CBS Sports, Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. and
the National Collegiate Athletic Association Reach
14-Year Agreement for Division I Men’s
Basketball Championship
Agreement Includes Television, Internet, Wireless and Marketing Rights Through 2024
April 22, 2010 12:10 PM Eastern Daylight Time
INDIANAPOLIS--(EON: Enhanced Online News)--The NCAA today announced a new 14-year television,
internet and wireless rights agreement with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., to present the
Division I Men’s Basketball Championship beginning in 2011 through 2024 for more than $10.8 billion. As part of
the agreement, all games will be shown live across four national networks beginning in 2011 – a first for the 73-year
old championship.
Additionally, CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting have been licensed and will collaborate on the NCAA’s
corporate marketing program.
Late Wednesday, the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Committee unanimously passed a recommendation to the
Division I Board of Directors to increase tournament field size to 68 teams beginning with the 2011 Championship.
The recommendation will be reviewed by the Division I Board of Directors at its April 29 meeting.
The new agreement sustains the long-term financial stability of the Association. As with the current contract,
approximately 96 percent of the revenue generated from this new agreement will be used to benefit student-athletes
through either programs, services or direct distribution to member conferences and schools. Further, the agreement
ensures student-athletes across all three NCAA divisions will continue to be supported in a broad range of
championship opportunities, access to funds for personal and educational needs, and through scholarships in
Divisions I and II.
Beginning with the 2011 championship, opening- , first- and second-round games will be shown nationally on CBS,
TBS, TNT and truTV. CBS and Turner will split coverage of the regional semi-final games. CBS will provide
coverage of the regional f