Sale of Sites Rids NCAA of Conflict

In an effort by the NCAA to distance itself from sports wagering, SportsLine.com will sell two gambling sites as part of an agreement to produce and manage an official NCAA championship Web site.

The agreement, announced Wednesday, requires that SportsLine dispose of its gaming information operations -- VegasInsider.com and Las Vegas Sports Consultants, which account for up to 15% of SportsLine’s revenue.

NCAA President Myles Brand said the deal could not have been completed without the agreement to sell the gambling sites.

The NCAA was the target of criticism in 2000, when a contest to pick the winners in the men’s basketball tournament was featured on the NCAA’s official Web site through an arrangement with a corporate partner. More than $45,000 in prize money was offered.

NCAA officials ordered the contest removed from the site after becoming aware of it.

Michael Levy, chief executive for SportsLine, said losing the gambling sites could hurt revenues in the short term, though he was optimistic the new Web site will eventually turn a profit.

“We will exceed the revenue over time,” Levy said. “This year, we might suffer a little.”

The agreement extends through 2006. The Web site, ncaasports.com, will bring a wide range of college sports to the Internet and is expected to start by Saturday.

SportsLine acquired the licensing rights from CBS Sports, which last year signed an 11-year, $6-billion deal with the NCAA that includes coverage of the men’s basketball tournament and 65 other championships, as well as Internet rights. CBS owns about 31% of SportsLine.

“This is a partnership,” said Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports. “We feel sales will far exceed production costs. Revenue will be split between SportsLine and CBS. If we meet certain revenue goals, the NCAA shares revenue with CBS.”

The new site will replace all NCAA championship sites, including finalfour.net.

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Associated Press contributed to this report.