ESPN renewed its deal with the NCAA, keeping rights to NCAA championships (other than basketball) on its U.S. networks through '23-24. The NCAA did not negotiate with other networks, sources said, as it still had some years left on the 11-year, $200M deal it signed with ESPN in '01. The new deal saw ESPN increase its payout in '11-12 from $19M to $24M. That increase came as the NCAA folded the NIT and international rights into the deal. ESPN also will pay $24M in '12-13, but the rights fee will jump to $32M in '13-14. The fee then climbs 5% each year through the end of the deal. The deal gives ESPN a wide swath of rights to 24 NCAA championships, including Division I football (FCS), women's basketball and baseball. All told, ESPN now holds rights to 600 hours per year. In addition to TV, ESPN has rights to ESPN3, 3D, ESPN.com and the WatchESPN app. ESPN also picked up rights to the men's basketball tournament outside the U.S. It also involves coverage of the NIT Season Tip-Off and all games from the NIT Postseason Tournament (John Ourand, THE DAILY). USA TODAY’s Michael Hiestand notes the new deal “includes new elements and new ESPNU rights in what will be a 14-year deal for about $500 million” (USA TODAY, 12/16).
