April 22, 2010

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- - The NCAA on Thursday announced a new 14-year agreement for television, internet and wireless rights with CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting for the NCAA® Division I Men's Basketball Championship. The agreement begins in 2011 and runs through 2024 and is worth more than $10.8 billion.

In the agreement, all games will be shown live in the tournament on four national networks - CBS, TNT, TBS and truTV - beginning next year. CBS Sports and Turner Broadcasting have also been licensed and will collaborate on the NCAA's corporate marketing program.

After a vote of the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Committee, that group has recommended to the NCAA Division I Board of Directors that the tournament field be expanded to 68 teams beginning in 2011. The Board will review the recommendation at its meeting on April 29.

Thursday's announcement was made by NCAA Interim President Jim Isch along with Greg Shaheen, NCAA senior vice president for basketball and marketing strategies. They were joined by Sean McManus, president of CBS News and Sports, and David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports at Turner Broadcasting.

Jim Haney, executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC), commented on the new agreement.

Complete Release on Jim Haney's Comments in PDF Format