• Loading stock data...
Tuesday, June 3, 2025

ESPN Is Bringing RedZone-Style Coverage to NCAA Women’s Volleyball

  • The program is a labor-intensive show usually reserved for high-profile sports.
  • Clearly, ESPN believes the extra resources will be worth it.
Florida Gators women's volleyball player prepares to spike ball against SEC opponents Kentucky
Matt Pendleton-Gainesville Sun

On Wednesday, ESPN announced a new feature of its coverage for the Division I women’s volleyball tournament: a RedZone-like whiparound show, which will complement ESPN’s broadcasting of every tournament match on one of its networks.

The program, called “The 5th Set,” isn’t the first time the NFL-style coverage has been brought to college sports. In 2021, for example, Fox implemented a whiparound show for Big East basketball. But now, ESPN will put extra resources in the labor-intensive show toward volleyball.

Women’s Volleyball Continues to Draw Major Media Interest

ESPN’s latest foray into volleyball is an exclusive deal with Athletes Unlimited.
November 15, 2022

The enhanced coverage is a major leap from just a few years ago, when the network was criticized for not even planning to have announcers at early rounds.

It’s yet another example of how conferences and broadcasters have begun to recognize the importance of investing in a sport that is growing at all levels.

  • At the youth level, volleyball has become the second-most popular sport among girls.
  • In college, ratings have increased significantly. As a result, conferences have elevated coverage — the Big Ten hosted the first-ever volleyball media days this year. 
  • Three professional women’s indoor leagues have launched since 2020.

ESPN has an exclusive deal with the NCAA for 29 championships, including Division I women’s volleyball, that averages about $34 million a year — a bargain considering women’s basketball alone is estimated to be worth $118 million annually. 

The NCAA is gearing up to enter renegotiations, as the contract is up in 2024. It’s possible ESPN, which is interested in retaining these rights, is beefing up coverage to prove that it’s a network worth sticking with.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Jan 19, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; The College Football Playoff National Championship trophy at a press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.

As 2025 CFB Season Nears, 2026 Playoff Format Still a Mystery

College Football Playoff leaders are divided on its future.

MLB TV Ratings Jump: Fox Up 10%, ESPN Hits Eight-Year High

Each of the league’s national rights holders is posting audience gains.
Alex Jensen introductory press conference on Monday, March 17, 2025.

Alex Jensen Started Utah Utes HC Job While Still Coaching the Mavs

How Jensen began building an NCAA program while patrolling the Dallas sideline.

History Shows Pacers vs. Thunder May Draw Record-Low Ratings

Indiana and Oklahoma City are two of the NBA’s smallest U.S. television markets.

Featured Today

PSG and the City of Paris Can Join European Soccer’s Elite

What a maiden Champions League title would mean for the French club.
May 30, 2025

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 30, 2025

Panthers-Oilers Rematch Could Be Big in Canada. Will U.S. Ratings Dip?

Likely viewership declines in the U.S. are countered by robust Canadian audiences.
May 30, 2025

French Open Scheduling Sparks Backlash Over Women’s Time Slots

Coco Gauff has also said the French Open schedule could be improved.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
May 28, 2025

NBA East Finals Delivers Strong TV Ratings, but West Is Struggling

The Pacers and Thunder are both up 3–1 in their conference finals series.
Around the Horn
May 23, 2025

Behind the Scenes of Around the Horn’s Final Days

FOS followed Tony Reali at the penultimate taping of the ESPN icon.
Around the Horn - October 26, 2020
May 23, 2025

‘Quirky, Nutty, Bombastic’: 10 ‘Around the Horn’ Faces on Their Top Moments

“A quirky, nutty, bombastic, mostly wrong, sometimes right, crazy sports family.”
May 22, 2025

NBC Eyes MLB Rights, Looks to Own Sunday Nights Year-Round

The league continues to shop media rights being forfeited by ESPN.