TV Networks ready for March Madness

Sport & Story Daily March 12, 2025: TV networks are ready to see the viewership for this year's March Madness.

Author

Kelsey Middleton
March 12, 2026

TV Networks ready for March Madness

March 12, 2025

March Madness Getting Chalkier, but TV Networks Aren’t Worried
The increasing dominance of March Madness favorites in the national tournament is not a worry at all for CBS Sports or TNT Sports. The dynamic of March Madness is only increasing each year.
“I’m not concerned in the least,” CBS Sports president and CEO David Berson said Tuesday in response to a Front Office Sports question. “We know there will be upsets. We know there will be some chalk advancing. But this tournament is special. You never know what you’re going to get.”
Front Office Sports

WNBA and Players Meet for Overnight CBA Talks, No Deal Yet
The WNBA and WNBPA personnel descended around 5pm fora pivotal negotiating session. By the time the players exited the meeting, it was 3am. The WNBPA’s executive committee members left after nearly 10 hours of negotiations. League and union staff remained past 4 a.m., continuing the session. After this late meeting, there is still not deal in place yet.
Front Office Sports

THE PLAYERS Championship Unveils New Tech On the Course and in the Broadcast Ahead of TPC Sawgrass Return
THE PLAYERS Championship will introduce new technologies and on-site changes at this year’s tournament. “Chasing Sunday”: PGA TOUR Studios and NFL Films are partnering on an original production, modeled after the “Hard Knocks” series, that will give fans an inside look at THE PLAYERS through week-long access to players in the field who have agreed to be mic’d up before and during the competition.
Sports Video Group

Rousey lambastes UFC in run-up to Carano fight on Netflix
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will fight on May 16. The event will be streamed on Netflix. While at the kickoff press conference, Rousey attacked UFC. She criticized UFC’s seven-year, $7.7 billion media deal made with Paramount that eliminated the league’s traditional pay-per-view model. Rousey also criticized UFC’s upcoming White House event, its prioritization of shareholder value as part of publicly traded TKO Group Holdings and its treatment of fighters.
Sports Business Journal

United States president Donald Trump says Iran 'welcome' at World Cup insists Gianni Infantino
United States president Donald Trump assured FIFA that Iran are “welcome” to compete at this summer’s World Cup. The team’s participation at the finals has been cast into doubt after the US and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on Feb. 28. FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists Trump is supportive of the team being involved after a meeting between the two men.
ESPN

USA baseball suddenly faces WBC elimination after stunning loss to Italy
Team USA fell to Italy 8-6 in the World Baseball Classic. The USA must rely on Italy to beat Mexico. If they do, then the USA will make it to the quarterfinals. If Mexico beats Italy and scores at least five runs, the USA and Mexico are in and Italy is out. If Mexico beats Italy and scores four or fewer runs: Mexico and Italy are in; USA is out.
USA Today

UFC. Partnership Marketing Manager
The Partnership Marketing Manager serves as the primary day-to-day lead for assigned brand partners and is responsible for planning, developing, and executing integrated partnership marketing programs. While the position is based in Las Vegas at UFC headquarters, the role supports partnerships across the broader TKO portfolio, including UFC, WWE, PBR, On Location, and IMG. Apply Now.

MLS League Office. Director, Apple Partnership
We are looking for a Director, Apple Partnership to continue advancing and evolving our strategic partnership with Apple. This person will lead a matrixed team of internal and external constituents to achieve goals and objectives. Apply Now.

MADE Hoops. Account Executive
We are seeking a passionate brand partnerships sales account executive who can deliver and execute on new partnerships and elevate existing partnerships to grow MADE’s world-class brand partnership portfolio. The brand partnership account executive will lead project delivery across strategy, activation, and brand storytelling, and will collaborate closely with other MADE departments to deliver MADE’s white glove, world-class experience to our Brand Partners. Apply Now.

Looking to fill an open position with top talent in the sports media industry? Advertise in the Sport & Story Daily to reach over 25,000 senior-level executives and professionals—and connect your job opportunity with the right audience.

Cool as ice and maybe as slick: The Big 12’s new glass floor gets mixed reviews at league tourney
Kansas doesn’t play its Big 12 Tournament quarterfinal until Thursday. The tournament is being played on the new, high-tech glass floor installed at the downtown Kansas City arena. Coaches are saying the 30-minute practice ahead of time is worth it because the traction is different. The floor has an aluminum and steel spring-action design that is supposed to mimic the flexibility of hardwood. The LED panels, which allow the league to display everything from data-driven graphics to advertising, have ceramic coating and little dots etched into the glass that are supposed to create a grip that is consistent with traditional surfaces.
AP News

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