The Basketball Tournament and ESPN Announce Expanded 2016 Coverage Schedule

The Basketball Tournament (TBT) presented by Jack Link's® Protein Snacks and ESPN today announced the broadcast schedule for the 2016 $2 million single elimination winner-take-all event, the most comprehensive in the event's three year history.

"Our event continues to grow in stature and awareness, and we are again pleased to have ESPN along in an ever-expanding role to help us bring even more of our event to such a wide audience," said Jon Mugar, TBT Founder. "We are experiencing exponential digital growth thus far in 2016 and anticipate a shockingly high level of play this summer. We strive to put on the highest STAKES basketball product in the world, and I'd be surprised if our primetime championship game August 2 doesn't get us all the way there."

"ESPN is proud to continue its association with The Basketball Tournament, a unique concept and a high-caliber event with a proven track record,' said Dan Ochs, ESPN, director of content strategy and acquisitions. "As TBT doubles its prize money this year, we look forward to expanding our coverage of the event with 11 televised games, including the championship in primetime on ESPN."

The expanded broadcast schedule for 2016 includes three games on ESPN, six games on ESPN2, two games on ESPNU, and four games on ESPN3. Of the 11 games on TV, seven will be in primetime on either ESPN or ESPN2. The schedule breakdown is as follows:

Thursday 7/21: Rd of 16 Game 1 @ 1p (ESPN3), Rd of 16 Game 2 @ 3p (ESPN3), Rd of 16 Game 3 @ 7p (ESPN2), Rd of 16 Game 4 @ 9p (ESPN2)

Friday 7/22: Rd of 16 Game 5 @ 1p (ESPN3), Rd of 16 Game 6 @ 3p (ESPN3), Rd of 16 Game 7 @ 7p (ESPN2), Rd of 16 Game 8 @ 9p (ESPN2)

Saturday 7/23: Quarterfinal 1 @ 12p (ESPN2), Quarterfinal 2 @ 2p (ESPNU), Quarterfinal 3 @ 6p (ESPNU), Quarterfinal 4 @ 8p (ESPN2),

Saturday 7/30: Semifinal 1 @ 5p (ESPN), Semifinal 2 @ 7p (ESPN)

Tuesday 8/2: $2 million, Winner-takes-all Championship in primetime (ESPN)

The 2016 Regional games will be played in four regions across the country: South (Charlotte) July 9, 10; West (Los Angeles) July 9, 10; Midwest (Chicago) July 16, 17; and Northeast (Philadelphia) July 16, 17. The Super 16 and Quarterfinals will be held in Philadelphia July 21, 22, and 23. TBT 2016's Semifinals will be held in New York on Saturday, July 30 with the Championship (also New York) on Tuesday, Aug. 2.

The streaming schedule for the remaining games, as well as broadcast talent, will be announced shortly.

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