NCAA Division II reducing qualifiers for 2021 postseasons in winter, spring sports

NCAA Division II lost nearly $35 million of its projected allocation revenue from the cancellation of the 2019-20 men’s basketball championships due to the covid-19 pandemic.

The NCAA did divvy up $270 million from multiple insurance policies and Division II announced it received $15 million to help mitigate the financial burden.

But a ripple effect from the hit will impact future postseasons. Division II was forced to reduce the size of playoff fields and brackets for 2021 winter and spring postseason tournaments.

The move is expected to help cut costs moving forward.

Each sport committee initially decided on how many teams it should trim and those numbers were brought before other committees for approval. Twelve sports will cut back by 25%.

Men’s basketball, for example, will go from 64 teams to 48. Baseball will cut 56 teams down to 42.

The division said projected expenses to host championships in 2021 will be higher because of covid-19 testing and safety protocols. Ticket revenue also is expected to dip due to limited spectator attendance.

Reduction breakdown of NCAA Division II playoff teams for 2021 postseason:

Winter

Men’s basketball 64 to 48

Women’s basketball 64 to 48

Men’s indoor track 270 to 202

Women’s indoor track 270 to 202

Men’s swimming 175 to 146

Women’s swimming 205 to 146

Wrestling 180 to 132

Spring

Baseball 56 to 42

Men’s golf 108 to 84

Women’s golf 96 to 72

Men’s lacrosse 12 to 10

Women’s lacrosse 16 to 12

Women’s rowing 6 to 4

Softball 64 to 48

Men’s tennis 48 to 36

Women’s tennis 48 to 36

Men’s outdoor track 377 to 283

Women’s outdoor track 377 to 283