The NCAA News Digest

December 6, 1999

• TELEVISION -- NCAA, CBS reach agreement on $6 billion, 11-year contract
• BASKETBALL -- NCAA promotional plan makes national debut
• CONVENTION -- Staubach to receive Teddy; Jackson to make keynote address
• LEGISLATION -- Official Notice mailed to membership November 15
• BASEBALL -- Lis of approved bats available on NCAA Web site

TELEVISION

NCAA, CBS reach agreement on $6 billion, 11-year contract

The Association has signed an 11-year deal with CBS Sports for exclusive television rights to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championship and other championship events. The deal also includes marketing opportunities related to all NCAA championships.

The agreement begins with the 2002-03 academic year and contains an average payout of $545 million per year.

The new contract will bring more exposure to all college sports and provide benefits to student-athletes through enhanced or additional programming.

Annual payments to the NCAA under the new contract will start at approximately $360 million, a 20 percent increase over the last year of the existing contract.

Staff contact: James A. Marchiony

BASKETBALL

NCAA promotional plan makes national debut

A comprehensive NCAA Basketball promotional plan, initiated by the NCAA Basketball Marketing Subcommittee in an effort to help increase game attendance as well television viewership and fan interest, focuses on men's and women's basketball in all three NCAA divisions.

The campaign centers on the theme "My Team" and will highlight the passion and the emotional connection college basketball fans have for their favorite teams.

The plan includes national initiatives, such as a new NCAA Basketball Web site (ncaabasketball.net) that will have scores and team news, along with other basketball features.

Staff contact: John Johnson

CONVENTION

Staubach to receive Teddy; Jackson to make keynote address

Roger Staubach of the U.S. Naval Academy has been selected to receive the Theodore Roosevelt Award at the 2000 NCAA Convention in San Diego.

The Hall of Fame quarterback will be the 33rd person to receive the NCAA's highest honor, which will be awarded January 9.

In other Convention news, the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. will serve as keynote speaker. Jackson will address delegates during the opening business session January 9 in the Manchester Ballroom of the Hyatt Regency.

LEGISLATION

Official Notice mailed to membership November 15

The Official Notice of the 2000 NCAA Convention was mailed to the membership November 15.

The Notice -- which includes one Executive Committee proposal, 47 Division II legislative proposals and 46 Division III proposals, as well as a schedule of meetings in all three divisions -- was sent to the chief executive officer, faculty athletics representative, director of athletics and senior woman administrator at every active NCAA institution. Officers of conferences and affiliated members also received copies.

The Official Notice is the final publication of proposed legislation for the Convention in San Diego, which will be conducted January 8-11, 2000. Proposals will not be reprinted in the Convention Program, although that publication will list any necessary editorial changes made between now and the Convention.

Staff contact: David Schnase

BASEBALL

List of approved bats available on NCAA Web site

The NCAA has released an initial list of baseball bats that are in compliance for use beginning January 1, 2000.

Twenty-two bats have been approved as of November 15, with more bats to be tested. Future lists will be made available on the NCAA's Web site (www.ncaa.org) and will be mailed to member institutions.

The protocol for testing also is available on the site.

Staff contact: Ty Halpin.