Monday, September 28, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

March Madness TV Ad Sales Soar Past $1B

  • Ad sales outpacing last season say CBS, WBD Sports executives.
  • March Madness Live virtually sold out.
Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

March Madness advertising sales are outpacing last season, with CBS Sports and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports “virtually sold out” of inventory, according to Adweek.

Collectively, the two TV partners have “significantly” surpassed last year’s record haul of $1 billion in ad sales for the men’s NCAA tournament, WBD Sports executive VP of sales Jon Diament said Wednesday.

The NCAA’s media partners see mid-to-high-single-digit increases for the tournament, added John Bogusz, executive vice president of sales at Paramount Advertising. The NCAA March Madness Live app is also virtually sold out.

NCAA-March-Madness

March Madness Could Reach 90 Teams

An NCAA committee proposed expanding March Madness, more money for women’s sports.
January 4, 2023

Most TV commercials will be those of NCAA corporate partners such as Coca-Cola, Capital One, AT&T, Pizza Hut, Buick, and Nissan.

CBS will kick off the Big Dance with its annual Selection Sunday show at 6 p.m. ET. Greg Gumbel will host the annual bracket reveal, along with former Villanova coach Jay Wright and analysts Clark Kellogg and Seth Davis.

The 2023 tournament begins with the First Four games on March 14-15. The men’s Final Four is scheduled for April 1, followed by the NCAA Championship Game on April 3. 

CBS and WBD Sports will team up for live coverage of all 67 games across CBS, TNT, TBS, and truTV. 

CBS will air the Final Four and Championship Game. All games will also be streamed on NCAA March Madness Live.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Sep 20, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) leaps to avoid a tackle by Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (13) while running with the ball during the second half at AT&T Stadium.

NFL Viewership Bounces Back in Week 2

Last Sunday’s NFL games each showed sizable viewership increases.
David Ellison Paramount

Paramount Settles Antitrust Suit, Clearing Path for WBD Deal

The deal would have significant implications for the companies’ sports portfolios.

Networks Get Mixed Results With Week 1 NFL Viewership

CBS sees some viewership attrition, while NBC rebounded Sunday night.
Oct 1, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Former Houston Texans JJ Watt speaks to the fans during his Ring Of Honor Ceremony at halftime during the game between the Texans and Pittsburgh Steelers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Opinion

J.J. Watt Wasn’t Better Than Tony Romo—but He Was Good Enough

Watt will remain with CBS’s top team for at least two more weeks.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

9/28/26 – College Sports Bill Vote, Man City Found Guilty, Phillies Survive Collapse

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”
Aug 28, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (13) throws to first for a double play against the Boston Red Sox during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images

How NBC Sports Is Approaching Its First MLB Postseason in 26 Years

The network will have its first MLB postseason presence since 2000.
Feb 8, 2024; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Michelle Beadle on the Sirius XM Mad Dog Sports radio set at the Super Bowl 58 media center at the Mandalay Bay resort and casino. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Exclusive
September 25, 2026

Michelle Beadle Joining Matthew Berry’s Roku Show

The new show will debut on Monday.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; NBC broadcast analyst Mike Tomlin before the game between Los Angeles Rams and Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
September 28, 2026

Mike Tomlin Breaks With Coaching Fraternity in Cowboys Analysis

Tomlin questioned the Cowboys’ decision-making in their loss vs. Baltimore.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Feb 7, 2021; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Tom Brady (12) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (87) celebrate after beating the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LV at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski ‘Loved’ Tom Brady’s Profane Reaction to Daniels Injury

Brady has since apologized for cursing on-air.
Rob Gronkowski Front Office Sports
September 25, 2026

Rob Gronkowski Explains Terry Bradshaw’s Viral McBride Moment

Gronkowski says the Hall of Fame quarterback was in on the joke.
Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Final - Spain v Argentina - New York/New Jersey Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. - July 19, 2026 U.S. President Donald Trump gestures ahead of the trophy presentation REUTERS/Hannah Mckay
September 24, 2026

Donald Trump Not Expected to Join ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday

ESPN does plan to show Trump during its Tennessee–Texas telecast.
U.S. President Donald Trump receives a jersey from head football coach at Indiana University, Curt Cignetti, as the president hosts the 2026 College Football Playoff (CFP) National Champions from Indiana University at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., May 11, 2026. REUTERS/Evelyn Hockstein
September 24, 2026

Will Donald Trump Join ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ on Saturday?

Trump will attend Tennessee vs. Texas in Knoxville.