Ninth International Conference on Sport & Society

Abstract

The Basketball Tournament (TBT), a $2-million-winner-take-all annual event broadcast on ESPN, adopted the hybrid duration format (where most of each game is played with a game clock, and where the final portion of each game is played without a game clock) for preliminary-round games in 2017. The format (which TBT renamed the “Elam Ending” in recognition of its originator, Nick Elam) is designed primarily to preserve a more natural style of play through the end of every game (specifically, by eliminating/reducing various late-game clock-manipulating phenomena, including deliberate fouling by trailing defenses, stalling by leading offenses, rushed/sloppy possessions by trailing offenses, etc.), to provide greater hope for late comebacks, and to provide more memorable game-ending moments. This paper offers an in-depth analysis of the Elam Ending’s debut, including quantitative descriptive data and qualitative feedback from all TBT games where the format was used. Data reveals the extent to which the format meets its primary and secondary aims, and teams’ use of new strategies unique to the format. Topics also include the production and logistics associated with TBT/ESPN’s implementation of this new format, and initial impressions from TBT organizers, players, coaches, referees, broadcasters, other basketball media members, and fans (in person, on Twitter, and on discussion boards). This presentation provides a range of information valuable to any league/event considering implementation of the Elam Ending, and relates more broadly to the management of any sporting event where experimental rules are used.