• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, July 2, 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

exclusive

ESPN, Fox Reluctant to Share Talent With Netflix for Christmas NFL Games

ESPN talents who worked last year’s games include Laura Rutledge and Mina Kimes.

ESPN, MLB Relationship May Not Be Over After All

The parties restart rights talks amid a high-profile divorce in February.

College Sports Revenue-Sharing Underway As More Changes Loom

July 1 marks the first day schools can directly pay players.
Jun 24, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Wings guard Paige Bueckers (5) controls the ball as Atlanta Dream guard Maya Caldwell (33) defends during the first half at College Park Center.

Paige Bueckers Eyes Expanded Season, ‘Rightful Pay’ in New CBA

“The respect, attention, the accessibility—you see everything growing.”

Featured Today

The Battle Over Wimbledon’s Ambitious Expansion Plan

A classic NIMBY standoff on one of the most hallowed grounds in sports.
Seattle Rough & Tumble
June 28, 2025

Women’s Sports Bars Are on the Rise. Survival Isn’t Guaranteed

Some women’s sports bars are cashing in. Others are clawing for funding.
June 27, 2025

Shitposters Have Taken the Reins of Pro Sports’ Official Voices

Meet the social media pros turning sports teams into internet trolls.
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart (13) hoists the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena
June 26, 2025

Stanley Cup’s International Summer Tour: Rules, Repairs, and Raucousness

No pro trophy tour compares to the NHL’s three-month global victory lap.
Leo Messi

TNT, Club World Cup Ride Messi to Surprisingly Solid Debut Ratings

TNT Sports carries about a third of matches in the U.S.
June 23, 2025

NBA Finals Game 7 Is Most-Watched Since 2019, but Series Drops 9%

Game 7 drew 16.35 million viewers, the most-watched NBA game since 2019.
June 24, 2025

Fever vs. Aces Draws 5th-Largest TV Audience of 2025 WNBA Season

ESPN will carry seven more Indiana Fever games this year.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Pacers Force Game 7, Could Spark Big Ratings Boost for NBA Finals

Game 7 could boost NBA Finals ratings after a slow start this year.
June 17, 2025

Stanley Cup Final Delivers Drama but Struggles for Eyeballs in U.S.

U.S. viewership fell while Canadian audiences for the event rose slightly.
June 17, 2025

Streaming Tops Linear for First Time, Sports Still Key to TV’s Resilience

Streaming hits another critical milestone in an accelerating media transition.
June 17, 2025

Zaslav Takes Pay Cut, TNT Sports Future Unclear in WBD Shake-Up

The TNT Sports parent company retools its executive pay after shareholder pushback.