Why You’ll Not Be Able To Watch NCAA Volleyball Playoffs on ESPN Despite Nearly a Billion Dollar Splash

The NCAA recently extended its longtime broadcasting partnership with ESPN. The new deal struck between the two parties adds another eight years to their collaboration and for several NCAA sports. But, while ESPN will get the rights to 40 different NCAA sporting events, you won’t be catching the NCAA Volleyball playoffs on the network.

The 2023 NCAA Women’s Volleyball finals between the Texas Longhorns and the Nebraska Huskers broke several viewership records. Thus, it may come as a surprise that the playoffs were not included in such a big deal. Here is the real reason why the championship matches won’t be streamed by ESPN, and the catch behind the situation.

What is the new deal about?

The new broadcasting deal between ESPN and NCAA will come into effect from 1 September 2024 and continue until 2032. The deal also encompasses the domestic rights of 21 men’s and 19 women’s sports, including their championships as well. The company will also have international rights to these sporting events.

Notably, ESPN is spending around $115 per year on this contract, which crosses $920 million in total for eight years. This doesn’t include the marketing costs it will incur, which are estimated to be around 25 percent of this figure. This is a whopping hike of almost three times the value of the previous NCAA contract that cost ESPN $40 million every year.

While this does include the championship matches of NCAA Division II and III volleyball, the same isn’t the case for Division I volleyball. This also excludes women’s Division I basketball and Division I gymnastics. This begs a very obvious question.

Where can you watch these NCAA Division I sports?

Due to a previous agreement, the championship matches of these NCAA women’s Division I sports will be broadcast on ABC. Interestingly, both ABC and ESPN are owned by entertainment and media giant Disney, with ABC having an 80 percent ownership of ESPN. Thus, Disney owns ESPN through ABC. 

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Speaking about this latest deal, the CEO of ESPN Jimmy Pitaro said, “ESPN and the NCAA have enjoyed a strong and collaborative relationship for more than four decades, and we are thrilled that it will continue as part of this new, long-term agreement,” Currently, the partnership between both parties has stood strong for 45 years, and will span 53 years when this new contract expires. Will you be watching the 2024 season of Division I Volleyball? Which side are you rooting for?

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