Although the half-minute promotional video has existed for a couple of months, my first look came Thursday night while watching another enjoyable game during the NCAA Women's College World Series.
With one of its championships on TV, the NCAA wanted to gets its message out.
Certainly a well-done piece, putting a postivie a spin on what TV money means for college sports. And, as a 30-second insert during a commercial break of a softball game, it almost makes you feel good about how such a revenue stream helps intercollegiate athletics.
What's missing, though, is a bit more context.
Information about where the TV money comes from would be nice, but it would also show how few dollars actually come in from the 88 championships the NCAA contests. In reality, the Division I men's basketball tournament accounts for more than 90 percent of all TV revenues. Rights fees for minor sports -- baseball, softball and just about any other -- amount to almost nothing.
Also overlooked in the promo piece is any mention of the power of those TV partners, the folks who provide that revenue. Game times? Controlled by TV. How events and teams get protrayed on broadcasts. Controlled by TV.
It's a nice piece, with an appropriate and feel-good message, but not all messages are complete.
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