‘Tis The Championships Season For A Collegiate Olympic Sports Cornucopia On ESPN Platforms

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mallory Kenny is a Director of Programming & Acquisitions for ESPN. Having taken over this role in September, Kenny oversees all collegiate Olympic sports, including associated NCAA Championships, the company’s relationship with the NCAA, the day-to-day relationship with Conference USA, and all non-FBS [Football Bowl Subdivision] conference acquisitions. She discusses the start of the 2024-25 NCAA Championships season and what the expanded rights deal with the NCAA means for ESPN.

As the 2024-25 NCAA Championships season rolls on, ESPN Director of Programming & Acquisitions Mallory Kenny talks through her first three months in this new role and what viewers can expect from ESPN throughout the year after its expanded rights agreement with the NCAA.

You began this role in September 2024, before the official start of this championships season. What has been the biggest learning you have taken away in the first three months?
I’ve learned that ESPN’s commitment to Olympic sports – especially women’s sports – is very strong and extends to all parts of the company. Our production teams leading the charge on these sports are so passionate about growing them, and that is really contagious energy. There has been no shortage of incredible stories about these athletes, and it’s been so fun to learn and see them come to life in our content.

What have you found most rewarding with the start of the 2024-25 NCAA Championships season?
The most rewarding part has really been watching how many student-athletes are competing for the first or last time in these championship events and how that lends itself to thrilling moments during these tournaments. This has been evident throughout the start of our championship season.

ESPN & @NCAA reach a new, 8-year media rights agreement

• Exclusive champ coverage of all rounds for WBB, WVB, WGYM, WCWS, MCWS, FCS & more
• Adds champs for men's gymnastics, men's/women's tennis
• International rights to 40 champs & DI MBB

Details: https://t.co/AgJMKUbVfx pic.twitter.com/efKr41cEAx

— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) January 4, 2024

In January 2024, ESPN and the NCAA reached an expanded rights agreement. What are the biggest callouts with the new deal you think fans should be on the lookout for?
There are numerous additions viewers should be looking for this season, but below are some of the main points of the agreement that add to the viewing experience:

We now hold the rights to more than 40 NCAA Championships, including:

• Expanded early-round coverage for several championships
• The addition of new championships, including the Men’s Gymnastics Championship. This one holds a special place for me as my younger brother [Jeff Treleaven] was an All-American gymnast at Ohio State.
• Expanded shoulder programming, including more selection shows and studio support.
• Strong ABC commitment for several sports, including women’s volleyball, FCS [Football Championship Subdivision], women’s basketball, and women’s gymnastics.
• Eight Original Content one-hour programs entitled Game On: Journey to the NCAA Championship. First episode will feature women’s volleyball debuting on Thursday, Dec. 5, on ESPN+ and making its linear televised debut on Thursday, Dec. 12, at noon ET on ESPN2 with an ESPN airing on Sunday, Dec. 15 at 6 p.m. Remaining seven shows will highlight women’s gymnastics, men’s ice hockey, women’s basketball, wrestling, men’s lacrosse, softball, and baseball.

Speaking of those additions, what are some of the unique challenges of the expanded rights agreement?
As with any deal, it’s helpful to go through the first year to find out where challenges may present themselves. That said, with more NCAA Championships and rounds on our platforms than ever, we’ll need to ensure that all our internal departments work together strategically to provide the same level of coverage that fans of those sports have come to expect.

With the first Original Content special airing Thursday, Dec. 5, focusing on volleyball, what are you most looking forward to from this original programming throughout the year?
I’ve always been a firm believer that our storytellers at ESPN are the best in the industry, and this new deal with the NCAA will give more opportunities for them to find and enhance the stories of these incredible athletes competing to raise a trophy on our platforms.