The Gonzaga Bulldogs are included as a possible participant for the Diamond Cup, a new eight-team pool-play event debuting in the 2027-28 campaign.
The ‘blue-blood’ programs that are mentioned are the Arizona Wildcats, UConn Huskies, Kansas Jayhawks, Kentucky Wildcats, Indiana Hoosiers, Michigan Wolverines, and North Carolina Tar Heels.
According to a report from CBS Sports’ Matt Norlander, the 2027-28 version of the Diamond Cup will likely be a two-game agreement with one taking place in the preseason and the other during the regular season at neutral sites. Participating schools will reportedly receive $2.25 million each.
The format starting in the 2028-29 season could change to a four-game agreement with one taking place in the preseason and the three others in the regular season at neutral sites. Participating schools would reportedly receive $3.75 million each.
This wouldn’t replace the Players Era Festival, but rather compete with its growing popularity over the last two years. Gonzaga, along with Michigan, Kansas, and Arizona, is in the field for the November tournament in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 2027.
Because Multi-Team Event or MTE rules have changed over the course of the Name, Image, and Likeness or NIL era, the Zags have the opportunity to participate in both the opening game of the Diamond Cup and the eight-team Players Era bracket the week before Thanksgiving.
Gonzaga is set to earn $1 million or more in the Players Era in 2027.
Arden Cravalho is a Gonzaga University graduate from the Bay Area… Follow him on X @a_cravalho
