IU basketball finalized its nonconference schedule. Here's what it cost them.
BLOOMINGTON — Indiana basketball’s buy games for the 2023-24 season will cost $720,000, according to documents provided to The Herald-Times through a public records request.
The Hoosiers announced their nonconference schedule June 27 that includes nine games (two exhibitions) at Assembly Hall against smaller school opponents that get a guaranteed payment within 60 days of the game.
The most expensive nonconference games this season are against Florida Gulf Coast on Nov. 7 ($105,000) and Wright State ($100,000). The exhibition games against UIndy ($15,000) and Marian ($30,000) are considerably cheaper.
Harvard, Morehead State, North Alabama and Kennesaw State are all getting paid $95,000 and Army will get $90,000 for visiting Indiana on Nov. 12.
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The contracts for the buy games are all similar in structure with Indiana agreeing to provide each visiting team 100-125 complimentary tickets and stipulating the Big Ten appoint the officials.
Indiana will also participate in the Empire Classic, a neutral-site game against Auburn in Atlanta and host Kansas that’s part of a home-and-home series.
The Empire Classic is a four-team event at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 19 and 20 with a field that includes Indiana, UConn, Texas and Louisville. The Hoosiers signed a contract to participate in the event with the Gazelle Group, the New Jersey-based company responsible for organizing the event.
“Gazelle shall handle all management, operations, and responsibilities customary of a college basketball tournament organizer or host for the Event,” the contract states. “Participant has no financial responsibility or commitment related to the Event management, operations, or facility.”
Gazelle will retain all event-related rights and revenue “including, but not limited to, ticketing, sponsorship, signage, promotional, marketing, television, radio, print, internet, programs, other media, and advertising.”
All participants will get 40 complimentary tickets for each day of the event, but will be responsible for their own accommodations, transportation and meals.
The contract for the neutral site game on Dec. 9 against Auburn is with VII Group to participate in the “2023 Holiday Hoopsgiving.”
Indiana will receive $125,000 for participating within 90 days of the last day of the event. The contract also stipulates that the VII Group provide the Hoosiers with a practice site the day before the game and 60 complimentary tickets.
This year’s game against Kansas fulfills the contract the schools agreed to in 2021. Indiana played in at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence last year — the Hoosiers lost 84-62 — and the Jayhawks will play this season at Assembly Hall on Dec. 16.
No money exchanged hands between the schools.
Michael Niziolek is the Indiana beat reporter for The Herald-Times. You can follow him on Twitter @michaelniziolek.
Indiana Hoosiers basketball's 2023 nonconference schedule
Oct. 29 — UIndy (exhibition)
Nov. 3 — Marian (exhibition)
Nov. 7 — Florida Gulf Coast
Nov. 12 — Army
Nov. 16 — Wright State
Nov. 19-20 — Empire State Classic (at Madison Square Garden)
Nov. 26 — Harvard (at Gainbridge Fieldhouse)
Dec. 9 — Auburn (at Atlanta)
Dec. 16 — Kansas
Dec. 19 — Morehead State
Dec. 21 — North Alabama
Dec. 29 — Kennesaw State
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Hoosiers basketball’s 2023-24 nonconference schedule contracts
