Release

CBS SPORTS REACHES MULTI-YEAR AGREEMENT TO BROADCAST ATLANTIC 10 CONFERENCE MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

CBS Sports, college basketball's leading network broadcaster, has acquired the rights to the Atlantic 10 Conference Men's College Basketball Championship game, through an agreement with ESPN Regional Television. The multi-year agreement begins with the 2010 Atlantic 10 Conference Championship.

 

The Atlantic 10 Championship game will be broadcast live on Sunday, March 14, 2010 (1:00-3:30 PM, ET) on the CBS Television Network.  The winner will earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship.

 

"We are delighted to welcome the Atlantic 10 to the outstanding CBS Sports collection of championship games," said Mike Aresco, Executive Vie President, Programming, CBS Sports. "The conference has a long tradition of excellence and now our viewers will be able to see the game that sends the winner to the NCAA Championship."

 

"It is an honor to be partners with CBS Sports," states Bernadette McGlade, commissioner of the Atlantic 10. "This is a tremendous opportunity for the league to showcase our institutions, coaches, and student-athletes during the height of March Madness."

 

CBS Sports broadcasts an extensive regular-season schedule of college basketball, including conference championships from the Big Ten, SEC, Pac-10 and Conference USA.  Exclusive broadcaster of the NCAA tournament, CBS Sports will present coverage of the preeminent event in college sports for the 28th consecutive year in 2009.

 

*     *     *

 

CBS Sports Contact:                Jen Sabatelle                212-975-4120             jsabatelle@cbs.com

Atlantic 10 Contact:                  Ray Cella                     215-545-6678             rcella@atlantic10.org