I think that’s what’s lost on this new tournament, 500k is amazing for the winning players, but what’s different for the fans? 500k is a drop in the bucket for the superstars, but it’s amazing for the players lower on the depth chart, but will that really draw more fans to watch the game?
In five or 10 years, the tournament will have more meaning and that’s what fans will get out of it. Bragging rights, championship celebrations, etc. It’ll be like winning a mini-championship. There will be the first team to win both the tourney and the Larry Brown, the first team to win the tourney, but not make the playoffs, maybe the tourney will become cursed and whoever wins it will exit in the first round of the playoffs for four straight years or whatever. This thing is just getting started. Check back in five years and your question will be answered. It’s more history and storylines to be invested in.