Sportsbook fans have gotten used to following the NCAA basketball tournament on CBS. That is likely to continue according to the latest reports. There is also a good chance that the tournament will expand from 65 teams to 96 teams which would mean even more games on the board at the online sportsbook.
Sportsbook odds are extremely popular during the NCAA Tournament. If the tournament goes to 96 teams it could draw even more attention. The date to keep in mind for that decision is April 29th when the NCAA meets to decide on any changes they want to make. What probably won’t change is the TV broadcaster. CBS has prepared a bid along with Turner Sports to televise future tournaments.
ESPN put in a bid as well but reports in the Sports Business Journal had ESPN’s bid being lower. And it has also been reported that ESPN will not increase their bid. The Sports Business Journal reported that CBS and Turner Broadcasting put together a 14-year deal that averages $840 million per year. ESPN was said to be in the range of about $800 million per year.
The NCAA can opt out of their current deal with CBS. The original 11-year deal would pay about $700 million per year so it seems obvious they are going to get a new deal worked out. If the tournament expands to 96 teams then CBS is going to need help. That is where Turner comes in. It is expected that the games would be on CBS, TBS, TNT and truTV. Turner would not just be a backup though as they would get the Final Four in alternating years which would be interesting to those wagering at the online sportsbook since CBS has had the tournament for as long as most people can remember.
Sportsbook fans can see that the money talked about for the NCAA Tournament is not only staggering it is also too high. Reports indicated that CBS lost money on this year’s tournament. That could be why ESPN was not willing to increase their bid. It also is why CBS is looking for a broadcast partner in a new deal. Interim NCAA president Jim Isch will decide the new TV contract while Board of Directors will decide on whether to expand the tournament. It seems like a certainty that a new deal will be reached and all indications are that the Board of Directors will vote to expand the tournament from the current 65 teams to 96 teams.