• Loading stock data...
Thursday, October 16, 2025

2023 Women’s March Madness Ad Inventory Sells Out

  • On Tuesday, ESPN announced that it had filled all “in-game sponsorship opportunities” for the women’s tournament.
  • In total, the network has galvanized 15 broadcast sponsors and close to 100 advertisers.
Mar 5, 2023; Greenville, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks guard Zia Cooke (1) between Tennessee Lady Vols forward Karoline Striplin (11) and Tennessee Lady Vols guard Jordan Horston (25) in the first half at Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
David Yeazell-USA TODAY Sports

Advertising inventory for both the Division I men’s and women’s NCAA basketball tournaments is sold out. 

On Tuesday, ESPN announced that it had filled all “in-game sponsorship opportunities” for the women’s tournament. Theresa Palmieri, VP of Disney Advertising Sports Brand Solutions, said that advertisers have “flocked to these offerings.”

In total, ESPN has galvanized 15 broadcast sponsors and close to 100 advertisers, from Aflac and Under Armour to the U.S. Army. 

Advertisers aren’t just interested in the 67 games, however. The women’s tournament has also sold opportunities for its pregame shows for the Final Four semifinals and championship game to Capital One. AT&T has bought into the Final Four MegaCast featuring Sue Bird and Diana Taurasi for the second year in a row. 

ESPN is likely looking to prove its ability to elevate the women’s tournament ahead of media rights negotiations for the product — as well as other NCAA championships. The current deal, which ends in 2024, pays out about $34 million a year. But experts have predicted that the women’s basketball tournament alone could be worth $112 million in 2025.

Men’s March Madness

CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery also “virtually” sold out of their advertising inventory for the men’s tournament, the networks told AdWeek earlier this month. 

They earned more than $1 billion, more than they did for the 2022 tournament.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Oct 14, 2025; Birmingham, AL, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks head coach John Calipari talks with the media during SEC Media Days at Grand Bohemian Hotel.

SEC Coaches Sound Off on NIL, Revenue-Sharing: ‘Upside Down’

John Calipari doesn’t want to become “transactional.”

Texas-Oklahoma Gets 8.7M Viewers, Most-Watched CFB Game of Week 7

The Red River Rivalry was the most-watched game of the weekend.
Cody Campbell

Texas Tech Booster Cody Campbell Slams Conference PE Deals

Campbell said the concept goes against “all the laws of finance.”

Featured Today

May 25, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Derek Jeter walks the red carpet on Sunday, May 25, 2025, ahead of the 109th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway

The Players’ Tribune Is Still Kicking 11 Years Later

Founder Derek Jeter is still closely involved in the publication.
Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with her teammates after her last second shot to take the lead 90-88 against the Phoenix Mercury in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025.
exclusive
October 10, 2025

Standoff Over WNBA’s Future Has Dominated Finals

CBA negotiations have stolen the spotlight from the Aces’ dominant performance.
Paul Cartier
October 5, 2025

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) celebrates with teammates after game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.

WNBA Finals Draws 1.5M Viewers, Second-Highest Series on ESPN

The four-game series averaged 1.5 million viewers.
Micah Parsons
exclusive
October 14, 2025

NFL Scorigami Creator Blames Glitches on Twitter Platform Changes

The bot has been glitching all NFL season, and fans have noticed.
MLS
October 14, 2025

MLS Publishes Unchecked AI-Generated Game Recaps

Humans are not reviewing the articles for accuracy.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Sep 5, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Carlos Alcaraz of Spain and Novak Djokovic of Serbia embraces after their match in the semifinal of the men’s singles at the US Open at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
October 13, 2025

Six Kings Slam Returns With Record $6M Prize, Netflix Deal

The Six Kings Slam is held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Mar 5, 2023; Dallas, Texas, USA; A view of the NBA logo and NBA app logo and basketballs in front of the base during warms up before the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Suns at the American Airlines Center.
October 13, 2025

NBA Will Take Over League Pass After WBD Divorce

The league now has full operational control of those media assets.
Aces
October 10, 2025

WNBA Finals Most Viewed In 25 Years Despite Possible Aces Sweep

Games 2 and 3 have averaged more than 1.2 million viewers.
Spectrum
October 10, 2025

ESPN Streaming Service at Core of New Spectrum Plan

The No. 1 U.S. distributor further blends linear and streaming TV.