NCAA Agrees to $920 Million, 8-year Deal With ESPN for Women’s March Madness, 39 Other Championships

Iowa guard Caitlin Clark (R) celebrates in front of Michigan State guard Moira Joiner (L) after her three-point basket at the end of an NCAA college basketball game in Iowa City, Iowa, on Jan. 2, 2024. Charlie Neibergall/AP Photo

The NCAA and ESPN announced on Thursday a $920 million, eight-year agreement that will give the network exclusive rights to 40 championships, including the Division I women’s basketball tournament, an event growing in popularity that the association has been accused of undervaluing in the past.

NCAA President Charlie Baker told The Associated Press the deal has an average annual value of $115 million, an increase of more than 300 percent per year on what the previous 14-year deal with ESPN was paying the association.