The future of the NCAA will be tied to the future of the worldwide leader in sports.
American college sports's governing body has agreed to a new eight-year deal to air 40 of its championships on the ESPN family of networks beginning in the 2024-25 academic year, the NCAA announced Thursday morning.
Per a report from Nicole Auerbach and Chantel Jennings of The Athletic, the deal is worth $115 million annually.
"ESPN and the NCAA have enjoyed a strong and collaborative relationship for more than four decades, and we are thrilled that it will continue as part of this new, long-term agreement," ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in an NCAA statement.
New Media Rights Agreement!@ESPN and @NCAA reach new, eight-year media rights to 40 NCAA championships – 21 women’s and 19 men’s events – including expanded coverage of DII and DIII championships.
— NCAA PR (@NCAA_PR) January 4, 2024
🔗 https://t.co/M2AWJ3tXc5https://t.co/zzaIQJthcy
BREAKING: The NCAA has reached a new 8-year deal with ESPN worth $115M per year to televise 40 championships each year — including the women’s basketball tournament as part of the bundle.
— Nicole Auerbach (@NicoleAuerbach) January 4, 2024
No standalone deal for WBB.
From @ChantelJennings and me: https://t.co/NINkbgd2LA
Notably, the contract includes the Division I women’s basketball tournament—which, despite its booming popularity, has yet to be spun off into its own agreement.
"With the significant increase in value of the new agreement, NCAA members will explore revenue distribution units for the women's basketball tournament," the NCAA said in its statement. "The Division I Board of Directors Finance committee began discussion of revenue distribution philosophies and new models this year, and those discussions will continue with membership in the coming year."
New sports incorporated into the deal include men's gymnastics and men's and women's tennis. The new pact runs through the 2031-32 academic year.
