It Takes Two To Tango?

CBS Likely To Keep NCAA Tourney

ESPN has told the NCAA that it will not increase its bid for the rights to the NCAA Tournament, paving the way for a joint bid by CBS and Turner to land the package, according to several sources with direct knowledge of the talks. The deal is not formally completed, and in an e-mail to SBD/SBJ today, the NCAA’s Greg Shaheen writes, "There is no agreement with any party. In fact, discussions/negotiations are ongoing with multiple parties. No final decisions have been made and as such, no agreements have been made." Under the existing deal, CBS would have to pay an average of $710M per year for the next three years. Sources say the new deal will be significantly higher. The decision is expected to be ratified at the NCAA's executive committee meeting April 29. If Turner joins CBS as a partner, it almost certainly means that the tournament would expand to 96 teams, sources said. The most likely scenario would have CBS and Turner telecasting each game nationally across at least four networks.