NCAA picks Endeavor to advise on its next media rights deal

The NCAA has selected Endeavor’s Karen Brodkin and Hillary Mandel to advise them on its upcoming media rights deal, reports the Sports Business Journal.

Why it matters: ESPN has paid the NCAA about $40 million a year, according to the SBJ, during their current 12-year contract, which expires after the 2023-24 school year.

Worth noting: The NCAA is considering a major change with its upcoming rights deal by unbundling several of its championships, including the women’s basketball tournament.

While major conferences such as the Big 12 and the SEC negotiate their own rights, the NCAA controls those of its championships, with the major exception of the College Football Playoffs.

The big picture: So far, the NCAA has consolidated the rights to its championships, except for the men’s basketball tournament and men’s and women’s Division I golf.

Along with women’s basketball, the NCAA is considering separate deals for women’s volleyball, the Frozen Four, the College World Series and the Women’s College World Series. Removing these sports could make it harder for less-watched sports, such as swimming, gymnastics, bowling and fencing, to earn television dollars, as these sports depend on being grouped with more popular.

What’s Next: Talks aren’t expected to begin with ESPN on a new deal until later this year, SBJ reports.