Emmert says NCAA doesn’t have “tsunami of cash”

ROCK HILL, S.C. (AP) — NCAA president Mark Emmert says one of his major goals will be changing the public perception the organization is sitting on a “tsunami of cash” from its basketball championship.

Emmert spoke Friday at Winthrop University, where he was keynote speaker at a celebration of the school’s greatest athletic teams.

He said too often fans, athletes and administrators believe that all NCAA championships generate the revenue of its signature basketball championship each year.

In April, the NCAA announced a 14-year, $10.8 billion television package with CBS and Turner Broadcasting. The NCAA also decided to expand the field from 65 to 68 teams.

But the bulk of that money will go fund NCAA championships you won’t see on TV. The former University of Washington president says he often told fans if they like gymnastics purchase football tickets because that marquee sport is what bankrolled the others in the Huskies athletic department.