcast by TNT.

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.