NCAA, ESPN reach $920 million deal to televise championships domestically

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•01/04/24

The NCAA has secured a deal with ESPN over the rights of several of its events, including a handful of championship events like the women’s college basketball tournament.

The deal, according to the Sports Business Journal, is an eight-year deal worth an average of $115 million annually. That means the total package is worth about $920 million.

Along with the women’s basketball tournament, the new deal will include the domestic rights to a record 40 NCAA championships — 21 women’s and 19 men’s events.

“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,” said ESPN Chairman Jimmy Pitaro. “The ESPN networks and platforms will exclusively present a record number of championships, including all rounds of several marquee events that, together with the NCAA, we have grown over time. This unprecedented deal also further strengthens The Walt Disney Company’s industry-leading commitment to women’s sports and will help fuel our continued growth, including in the critical streaming space.”

The deal will continue much existing coverage of NCAA sports on ESPN, while strengthening the agreement in others.

“The NCAA has worked in earnest over the past year to ensure that this new broadcast agreement provides the best possible outcome for all NCAA championships, and in particular women’s championships,” said Charlie Baker, NCAA president. “Over the past several years, ESPN has demonstrated increased investment in NCAA championship coverage, and the Association is pleased to continue to provide a platform for student-athletes to shine. Having one, multi-platform home to showcase our championships provides additional growth potential along with a greater experience for the viewer and our student-athletes.”

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You can view the individual championships sponsored by the new deal between the NCAA and ESPN below.

Men’s Championships

  • Soccer
  • Football (FCS, DII & DIII)
  • Cross Country
  • Water Polo
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Wrestling
  • Ice Hockey
  • Gymnastics
  • Fencing
  • Volleyball
  • Lacrosse
  • Outdoor Track & Field
  • Tennis
  • Baseball
  • Basketball (including DII semifinals & DIII semifinals and championship)

Women’s Championships

  • Soccer
  • Field Hockey
  • Volleyball (including DII & DIII)
  • Cross Country
  • Indoor Track & Field
  • Swimming & Diving
  • Basketball (including DII & DIII)
  • Ice Hockey
  • Bowling
  • Gymnastics
  • Fencing
  • Beach Volleyball
  • Lacrosse
  • Outdoor Track & Field
  • Tennis
  • Softball
  • Water Polo

Also Sponsored

  • Men’s NIT
  • Women’s WBIT
  • NCAA DI Men’s Basketball Championship (international rights)