NCAA and ESPN Reach New, Eight Year Media Rights Deal

The NCAA and ESPN announced that they reached a new, eight-year agreement that includes the media rights to an unprecedented 40 NCAA Championships, including 21 women’s and 19 men’s events. In a press release from the NCAA, the Association’s president, Charlie Baker, said, “We think it’s a terrific opportunity for both promotion and exposure for many, many, many student-athletes, so we look forward to continuing this partnership.”

The agreement will result in a significant increase in revenue for the Association and its member institutions which will “explore revenue distribution units for the women’s basketball tournament.” As a result of this increased value, unspecified “enhancements” to student-athlete benefits across DI, DII, and DIII will take effect.

Notably, women’s rowing was one of very few sports to not be included in the media deal for any division. Men’s rowing is not an NCAA-sponsored sport.

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