Tonight’s NCAA Championship between Duke and Butler is set to tip-off at 9:21pm EST. The late start is for obvious reason: to appeal to the West Coast fans. In doing so, they are also losing most children and older folks. Sure the dedicated fans will stay up and make it but this, in my opinion, is the 2nd best championship each year—second to the Superbowl.
With a 9:21pm EST tip, maximum commercials, lengthy halftime, and the celebration ceremony, don’t expect coverage to end before midnight. Elders will be tucked into bed before the game starts as will children. Basketball fans are watching the season cultivating to an end. Butler and Duke fans will be cheering with a passion for their team to cut down the nets late into the night.
Even fans attending tonight’s game aren’t happy about the start time. By the time events close at Lucas Oil Stadium, emotions will still be high. However it will be past midnight and time for most fans to either head home or to their hotels. The average fan will not go out for a bite to eat, or to the bars. Sure some will but not the majority of the fans.
A 9:21pm start time for tonight’s championship game is ridiculous and very questionable. West Coast fans will watch no matter what should they have an interest. At worst, they can DVR the game and catch up on their own time. NCAA, CBS—change the start time of future games to allow fans across the states to catch the game at a reasonable hour.