The NCAA appears to be exploring bubble opportunities
The NCAA filed a trademark for the phrase “Battle in the Bubble,” suggesting that tournaments and other events could follow suit with the NBA and NHL.
The NCAA filed a trademark for the phrase “Battle in the Bubble” last week, per Darren Rovell, suggesting that the league could be gearing up to hold postseason tournaments and other events in a bubble format to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
With the resounding success that the NBA and NHL have had with their postseason plans, it isn’t hard to see why college sports would try to follow a similar strategy.
While it may be difficult using a bubble for football conference play due to academic considerations, the College Football Playoff and NCAA basketball tournament could be bubble candidates.
Is the NCAA really preparing a bubble for the basketball season?
Even preseason basketball tournaments in the same style as the Battle 4 Atlantis and the Maui Invitational fit the bill, but could be unlikely considering the cost and lack of ticket revenue.
With only a rough timeline of when Americans can expect a COVID-19 vaccine, the NCAA is wise to be making backup plans. While some have estimated that one will be available by the end of 2020, it will take time to administer it to the public and allow large gatherings to take place again.
The WNBA made a similar move, filing a trademark for “Wubble.” Rovell explained that while the word “bubble” is in the public domain, the NCAA and WNBA both have a better shot at trademark approval due to the nuance each added to their filings.
While it remains unclear what the NCAA’s true plans are, a postseason bubble, at least for revenue sports like football and basketball, appears to be a possibility. If done right, the format could breathe life back into college sports after a months-long absence from the public eye.